16 Jul 2016 – World’s Largest Public Display Of Modern SE Asia Art

Thu: a pleasant surprise to hear my name at the traffic lights – Kitty is here as her mother had to be hospitalized! Hope that things will work out for her. Nice to be able to catch up over a glass of barley before heading to the National Gallery, my first visit there.

Located in SIN Civic District, the Gallery consists of two national monuments (have never been and always wanted to even as a kid) the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, and has a combined floor area of 64,000 square metres (690,000 sq ft), making it the largest visual arts venue and largest museum here. Above pix downloaded.

The junction of these 2 buildings is quite an interesting contrast. Studio Milou Architecture’s design consisted of a linear draped canopy supported by tree-like columns to link the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall at the roof level. The design incorporated an extended staircase linking the basement to the upper levels, making use of solar energy to provide electricity. Fine metal mesh had been proposed to cover most of City Hall.

The former Supreme Court

A cuppa and a curry quiche! (had to try this fusion and it was quite tasty) with 2Japanese Friends of the Museums@Padang Cafe.

Tkx to Yoshie for getting me into the Reframing Modernism exhibition also FOC for PassionCard holders! Being a fan of Chagall, wanted to see this before it is over.

Harmony in Green/The Two Sisters by Le Pho, Portrait of Madame Heim by Robery Delaunay, Ang Pulubi (The Begger) by Hernando R Ocampo, On White II by VassilyKandinsky.

Wu Guanzhong Gallery do bring back memories from the SIN Shawl days!

13 Apr 2009

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of Community Development, Youth & Sports was the Guest of Honour for The Singapore Shawl’s 4th Anniversary and to unveil the Wu Guanzhong’s shawl. Was there to help with the sales and the fashion show; presented my book 1st SIN AT Thru-Hiker to Mrs Yu-Foo.

Random pix and my personal preference are his earlier works.

There is only so much one can see in just one day!

And only so much that I can upload here…

This was a surprise! Liked this piece and usually when I take a pix of the work I like, will then proceed on to see who is by! Guess who owns this piece…

Views of SIN skylines from the Aura Sky Lounge.

Some of the eateries and all overpriced…

More overpriced food@The National Design Centre/Tanuki***Yoshie, being Japanese, wanted her input about the food and she tells me that this is fusion, not tradition Japanese. Quite tasty and their drinks are good.

Good to catch up with Seb@First Stop Food Junction, Block 261 Queen St, one of my favourite night (opens till 0200hrs) food joints in this area. Tkx for supper bro, even Yoshie (pix credits to her) likes SIN food! Crave for local food was satisfied for tonight and too late for food pix!

Been awhile since I have been on the go for over 12hrs like this – happily tired with no headaches. Alarm set and contentedly fell asleep until the bus arrived at my stop. Appreciations to Yoshie and Seb for putting up with me and for this pix→

Posted on FB so that friends will not be too shocked to see the changes – overwhelmed and touched to see the replies and comments. Just goes to show how often I post a pix of myself 🙂

Fri: TGIF – woke up to this news and it is indeed a very sad Bastille Day for the people celebrating as well as for me – thoughts and prayers to all affected.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/14/nice-bastille-day-france-attack-promenade-des-anglais-vehicle

Sat: does one want to listen to the news? Why all these destruction and turmoils?? Can PEACE ever be achieved??? Usually will stay indoors during weekends to catch up with news, uploading of pix, updating blog posting etc, but today do feel like getting away from it all.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/15/turkey-coup-attempt-military-gunfire-ankara

On Tuesday, the Thai printer blocked publication of a report in the International New York Times on the king’s dog defamation charges, the third time in a month that it has left a Thailand article blank, and the U.S. Ambassador to the country is being investigated over accusations he violated the strict lese-majeste law.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-rights-idUSKBN0TZ15C20151216

At the rate things are going around the world at present, where can one hide to get away from it all? Is there any chance or hope for PEACE?? How did we get so messed up??? This is NOT what I have hoped, prayed and worked for my grandchildren or the future generation 🙁

14 Jul 2016 –  In This World Of Turmoil

Mon: the sky opened pouring buckets in the morning hours and stopped by noon. Picked up Recogen supplements@Ubi Ave 2, while the promotion lasts – S$62per box and 1travel pack free. This product was recommended to me last year, tried it out for a couple of months and found that it helped.

