10 Nov 2011 – to 15th Uncle and cousin Susannah from Vancouver

Dep 8 Nov 0730hrs CAE-ATL, flying time 40min. Thank you Linn for driving me to this charming airport, the only airport I have been with white rocking chairs!

Arr ATL with 1hr layover. Lovely blue sky with unexpected fall colours in GA. Did not know that the fall colours went as far south as GA! Dep ATL 0930hrs@A18, same gate A18 and same plane from CAE. Good of the pilot to clean the wind screen so that he can see where he is flying 🙂

Arr JKF after 1hr 40mins from CAE with 4hrs 40mins layover in JFK and it took me 76 days to hike from GA-NY!! 1st time flying in at this angle with the water on the RH and blue sky! Beautiful. Amazing that anyone can find their way in JFK’s 8 terminals. And that is only 1 out of 3 airports for NYC! JFK has been listed the 7th most hated airport!!

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/10-most-hated-airports-324645?hpt=hp_bn10

Arr PEK 13hrs 40mins flying time from JFK. 1st experience@PEK airport, big, clean and spacious! Even had showers, FOC in the International Terminal but you need your own towel. Not having one, showered@the Capital Airport Hotel and had to pay CNY150/S$30. Expensive but just shows how desperate I was for a shower after crossing the Pacific!

Arr SIN 10 Nov 0600hrs after 6hrs 10mins in the air. Arranged previously to meet up with 15th uncle and cousin Susannah as they were coincidently leaving on the same plane that flew me back to SIN. They have been visiting SIN the past 18 days and we made time to say hi and bye! Safe journeys to them.

SIN airport has been listed 2nd most loved airport with HKG in first place! In this case disagree with CNN. Still prefer SIN to HKG. Only thing missing is shower, like PEK airport. In future, will try to remember to have a tiny towel in the carry-on 🙂 🙂

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/10-most-loved-airports-981939?hpt=hp_bn6

Total flying time-21hr 30mins, layovers-12hrs 15mins. After 33hrs 15mins, safe and sound in SIN. Hibernating the rest of winter to feel whole again but struggling to stay awake for another 1hr and it is now not even 2100hrs here in SIN…

CAE-ATL-JFK Delta Airlines on mileage, using 21,000 SkyMiles but had to pay US$25/S$33 for one check-in baggage not exceeding 50lbs/23kgs. Did abit of shopping with the bag weighing 42lbs/19kg  (usually travel with max 15kg!) – could have shopped more… NOT 🙂 🙂 🙂

JFK-PEK-SIN: Air China US$750/S$966, the most expensive ticket  for this year!

Wisdom is the power to put our time and our knowledge to the proper use – Thomas J Watson

7 Nov 2011 – I hate packing…

Sun: Reminder for those in EST zone Daylight saving time happened last night… that clock is on my wish list 🙂

The family was at their church Sun morning. The pix is another church/the Salvation Army Church near the house. Such a lovely combination of the blue sky, fall colours and the interesting architectural for another Kodak moment!

In the afternoon Linn hosted The Pampered Chef Party: A Taste of Italy with fresh homemade Artisian Bread, cheese and wine created by Sarah COLET. Except that Sarah was ill and could not make it to the party! Tkx to her husband for delivering the yummy bread. Hope that she is feeling better

Checked out the new Fall Catalog for seasonal gift ideas, the measuring spoon seems a good gift to receive and give away. Will order a couple of them. Linn bought me the collapsible bowls in 2009 and the food chopper in 2010 and they are both useful items.

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/sarahcolet

A nice idea for the family to dine in the main dinning room (usually we eat in at the kitchen table) for Sun since I will be leaving! So a kind of early thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for and will miss them all. Last minute shopping Mon, a jewelry party in the evening. Flight takes off bright and early Tue morning to NYC via PEK to SIN!

Aghhhh…  packing 🙁

Selemat Hari Raya Haji to the Muslim community. For those going on their Hajj pilgrimage, safe journeys!

Time is a circus, always packing up and moving away – Ben Hecht

5 Nov 2011 – @the SC Governor’s Cup Half Marathon

The 39th year of this event, runners found themselves mingling with the members of Occupy CAE. The capital city’s branch of the nationwide protest movement has been staking out the SC State House turf for 3 weeks. The grounds are also decorated with beautiful umbrellas marking the National Hospice month.

Took off from home early morning to find a parking space. It was chilly with clear blue sky as we arrived to the start-line where Linn found her running buddy, Jimmy SAULS. Cheered them off@0800hrs for their 13.1m/20km run. The penguin started after everybody.

Took a stroll to the main street/Gervais St looking for a cup of coffee. The Starbucks is nicely located by the historic Seaboard Air-Line Passenger Depot (1904) and has been in the Register of Historic places since 1983. Today it is the Blue Marlin Restaurant which is supposed to be good but did not have the opportunity to try it this time round!

