27 May 2021 – Paya-Lebar-Airport

Mon: appreciations to Aileen for catching up with  yummy take-away-SINbreakfast of CarrotCake, CheeCheongFun&Congee from Marine-Terrace-Market – thank you for beautiful flowers (pink Lisianthus from Adeline&lilac Dendrobium orchids from Aileen), am sooo totally blessed.

BE SAFE and stay home! Any country with 4-walls that enclose you with harmony&peace is home:

Peace•Vrede•Paqe•سلام•Свет•Мир•Pau•平和 •Mir•Fred•Vrede•

Rahu•Kapayapaan•Rauha•Paix•Paz•Frieden•Ειρήνη•Lapè•שלום•

शांति•Béke•Friður•Perdamaian•Síochána•Pace•평•Miers•Taikos•

Мир•Keamanan•Paċi•صلح•Pokój•Amani•ความ สงบสุข•Barış•

Світ•Hòa •Heddwch•פרידן•

Tue: grateful to YipYewChong for his share&reminder of Paya-Lebar-Airport. Memories of father seeing me off for my further studies to Ireland on the VC10 (pix downloaded) in 1965. He sure looked happy here, probably such a relief to get rid of me – hahaha! Liked the mosaic mural there, and would appreciate if anyone has B/W or colour pix to share. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/video-on-demand/into-the-vault/a-flight-to-remember-14835636

Thank you for all the comments from FB-posting –  interesting to hear about all the 60s-70s flying days, especially when it is our 1st overseas flight! Such a different time&era where flying was exciting! Nowadays I dread it and the only reason I fly is that it is the fastest way from point A-B-C etc… you have to be a member of the FB-group-Nostalgic-SIN to view the FB link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/48000673979/permalink/10159465870973980/?comment_id=10159467133343980&reply_comment_id=10159469302698980&notif_id=1621570052359604&notif_t=group_comment&ref=notif

Appreciations to MohdHishamSalim for the mosaic and to JudoYeo for the mushroom, but somehow unlike the mosaic-wall-mural, the mushroom info-counter did not stick in my mind then, only discover it when searching for pix – pix of PL-Airport (except the one of my father) downloaded.

Edited 27Aug2021: appreciations to Wong Fang Chin for the below link.

https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-17/issue-2/jul-sep-2021/murals

Wed: Happy VesakDay to those marking the day, a public holiday here in SIN. It is a celebration of Buddha’s birthday and, for some Buddhists, marks his enlightenment. It was over 2decades when was first introduced to a British monk, AjahnBrahm who inspired me with this talks. Do not consider myself a Buddhist, but then for me, Buddhism is not a religion or faith but more a philosophy of life! Also 2021’s 1st total Lunar-Eclipse, a Super-Flower-Blood-Moon tonight. Looking forward to seeing pix of this from Moon-Watchers with good cameras, ie if not too cloudy! Tkx to Jo for dinner tonight

Taking pictures is savoring life intensely every hundredth of a second – Marc Riboud

Thu: taking care of paper work (LPA) at the lawyer’s office, advisable to get these done when the mind is still in tact so as to save problems and or misunderstanding issues for the family, especially when they are thousands of miles away! Beautiful bonsai, especially this bamboo. Read this and it is news to me – while bonsai plants are beautiful to look at, they are not particularly auspicious to keep at home. Vastu experts say that it is best to avoid placing this plant anywhere at home. It symbolises slow or stunted growth and might interfere with the lifecycle of the inhabitants…

To have a garden is to believe in tomorrow’, but to have a Bonsai-Garden is to believe in many tomorrows.

Walked by OasicHotel, admiring the creepers growing on the metal framework – it was in 2016 when it was opened and not so green then!

Decided to pick up a salad (Howdy S$13.30), since I just missed bus196 on RobinsonRd, and Salad-Stop was just by the bus-stop – portion was big enough for lunch&dinner. Again did not plan or had any intentions to get take-away, but just wanted to help ppl to hopefully keep their jobs! Even lunch-hour@CBD was quiet with hardly anyone out – practically empty bus and feels like life is going in slow-motion, very pleasant for me, but not good for the economy.

