16 Sep 2011 – Happy Bday to a wonderful sister-in-law, Ivy!

Goodbye baby, M&B and friends in Norway for this time round. Local train from OSL S to airport costing NOK 110/S$25 (would have cost twice as much on Flytoget/AirportExpress but half the time to get there and theonly option if in a rush!). Flight from OSL-KEF, 2hrs 40mins with 1hr layover in Iceland. Flight from KEF-EWR was delayed for an hour and arriving into EWR after 6hrs in the air. Airfare from OSL-EWR with IcelandExpress, NOK2,033/S$455. Super Shuttle from EWR to Manhattan, USA$23/S$29.

Arrived late Thu evening into Manhattan and woke up to a beautiful day. Walked towards Ground Zero Memorial site but lines to get in were just not what was in the mind. So has to be another time round to get into the grounds! The day was just so beautiful with strange clouds formation, it was such a delightful walk on 6th Ave down to Church St and back.

I know that I shall meet my fate somewhere among the clouds above; those that I fight I do not hate, those that I guard I do not love – William Butler Yeats

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry – Elizabeth Frye

11 Sep 2011 – Happy Bdays to bro Steven & May Yung-Lam

2001: May, Kat & Dika were all living and working in Manhattan and trying to get on the phone or online that fatal day seemed to have taken forever. They were and are safe (only Kat still lives in Manhattan today). Could not bring myself to watch the news on TV or look at any the pix then as it was and still is too sad, inconceivable and speechless that such evil, destructive, malicious deeds could be carried out. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks

In Memory of those who perished on 9/11/01

Passengers and the pilots on the United Air and AA flights
Workers in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
All the innocent bystanders
Prayers and thoughts to the families and friends

9 Sep 2011 – Dr John Kløve HALD (1)

Thu: a visit to the Museet Ullevål sykehus/Museum Ullevaal Hospital was productive. Wed, managed to get a print-out of a painting with the name Johan HALD, a face and dates which fit into what I have heard and seen from L&M’s paternal great-grand mother, Emma. Was confused, as the correct name should be John! The administrators claimed that it was the only HALD director in the records.

A destined meeting with Dr Stein HALVORSEN, retired consultant who was volunteering his time there. We chatted and I explained about the situation and inquire as to who Johan was. It turned out that Stein was a student of Dr John (2) and knew much about the family. Appreciations to him for showing me old pix of Dr John (1) & family and for his two patient hours guiding and telling the history of the director’s resident which is now a school, Kirkevien Videregående Skole/Kirke Rd High School

Stein has the authority to inform the administration of the mistaken name and that we did together. Fate brought us to the museum as he was supposed to be at another museum and I would not have been here if not for May. Hopefully the name will be corrected for the children and the grandchildren’s family history and heritage! At least I have done my part to the best as I know how.

Pix of L&M’s paternal great-great grandfather Dr John Kløve HALD’s (1) family, Dr John (2) and his pet dog when they lived in the director’s resident from 1894-1911. The barn and the stabburet/storehouse still exist but not in use.

Thank you Ingrid and Hans K & family for a lovely farewell dinner gathering. Grateful to them for taking time off their busy mid-week schedules.

There is a destiny that shapes our ends rough, hew them as we will – Frank Harris

6 Sep 2011 – Ullevål 

5 Sep 2011, 0631hrs #6 grandchild, a beautiful dark-hair boy arrived safely into the world at Ullevål universitetssykehus/Ullevaal University Hospital (1884), OSL/Norway weighing 2,942grams and  height, 47cms. Those figures are similar to both L&M when they were born. Mother and baby are well and the proud father survived the ordeal. Congratulations to M&B, welcome and good luck to parenthood!

The combination of May’s Bday (4 Sep) dinner and the champagne bubbles must have triggered off her contractions, LOL; she was driven to the hospital 03.30hrs and the birth was over by 06.35hrs. Bday, Labour Day and motherhood are quite a handful when they all happened within 24hrs 🙂

Coincidentally and interestingly that grandson#6 (name has yet to be confirmed but his last name is HALD-HERMANSEN) is born in the hospital where his paternal great-great-great grandfather Dr John Kløve HALD (1)/1842-1921 was the 1st director (1894-1911) and the longest director, 17yrs.  This hospital even has its own museum which opens for 2hrs on Tue & Thu.

A clever idea to have Ullevål Hotel next to the maternity ward today but 224yrs ago these were the buildings then…5. September 1887, four buildings for patients (272 beds) , a reception and economy building, stables for horses ambulance and mortuary were established. A consultant and two assistant doctors were then employed.

http://snl.no/Ullevål_universitetssykehus

Located in this neighbourhood is Ullevål Stadion/Ulleaal Stadium (1926). It is the national football stadium. Besides being the home for national team Vålerenga, the Cup finals are also held here sitting app 25,500++ Surrounding the stadium are shops and there is even a hotel by the shops.