Jeff & the kids were waiting at the finish-line at app 0900hrs. We were all there to support and cheer Linn in as she completed her first race after her 5th and last baby. Time : 1hr 52mins 27secs, #233 out of 691 runners, #60 woman out of 318 placing 12th out of 57 for her age group. Way to go Linn, a fantastic job and we are all so proud of her. James was especially happy to see his mama as he was really hungry and only had a sip of his formula but did not appreciate the artificial stuff. Smart baby, likes the real thing 🙂

http://www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons_south_carolina_governors_cup_road_race_half_marathon.html

http://www.askagape.com/apps/blog/entries/show/9021379-south-carolina-national-hospice-month-event

Dean SCHUSTER running in a penguin suit had the perfect outfit for the race on a cold Sat morning. His intentions are to raise money for animals’ conservation and his even grander plan is to run the 2012 Antarctica Marathon. Way to go and good luck to Dean.

Antarctica, another place on my list to visit…

http://www.thestate.com/2011/11/04/2033936/distance-running-at-a-penguins

Jogging is very beneficial. It’s good for your legs and your feet. It’s also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed – Charles Schulz/Peanuts

3 Nov 2011 – Aisle 10…

According to the website below, the worlds 5 best shopping cities are: Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, London and New York! For someone who dislikes shopping as much as I do, have been to 4 out of those 5 cities. Not for the shopping, but to visit family and friends!

http://www.skyscanner.com/news/articles/2011/01/009152-worlds-5-best-shopping-cities.html

Shopping here in Irmo gives another dimension to shopping. The comfort, space and service are just better than many other places experienced. Shopping is one of the least favourite things on my list but sometimes it has to be done. Try to do it here and mail packages to myself in SIN when I need to buy gifts.

When in SIN, the crowds and heat are good reasons to stay in the flat. Will only shop or go anywhere when there are no crowds. It would literally be hell for me to be in crowds!

In Norway, everything is so expensive that even shopping for the necessities is barely manageable! Fun only to window shop.

Do not mind going to the grocery stores (except weekends and holidays), even just to look around to see what is new! Here is a good example and where else in the world can you find such a selection like this aisle 10… LOL

Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like – Will Smith

1 Nov 2011 – Happy All Saints Day

Mother Nature threw her fury again and this time at the Northeastern states. The worst freak Oct snow-storms with 2′ snow at some places leaving at least 15 dead and over 1.6mil people without power!

Survived yet another Halloween. Sometimes people forget what it was like to be a kid and that is sad for them! Am so blessed to have children and grandchildren to remind me. LOL. The grandchildren were on such a sugar-high last night but had no problems going to bed and getting up in time for their school this morning. Now they will have candies to last them until next Halloween 🙂

The batteries in the 5 paper lanterns are still lasting (testing to see how long 2 AAA batteries will go on for!). 6 battery operated Tealights are supposed to last 60hrs, so let’s see if it is true! Gator, the faded skunk is certainly showing her nearly 11dog years age! Light saber with 3 AAA batteries is still zapping! Katy drew this wonderful Yoda mask, making use of her talent after her artwork was chosen 🙂 🙂

Four out of five of the Hall grandchildren have worn this same pumpkin outfit. This is James 1st Halloween and my 1st Halloween with the 5 Hall grandchildren and thankful for every minute with them. It was a quiet house this afternoon and we were looking all over the house for Sophie, found her asleep in the laundry basket – such precious times for Kodak moments 🙂 🙂 🙂

May & family arrived safe and sound in FL. The light saber has performed its duty well and together with all the saints – may the Force be with us all!

Nov special dates:

7 Selemat Hari Raya Haji to the Muslim community

8 Happy Bday Beverly LIN

11 Happy Bday Audrey MOH

13 Happy Bday LEUNG Yee Fun

19 Happy Bday Yulis ADAM TEO

24 Happy Thanksgiving

27 Happy Bday Daisy CHIA

29 Happy 5th Bday to my grandson John Whitham HALL

30 Happy Bday LAM Kwok Chai

To the poet, to the philosopher, to the saint, all things are friendly and sacred, all events profitable, all days holy, all men divine – Ralph Waldo Emerson

31 Oct 2011 – Happy Halloween/laptop on SIN time!

Fri: Cindy (Jeff‘s mom) arrived Thu. We drove Gator to the kennel, Westcott Acres/Luxury Pet Resort before heading to Oconee State Park. This drive would usually take 3hrs but took us 4. Ellie was car-sick and we had to drive in the dark and rain the last hour to find the park.

The historic park rests deep in the Blue Ridge foothills with several picturesque but non-demanding hiking trails and well-kept cabins and campgrounds that have welcomed families for annual trips since the days the park was first built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The ‘Barrack’ booked in the park accommodates 16. The Reeds with their 3 children (friends of L&J) joined us.