Did not take any while in the US and felt the difference and no, not easily physiologically influenced but more the opposite, a major skeptic!

Since in the area, decided to get a suckling piglet@YanChuan Roaster****to celebrate life’s blessing. The roasted goods there are good and have been wanting to get one of these last year when I was picking up the supplements, but did not. Quite a challenge to carry piglet on the MRT, but where good food is concerned, everything is possible 🙂 Walked to MacPherson MRT, crossing a major construction junction on Paya Lebar Rd! Circle Line brought me right on to Bras Basah Sta and to share this yummy piglet with staff and friends@CC.

While waiting, talked to this person from Myanmar. Unfortunately did not understand his language.

Posted the above pix in FB and to learn what this is – Paan (India), KoonYar (Myanmar) betel leaf, areca nuts (fresh or dried) and Chuna/limestone. Tobacco and colouring can also be added. It is chewed for its stimulant and psychoactive effects. After chewing it is either spat out or swallowed. Tkx to FB friends for all their informative comments and replies.

Tue: tkx Aileen for the introduction to Tunaki. Looks delicious but was not hungry, will return another day to try the food. The ginger drink and coffee were good.

Still eyeing this lamp at National Design Centre, but at a price tag of S$385, can only look!

Enjoy these local idioms, again at a price for those magnets and pins. Still need translation for some of them! Will just take pix unless there is one that I must have or one that I think will be an appropriate gift for someone.

Aisha friend’s Hari Raya home-baked cookies are good – MukMur, KuehDahlia & KuenTart/pineapple tarts which is my favourite. Will try to remember to order from her next festival. Had a bowl of local Hokkien Mee@Asian House (Fortune Centre)***calamansi juice is good and refreshing there.

26-year-old David James Roach from Canada has been arrested in BKK for the the bank robbery last week. The stupidity of some of these young people really amazes me and a name like Roach, ouch! Downloaded pix→

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/standard-chartered/2949932.html

LASALLE College of the Arts for Hotel Part 1*****by Wild Rice where this play explores the notions of empire, nationhood, migration and identity against the backdrop of a shrinking world.

Spanning a century, and performed over five hours in nine languages, HOTEL is a ground-breaking theatrical event highlighting the eclectic energies born from the collisions between the old and the new, East and West, tradition and modernity. Looking forward to Part 2 tomorrow night.

Wed: above maps downloaded. The finding of an international arbitral tribunal, which ruled that China’s claims in the S China Sea are illegal. Beijing rejects this tribunal’s ruling. So what is going to happen??? Disturbing news – besides China & the Philippines, countries like N&S Korea are having some major issues, HKG&Taiwan are not happy with China, Japan has its own problems. Anyone who really thinks that all this is not going to affect the whole of SE Asia is having their head buried in the sand!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe claimed victory Sunday for his ruling coalition in parliamentary elections, which came despite lukewarm public support for his economic policies and wariness over amending the country’s pacifist constitution…

If Japan is no longer a pacifist country and reacquires the military, what then??

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/11/japan-could-change-pacifist-constitution-after-shinzo-abe-victory

After 6yrs in office, David Cameron will resign as British Prime Minister following the UK’s vote to leave EU.  Downing Street is packed with reporters from across the globe to witness David Cameron’s departure and Theresa May’s arrival at the Prime Minister’s official London residence.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36778350

Glad to get my mind off the news. At LASALLE College of the Arts again for Hotel Part 2**** and even if the world is a stage and we are all actors and visitors, life is not a dress rehearsal. You only have this ONE life to live, so live to the fullest! Hotel Parts 1&2, highly recommended.

11 Jul 2016 – Including Everton Rd

Sun: Good Sun morning. Sharing this irresistible skyline colours before going to explore down memory lane where the extended LAM family lived once upon a time.

‘Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind… – Wordsworth

Not knowing that there was a race going on today, bus#196 was detoured to Beach Rd instead of the normal route on Nicoll Highway. Was in no hurry and quite fun to be able to take pix of Haji Lane, Raffles Hotel on Beach Rd and a bunch of cyclists when back on Shenton Way.

Not that clear pix from a not so clean bus window, but a good view from the upper decker of a double-decker bus down the CBD on Shenton Way where the barricades are in-placed for the NDP. 88c on a public bus (senior fares) and a tour of the city, now that is a good deal. Tourists pay $20+ to go on bus-guided tours.