23 May 2021: More Health Issues

Fri: not sure if I should be saying TGIF, but would still like to wish everyone a good weekend. With these recent numbers of COVID-19cases+a Dengue case reported in my block and as I am writing this, I am also hearing a funeral service downstairs in the common area! Plx take care&be vigilant, ie stay home!!

Have not been out of my 4-walls since Mon, but had to be out today to collect my meds@FarrerPk&app@SGH, very efficient in&out in less than an hour@SGH. More apps ahead for next month – the domino effects of age&health-issues, c’est la vie! Buses48&196&MRTFarrer-OutramPk were practically empty. Was rather pleasantly surprised to hear that the shuttle-bus-driver to SGH had Symphony92.4FM on, the station I am usually tuned to.

Because of my skin-type, scars have always keloid for me. Dermatix usual price in the stores S$80+ but bc I got it at SGH, S$70.10 and CICA-Care usual price S$70+, with my MedekaCard S$60.25. These over-the-counter products are not consider necessary, thus not government subsidized, quite rightly so. 1st time trying them, so will see if they work – the scar today, will compare it after using these products a month from now!

Since I was out, dropped by at the outdoor market to pick up a fresh ginger drink. Feel so sorry for all our stalls and ppl trying to make a living – tough times ahead. Had no intentions of getting any take-aways as I do have food, but wanted to help – the usual rice with 2veggie+1meat used to cost S$2.90 when I moved here, it is now S$3.50, not complaining, paying willingly.

Sat: appreciations to niece&nephew for their co+yummy dinner delivered from IndoChili.

Found Kedondong (Spondias dulcis/ambarella)@the local fruit stall across the road and made juice for the weekend. In the midst of our daily lives, we must find the juice to nourish our creative souls – Sark 

Sun: thank you to Adeline&Isabella for visit with lunch&cake to celebrate Yasmine’s Bday who is in our thoughts today even though she is thousands of miles away. Happy Bday Yasmine, be safe in London.

From Garry22May: Trip around the block #13. Off to Kakadu. Jackson arrived for 6 days r&r. His keeness to see/do as much as possible prompted an increased level of activity on my part but did leave me a little bit stuffed! Great fun.

20 May 2021: Between-Handsome-Young-Men

Mon: today is the National Day & a public holiday in Norway. Happy 17May to those celebrating Norway’s Bday when the NorwegianConstitution was signed in Eidsvoll/Norway on 17May1814. Today’s lunch&dinner – salmon&salmon+shrimps&meatballs from IKEA.

For us in SIN, a new week ahead with new measures under tighter restrictions to observe. Social gatherings capped at 2ppl, no dining in, so only take-aways from now! With infographic like the above, will definitely stay mainly within my 4-walls where indoors are concerned except for groceries&medical app.

This news is worrying – Covid-19 is airborne, scientists say. Now, the authorities think so, too.

Tue: Happy 56thWedding-Anniversary to Lawrence&Mabel, of course I remember the day, the only time I was a bridesmaid. The occasion was at the ROM, do not even remember if there was a lunch-reception or dinner (do not have any lunch or dinner pix on my side).

1956-Lawrence left SIN for his studies&work in Ireland&UK and did not return until 1964. In those days it was not that easy to travel around and I did not see him for 8yrs. Mother’s 1stEU trip was in 1963 when she could be with the other 4siblings. Her next trip was 1964, when father flew her to Guy’s Hospital/London and her final trip was back to SIN where her lung cancer had spread to her brains and she passed away in Jun1965, less than a month after their wedding.

Jul1965, I was sent off to boarding school in Dublin/Ireland – a very traumatic&sad stage in my life-journey.

Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence – Levine

Wed: sorting out old pix and found this from 2016/Norway, again between 2handsome young men, hahaha! Happy Birthday Christian in Norway but do wonder where Magnus is nowadays? Another pix from 2014 with Chris&Christian – I think I will title a new folder Between-Handsome-Young-Men – lol, need some humour considering the  circumstances nowadays!!

Clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self – Eleanor Brownn

It is not enough with India’s continuing to grapple with a major spike of COVID-19cases+an outbreak of BlackFungus, and now with severe CycloneTauktae slamming into Gujarat/India??? Prayers&thoughts are out to all affected. Pix downloaded

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/05/17/tauktau-cycone-india-gujarat/

On top of the pandemic+natural disasters, now also war between Israel&Hamas?? What is happening in this world?

Thu: sharing some old pix downloaded from my previous blog postings, the ones where KellerPianoCo was once in OrchardRd bringing back nostalgic childhood memories of walking into that shop on the old wooden squeaky floor.

Might still have some music scores bought from there if I have the energy to go thru’ all of them! Today, all that is left from that shop is a green corner area with a grey electrical or gas box and the drain is still there.B/Wpix downloaded.

https://amylamsg.com/2014/11/11/orchard-gateway/

Interesting history&stories from OrchardRd: https://mothership.sg/2014/12/the-history-of-orchard-road-behind-the-concrete-glass/

Has it been 6yrs! ago since #5&6 of the flock are done with pre-schools?? Now way into their elementary schools and soon can count their years with 2digitals!!

16 May 2021: AT TrailDays/Damascus, VA/USA

Thu: Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all celebrating&marking the day, a public holiday in SIN. May PEACE be upon all in these difficult&turbulence times. For those who are not aware, the festival of Eid/Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on the first day of Syawal, 10th month of the Hijrah/Islamic calendar. It is a celebratory occasion following the fasting month of Ramadan. HariRaya is Malay for big/grand day of rejoicing. For me its the all the yummy food – hahaha

Appreciations for yet another yummy dinner of YauMeiFan 有味饭=flavourful rice in Cantonese. Am impressed with my young grandnephew, Darryl who made this dinner. Niece Daisy did well with bringing him up.

My contribution, another cake from the same location as the last one, but this time round, a chocolate cake which was misleading being covered with white cream and a cute unicorn, now in my kitchen for good luck – lol

Fri: on bus196 passing by MountbattenRd, glad to see that this house and the name given by me to this house is BigFoot which has recently been repainted since my last shot! https://amylamsg.com/2018/03/01/mountbatten-road/  App@SGH and tkx for another yummy steak dinner@Theresa&ChengJun, my contribution, Norwegain smoked salmon on cream-cheese with chives on sweet-peas&mini blinis garnished with lemons – an early 17May celebration for me.

Sat: an early walk&breakfast@my favourite CheeCheongFun with Calvin&Helen was done before the sky opened up. Appreciations for breakfast&pix credits to Helen. One more get-together of more than 2ppl before the tighter measures kick in tomorrow!

Appreciations for last night’s yummy home-made dinner with delicious fresh fish hooked by bro Leslie on his fishing-trip. Who knows when we will be able to get together again with more than 2guests in a household?? Tkx to MeiPin for driving.

Another lovely evening in the gazebo where the smoke of cigars brought back much fond memories of my father.

Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime – Confucius

Sun: Oh how I miss all my AT hiking buddies this 2021AT-TrailDays Thanks to Karen/Wiggs for her share of the 2above pix.

2018 was the last one attended and it was Bear’s final TrailDays, may he RIP. Hopefully I will still have more TrailDays ahead! https://amylamsg.com/2018/05/19/trail-days-2018/

A day to gather my thoughts to deal with health issues before a new week ahead with new measures under tighter restrictions to observe. Social gatherings capped at 2ppl, no dining in, so only take-aways from now! Pix downloaded.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-covid-19-measures-singapore-dining-in-group-sizes-14808564

12 May 2021 – Dale Chihuly’s Glass In Bloom

Sun: Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers. In loving memory of my mother TSANG MayLan (1911-1965) who also was my 1st piano teacher and up to today, the piano is still the instrument I play to console&control my moods.

Gratitude to my 2beautiful daughters Linn&May who have made me a proud mother&grandmother and who are also wonderful mothers to my 6grandchildren. This mug is a gift from them sometime during our stay in the USAdays. Sweet memories from when they used to ask me what I wanted for Bdays&Christmas. And to their frustrations, my answer would always be good children! Still they managed to get this precious gift that has been with me since their school days!! The only time&pix of them paying respects to their grandparents in MandaiColumbarium/SIN1999.

