29 Apr 2025 – Afternoon High Tea

Early 2000s – first time@ParkviewSq then was before it was DivineWineBar – used to enjoy the luxury of a quiet cuppa or a cocktail when it was practically empty here after running errands in the Bugis area. One of the memorable tables to sit by was an unusual glass table with a cute SalvadorDali sculpture? – do wonder where this table is now?

In the center of the plaza is a statue of a golden crane and on the pedestal, a poem is written in Chinese referring to a mythical crane looking towards the direction of Hubei/China – eager&ready to fly there.

黄鹤楼

故国旧有黄鹤楼
北望神州几千秋
黄鹤展翅飞万里
伟哉狮城见鹤楼

Huang He Lou (Yellow Crane Tower)
For the Yellow Crane Tower of my homeland,
I have looked north for thousands of years.
The Yellow Crane wings its way across thousands of miles,
So the great Lion City can know the Tower.

Parkview Square: The Most Expensive Wall in Singapore – Way Fengshui Group

2010s – missing the angels fetching wines when it was DivineWineBar. They disappeared ~2017 and Atlas appeared with the world’s largest gin collection featuring cocktails you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Angels appear in many different forms to hold your hand through the difficult times – Doreen Virtue

Sat: first time having Afternoon/High-Tea here celebrating a belated Bday with excellent service. Do like tasting all these tiny bites and the scone here must be one of my personal best size&taste.

We tried Atlas Bar’s lavish afternoon tea menu

Tkx for yummy HomecookedDinner@Rochalie – appreciate good Port,Tequila&Wine when just a sip is perfectly enough for the taste and feeling it go smoothly down the throat. Comforting&nice to see uncle&nephew here bonding over their cigars in broLeslie’s new AC-enclosed Mantuary/ManCave surrounding by good spirits! with loving memories of father&broSteven – hahaha

Sun: HsH R&R/HomeSweetHome Relax&Rest expected the consequences after another gastronomic finesse and of course all worth it! Overhearing a pickup truck in the neighbourhood with loudspeaker calling on residents to vote PAP in several languages and dialect/s. How is that necessary when it is uncontested, thus a walkover in my hood? Pix downloaded.

Mon: snail-mailed#3’sGraduationGiftCheck, let’s hope it will not go around the world returning back to sender as it did with Linn’s BdayGreeting!

Tue: grocery shopping@Giant/TampinesS$305.13 including PromoS$20.35+SS4%12.72 totalS$33.07 when the shopping is S$200&above with free delivery. Peel-to-eat-shrimps lunch+ some shopping@IkeaS$30 to discover that the free shuttle to&from Bedok has been taken out of service since 23Mar. No problems or worries as Bus168 only a few steps from here goes to BedokInterChange.

25 Apr 2025 – Nomination Day

Wed: GE2025: Prospective candidates arrive at nomination centres – CNA

LittleIndia has new murals@TekkaMarket.

Fri: someone recently asked me what is so good about living alone?  ~30yrs on and still happy to be living alone, choosing to do whatever&whenever my conscience tells me. Still doing the inner work – growth is endless for everybody. Well worth 22minutes of your time to hear&listen this video – deep truth and inspiration for all humans.

All the ups and downs are grace in different wrappings, sent to refine consciousness. Say thanks to them all – Mooji

The truth about women who LIVE ALONE without a man | Carl Jung

22 Apr 2025 – RIP Pope Francis

Sun: Happy Easter Sunday also a metaphor for rebirth&transformation to all. Proud of my first-born who again qualified for 2025BostonMarathon. 11yrs ago we enjoyed celebrating her 40thBday with a road-trip to watch her run her 1stBostonMarathon and have not had my whole flock together with me at one location since then/2014!

PeristeriaElata National flower to Panama/S-America – commonly referred to as the HolyGhostOrchid,DoveOrchid, or flower of the HolySpirit, and FlorDelEspirituSanto in Spanish would have been perfect for today. But will have to be happy with these chrysanthemums from the MT-market.

Sky opened as heading for public transport to OrchardRd, shaded all the way whether bus or MRT- decided on Bus36 for a joy ride, hopefully with a driver who will not give me a headache! Heavy rains triggering flashfloods not affecting bus36 despite that the visibility was bad on ShearsBridge/ECP heading to town. By the time the bus looped around from Thomlinson-OrchardRd, sky was clearing up and when it reached the stop in front of The Heeren where I was getting off, rains stopped, umbrella was ready but was not necessary – pix downloaded

Real bad flooding at Shears Bridge from Beach Road. : r/singapore

Nice to have some time to browse around OpenSpace/Level1@Paragon without any crowds – really a MossWall for S$2,500! With thoughts of all those priceless but free moss surfaces on the AT where my tent was pitched 20yrs ago…

First time at KorenSteakHouseCote@ComoHotel,BidefordRd – glad that we had a private room otherwise would not be able to hear or see, an ambience popular with the younger generation!