39&40 Everton Rd – Amah & Barber is in the neighbourhood where 4thAuntie LAM PohKua+family once lived. Spent some weekends there as a child with them as 4th aunt did not have any daughters and wanted to adopt me! But usually after the weekend, 5 Temenggong Rd was where I returned to.

First time venturing back here since the late 1950s – used to be sensitive about this issue, but fortunately grew out of it and has turned the situation to my advantage by feeling so much in demand 🙂 Still counting my blessings when thinking of the old CHIJ Gate of Hope…

Provision Shop – 8 Spottiswoode Park Road. This area is delightful & interesting with the contrast of old shop-houses and new condos.

5thUncle LAM TinYick+family, father’s cousin Auntie LAM KeiBik+family lived@3SengPoh Rd apt block. For cousins in Canada and USA who lived here and @Everton Rd in the 1950s-60s, wanted to capture some moments hoping that the memory can reveal more about the former 3 SengPoh Rd which was owned by the family then, now New Cape Inn. There must be some images of that old building somewhere before it was torn down. Will try SIN Archives again someday!

The Bird Corner next to #3

Across the road from the Bird Corner was HuLu Temple then, now the Hotel Nostalgia.

Read a couple of days ago that Yip Yew Chong will be signing his Tiong Bahru murals. Today it took him nearly 2hrs to do some touch-up, the poem and the signature for Home@Tiong Poh Road/Eu Chin Street Block 74. Some Italians living behind that wall kindly offered a chair for me to sit and water for us to drink. Thank you Massimilliano, partner and their little dogs.

Bird Corner, Pasar & Fortune Telling@Eng Watt Street Block 73 – did not stay to watch him sign these and he himself was not sure that he could do them today.

http://yipyc.com/ycs-mural-locations/

Tiong Bahru means New Cemetery (thióng 塚 – Hokkien for cemetery, bahru – Malay for new) is one of the oldest housing estates in SIN. The architecture and artistic residents here are both symbols of SIN cultural past and moving towards to the future.

Started the day at 0530hrs and felt like the head was exploding by 1330hrs. Being outdoors most of the time except when on the bus to and from the murals is NOT a good idea in this heat for such extended period of time…

Also another reminder to myself that age is getting up and there are hardly any more trees around for shade or for climbing – not that I can get up those trees just because age gets up 🙂 🙂 🙂

9 Jul 2016 – Former Catholic High School

http://yipyc.com/ycs-mural-locations/

Thu: heritage Murals by Yip Yew Chong & Yuen Kum Cheong@Campers’ Corner are now completed and they are absolutely worth the time to take a look. Both Waterloo and Queen St have much to offer. And while you are at 51 Waterloo St, do drop into Campers’ Corner for your best outfitter store here in SIN where you can also quench your thirst with a pint, a cuppa or a soda. The management and staff there will provide you with the best service if you mention me 🙂 just kidding!

Ice Ball: brought back memories of The Ice-Ball Man when shaved-ice costed 5c for plain ice with syrup and 10c with fillings inside. If I describe the way this was made then, one would wonder how we managed to survive to be strong and healthy as we are!

Use your imagination with the old downloaded above pix see if you can figure out how the shaved-ice was produced! If they are still using that concept to make it today in public, doubt that I will eat it…

Beach Road Army Market & NCO Club: former Britannia Club (1952) was originally constructed for British servicemen. Like the Tanglin Club then, locals were not permitted there in those days! Today it is the chic South Beach Club housing several dining spaces and will depend on locals for their business!

Odeon Cinema & National Theatre:  National Theater (1963) is no longer. Designed by local architect Alfred Wong, a close family friend. Attended some performance there once (must have been 1964-65, but unfortunately do not remember what performance) and remember being bitten by mozzy!

The Odeon (1953), somehow somewhere back in the not-so-fond memory niche – Hayley Mills there in person to premier the movie The Parent Trap (1962-63). Being pushed and fell in the crowds surrounding by screaming fans might be the explanation to my phobic for crowds. The kacang puteh man is in the fond memory section 🙂 Above 3pix downloaded.

Two Rails with founding father of Catholic High School, Reverend Father Becheras. Been on the train many times to then Malaya and still enjoy my train rides.

