29 Jan 2024 – Family’s Helper Since 1992/32Yrs

Fri: was rather curious about what was happening while waiting for my ride downstairs – not a usual sight with a film crew at a wake! Since I had time, had a closer look to be informed that they were filming a mock-up-wake which was a government project for a mock-up-wake by a playground. C’est la vie – if there is no life, there will be no death, so life&death do go hand-in-hand! A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time – Mark Twain.

Byebye to cousins and a safe trip back to Canada, hopefully it will not be another 13yrs before their next visit. Tkx to ChengEn for his Grab-rides,pix&video – nice to be able to show off Jewel’sWaterfall from the Skytrain. What are the chances to bump into Vincent on the way to the carpark, so here again when it’s meant to be it will be.

Sat: 3k morning walk in full moonlight by the new MarineTerraceMRTst to be! Caught the first 36Bus@06.05hrs opp MandarinGardens

to the airport to bid farewell to Mila, family’s helper from the Philippines who has been with our family since 1992(32yrs). She arr in SIN to look after father in 1992 and has been thru’ the passings of father,Ivy’s mother,Pat&Kat’s marriages,Kiera’s birth – she will be missed. Here with her sonMichael&grandsonCaleb to accompany their mother&grandmother back to her home – hope to be able to visit with her in the Philippines someday!

Sun: thank you to our MarineCrescentRC for their Sunday morning surprised visit to a constructive chat+CNYgifts received with appreciations&gratitude. Hope that they will take care of those bicycles, still in the staircase landing and quite an eye sore besides being dangerous in case of fire.

Tkx for Steamboat dinner+durian for dessert, not quite the season yet, thus costing a bomb for this delivered package – durian for me is no doubt the King of Fruits.

Mon: morning SGH-appt, again what are the chances that Garry is staying at the hotel just across the road from SGH? And that I have no confirmed plans for the afternoon??

Welcome Garry and nice to spend an afternoon in Chinatown, not solving world’s problems this time round-hahaha! but just enjoying the company in the CNY ambience chatting about this&that. Here by Yip YewChong’s LetterWriterMural/SmithSt, where he is doing a such a good job to stay seated on a make-believe-chair for this pose-lol. Bye&safe journeys to Larry who will be flying off back to the US in the wee early hours of Tue, ie tomorrow.

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from – ElisabethRoss

25 Jan 2024 – No Matter By Chance Or Fate

Mon: joyride on 2different buses43&147 to Hougang, a completely new territory to look for MaruMaruBakery – as it turned out that can only be purchased online. A helpful young man who I asked for help there was kind&gracious to checked&called. Managed to order online, tkx to help from nephew. Hopefully all worth the while for these individually wrapped nicely presented pineapple tarts, also hopefully tasting good as gifts to especially overseas visitors. 3boxes of HuatTarts/12pcs per box@$3per pcs ordered to be picked up tomorrow night.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6t9z2WoBN7VBz8GyUXBLvZmChpT3yhQ/view?usp=sharing

Disappointing dinner@SpringCourt/Chinatown. Had the LoHei, signature Popiah and waited nearly 30mins before we decide to cancel the rest of the orders and left. Well, at least we got to LoHei with Larry wishing us Good Health which is most important for us all.

Must be out of my mind to wander into TempleSt this time of the year! But then only Puff the MagicDragon can get this to happen! What are the chances to bump into overseas cousins when out with visiting overseas guest? Tkx to VincentChan for group pix.

Managed to get melon seeds for both bro Leslie&myself, he likes the whitesS$7/500g and I the redsS$8/500g. Just feeling happy that the rains are staying away for these seasonal business, felt sorry for them over the past years when the rains really hit and kept ppl away.

The lights this year are quite delightful, but my pix do not justify how lovely they really are. Will download some other ones from ppl with better pix. Poor Larry who is jetlagging, can sooo relate with him that feeling bringing back memory(late 1970s?)when I flew from SIN-MCO and driving~2hrs to GNV to visit with 2ndBorn@UF. Struggled to keep my eyes open on the road and she surprised me with tickets to a concert there with KiriTeKanawa, one of my favourite sopranos. It was impossible to keep my eyes open then, no matter how hard I tried.

Tue: appreciations to cousinChengEn for driving us for a short visit to sisJo(eldest of the GreenGen today) and to ParkwayP/TheLensMen for Susannah&Edith to get new eyeglasses. They still have the last pair+case bought here 13yrs ago! ChickenRice@MPhawkers&Cendol@PPfoodcourt. Nice to have a group pix of 5GreenGen cousins pix, tkx to ChengEn for group-selfie.

Hougang to pick up the PineappleTarts and by betting lost, discovered a more direct bus55 back. Another joy ride, but this time in the dark when I do not like to be trying to find my way, but these Tarts can only be picked up after 20.00hrs when its dark! punt intended here, lol.

Wed: needed to be alone with some of my favourite trees by the sea@EC-Pk to re-charge enjoying all the oxygen they are giving out. Totally blessed to have&know this area so as to savour the peace&tranquility needed to clear the mind.

