19 Dec 2012 – with Calvin & Hobbes 🙂

Some of my favourite winter funnies to deal with the cold season!

Appreciations to 16th auntie, Jo, Les, Ivy, David, Clement, KK, Aileen, AmyR, Gel, Richard, Grace, Calvin, Sam & Sam for taking time to meet for the past 2 weeks. Expecting Ole K & family from Norway, and yes socially busy but this is what the holiday season is about, family & friends.

A new Indonesian restaurant, Seribu Sari***tasteful interior and decent food. Located on the 3rd floor at the newly renovated Rendezvous Hotel. Looking at the SIN hotel rates nowadays, could not afford to be a visitor in here. This hotel used to be reasonable, ie app S$100 per night. After the renovations, the rates have gone up at least twice!

An impressive  panoramic view of the skyline of SIN Central Business District with ships in the foreground uploaded from Wikipedia.

Tourism in SIN is a major industry and contributor to the SIN economy, attracting 11,638,663 tourists in 2010, over twice SIN’s total population. It is a wonder that a tiny island with an area of 710 sq km/274 sq mi can squeeze all these people here. For those who like crowds and the buzz, this must be the ideal place to be living!! For me, I only go out when I have to…

Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive [overpopulation]. Convenience and  decency cannot survive [overpopulation]. As you put more and more people onto the world, the value of life not only  declines, it disappears – Isaac Asimov

18 Dec 2012 – National Museum of SIN

Two documentaries Old Places and Old Romances by Roystan Tan, Eva Tang & Victric Thng. These were featured at the NMS over the weekend. Well done but only few places meant anything for the real oldies! This new generation who experienced SIN after 1970s is a different era. Many of the places featured are not known to one who left SIN soil in 1965. Thus, again re-enforces and rubs in the age! But then what is considered OLD is relative!!

The National Museum of SIN/新加坡国家博物院 dates back to 1887 will be considered old in SIN. Again relative compared to many cultures and history in the world.  NMS has gone thru’ names changes and restoration and is still the oldest museum in SIN. A restoration job tastefully done by keeping the old building and adding in the new section, good contrast from colonial days to today. First time in this museum was in the 1950s.

http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/Exhibition.aspx?id=13&cat=0

Enjoy visiting to feel that time has somehow stood still when in the original section and yet when in the new wing, time is brought up to date – kind of like being in a time machine! Trying to download a pix of the description from the net but alas, no luck. Anyone who might have an aerial view to show the contrast, would appreciate the share. Thanks.

24 Dec: Found one uploaded from unlvasa.org

A popular place for wedding photography, managed to capture this pix of this couple taking a break. Over last weekend pix of Monumental Weddings were displayed featuring the diverse ethnicity in SIN.

The wise man belongs to all countries, for the home of a great soul is the whole world – Democritus

16 Dec 2012 – and SAD

14 Dec 2012 Hanukkah and sad news of yet another tragic massacre in the US Newtown/Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary School where 20 children and 6 adults were the victims. Total of 28 killed including the gunman’s mother and the gunman who shoot himself (edited 17 Dec). CT Gov Dan Malloy just told reporters in Newtown, ‘Evil visited this community today.’ Prayers and condolences to their families, friends and to the community.

Gregory Gibson is the author of Gone Boy/A Father’s Search for the Truth in His Son’s Murder. Reflecting on the loss of his son on exactly the same date 20yrs ago previously in a school shooting; a father comments…

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/opinion/why-we-let-the-school-shootings-continue.html?_r=0

SAD/Seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter depression, winter blues or seasonal depression, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter. Noticed that when living above the Arctic Circle in the late 1970s but then SAD did not exist and only years later after research that it was given a name!

Catching up with family & friends and meeting new friend for lunches & dinners the past week but easily tired out. Not sure if it the travelling, jet lag etc taking toll or if these sad news or SAD or a combination of all – feeling heavy-hearted lately. Life has to go on in spite of these evil illogical senseless acts. But are we wiser from all these lessons???

Life of Pi***directed by Ang Lee and is well done. Enjoyed it. Hotel Transylvania***grandchildren wanted to see this and it was not showing when in the US. Both decent and entertaining, not sure if it is the loudness in enclosed surroundings or is it me who is getting a headache for not being adjusted yet!

We’ve got to set the clocks back dictators tell us so; and suffer seasonal affective disorder through the months of snow – Steve Fowler

12 Dec 2012 – 12-12-12…

is the last iterative date of our life time and we will never see again. 12-12-12 is the last of the repetitious, continual, repetitive dates for 100yrs, unless one is born today and live to 2101! Next iterative date is 01-01-01 ie anno 2101 when this life’s journey would have reached its destination long before 2101 🙂

After a week of catching up with sleep and the inner-self ie the awareness so as to be able to adapt back to another climate, culture, society and time again! Takes time and not easy but always a challenge for the body and mind.