National Library & MPH – besides the nice courtyard coffee joint, not much memory from here as I left SIN in 1965.

http://www.goingplacessingapore.sg/heritage/2016/Murals.aspx

Fascinating and interesting talk on the Climbing of Denali (6,194m) by PheiSunn. Knowing that it is not my cup of tea, but still like hearing the experiences and seeing the amazing views and glad for a good turn-out.

Nice to catch up and share stories with these outdoor and sporty people. Appreciations to Calvin & staff@CC for hosting it.

Fri: TGIF and that means I have been back in SIN for a week; the heat, humidity and time are still not in full sync with the body and mind!

Me Before You***is such an uncynical movie that it almost doesn’t matter that it isn’t very good. A tearjerker chick flick, and despite the numerous cliches that plague the first half, this romantic drama has enough charm and warmth to recommend it, especially at senior citizen rates! A total sucker for a good romance, but the tearjerker seems to go hand-in-hand with those kind of flicks 🙂 The question is how does a quadriplegic manage to try to make those marks on his wrist???

Sat: Linn&FaBulous5 arrived safe and sound in OSL and now the Amazing6 are together. Just looking at Linn’s pix gave the overwhelming feeling of being sooo blessed was beyond any words. How is it possible to feel so much love for the Amazing6 – made my day.

Issues with the screen on the laptop, but tkx to Leonard it is all OK! This guy is so clever and good with these high-tech issues; lucky with such friends.

After deleting over 1,000pix by mistake 🙁 tend to now overload pix in this blog and have paid to upgrade it to a Business Plan so that unlimited pix can be uploaded and stored here.

Edited with the below link and 3 above downloaded pix for the benefits of my overseas family and friends.

There was a bank robbery in SIN on Thu, and this robbery is only the 5th bank robbery or attempted robbery reported in the last 12 years. The bank is located@Holland V, also known for being SIN Bohemian popular shopping and dining destination for younger SIN and expatriates!

Thus this incident has gotten the brunt of many jokes recently, including this one titled Wake Up, SIN →

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/manhunt-for-standard/2937336.html

7 Jul 2016 – More Or Less 🙂

4thJul 2013 Olai in OSL

Mon: 4thJul here in SIN but not quite yet in USA! Someone sure had a lot of time of get the flag marked on that field! Pix downloaded.  Searching for pix with US flags to discover that I was only in USA 2005 and 2015 for the 4th! And somehow deleted all my pix from Jan-May this year during my search – ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch. So annoyed with myself 🙁 Another lesson to NOT work with pix when jet-lag and tired! Thank goodness the blog is updated and a few pix is better than none.

As the news of attacks in Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Dhaka and Baghdad, we hear more sad news of suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia, including at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, just before the end of Ramadan. Who wants to know about such depressing news? But if we do not listen or read about it, then we are not aware of the world’s situation. A really lousy Mon for me, but that too shall pass and tomorrow is another day!

Tue: time to go out enjoying the colourful and varieties of local food after yesterday’s disaster with my pix!

http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/tasting-a-rainbow?&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=addtoany

Forgot that today is the eve of a public holiday, the end of Ramadan, the fasting month and tomorrow is Hari Raya Puasa. Was planning on having nasi lemak for lunch but of course the stall was closed. Happy for my orchid and pandan leaf. No big deal considering the choices of food at the local market and food stalls.

Tkx to Anne for dropping by for lunch and it has been over a decade since we last met. Great to catch up!

Does anyone remember how we thought that our grandparents were really ancient when they were our age; then when our parents were this age we thought them old! So now here we are at this age I do wonder what my grandkids and kids think?? Certainly do not feel ancient or old 🙂

Wed: a public holiday. The tent downstairs has been up yesterday and prayers going at 2100hrs last night. This morning the prayers started again at 0745hrs. Can someone plx explain to me again why prayers have to be broadcast thru’ a microphone?? I suppose consideration is not quite the same  as acceptance and tolerance!

To all Muslims who are celebrating today – Selamat Hari Raya and may Peace be with us all with forgiveness and good food!

http://www.yoursingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/cultural-festivals/hari-raya-aidilfitri.html

Lunched at Tiong Bahru where there is a  view from the roof-top car-park in this market and food-court.