Looks like the roosters+their flocks also have the same idea, but none of them were crowing as there is space enough for all here and no need to mark territory.

BoonTatSt for satay but the sky opened up and poured just after 1900hrs so ate inside@LauPaSat which was packed. At least Larry got to see how efficiently the street was closed for traffic before the downpours, was surprised to hear that he has never been here during his 4yrs working&living here.

The last time it rained like this here was when #6 was visiting and he certainly did not mind the rains! Apr2022: dinner@LauPaSat on this lovely wet Easter Sunday night, but then why let the weather dampen good company with yummy foods when you can dance in the warm tropical rains before flying back to colder weathers.

Thank you for dessert@AndazHotel to end this wet evening(2hotel pix downloaded).

Thu: Happy Thaipusam to those celebrating&marking the Hindu festival today. Take care to be safe where devotees pierce their skin and walk 4k from SriSrinivasaPerumal Temple/SerangoonRd –SriThendayuthapani Temple/TankRd – 2above pix downloaded.

Tkx for dinner@DancingCrab/OrchardCentral – their signature dish, a different twist to ChilliCrab in a bread bowl 跳舞螃蟹首选, SambalGilledFish,etc., more a menu&venue for the younger generation!

You cannot teach a crab to walk straight – Aristophanes

Crossing the only overhead glass bridge across OrchardRd from OrchardGateway to the bus stop to be caught in traffic on OrchardRd by the Thaipusam procession – no complains in this traffic-jam when on an AC-bus with happenings like this.

21 Jan 2024 – Bloating&Gut Issues

Thu&Fri: overnight@Rochalie and was awake before the crow of the roaster. Just discovered roosters mark their territory by crowing, a behavior that is vital to them. When a rooster crows, he sends a clear message to other roosters that he owns this area. If another rooster enters his space, he crows more frequently. And I thought they only only crow in the mornings. Sounds like the roaster+his flock or maybe a new roaster flock now? are still somewhere in this neighbourhood. So not only do we have SteakAllaRochalie but now the RochalieRoaster – hahaha. A ride into FarrerPkMedicalCentre to get papers sorted out for the future dreaded dental procedures ahead and back to my 4walls to rest before dinner.

Welcome Larry back to SIN thank you for last night’s dinner@BugisJunction – cool wet weathers in addition to his condition, hot soupy dishes were appreciated. Hope that he will be more up to exploring around new unchartered areas with new skyrises.

Was not even aware about the underpass from BugisMRT-Andaz&Duo – so rain or shine, no worries about the weathers when walking underground in these comfortable, clean&safe areas. like the one from Funan-CityHallMRT. Appreciations to visitors who get me to wander around discovering these new paths. These cookies are to die for, tkx to Michael for making them and to Larry for carrying them on the plane from TX.USA.

Exploring above ground around the DuoTower with dessert&drink break@SoFrance for so-so LemonTart. Being here gives me a few buses 16,48,196 to choose. Decided to try a new path crossing Rochor&BeachRd, and along the new

GuocoMidtownOffice building pavement leading to NicoleHighway to bus196. Trying my best to adjust to these new landmarks nowadays (pix downloaded) even more confusing in the dark!

Sat: time to get snailmail CNY-Greetings ready for mailing+online acknowledgements. Watched a beautiful&touching Japanese movie, Departures/2008  おくりびとOkuribito=one who sends off.

The film follows a young man who returns to his hometown after a failed career as a cellist and stumbles across work as a nōkanshi—a traditional Japanese ritual mortician. He is subjected to prejudice from those around him, including from his wife, because of strong social taboos against people who deal with death. Eventually he repairs these interpersonal connections through the beauty and dignity of his work. The taboo subject of death here gives another aspect as to how different cultures handle the various rituals practiced.

Departures – Full Movie | Oscar Winning, Subtitled, Japanese Film (youtube.com) 

Interesting podcasts Live Well Be Well with DrWilliamJohnBulsiewicz better known as DrB is an American board-certified gastroenterologist and author known for his exploration of the relationship between the gut microbiome and plant-based nutrition. His logical precise&clear explanations are applicable to my gut&bloating issues at present – need to look into his products 38Tera.

Sun: today a lot of snow&cold in Norway/Trysil&OSL – pix credits to Kari,Kirsten&Mette.

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again ― Lewis Carroll 

Tkx for Sunday’s early dinner@OldBibik’s PeranakanKitchen/JooChiatRd, too tired&stuffed after this early dinner – energy has gone to the gut instead of the brains, need an early night before another busy week ahead.

OLD BIBIK’S PERANAKAN KITCHEN – Welcome to Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen.

17 Jan 2024 – Combined Bdays Lunch With Leonard

Sun: what a delicious early-Bday-lunch within my 4walls. Appreciations to Clement who helped to pick up some of my favourite foods of my choice and appreciations for dessert,drinks&BakKua. Started the first LoHei 撈起 for the year, a ready package with dried&preserved ingredients is not anything near Frank&Jessies28Ingredients, but still better than none! Added quite a fair bit of veggies to balance with the other meat dishes today.

https://www.roots.gov.sg/stories-landing/stories/lohei

ImperialTreasure PekingDuck, MeePokNoodles with leftover duck meat.