Nice meeting up with friends, especially with AmyR who has bought a one-way ticket out of SIN to India, volunteering her talent to teach English to children. Good luck and well wishes to her life’s journey. Looking forward to hearing about her experiences whenever our paths may cross again.

And with Gel, a delightful young lady who is now in the media production. Our paths crossed working for Netball Singapore nearly 10yrs ago.

Those who know me also know that I do not get too emotional about many things but this over-hyped case managed to trigger a nerve somewhere. In this case where a prank call with no premeditated malice intended turned tragic. Pointing fingers is not going to help. ALL of us live on this planet, thus also a culprit and a victim in one way or other. Condolences to Ms. Saldanha’s family, friends and coworkers.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/05/world/europe/uk-royal-prank-call/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20664854

When one is not even aware of the cultural and social, differences, compassion, consideration, respect, tolerance etc are forgotten.  To the Western world, it was just a silly prank and this after all happened in a Western society. Most cities today have imported foreign workers to fill in all kinds of jobs. This create both cultural and social issues for the countries which import these workers and for these workers who sometimes are unable to relate or understand in this case, the inappropriate and unethical sense of humour.

This supposedly cosmopolitan world is only but superficial ie how many are really aware of the cultural and social differences to take consideration regarding their own action and speech? Life goes on – history and mistakes will repeat themselves in some ways as we are all but human…

To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future – Plutarch

9 Dec 2012 – Peace on Earth

Yeah finally caught up with sleep! The covers are off the furniture and one can find a chair sit down on, but as for unpacking, that is another story 🙁 The apt at present looks like a battle-field with just about everything over everywhere (except the living area) including Christmas correspondences and gift ideas! Oh well, there is always tomorrow 🙂

Today the advent calendar is up and there are still 16 days to open! For those who are not familiar with this advent calendar – it is a piece of embroidery with 24 pockets switched by hand (took a couple of years!). For the past 10yrs, it appears on 1 Dec if there is life here, otherwise it appear whenever life is around for Dec month. Thank you in 24 languages and 9 Dec is toda/Hebrew.

Hope to one day learn all the 24 languages of thank you without looking at the back where the correct language is written! And all these well wishes for the holiday season should somehow not just be for the holiday season but for everyday.

Tkx to Helen for introducing Coffee Bar K, which actually is quite misleading! This hip bar specialises in cocktails rather than coffee. An amazing varieties of cocktails prepared by Japanese bartenders and one can find just about any brand of the single malt whisky. Not the best time to be tasting cocktails and whisky with a jet lag but always a good time to catch up with friends.

http://cocktailsg.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/coffee-bar/

What whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for – Irish proverb

Helen & Brian returned to SIN after their post-grads from London around the late 1990s when our paths crossed. This delightful young couple decided to tie the knot and I was given the pleasure to attend their wedding back then. Now with 2 children and the successful owners of Lock + Store Self Storage, this couple has come a long way. Well wishes and good luck to them.

http://www.lockandstore.com.sg/

6 Dec 2012 – and a long time to be away…

15+hrs from NYC-PVG (airport code for Shanghai) on a full flight with mainland Chinese but thank goodness for ear-plugs. No matter how wealthy a nation is, something is missing when common courtesy is lacking! Layover for 4hrs and not much changes from the last trip there in 2009, except that one can now buy hairy-crabs. Chinese mitten crab/大閘蟹, Eriocheir sinensis also known as the big sluice crab, and Shanghai hairy crab/上海毛蟹 at the PVG airport shops…

http://amylamsg.com/2009/05/30/shanghai/

but not willing to take the risk with them considering what recently happened on an Egypt Air flight from Cairo to Kuwait, would have died of a heart attack on that flight! Just the kind of news to read when one is flying! Imagine the headlines, plane forced the pilot to make an emergency landing due to an invasive species of hairy-crabs 🙂

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/04/travel/snake-on-a-plane/index.html

Flight to SIN was fortunately not full with the last 10 rolls unoccupied. Found 4 seats to lie down, snoozing most of the 5+hrs flight arriving safe and sound on time Wed 5 Dec 0530hrs at T3. Welcoming me back to my birth country by Han Meilin’s Coming Home. The drive was pleasant with a cab driver updating me regarding about the bus strike and informing me about the deportation of these strikers…

http://www.straitstimes.com/smrt_bus_driver_dispute

After 20+hrs flight time and 4+hrs layover at PVG airport, it is still a wonder that I can see straight. Had to look twice to realise that it is a different colour. First thought was, wrong place but Blk 46 is correct and the play-ground no longer exist! A new layer of paint does clean up the building.