Good food at Eng Hoon St, House of Peranakan Cuisine Petit*****Their Beef Rendang was tender and tasty, NgorHiang crispy and one of the best I have tasted, Ayam BuakKeluak delicious. The long beans were slightly on the lemak side for me. Highly recommended location.

Coffee and dessert@Drips Bakery Café*****

Was actually too stuffed to have more food, but did enjoy the coffee and the crust and the filling of the tart was absolutely worth a bite. Another highly recommended place. Drop by to Les&Ivy with food for por-por.

Could hardly keep my eyes open but managed to do so at this Disney feel-good movie where there’s a lot here for kids to like and nearly as much to keep parents from fidgeting – Zootopai*****Only a movie like this could keep me awake!

What a wonderful Hari Raya where the whole day was a 5*day – am sooo blessed with family and friends, thank you! Tomorrow will be another day…

3 Jul 2016 – Silver Zone

Fri: arr to see this washing machine as the elevator door opened! For a moment in my zombie-state thought that I was burglarized! Jetlag seems to be part and package of my travels. Slept from 0200-0800hrs after arrival and had a good day on Fri just chilling around.

Yusof commented on FBpost, Oh balik liao and took the chance to inform him about the situation. Within an hour after my comment, the machine was gone, tkx to Yusof. For sure will vote him in any position he stands for here.

If there is electricity and water supply in the common corridor, it will surely be used! As it is people use this space for drying their laundry and for their plants. No problems if they are clean and tidy, but there must be a limit! What is it with inconsiderate people thinking that the common corridor is their personal storage space??

Sat: could not keep the eyes open by 2000hrs last night, struggled to stay awake another half hr to just barely manage. Awake by 0430hrs and feeling rested, but also aware of the consequences later…

Got to the local wet market by 0530hrs, had my regular porridge S$3, ice coffee $1.10 and take-away lunch $3. Bought my favourite purple sweet potatoes, 8 for $4. Need to make a note of these prices as to compare the inflation rates down the road for future references.

Explored the new Marine Cove where the 1st drive-thru’ McD used to be there&then! Now a playground even I would like to play on 🙂

It is sooo kids-friendly that there is a kids section at the restrooms + the female and male sections! Not quite that progressive enough yet for both the female&male section combined…

McD without the drive-thru’ but lots of hot-air floating about outside – no worries there is also inside sitting with AC.

High-tech order system which I will have to learn – not a McD fan and looks like the ice-cream is at another counter with a real person there! Hope that there will be milk-shakes there too.

Looking forward to trying these new eateries when rested and when the taste-buds are back to local cuisine. Most of these eateries have gone high-tech too, so will just go along with the flow and where food is concerned, cannot or impossible are NOT in the vocab 🙂

Good morning SIN and got back early enough to snooze until a voice from the microphone downstairs announced a reminder of the…

Launch of the Silver Zone –  to encourage motorists to slow down at crossings in the HDBs built-up areas. Marine Parade is blessed to have people like ESM Mr Goh Chok Tong and Yusof Lateef. Decided to go down to thank Yusof and to take some pix before snoozing more.

Great to see a good turn-out for this event with a set-up in the playgrounds like a mini fun-fair with free candy-floss, popcorn and ice-cream. Lasted only about 15mins outdoors in the heat and humidity on top on the jet-lag. Spent rest of the day indoor with the AC.

Sun: before the crowds and before sunrise, walked to discover that the bus-stop is relocated (a few steps from under one side of the overhead pass to the other!) to make way for new constructions, a MRT office and station. Pix taken from the overhead pass.

Delighted to learn that there will be a Marine Terrace MRT station (Thompson-East Coast Line/TEL) est to be completed in 2024 (wonder if I will live to see it?). Also under construction is a MRT office next to the police station (which has been here for as long as I have lived here, ie the police station!). All within 3mins walk from me, making this even a more sort-out area to be in!

1 Jul 2016 – Hello July & SIN

Mon: White Duck Taco Shop, interesting concept for tacos, originated presumably in Ashville NC. Will be unfair to rate restaurant chains – food is tasty. Shared the crab, pork, shrimp tacos with Linn. Watermelon Sangria is an interesting combination!

More a wrap than taco! As for the other eatery next door – not sure that name will tempt or provoke me to try!