Appreciations with tkx to Theresa&CJ for this amazing memorable Easter Dinner.

Most unusual way to serve caviar with a beef-base but was very good and so were the other four pre-selected beef cuts+sides&condiments. Caviar/FishEggs! Easter is the only time it’s safe to put all your eggs in one basket – hahaha.

Excellent 1998ChateauMargaux brought by Les&Ivy and good champagne from the restaurant.

COTE Review: First Michelin-Starred Korean Steakhouse In Singapore | Eatbook.sg

It was such a lovely evening with less ppl on OrchardRd after the rains, quite delightful for a short walk to the bus-stop in front of LuckyPlaza for Bus16.

Mon: of course, to be expected after a week like of eating like last week, body is reacting, especially more so now when the immune is not as it used to be. Must have had foods&drinks with more histamine than usual, fasting today and drinking water hoping to rid some of the excess histamine.

https://www.msn.com/en-sg/health/nutrition/how-to-reduce-histamine-in-the-body/ss-BB1huyOF

PopeFrancis passed away on one of the most holy days for the Catholics – may he now RIP

Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88 – Vatican News

Tue: still Mon at the BostonMarathon,MA/USA – pix credits to Linn and so proud of her for completing 42km/26m.

Appt@NDC, looks like this construction will be part of NDC upon completion.

Tkx to Clement for lunch&shopping company@PlazaSIN, unlike those in Paragon, these Bonsai do not need TLC – hahaha

The object is not to make the tree look like a bonsai, but to make the bonsai look like a tree

19 Apr 2023 – SpringBreak For US-Flock

Wed: missing my US-flock and it will be unlikely that there will be travels to the US in 2025! Sad with the thought of missing #3John’sHighSchoolGrad. Both body&mind need rest to preserve some energy hopefully to be able to be present in Feb2026 for#1Katy&Jack’s wedding. Appreciation with thanks for these pix from Linn and AlexMcD – all the best for the 129thBostonMarathon on the 250th Anniversary of Patriots’Day, Mon21Apr2025.

They are now enjoying Spring+EasterBreak@GardenCityBeach,SC/USA.

#5 enjoys the beach and his first go at the wheels of this golf-cart bringing back sweet memories from May1986 CatalinaIsland,CA/USA when Linn was chauffeuring us around then at her first go at the wheels of a golf-cart! In the meanwhile, will live vicariously with gratitude&memories from pix shared by family&friends.

Do need at least a day to rest between socials this week.  Finding&gathering some inspiration&motivation energy to create&make something special for the EasterWeekend. The choice between the potato? or the egg?? being Easter these mini-egg-candies wrapped&decorated with ribbons will be the choice for this Easter.

15 Apr 2025 – Way To Go Sophie

Sat: proud of #4grandchild Sophie/ClassHistorian, appreciations with thanks for this pix from IrmoHighSchool posting – thought it is her with that long blond hair, zoomed in to recognize the Lams’ features – hahaha!

11 Apr 2025 – US-Postal-Service, Epitome of Snail Mail

Tue: an amusing memory from 16yrs ago while the Vesper and a tricycle@MT-Market caught my attention this morning Does anyone know if I can get a tricycle in the colours of this Vesper??
https://amylamsg.com/2009/04/04/how-to-deal-with-todays-youth/

Grocery shopping dark&early and the best time for me to be out taking the rest of the day to get the food cleaned&ready into the fridge&freezer for the week. Not only that grocery bill has gone up, also taking a longer time to get things done – the reality of aging! Tkx to SL for sharing tonight’s dinner and appreciations for dessert, a good day to share when everything is still fresh.

Way to go to #4 racing 2nd leg/800m of DMR@BlazerTwilight/RidgeviewHigh – pix credits to Linn

Bought this Clematis@Walmart May2024 and potted it at Linn’s when the peacocks were around then! Appreciate receiving the latest pix of it today and delighted to see that not it is not only surviving but thriving and hoping the same to my US flock. Will really miss not seeing them this year, especially for #3HighSchoolGraduation but do hope to be there for #1&Jack’sWedding/Feb2026.