Mon: a very efficient&productive day, in&out of SGH within less than an hour, new bus/shuttle stop is taking shape there. New battery@Bugis for my SwatchWatch – has been dead of a couple of days, but had to return to Swatch for free battery as long as the watch is capable to receive it! @MPCC for a new TraceTogetherToken/TTT, again, battery dead, but instead to changing the battery, was given a new one, but had to return the old one.

Mon&Tue: good one from DrPP for the MondayBlues, and a downloaded one for the present hot&humid weathers outside! Am impressed&pleased with Nana (one of the staffs@The Gardens) who returned my call and kept me updated as to how crowded The Gardens will be for my visit tomorrow.

Wed: headed early into town, started walking from CustomHouse along The Promontory@MarinaBay to capture different angles of MBS.

Continuing on MarinaBlvd crossing Bayfront&ShearesAve

Turning into the Gardens to discover that these outdoor displays at The Meadows&SereneGarden are behind fences and was too early to get near them. Had to be content with zooming in between the fences.

EtherealWhitePersians, RedBamboosReeds, PalazzoDucaleTower.

1st person I met today with a camera as I headed closer to DragonFlyBridge – like you can get lost when MBS is visible in nearly every direction you look!!

FloatBoat&Floats – do remember these from one of my visits back to FL/USA after returning to SIN to live&work in 1999.

Crossing the bridge, amazed with these palm-trees with such colourful nuts, beautiful delicate pink blooms with The SIN-Flyer in the background.

Looking back, with good memories of our staycation there 1+yr ago when the family was visiting.

Inside the FlowerDome, Chihuly was the main reason for this visit, but since there might as well take a stroll to enjoy this revisit – random pix of some of these permanent fixtures!

What day is it? asked Pooh. It’s today, squeaked Piglet. My favorite day, said Pooh.

The Japanese do like polka-dots! TalkToMyHand is my name for this cactus!! 1st time taking the elevator down, took the stairs on previous visits!

ElectricYellow&DeepCoralTower, WhiteTower,

ErbiumReeds&TrumpetFlowers, NeodymiumReeds.

Do wonder the cost of renting this venue? So long for now until the next visit, appreciations to all who are working relentlessly to keep this place in immaculate top conditions.

Inside the CloudForest – random pix from CloudWalk.

SecretGarden

CloudForestPersians, RubyRedChandelier, UraniumGreenChandelier

LostWorld – FioriVerde. What a wonderful morning, such an enjoyable visit to these 2 enclosed areas with only a handful of ppl, thus managed to shoot these pix without anyone in the way, a walk from 0700-1200hrs. Appreciations to the blog below covering the whole exhibition+night scenes with amazing pix.

https://dejiki.com/2021/05/gardens-by-the-bay-dale-chihuly-glass-in-bloom-review-walkthrough/

Continued walking along the river to get to a bus-stop – after HelixBridge to catch a bus to do some grocery. Glad this was a short walk as the sun was scorching by now.

Had fun testing out all these percussion instruments@ActiveGarden. The grandkids would have enjoyed this garden.

Edited 30May2021: 7pix credits to DennisQuek – seen from different angles with different eyes. These are pieces of arts and so is his photography.

Appreciations for his permission to include them here.

8 May 2021 – Esplanade Bus-Stop

Wed: to friends&ppl in Mexico, prayers&thoughts are out to those who are effected by railway bridge collapses, no way to celebrate CincoDeMayo, but they do not celebrate that in Mexico!  Karin&Guillermo, pray that all their family&friends are safe there, but they are now in the US where they do celebrate CincoDeMayo!!

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/04/world/mexico-train-metro-crash

Thu: SGH appointments are not always that boring&dreaded if moods&physically conditions are up to taking the mind off the health issues to focus on the surroundings. If I take bus36, will change to bus75@StopID:02061-Esplanade where I have good views of the Flyer and StamfordRd ahead.

And if taking bus196, will change to bus75@StopID:03019–OUE Bayfront, another stop tastefully designed to fit in to the surroundings.