Some quiet moments with #3, 4&5 while they had screen-time. Zuno is wagging his tail like there is no tomorrow to have his little people back home.

Tue: Happy Bday Jeff. Blue Flour*****to pick up some sugar cookies. These are the only sugar cookies I like the taste of – for real.

Linn made yummy ribs for dinner, Ellie baked the best chocolate-chip cookie, a recipe from the NY Times and I arranged a tray of Japanese sweets with the cookies and a recycled-candle 🙂 Cindy joined us for dessert.

Packing and unpacking are the most dreaded chores, but it has to be done and with the procrastination, did not get to bed until 0200hrs. Oh! why do I repeatedly do this to myself??? 2check-in bags, hoping to check-in the HMG backpack. Leaving behind 2bags in the attic.

Keep telling myself to stop shopping but does not seem to work! So difficult to resist a good deal.

Wed: Jeff drove me off to the high school to meet with Linn where she could take me to the airport. Usually like at least 2hrs at the airport before taking off, especially today as I was going to re-arrange my packing to check in the backpack if possible and it was possible.

CAE airport is one of those you do not need much time to check-in and go thru’ security and one of my favourtie small airports. The white rocking chairs have this calm and serene effect. New nice metal sculpture – do not remember it being there when I arrived in Apr. The same style as the Palmetto Tree I got for L&J. Must be in-thing now with that metal effect.

ATL is busy and hectic, but if you have time and willingly to walk, gates E&F are more pleasant and quiet. Art and music are around if you take the opportunity to listen&see instead of looking at your screens!  Today there was a cellist, and no she was not playing classical music but still nice to hear the mellow strings. We were all mugshot before boarding the plane. Security extra tight after the shooting in Istanbul airport where 43people died.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/01/europe/turkey-istanbul-ataturk-airport-attack/index.html

Thu: NRT where shops have one of the best displays and presentations. My favourite is the paper and candy stop near the McD.

Sweet Bean***(Japanese), Assolo**(Italian) fell asleep for most of it, A Cup of Life**(Japanese) also fell asleep for most of it. The Blind Side***drama on a true story.

Definitely Maybe*** Hello, My name is Doris*** My Big Fat Greek Wedding2***Would not have paid to watch the above movies, except for the Greek Wedding as I enjoyed the first one. Probably will not remember most of them, thus making a note here!

Fri: TGIF. After 6+hrs in 4airports, 20+hrs on 3different planes, 7movies, safe and sound stretching on an inviting extra long-bed.

For the benefits of my overseas friends who might not be aware! Just to get things in perspective – SIN is an island-state&country app 277+SqMile, pop 5.7mil with a coastline of 120miles! SC/USA is app 32,020+SqMiles, pop 4.8mil. Lake Murray in SC has 500miles of shoreline!!!!!

Not trying to frighten people from visiting, but just a caution to know what to expect where there are so many people and so little space.

To me, big cities are not only concrete jungles, they are also human zoos…

4 Happy 4th for USA

14 Happy Bday Keith and Happy Bastille Day/France

17 Happy Bday Nancy Bowman

19 Happy Anniversary Linn & Jeff

20 Happy Bday David Yeoh

21 Happy Bday Albert Chua

22 Happy Anniversary Dika & Mark B

23 Happy Bdays James & Lucas

25 Happy Bday Winnie/CA

27 Jun 2016 – Soda City Market
Sat: deeply saddened by the news of Marlene’s passing. May she RIP. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alonzo&family and Jan&family. Jan and I go back to the days when we were in the same travel school together in the late 1980s FL, and we have celebrated many family Bdays together – her first-born and I share the same date and Linn shares the same date with Al, her husband.

Bright and early up to get downtown to Soda City Market (Main St) which happens every Sat where local vendors are there selling fresh produce, food&drinks, arts&crafts etc etc etc. Soda City is a nickname for CAE. Locals often refer to the city with the abbreviation of Cola. and hence the term Soda City.

Like this piece of Palmetto decor which will be a present to L&J.

Main St has many exciting and interesting buildings+historical landmarks.

One of my favourties – Sheraton Hotel is the first (1913) high-rise (18storey) and once tallest building in CAE then is an excellent eg of early 20th century skyscraper sheathed in Gothic revival detail with use of the palmetto tree motif (SC state tree).