YiQian壹仟私厨 SautéedBeefCube with SlicedGarlicenus 琥珀蒜片牛柳粒 and 18 Seafood食霸海鲜 CrispyChicken stuffed with glutinous rice 糯米雞

Desserts from TiongBahruBakery where there is even a branch@Siglap now. CashewNut&Chocolate cookies from Dulcet&Studios@BukitMerah are good, can even taste the butter in them, first time tasting anything from this JapaneseLifestyleCafe – will return when in the area. Dulcet & Studio | Tampopo

Mon: Happy Bdays to me,AngieS,EstellaC,JoshL&JohnT – really how can it be 74yrs when it does not feel such, but how do I know how&what 74 feels like? Tkx for the yummy AlmondCroissant from TiongBahruBakery, my most favourite croissant to start my 74yr of this life journey.

Calming view from the kitchen window – have watched these flowering trees since they were planted, day1~24yrs ago and today it has reached the 7&8Floors. Content with the min CNY deco so far… PlazaSIN to renew Starhub/SeniorPlan lasting for the next 2yrs.

When you see me sitting quietly,
Like a sack left on the shelf,
Don’t think I need your chattering.
I’m listening to myself.
Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!
Hold! Stop your sympathy!
Understanding if you got it,
Otherwise I’ll do without it!
When my bones are stiff and aching,
And my feet won’t climb the stair,
I will only ask one favor:
Don’t bring me no rocking chair.
When you see me walking, stumbling,
Don’t study and get it wrong.
‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy
And every goodbye ain’t gone.
I’m the same person I was back then,
A little less hair, a little less chin,
A lot less lungs and much less wind.
But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in – Maya Angelou

Tue: welcome to SIN cousins Susannah & Edith, the snowbirds! from BC/Canada. Good to catch up after so many years, do not even remember when we last met?? Thank you for this unique honey and looking forward to tasting it. Checking over the blog postings and looks like Nov2011 was the last time I met with Susannah.

Hi & Bye@the 5th Airport! – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything (amylamsg.com)

and Nov2009 with Edith – Family from Canada – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything (amylamsg.com)

Wed: appreciations for tonight’s dinner with Les&Ivy@Rochalie’s menu of – Duck+sauce, MeeGoreng,OtakOtak,HerbalChicken,Beef/Chicken/MuttonSatay+sauce,BeefRochalie,potatoes&white rice. So nice to see Ivy in good spirits enjoying the company of our cousins who we have not seen since 2011 and 2009. 

13 Jan 2024 – With Refunds Vouchers

Wed: looks like another wet morning here but considering that the SE USA(pix downloaded) has been issued with tornadoes threat and the freezing temps in Norway(pix downloaded), there are no complains here despite of this crazy weathers with the high humidity for late morning and afternoon after the rains.

Deadly winter storm puts more than 25 million under tornado watch in Southeast | CNN

Deep freeze settled over Norway – Norway’s News in English — www.newsinenglish.no

Finally, all Christmas deco down, packed and stored but in NO mood to welcome the Year of the Dragon or think about CNY deco yet.

Thu: morning briefings to construction-workers(big thank you to them)who are getting the MarineTerraceSt/TEL-MRT up&running, hopefully real soon. Looking forward to when it will take less than ~100steps/1min to walk from my 4walls to Exit2 under shade to this station.

‘Singapore is a transit mecca’ — US transport professional praises Singapore (msn.com)

Still hearing one or two screaming toddles who are still not happy(that too shall pass/hahaha) attending the Sparkletots/preSchool ground floor of the block where I hide in my 4walls to remise about 1stBorn hiding behind my legs in her toddle years whenever she met someone unfamiliar.

Making use of the cool morning to walk to PP-FairPrice to get grocery making use of CDC-vouchers and getting back S$8/with T&C apply.

Supermarkets offer return vouchers and other promotions for those spending CDC vouchers | The Straits Times

Fri: cool wet day to relax watching a British suspenseful drama – The Stranger, an 8part British mystery thriller. The secrets&lies of suburban families are made public by the appearance of a stranger and here goes to show perhaps some secrets should remain secret. A good way to keep the mind occupied before a busy weekend&week ahead with socials and more overseas visitors.

Sat: morning walkabouts before sunrise is the favourite time for me and taking time to enjoy the peaceful quiet moments, using the imagination to see that these tree-branches shape like a beautiful silhouette of some animal in the streetlights.

Quoting CharlesSchulz – I love mankind … it’s people I can’t stand! Especially discourteous uncivil,etc ppl and unfortunately there are too many of them around…

Busy day running around, first some HamChimPeng/鹹煎餅+CharSiuBao/叉燒包 to Ivy&Les, then took Bus75 to see where the new route would lead me,…ending@BkMerah for KwayTeow lunch.

Looks like FairPrice’s Dragons here are puffing with full-force into CNY which falls on 10Feb this year

Speak politely to an enraged dragon – JRR Tolkien