Walmart Supercenter – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything

No idea why? this Bday card to Linn was returned when addressed correctly and it took a month when it was mailed from here and back here! Are tariffs involved Overseas Snailmail too!! Was also told that her friend sent some mail within the state in US and that took a month, sounds like the US-postal-service is the epitome of SnailMail. As US hikes tariffs again, nervous businesses weigh what comes next and if not my US flock+family&friends, would not even want to visit the US!

Wed: last gas replacement 24Dec2022 – expecting that the next replacement should be less than in 2yrs since there are no plans or wish to be travelling…

Appreciations with thanks for this 1stSandwich 2weeks ago from MarineParadeCARE Fridge/46MarineCres and today the 2nd – they were fresh&good.

Thu: QingMing清明/Tomb-Sweeping is now ongoing in this part of the world. In memory of my grandparents,parents+3brothers – pix from 1940s&50s.

Will not be going to the crematorium, but they are never forgotten. NEA has put in place crowd control measures at the columbaria and extend the opening hours to 24hrs daily from 22Mar -20Apr.

Beliefs Triumph Over Logic Again – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything

Our humanness makes us vulnerable, and we all seek solace in different ways. I suppose it depends on the devils that haunt one from life’s experiences that determine what manner of solace we choose. https://amylamsg.com/2011/08/22/if-religion-is-a-thing/

Fri: so far, for me it certainly is the best of all airports visited or passed thru’ and as one of the passengers said – it’s an airport you do not mind being delayed or stuck in. Despite having no plans to travel, have lost the number of counts that I am there! Airports somehow makes the feeling of being a passer-thru’ like a visitor, and aren’t we always, always just visitors, just passer-thru?

Singapore Changi Airport named world’s best airport in 2025, 13th time receiving award – CNA Lifestyle

And if you are thinking of travelling, here are the best deals for your S$

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/gday-australia-hei-norway-where-to-spend-your-singdollar-amid-trumps-tariff-drama

Early Bday Lunch with Aileen@PP newly renovated Kopitiam – thank you for this lovely gift, she always gets me the best bags and still using a grey one from her some year ago. Really! receiving gift when it’s her Bday, she is as thoughtful as always.

New Kopitiam Food Hall Opens in Parkway Parade

7 Apr 2025 – Follow-up Appointments

Fri: MRT-TEL-MarineT-OutramPk/Exit6/NDC, underground walk when not rush hour, do not want to risk a panic-attack during rush hour despite that the hospital is just a stone-throw away! If rush hour, will take the Bus16 changing to Bus33-OutramRd and walk to 2ndHospitalAve. Bus196/MarineCres-NewBridgeRd-Stop crossing the overhead bridge to SingHealth/OutramCommHospital-Blk3SGH walking to wherever the appts are, and if possible, not taking the shuttle bus as they usually crowded. Gladly walk these detoured routes to keep my sanity, especially for this week with 3follow-up-appts!

Today on the way back to the EastSide, Bus196 added a new stop on CantonmentRd opp PoliceCantonmentComplex(05539) – saw it under construction when taking a walk with cousin Karen in Jan. Such a pleasure to practically have the bus to myself, hardly stopping as there were no pax at many of the stops now with the MRT-TEL running.

Memories with view from 5TemenggongRd/1940s-50s. The row-houses in front are now TravelLodge/HabourFront, smoking-chimmy/StJamesPowerStation, curved Godown roofs now VivoCity, then PulauBlakangMati/Sentosa now in the far background. Memory lane is the only way to remember not to forget!

Temenggong Road(3) – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything

Sat catching up with Hannah&Heiko to celebrate his 40Bday before they head off to Osdorf,Schleswig-Holstein/Germany on their one-way-ticket!

Sun: appreciations with thanks to Iyas for Sunday’s scrupulous HalahHomeCooked lunch + a variety of yummy HariRayaCookies.

Amazing view from 44-floor and nice playground in the area. Like the idea when you can rinse your hands on top of the toilet bowl and water can then be used for the toilet – must get one of those when change is needed.  Tkx to Helen for walking with me to find a bus stop to learn that MargaretDr continues to KaySiangRd!

Gazebo now glassed in with AC, will not tempt fate being in there when cigar smoking is ongoing! Tkx for dinner@Rochalie –

yummy Champagne+Caviar that Albert bought from his Moscow/Russia trip+SteakAlaRochalie and durian for dessert, tkx to Galdy&Shawn.

But I am greedy for life. I do too much of everything all the time. Suddenly one day my heart will fail… Perhaps they will put on my tombstone. ‘This Man Died from Living Too Much ― Ian Fleming/From Russia With Love’

Mon: need to rest body&mind, especially for the stomach!

Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life — Rumi

3 Apr 2025 – Happy 88Bday Sis Jo

Mon: SelamatHariRaya to those celebrating&marking this public holiday here in SIN. Happy 88Bday sis Jo who is now the eldest of our GreenGen – appreciations with thanks for a scrumptious homemade lunch@Pat&David’s with Luxas/17 and Beth/13.

Tasteful&pretty presentation StrawberryLimeBdayCake by JaniceWong, a SIN artist,chocolatier,chef,and entrepreneur who has won multiple awards for her pastry&edible art – the artist’s palette and the chef’s kitchen are both a playground for creativity.

4Jul2020: do remember one of the most successful gifts was from JaniceWong, edible chocolate crayons+rice paper. Have always wanted to write my own secret message and eat it up. Devon&Eliot have grown and will soon think these kind of gifts are cheesy, but for now, this moment just hit the spot.

If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself ― George Orwell

Tue: Spring has definitely sprung in the NorthernHemisphere. Pleased to see the Clematis I got for Linn last summer in the US is blooming again. May’s HoneyPlant/HoyaCarnosa is also in bloom/Norway, and somehow despite of the cold winters she manages to get the most amazing results with her GreenThumb – pix credits to Linn&May – not sure if

Linn’s memories are just as intact as mine! with this Mar1978 pix with the HoneyPlant/HoyaCarnosa in the background, remembering having to clean off the honey dripping on the windowsill then! Plant pix downloaded, used to have one like this around the window but not that many blooms, a cutting from EmmaHald, L&M paternal-great-grand-mother. Also known as wax plant, porcelain flower, and honey plant, is a climbing or trailing perennial of the dogbane and milkweed family. It is native to Eastern Asia and Australia. The plant has attractive waxy, oval-shaped leaves and vines that grow 2–4 feet long. Flowers are fragrant and have a white or cream hue. The plant is typically grown as a houseplant and is perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings. 

Hoya carnosa (Wax Plant): All You Need To Know

While here am delighted to be able to enjoy the communal MarineCresentKitchenGarden.

Impressive how every living plant is so well-kept – might even be inspired to volunteer to helping!

No April Fool but another appt@NDC for real. Lunch with Clement@IKEA – the festive MiniOndehCake for the RayaSeason hit the spot today. Tasted one of the best coconut flakes covered moist sponge cakes with creamy layers of  GulaMelaka/PalmSugar for real – highly recommended if they are still serving this festive cake in is part of the world!

Wed: 07.15hrs – a sudden strong gust of wind gave these shots despite lasting only for a minute before the first refreshing April rain shower. Expecting&preparing for a muggy&hot afternoon but turned out to be a glorious day.

Lunch with Henry and a serene breezy walk ending with fruits&sundaes@McD/EC-Pk.

Thu: 26yrs ago today bought ~700sqf/69sqm resale-HDB-3room and still content&satisfied with a place to chill&unwind in this 4-walls renovated-studio-apt today!

1999-2000: at a resale price S$175,000/market price S$155,000 and with a 1st-time buyer grant+loan+down-payment, bought it not as an investment but a place as a base to stay in between other places and to keep my stuff here no matter where life will lead…

Unless in financial difficulties, hopefully this will be the final one&only property needed. Now can also sell it back to HDB, not a good deal, but better than no choice – today’s going price is~S$500,000-600,000.

2000-2005: renovation works were done to this 3-room (ie 2bedrooms, hall/kitchen&bathroom – total floor-area of slightly under 65sqm) slowly but surely as to my taste within my budget. The floor&walls (the only wall is the kitchen-fire-wall which is against regulations to be removed) were the first to be hacked away to make it into a one-room studio apt.

2001-2005: upgrading administrations&works with utility room added, losing one kitchen-window but gaining an extra room. 2005 done with 9-5jobs! and hiking the AT-Thru’Hike was achieved. Today this is a useful store+laundry-room and if necessary can be converted to an extra bedroom

2005-2024: have been away from SIN from 3-6months every year except during Covid and that has worked well for me. 2025 no plans to travel so far…

Happy AprBdays to family&friends

2  Apr –  NEO EngHuat
4  Apr –  KHOO Amy, MayaH, RichardY
8  Apr – TorillW
10Apr – LAM Danielle
12Apr – PeggyT
13Apr – LAU Yvette
15Apr – LynneO, AileenK
17Apr – LAM Sara, AnneS, SharonK,
19Apr – KLUSMAN Claire
22Apr – BOROWSKI Ike
29Apr – LAM Stanley