Starbucks in the basement with a pleasant blend between historic landmark and modern convenience.

It was perfect timing to make my first visit to SC State House located at the end of Main St sitting on 18beautifully landscaped acres.

http://www.knowitall.org/letsgo/lgsh/welcome.html

Talk about a small world, walked up the steps to have a view of Main St. Watching life from there, saw this guy was carrying his bike up the stairs. Told him how impressed I was to see someone so fit and we got to chatting to discover that Greg knows L&J from church…

Had fun taking pix inside and was the only visitor in the building when it opened its doors which made it most enjoyable in this Greek Revival style building.

Fascinating ornate ceilings and trimmings on the 2&3floors. Wonder what the designer was thinking with these demon-looking heads at the end of every support corridor for the 3level??? Like the openness between those floors ie that they share the same dome ceiling.

The Museum Gift Shop has the most amazing quilt handing on the wall with the SC State song stitched discreetly into the background. The lady working there was most informative and helpful – nowhere in this world can compare to the SC courtesy and graciousness.

http://www.columbiacvb.com/listings/South-Carolina-State-House/15796/

Columbia Museum of Art – the exterior was on my list for viewing…

but seeing the chandelier in the lobby got me to pay S10 (senior) to walk thru’ 2floors of exhibits! Just picking a few contrasting random pix.

One of Dale Chihuly’s (my favourite glass sculpture artist) chandeliers which the museum purchase with funds provided by The Contemporaries. The design was chosen to enhance the asymmetrical shape of the Museum’s atrium and a ‘Carolina Sunset’ color-scheme incorporates Columbia’s ‘Famously Hot’ shades of golds, oranges and reds.

These very contemporary wall-murals are quite neat.

That was all this tired body and mind of a happy tourist could digest and handle – starting from 0800hrs and got back by 1430hrs. SC State Museum originally on the list will have to be another time in one of the future trips – blame it on Chihuly 🙂

Sun: completed last-minute errands@Walmart&Staples before packing. Treated myself to my favourtie Ultimate Omelette@Denny’s and as usual had to doggy-bag half of it.

Have been trying to take a pix of this old barn. Finally today managed to pull into the driveway to buy 1watermelon, 1cucumber and 1tomatoe, all for $4 which are grown in Chapin and not anywhere near this barn on Weed Rd!

Even Zuno got a Sun treat! Hope that this rough map of Lake Murray will do its job for a very rough guideline to see how big and also whereabouts on the lake we are when on the boat! Family arrived home before mid-night, all happily exhausted.

24 Jun 2016 – 51.9% YES to Pulling Out of EU

Thu: week3 of Irmo XC summer conditioning! Linn and the other 2 coaches are coaching the team with first a 1m run followed by a swim workout and breakfast here today…

while the FaBulous5 (pix credits of them to Terry) are having a blast in some river in NC. Looking forward to seeing Katy’s pix. Good to see such an active sporty bunch of young people enjoying the lovely summer weathers. Happy Summer to All…

A successful shopping spree (total spending app US$200) for a few hours with some good deals at Old Navy, Ross (a perfect T-shirt, summer shoes and a set of underwear $21.37) and Nordstrom Rack, new for me (2shirts $29.90).

There is always something I can get at the DollarTree (like Daiso in SIN). 1storage-box, 2sunglasses with 2cases, 2packs of greeting cards & 6packs chewing gums, all for $20.

Most expensive ($45.11 for 1large jar/750ml and 8shorts) shopping today was@Kroger’s Liquor Store. Palmetto Moonshine made in Anderson SC, and the signature award-winning White Lightning is determined to preserve the rebellious spirit and southern traditions of the moonshine culture. It is an un-aged/young! corn whiskey made from a recipe handed down from generations of moonshiners. Produced using custom copper still built by a 5th generation moonshiner to call this SC’s first legal moonshine.

http://www.palmettomoonshine.com/#!palmetto-moonshine/col1

Not forgetting US$28 to fill gas in the car and that will let me drive for app 360mi (14.2gal@$1.91pergal). $50 for tenderloin+lobster tail, Portabello mushrooms dinner for 3, and some kitchen and toilet paper towels.

Sankthansaften is celebrated on 23Jun in Norway and that is tonight. In present days, the main event is the burning of a large bonfire. Happy Mid-summer night and sweet dreams – it is also said that, if a girl puts flowers under her pillow that night, she will dream of her future husband. Certainly no flowers under my pillow tonight and still paranoid about fires!!!