Not only Dale Chihuly’s PaintBrush Tower (not sure this will be a new permanent feature added here or just temporary?) can be seen within a mins walk from this bus stop recently – a stop I would sometimes choose to change at for the CBD scenes. Also a bus stop where I can enjoy wandering just within a few steps to check out the arts&surroundings to see what is new.

Pembungaan=Blossoming in Malay, bronze mural (2011) by KumariNahappan. Rodin (1840-1917) The Thinker (1902) is where I think, therefore I am!

TóngLè’sPrivateDining – revolving restaurant with views serving traditional Chinese fare at OUE-Tower. AscottRafflesPlace – luxury serviced apartments.

Bus75 stops@StopID:06011 on OutramRd where the FOCshuttle (good regular service) there will take me into the hospital grounds. The stop&it’s surroundings now are under much construction at present, but do look forward to when this is completed.

It ought to be plain how little you gain by getting excited and vexed. You’ll always be late for the previous train/bus and always on time for the next – Piet Hein.

Fri: tkx to Clem for downloading: My Father – Hopkins’s brilliant portrayal of dementia father where it ends with him saying that he is losing his leaves! Sad&depressing, but the reality of life for caregivers with dementia relatives&patients.

This film received 6 nominations in total including the 93rd AcademyAwards, he won Best Actor; Zeller&Hampton won Best Adapted Screenplay.

Sat: tkx to Daisy for a lovely family steamboat dinner to celebrate Darryl’s completing his NS. Proud of this young handsome grand-nephew who will be starting with an internship here in SIN and then when situation improves, will continue his further studies in Sydney/Australia.

Abundance of yummy food, typical of the LAM family where food is concerned! My contribution, a cake (for all the celebrations in May, including tomorrow’s Mother’s Day!) was hoping to get one@The BakeryChef, unfortunately it was closed, this one from a bakery by NTUC@BukitMerahCentral.

From Garry5May: Trip around the block #10. I wrote a post on Anzac Day while off-line with an assurance from Mr FB that it would be posted when I was next online. Did not happen and it has wafted into the either. Mine you, I have been out of range for 10 days.. So a few catch up pics.

Was getting concerned without any of his DownUnder–OutBack pix or words for so many days, and the 1st pix he sent me was this map-drinkcoaster after 10-MIA-days! Heading north from Alice its impossible to miss these statues of an Aboriginal woman and child, and the man on the hill.

Devils Marbles – Much of this area is of cultural significance, especially to Aboriginal women and photos are not allowed. These pics are from the areas allowed to pe photographed.

Every roadhouse has a claim to something

Daly Waters pub ready for a big Anzac Day

Many petrol stops now have these above ground shi]ing container-like petrol storage

What else do you do with a crashed helicopter? And now the road east toward the gulf.

4 May 2021: Closing of Abercrombie & Fitch 

Sat: 2attractions@GardensByTheBay to look forward to without having to travel – Dale Chihuly Glass in Bloom and Once Upon A Time on The Orient Express, taking into consideration to avoid being there during weekends, public holidays (12&26May), school holidays (29May-27Jun). Need to register in advance, and if possible to also arrange either lunch or T to spoil myself.

One of my bucket list items is to be on the OrientExpress from Paris-Istanbul. It is good to have something to plan&look forward to in this life journey, but do remember to use your brains&common sense to enjoy this life’s journey.

We seek the truth within, not without – HerculePoirot/Murder on the OrientExpress

Hopefully the ppl&leaders here are able to control this raising COVID-19 cases. According to PM Lee, SIN has to tighten Covid-19 measures promptly if needed to curb spread, avoid second circuit breaker.

Sun: appreciations to my IT savvy computer guru friend Leonard, for helping me to make bookings&reservations using the S$100 worth of SingapoRediscoversVouchers/SRV for both the above attractions. https://singaporediscovers.life.gov.sg/

Sadly Abercrombie&Fitch closed its only outlet here today. Has nearly 10yrs gone by so quickly when many of us were drooling over these handsome young men on their Dec2011 opening? Coincidently, bumped into two of them@SBG the next day when they had on their tops!