4 Sep 2011 – 33yrs ago today…

May, second daughter born in Tromsø, Paris of the North and now she is waiting for the birth of her first child any day. 6th grandchild for the grandmother! Also it is her last Bday before motherhood. Made a 3 course dinner with whatever is available, ie the bare necessities!! Instead of a cake, made Tiramisu/Italian Pick me up, no baking needed 🙂

Happy Bday to nephew Vincent who also share this day with May.

Appreciations to Ellen, L&M’s paternal grandmother for her presence in spite of this rainy day and even with intervals of heavy torrential downpours. It is always nice to have Ellen’s company and tkx to Bjørn to driving her from and back to Nesøya.

It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding – Erma Bombeck 

3 Sep 2011 – Grendefest

There are altogether 37 house in this neighbourhood and many who bought their houses when they were brand new from 1981 have moved on. Perhaps only a handful of 8-9 of us, the original owners are still here. More new faces and nice to see that it is still a clean and peaceful neighbourhood. So, this will be it for me as the house will be put on the market for sale May 2012.

Thanks and appreciations to the barnevognligaen/the pram League (ie the younger generation)in #15, 17 & 38 Piggsoppgrenda who have arranged this successful bring your own everything/BYO 30th anniversary party last night. Not everybody turned up but it was fun to meet old and new neighbours and their families.

The first block party was 17 May 1981 – when we all just moved into this brand new neighbourhood. It started to rain after the BBQ and many of the neighbours ended up dancing in my house. Those were the days when we were all so new that tents and inflatable were not in our agenda or budget!

Christian MOE is the eldest and has the most seniority, over 90yrs of age and one of the original owners, last house #46. His wife Babs was a friend who passed on in 2006. Glad that he took the energy and initiative to join the party. Even had his own box of wine and a glass he carried in his pocket! The neighbours who have been and still are friends, Mette & Sturla OLSEN my immediate neighbours #8 from 1981.

A successful block party takes a little motivation, a lot of cooperation, and a willingness to enjoy time with your neighbours – 

2 Sep 2011 – No Derogatory Intended, just LOL

Now that summer is officially over, and with official records that here for the Norway below the Arctic Circle it has been the wettest summer ever recorded and above in Northern Norway, one of the driest! Bye-bye summer 2011; hello autumn! Received this funny from Richard in SIN, tkx for sharing. Thought that my Chinese and Jewish friends might have a LOL out if it, made my day 🙂

A Chinese guy goes to a Jew to buy black bras, size 38. The Jew, known for his skills as a businessman, says that black bras are rare and that he is finding it very difficult to buy them from his suppliers. Therefore he has to charge $50.00 for them. The Chinese guy buys 25 pairs.

He returns a few days later and this time orders fifty.

The Jew tells him that they have become even harder to get and charges him $60.00 each.

The Chinese guy returns a month later and buys the Jew’s remaining stock of 50, and this time for $75.00 each.

The Jew is somewhat puzzled by the large demand for black size 38 bras and asks the Chinese guy… ‘please tell me – What do you do with all these black bras?’ The Chinese guy answers: ‘I cut them in half and sell them as skull caps to you Jews for $200.00 each.’

Business is Business

A wonderful weekend to all and enjoy no matter where ever you are,
who your are, Chinese, Jew or others
with or without bras
business or no business
cap or no cap
wet or dry

1 Sep 2011 – Bye-bye Kraftsgt

Wed: had a nice lunch with Mette at this place that used to be Rikshospitalets apotek/The Riks Hospital’s pharmacy from 1872, now restaurant Ylajali and Café Tekehtopa*** also still known as Apotheket. The first years the café was called Apotheket until the cities pharmacies objected and said that it might confuse people. Interesting play with the letters backwards.

We were lucky with the weather, sat outdoor and shared a small plate of Tapas. With a glass of juice, the bill came up to app NOK100 each/S$20. Food was OK but the service was slow! The last time at this location was indoors some years ago for a glass of wine!

Beautiful clouds over Kraftsgt in OSL while helping M&B to oversee the cleaners as the apt had to be washed after renting for 5yrs. The sky opened up when the last load of stuff were packed into the car ready for Kolsås. Bjørn will have to take the bus into town to work for the first couple of days until he has time to buy a bicycle this weekend. Will take him app an hour to cycle to work.

Looking at the Sep Bdays seems to show that the LAM family were having some fun during the end of the year’s holidays 🙂

4 Sep – Happy Bdays May HALD & Vincent LAM

5 Sep – Happy Labor Day/USA

11 Sep – Happy Bdays Steven LAM & May YUNG-LAM

15 Sep – Happy Bday ENG Ting Ting

16 Sep – HappyBdays Ivy YAP-LAM & Edith LAM

20 Sep – Happy Bday Amy RASHAP

21 Sep – Happy Bday Greg TRIBBE

23 Sep – Happy Bday Klaus LAM

24 Sep – Happy Bday Joyce LAM-AMEEN & LAM Kah Yun

25 Sep – HappyBday Kat LAM-TRIBBE

30 Sep Happy Bday Mabel ONG-LAM & Daisy LAM

Life is like riding a bicycle: you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling – Claude Pepper