First was a cool shower followed by some local food and local drinks. Furniture in the flat still in covers and have not unpack but in good time after food and sleep. Am blessed to have a safe and clean place to return to after a long journey. Now to calm the overworked physical being and mental mind…

I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us – Kahlil Gibran

3 Dec 2012 – 3 Deaths within the past week!

Have just expressed condolences to nephew Justin and now news of L&M’s paternal grandaunt Monna Wyller (lady in blue, pix from 1983), in her 90s who also passed away recently. Condolences to her family and may she too RIP. Fond memories during the early Norway days when we were living on Nesøya. Monna, a doctor was the one who gave Linn all her preventive shots then.

Thoughts and prayers also go out to FB friend Sue Turner who lost her son.

Fri: safe & sound in NYC/Manhattan after 1hr 45mins flight from CAE-NYC. Now trying to take it easy due to a terrible cough and a cold. Tkx to niece Patricia, a short trip to MoMA unknowing about the Munch’s exhibition. Of course not willingly to stand in line for Munch eventhough a fan of his but did get around some of the other exhibits and also had lunch at MoMA.

Sat: delicious Spanish lunch and a free-flow of Mimosa at Soccarat Paella Bar****appreciations to Kat & Greg. Devon is soooo adorable but unfortunately unable to carry or cuddle with her; no intentions to spread my germs. Spent a lovely afternoon just admiring her and visiting with Kat & Greg in their new apt and buying a Christmas tree. A late dinner and sleeping beauty Devon was worn out by her grand-aunt, slept so peacefully in her papa’s arms 🙂

Sun: tkx for Patricia & Albert a yummy lunch at PJ Clarks***especially the bread pudding. Good to taste it from an old Irish establishment like this. Another Christmas tree shopping, just love that smell. Was told that they were from NC, probably one of those tree farms near Sugar Mt! Good luck to them for their 1st real trees!

Dinner at a Japanese place, Saka Gura****with the most selection of sake and good food. A million thanks to my nieces and family for a weekend of fine dinning and for their gracious hospitality.

With this beautiful decorated tree on the 15th floor and a ground floor lobby ready for the holiday season in Mid-Manhattan, it is also time to say goodbye to the US…

Dec’s special days:

14 Happy Bdays Ingrid HUSTAD & LAM Cheng Chwab

16 Happy Bday Andy LAM

23 Happy Bday Minos LAM

24 Happy 14th Anniversary May & Albert CHUA

25 Merry Christmas

27 Happy Bday Lisa XIAO

There is time for everything – Thomas Edison

29 Nov 2012 – Happy 6th Bday JohnW

One of my favourite paintings by Chuck Aldridge of his Mountain Appalachian Art titled: Artist and Friends Descending  Mt. Washington. A 4×5′ painting showing the magnitude and power of relationships and the landscape on the AT…

Have to pack again to leave on a jet plane for the umpteen times! The ears are really going to pop in the air with this terrible runny nose and cough. Heading to NYC to visit with May, Kat and their families before returning to SIN via Shanghai. Looking forward to meeting the new addition to the family.

A short breakfast to wish John a Happy Bday (his actual date 29 Nov), the only grandchild born in SIN. Never easy to say goodbyes to the kids and will have to do so when they get back from school.

Wed: kids dressed in the PJs for pix day. Only managed to capture the older ones, the two younger ones still in dreamland.

Last minute shopping yesterday and today. Rushing to the post office to mail off gifts, etc. Thank you Linn for dinner at Catch 22***had the She-Crab soup and crab cakes but not feeling too crabby yet 🙂

Was pleasantly surprised with these beautiful holiday light decorations from four private residences in a row next to each other. Wow! this is the most impressive private Christmas light displays ever seen. Appreciations to the Derrick Family whoever they all are on Hope Fairy Road, Lexington County/SC who so graciously shared their lights.

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary – Aaron Rose

26 Nov 2012 – Beyblades…

Sun: a successful early 6th Bday for John. It was a Beyblade theme with 15kids, including James! Pizza, soda, cupcakes, ice-cream and candies in the piñata. A piñata is a container made often of papier-mâché, pottery, or cloth and decorated, filled with small toys and/or candy, and then broken as part of a ceremony or celebration. Piñatas are most commonly associated with Mexico, but their origins are considered to be in China.

Beyblade/爆転シュート ベイブレード, Bakuten Shūto Beiburēdo is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takao Aoki. Originally serialized in CoroCoro Comic  from 2000 to 2002, the individual chapters were collected and published in 14 tankōbon by Shogakukan. The series focuses on a group of kids who form teams with which they battle one another using highly powerful spinning tops called Beyblades.

http://www.beyblade.com/splash?redir=1

In our childhood days, spinning tops were simple wooden tops with string to spin them, unlike these high speed Beyblades. Thank you to grand children for keeping me updated with toys 🙂

Let anyone try to cut a thought across the middle and get a look at its section, and he will see how difficult the introspective observation. . . . is. The rush of the thought is always so headlong that it almost always brings us up at the conclusion before we can arrest it. [Introspective analysis] is in fact like seizing a spinning top to catch its motion, or trying to turn up the gas quickly enough to see how the darkness looks – William James