Who can forget those faces&figures unless you are blind or suffering from dementia?! https://amylamsg.com/2011/12/13/drool-drool-drool/ https://amylamsg.com/2011/12/14/more-drooling/

Tkx to Les&Ivy with the Chuas for dinner, nice to be able to get out of the 4-walls and have a good variety of home-cooked foods with the family. Enjoyed an excellent night-cap before getting on the Grab-cab

Mon: post-surgery check-up@SGH, since out&about, had dinner@IKEA (AlexandraRd) with Clement&Leonard. Managed my share of both the marinated&cooked salmon+shrimps! Also some snacks&food shopping for the 17Mai (Norway’s National day) done there. Was told that there is a new branch IKEA@Jurong, now with 3-IKEAs on this tiny island! Do remember my first time@IKEA in Olso/Norway late 1960s which was their 1st store opened outside of Sweden – 445stores around the world now!

https://www.businessinsider.com/ikea-first-store-history-in-sweden-in-1958-2019-9#today-ikea-has-come-a-long-way-from-its-humble-beginnings-operating-430-stores-in-more-than-50-markets-18

Started in 1943, this Swedish furniture store has come a long way, has built its largest branch in ManilaBay’s Mall of Asia – IKEA PasayCity spans 65,000+sqM=150basketball courts (pix downloaded).

Tue: CT-scan@SGH, not a good time to be in or near any hospitals at present, but as long as it is not in Tan Tock Seng Hospital/TTSH where the recent cluster started! Late Tue grocery shopping@Giant/Tampines S$117.21/S$3.62SenSav.

While changing bus@OUE Bayfront stop, decided to delay getting on the next bus, walked to welcome one of the many pieces by ‘Dale Chihuly’. This one is PaintBrush Tower (2014) – looking forward to seeing the others.

Current news with restrictions and updates in SIN for the COVID-19 measures starting from Sat8May: return to Phase 2: Cap on gathering size, daily number of visitors per household to be reduced from 8 to 5.

Effectively … the measures will bring us back to Phase Two for a few weeks. Minister Lawrence Wong outlines the tighter measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, adding that this is not a circuit breaker. https://cna.asia/3tcGOAB

Not good news for those celebrating Mother’s Day, Eid al-Fitr&Vesak Day for this month.

1 May – Happy May Day
5 May – Happy Cinco De Mayo
6 May – Happy Bdays WONG Wai Kit & Jan SOSA
9 May – Happy Mother’s Day
10 May – Happy Bday Andrew LAM
13 May – Happy Bday Susannah LAM 
16 May – Happy Bday LAM JenWen
17 May – Hurra for 17mai
18 May – Happy Bday Helen VICKERY-YEO 
19 May – Happy Bday Paul KRAUSE
23 May – Happy Bday Yasmine AMEEN
27 May – Happy Bdays LAM SuiChang & Karen LIM
28 May – Happy Bday Vanessa LAM
30 May– Happy Bday Hans Kristian HUSTAD

30 Apr 2021 – But Be Prepared For the Worst

Tue-Thu: 1st 2021SuperMoon seen from the concrete-jungle of a public-housing estate. Tkx for all the shares of this beautiful moon around the world from everyone. Plx do remember to be humble as we are all under the same sky, looking at the same moon. Time for healing, resting, reflecting with high hopes for the best.

Hoping for the best, but be prepared for the worst has been ingrained in me by my father ever since I can remember, and with this in me, have managed to survive OK so far, tkx dad.

Saddened with the news from India, but what I really am not able to understand is why in these pandemic circumstances are ppl permitted to gather in 100s&1,000s for whatever elections, events, functions, etc???