And sleep, that sometime shuts up sorrow’s eye, Steal me awhile from mine own company ― William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Fri: UK made history by voting (51.9%) to leave EU and David Cameron to quit after UK votes to leave EU. Well wishes for UK and EU in these uncertain times ahead. This brought back memories from 1975 when Norway voted to not join EU.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36615028

Turbulence and Uncertainty for the Market After ‘Brexit’… as if anyone can predict the future here!!!

TGIF and my last Fri here in the US for this trip. L&J will be off for a weekend trip to meet up with Matt (pix credits of the Bowmans to the Bowmans), Scott (pix credits of the Tubbs to the Tubbs), their spouses and another couple from school-days.

Have know these boys, now middle-age men 🙂 since middle school days, 1980s! Safe journeys to them and for sure they will have a good reunion.

Dog and house sitting this weekend and looking forward to exploring downtown CAE tomorrow!

23 Jun 2016 – Over The Highways And Mountain Roads!

Sun: Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and to Jeff, the best father the FaBulous5 could have! As he was saying over dessert that if all the FaBulous5 decide to have a family and if they average 3each, then there will be 15great-grand for me but will not live to see that!! Wonder if putting them on a boat will get all their attention to take a pix then 🙂

Father’s Day humour – both Jeff & I are fans of Calvin & Hobbes.

Mon: and they are off to spend the week with Dee&Terry+their 3cousins in NC. Linn is driving them to meet with Terry half-way. Wishing them all a fun and safe week. Will be strange and quiet in the house with a middle-age couple+their dog – hahaha, but hopefully will get to try out some adult! eateries in the area.

Dinner at Alodia’s***and the way to see how good an Italian place is to taste their simple classic pasta. The Crab Cakes were good; the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo was thick&creamy, but lack the umph! Was on the rich side and had to doggy-bag. Tkx Linn&Jeff for dinner.

Time to get the boat out of the driveway now that it is dry after the Father’s Day weekend boating. Being a weekday night, decided against a boating as the middle-age couple had to get early to bed 🙂

Beautiful evening and Happy Summer Solstice to those celebrating. Lovely walk in the neighbourhood moon and star-gazing. Young people fishing and such good sportsmanship when he unhook the little fish to let them back in the water while keeping the big one for dinner. The view of the lake is just so serene that it is impossible to be tired of it.

Amazingly bright full moon, but no strawberry as the strawberry season is over here – blueberry now. Looking forward to Linn’s blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice-cream, yum! Goodnight Moon, goodnight trees, goodnight house, goodnight flag, goodnight road and goodnight to all. Tomorrow will be a new day and the days will start to get shorter.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/20/summer-solstice-2016-first-day-of-summer-longest-day-strawberry/

Tue: nice that Jeff was able to join us for lunch. Spotted Salamander****2nd time round, will certainly return again next visit. Smoked Summer Squash Soup has good flavours and Tomato Pie Fried Chicken with basil, stew tomatoes, Pimento cheese, pie crumbs and honey basil mayo was delicious. And no Jeff was not wearing a tie 🙂

Fresh produce shopping at City Roots,  SC’s first urban sustainable farm where they grow a variety of vegetables for local farmer’s markets, restaurant sales, and for our market on site. Thought I had pix of City Roots from when Linn was racing the 2014 Crawdaddy Dash, but sadly to discover that 2014 has gone missing from my hard-disk and a total void 🙁 thank goodness for 2014 blog postings even when I do not post all my pix! 3 above pix of City Roots downloaded.

Wed: the heat and humidity is back and time to hide indoors unless before sunrises or after sunsets! Even a short shopping trip at Old Navy gave me a headache! Take-out dinner from Fusco’s Market****Italian night. Fresh Mozzarella and Livingston Farms tomatoes; Mussels Milano with garlic, lemon,white wine, and Sicilian olives. Served with Ciabatta Toast for dipping, all fresh and  yummy. Their Red Velvet cake is so-so.

The saying that you can’t eat your cake, and have it too. But you can have your cake if you eat someone elses or bake another cake. With my present attitude and mind-frame, I do not want to eat it or have it 🙂

Blame it on the full moon…