Sat: woke up to a beautiful clear blue sky with spectacular fall colours. Took a solo-hike for app 8miles and took even more time to take pix! This is the first hike in fall colours and walking on the autumn falls and pine needles was like walking on a red carpet. Felt that I could have hiked on and on in this perfect weather and serenity!

Bought a travel hammock and it was fun to see the static on the kids’ hair 🙂 John Reed made a delicious dinner and what is a camping trip without campfire and marshmallows roasting!

Thank you to L&J for including me, to the Reeds for cooking delicious food and to Cindy for the driving.

How is it that one match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box of matches to start a campfire – Christy Whitehead

27 Oct 2011 – Katy‘s Artwork

Happy 87th Bday to Ellen HALD, L&M‘s paternal Norwegian grandmother!

Pix is of Katy’s art (she has now named it Dots in Waves) which is hanging in Stingers Restaurant***This is a beautiful and creative piece of art and is the only one chosen from Irmo Elementary School I saw hanging at the restaurant. We did not dine in as it is easier to do take outs when there are 5 kids in the real picture 🙂

Good job and congratulations to Katy.

The kids choose from the kid’s menu and two cheeseburger sliders topped with yellow mustard, cheddar cheese and a pickle slice, served with fries. Jeff had a pizza, Linn had the one of the wraps – it was good and the chef salad was enough to last 2 meals for me!

http://www.stingers-restaurant.com/

FB Wall Photos by San Diego Reader shared by Denise! My comment was: Like like like… what an absolutely brilliant idea. Tkx for sharing and how many light years does it take for this to happen? Must remind them to include Brisbane station, where Denise is located! Wonder if it is really possible to connect the world this way? Even if it is, it will not happen in my life-time!!

NO thank you to the ride below, not even if I get paid for going on it!

Perhaps this one going at the speed of 581km/h or maybe even a faster and newer one as we speak.

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus – Ralph Waldo Emerson

26 0ct 2011 – The Festival Of Lights

Deepavali/Diwali=Row of Lights, marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year based on Hindu Lunar Calendar. The name itself derive from Sanskrit; Dipa means lamp, and Awali means row or line. This Festival of Lights originally celebrated after the monsoon season is a time for rejoicing and renewal. Hindus all over the world celebrate the triumph of good over evil, or light over darkness when many homes will light up little lamps to usher in light and good fortune.

The Indians form 9.2% of SIN’s population and in SIN where all the major festivals of the different cultures are marked, thus a public holiday. Hindu Indians celebrate with light and candle decorations that create a beautiful a night scene. The atmosphere Deepavali creates, coupled with the joy of the people over SIN’s multi-racial and multi-nationality, regardless of their religion and nationality.

Little India on Serangoon Road is decorated with elaborate lights, garlands and colorful arches to mark the celebrations. This is the center of commerce of the SIN Indian community on normal days. Today Little India turns into a festive street. Stalls are decorated with fragrant flowers, garlands, traditional oil lamps and beautiful Saris with intricate brocade patterns and glittering gems.

Pix credits to Athena TAN, a talented SIN photographer who worked in H&H with me some light festivals ago!  Usually am in SIN to enjoy the lights but today, will enjoy with the grandchildren by telling them about it! There is only one Indian girl in Katy’s class.

Let this diwali burn all your bad times and enter you in good times – Diwali greetings

24 Oct 2011 – United in Peace

Prayers and thoughts to all victims, families and friends in the Turkey earthquake.

In a weeks time, ie 31 Oct/Haloween, the world pop will reach 7 billion!

Let us unite, seven billion strong, in the name of the global common good – message for UN Day 2011 by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

24 Oct 1945, the UN came into force when the five permanent members of the security council ratified the charter that had been drawn up earlier that year. These members were: France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, UK and USA.

http://www.un.org/aboutun/history.htm

Since 1948, the event’s anniversary has been known as UN Day. It is a global observance and not a public holiday.

Yesterday James was 3 months and Linn & family decided to have pix taken by profession photographers. But so far, my favourite of James is this one taken by Linn.

22 Oct 2011 –  but they are still facts…

This is what happens to the mind for hanging around 5 grandkids and today they are having 2 more visitors 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee – hardly seems worth it.

If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb – now that’s more like it!

The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet – OMG!!

A pig’s orgasm lasts 30 minutes – in my next life, I want to be a pig.

A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death – creepy but I’m still not over the pig.

Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour – do not try this at home, maybe at work.

The male pray mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male’s head off – honey, I’m home, what the….?!

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds – what could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?

Some lions mate over 50 times a day – I still want to be a pig in my next life… quality over quantity.

Butterflies taste with their feet – something I always wanted to know.

A cat’s urine glows under a black light – wonder who was paid to figure that out?

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain – I know some people like that.

Starfish have no brains – I know some people like that too.

Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure – what about that pig??

The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue – hmmmmmm…  

Hopefully you’ve smiled at least once. Some stupidity and chuckles should not harm anyone… LOL