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/covid-19-india-total-deaths-passes-200-000-mark-14709564

Bloomberg puts SIN, NZ and Australia as the safest places to be in the world. SIN has been ranked as the best place to be during the pandemic. With 61,000 cases, 30 deaths & 20% of the population vaccinated, it has topped Covid-19 resilience ranking.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-resilience-ranking/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4nOlkN09uo 

Not gloating or boasting, not advisable to judge any country with that of another, but sadly the whole world is effected and suffers when a pandemic becomes a pawn to those manipulating for material, political&power gains. The below link, tkx to Jules – a long, but educational&interesting read:

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/apr/28/crime-against-humanity-arundhati-roy-india-covid-catastrophe

Fri: TGIF on the last day of this Apr2021 – a good weekend to all. PP mentioned she don’t think like an elderly person, but body obviously looks it and that our parents acted old in their 50s – how true when the body&mind are not quite in sync! Our parents lived in a different era and I am not sure how or what an elderly person thinks?? All I can do is to be myself as best as I know how to be myself – Cogito, ergo sum

Have submitted 5 of my favourite AT pix for ATC Natural Beauty: 14 States, Unlimited Inspiration (dateline 30Apr). MaxPatch/NC taken on a revisit as the 1st time there in 2005, arrived near mid-night in pitch darkness. CraigCreek/VA

PineKnobLoop/CT, Presidential-Range Franconia-Notch/NH, Mt Washington/NH revisit as1st time round in 2005, could hardly see my hands when they were outstretched!

30Apr2021: WorldOmeter of COVID-19 deaths are as follow:

SIN/pop 5.6+mil in an area of 721SqKm – 30
SC/USA/pop 5+mil in an area of 82, 932SqKm – 9,495
Norway/pop 5.3+mil in an area of 365,268SqKm – 754

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

35 including 16new community COVID-19 cases here, highest in more than 9months. Plx do take care and not let down your precautions yet. Have no intentions of being any where in my present state, unless for grocery, ie fresh produce, freezer still has enough food for me to last for another week.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-cases-imported-community-tan-tock-seng-moh-apr-29-14712050

From Garry24Apr: Easy to see who gets right of way on the roads up here! Here size matters! I did pass one (not overtake) that was towing FOUR tanker trailers!

Wow! am glad that I am not the driver or on this road here!! If I have to drive on a road trip, the vehicle will not be larger than the white SUV here and NO trailer.

26 Apr 2021 – Resting And Healing

Fri: continued throwing up in the early morning – the side-effect of the GA to last for ~24hrs! Breakfast – a cup of tea+a few spoons of oatmeal and finally managed to keep that down.

Dr Gerald Tay, an excellent Dr, a Dr with the insight of the patient’s well-being seen from both sides, ie the Dr’s&the patient’s side. Was told that I was well enough to be discharged, but if needed to, just stay on – decided to wait&see how I will feel later.

2cm of this nuisance gland has been removed which has been over producing calcium and now the calcium level is back to normal. Its amazing that a tiny little gland like this can do such damage to the whole system!

https://www.uclahealth.org/endocrine-center/high-calcium

By lunch, managed to keep all my food down (fish, veggie, rice&apple – ate nearly every bite) and also with dinner (beef, veggie, rice&orange – eat every bite). Knowing that I would get a more peaceful&quiet rest in my own 4walls and felt good enough to care for myself, chose to be discharged not wanting to deal with the hospital environment for another night.

Those who were concern about me not staying another night have not experienced a public hospital with 7ppl(C-ward) in a room and there are ~10rooms with only half wall-divisions! Pix downloaded. Was expecting it to be busy&noisy (I think all the rooms were full), had both ear-plugs&eye-blinder packed with my toiletries which came into very good use.

Appreciations to all the Drs, nurses&staff of SGH. Nice colourful paintings looking hopeful on the hospital wall, ie if you can imagine what hope looks like! Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness – Desmond Tutu. Cab-ride/S$17, good taxi-driver, knew exactly how&where to drive, did not try to make conversation and deserved S$3tip. Home by 2000hrs (an extra day charge if discharged after 2000hrs), washed and crashed by 2100hrs.

Sat: after 10+hrs sleep&rest, feeling refreshed with no discomfort or pain on this lovely wet morning, a perfect day with a cuppa&a book to heal&rest. Walk in the Woods/BillBryson is a better read 2nd time round, read it before the hike, but enjoying it better now after the hike!

The scar as it is today will be needing scafs&chokers when out, so as not to scare anyone as it is not Halloween yet!

Sun: condolences to son-in-law for the passing of his step-grandmother Smith (97). Prayers&thoughts are out to Jeff’s stepmother, Dee&family.

Thank you to Carmel, niece&nepehw for visits with all the yummy foods. Am now well-stock with all kinds of food for the week. Tkx for this share from Glenn in the Philippines, reminding him that I am the 1st and only female from SIN who has completed the AT Thru’Hike from 30Apr-3Sep2005, age 55 then!

Mon: a good Monday and week ahead – enjoy this last week for Apr2021. Condolences with prayers&thoughts to all effected in the Indonesian submarine, KRI Nanggala402 now confirmed drowned with all its 53ppl on board.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indonesia-missing-submarine-sank-debris-found-kri-nanggala-14685170 

From Garry20Apr: Trip around the block #8. The West Macdonnell Ranges- West of Alice Springs. Like so much of the NT, the landscape is the real attraction. The area overflows with deep gorges, folded mountains, sharp chasms, waterholes, changing rock colors, vegetation (or lack of), and every feature from a high school ‘mountainous landscapes’ study imaginable!

Ellery Creek Big Hole. Cold n deep! Stanley Chasm.

The waterhole at the bottom of Serpentine Gorge is not so great. Believed to be home of a bad snake. No swimming allowed but not inviting anyway. Bushfire sculpture.

From Garry24Apr: Trip around the block #9. West of the settlement of Hermannsburg, best know as the home of Aboriginal watercolour landscape artist Albert Namitjira, and also the large Lutheran mission, is the amazing Palm Valley! Here, on the edge of the Tanami Desert, is a valley dominated by towering Red Cabbage Palms. The steep walls of the gorge are also home to age old cyclads.

Waterhole camp-site. Morning view south

22 Apr 2021 –  Metabolic Imbalance

Tue: picking up heavier stuff like laundry detergent and toilet tissue for next week as I do not know how my condition will be after surgery!

Wed: for those who might not remember about GeorgeFloyd, here is the link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52861726

Justice has now done its job – DerekChauvin guilty in death of GeorgeFloyd: https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/derek-chauvin-trial-04-20-21/index.html

It took the BostonMarathon and the year of Linn’s 40thBday to get all of us from SIN, Norway&USA together and 7yrs ago today since my whole flock & I were gathered together in one country, this is still only pix of us all: https://amylamsg.com/2014/04/24/road-trip3/

Perhaps we can start planning ahead for Linn’s 50th – I will need that to look forward to, especially in today’s circumstances.

Preparing for tomorrow’s surgery and will need to fast tonight, ie no food from midnight until after op. Appreciate gratefully all concerns from family&friends with thanks and will ask for help when&if needed. At such a time, for me personally, would prefer to be alone with a clear mind to deal with my own issues&thoughts without having to take considerations to others feelings, questions&thoughts – have promised to update with text from the hospital whenever I am able to do so.

Reflecting on Jun2020 emergency hospital admittance by ambulance, I do sincerely apologise for causing concerns&worries as the mobile died on me and was out of action&reach!

https://amylamsg.com/2020/06/19/when-it-rains/

Unlike then, this surgery is a minor invasive op by choice&recommendation, and knowing in advance, might help with preparing as how to deal emotionally incase of complications, etc…

Thu: a bouquet of good vibes before I go under the knife this afternoon, and for those who have not gone for their vaccinations, here is a good one that might make y’all reconsider – hahaha.

Checked into SGH ~1130hrs, (the waiting area before op) scheduled surgery ~1430hrs, delayed till 1530hrs. Still alive, but not quite kicking~1800hrs in a daze in between snooze, throwing up everything all evening from the side-effect of the GA.

From Garry18Apr: The trip around the block. In Alice Springs for the last few nights of Parrrtjima – A Festival In Light.

Staged in the wonderful Desert Park 5-6 km out of town, it has echos of Sydney’s Vivid, but is very distinctively local. Instead of lighting up an Opera House or a Customs building, they lit up the Macdonnell Ranges!! Not that my pics captured that bit at all well.

Some of his pix captured bits&pieces of the mt range in the background with a clear night sky where you can see the stars – absolutely mesmerizing.

In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present!