14 Apr 2020 – Active Aging

Sat: the playground&common areas downstairs are all roped-up to make sure that ppl do not gather around;

the neighbourhood is nice&quiet as I collect my free reusable mask@the RC downstairs (the only one there, no lines!), and took a slow stroll across the road.

SIN 1st BengawanSolo Cake-Shop (1979 B/W pix credits to JeromeLim’s blog The Long And Winding Road) is just across the road from me with only 1other customer in the shop. One of my favourite cookies to cheer the Easter weekend up

Do feel blessed living here as it is well maintained,

but unfortunately somehow some ppl are either ignorant of just unable to read to take instructions. Here is another eg, just only about 2weeks ago, I mentioned that a bicycle was finally removed (1st feed-back mailed in 2017) on the staircase and this notice was up on the notice board after it was removed. Today, what do I see on the staircase – time to write to the MPTC again next week, need to nip it at the bud before more things keep piling up.

Sun: Happy Easter Sunday from SIN to those marking the day and to all – stay healthy&safe and STAY HOME. Took a whole day to find appropriate Easter motives pix to share; here is a blast from past Easters in Norway (skiing trips like this pix with perfect conditions in N Norway were some of the best Easters I can remember) & USA.

Some precious today shots from The FaBulous5+their parents in the US, tkx to Linn. Camera-shy in Norway!

No more swimming for now, but can still walk and hopefully will be able to keep walking and can still hang the portable hammock and use my chair+table (a belated 70thGift to myself) outside the 4walls without anyone around (would NOT be out there if there were anyone) for fresh-air – all easily packed back behind the 4walls after the use of them.

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/all-beaches-singapore-closed-part-tougher-covid-19-measures-lawrence-wong

Mon: an early walk ended with food shopping (S$9)  Some neighbourhood food stalls still remain open, but strictly for takeaway DaBao only (all eateries in SIN serve only takeaway for now), yummy MeePok breakfast+coffee (S$6). To save our environment, plx remember to bring along your own clean containers.

Tue: have not been out of SIN since I returned 1Nov 2019 (5+months ago, record since I stopped working), to a movie since mid Jan and on a bus, MRT, cab or any other cars since nearly 3weeks ago. Thank goodness everything I need are within walking distance and good to know when to avoid the crowds, but that I have learnt to do for most of my life. When FB flashed back a memory from 8yrs ago today made me feel so blessed to have so far lived an active life. No complains for not being so active (physically) for now as this too shall pass, but will try hard to keep the mind&memory active.

https://amylamsg.com/2012/04/14/a-final-year-porject/

Active aging requires us to go on living life to the full no matter how differently – Joan Chittester

10 Apr 2020 –  Blame it on the Full-Moon

Tue: looks like most ppl are staying home as instructed except for these pigeons, which are being a nuisance and causing unhygienic environment. But what can you do with ignorant ppl who keep feeding them?

Have no complains about our MP or RC, they have always taken care of the feed-backs whenever I had any It’s the ignorant ppl who do not read or listen to what is best for them – like now, we all have to take the consequences and I cannot even go and enjoy a meal with my family or friends.

Both thermometers are not functioning, bought a new one to be sure that my temp is OK, so let’s hope that the temp will remain under and does not go over 98.6°F/37°C for as long as there is life in this body…

TODAY highlights some of the dos and don’ts under these new laws. 

Q: May I meet someone at a park for a walk or to exercise? I like walking on my own

Not unless they are living with you. While you may exercise at any open-air stadium, public path or public park, you may only do so alone or with someone who lives with you. 

Activities that may attract like-minded participants are not allowed. These include fishing, flying kites, windsurfing and skateboarding for leisure. 

Q: I need to visit my elderly parents to look after them and drop my child off at a relative’s house to be cared for while I work. Am I still allowed to do so? NA to me

Yes, you may still visit family members to help them with their daily needs including caring for elderly parents or for childcare arrangements.

You may also leave your home to help individuals with their daily needs as long as they fall within these criteria: They have a physical or mental disability or are below 12 years of age or above 60.

Q: May a friend or relative help me to move to another house? No intentions of moving

No. While moving services are allowed to continue, you may not physically meet a friend or relative for this reason. 

Q: Are my children allowed to visit playgrounds or play in common spaces near my home, including void decks or a grass patch in a condominium? NA to me

No. You cannot use sports or recreational facilities in a shared area inside a sub-divided building even if you live there. Any sports facilities in public spaces are off-limits as well. 

You are also not allowed to use common areas such as void decks or shared facilities in Housing and Development Board estates as well as condominiums even if you live there. 

Q: Can my part-time cleaner or private tutor still come to my home? Do not have either

No. All private tutors must suspend lessons and tuition centres must stop all physical group sessions. They may, however, continue to conduct their lessons online.

Likewise, all home-cleaning services are suspended.

Q: May I still get a haircut? Will get a hair-cut when the hair gets in my way

Yes. Basic haircut services such as cutting, washing and blowing of hair are permitted, but must be kept to one hour or less. You cannot, however, colour or perm your hair, or treat it with chemicals.

Similarly, all nail salons and massage parlours will be closed. 

Q: Will I be able to order items online and have them delivered and set up in my home? No intentions of doing that

Yes. Delivery services are still running and delivery employees are allowed to assist with setting up furniture or IT-related products in your home. 

But they must maintain a safe distance of 1m from all occupants of the house, minimise contact and interaction, and leave immediately after completing their work. Companies must also ensure that the number of staff involved in delivery or installation is kept to the minimum.

Q: May I visit my boyfriend, girlfriend, fiance or fiancee, or my sibling who lives nearby? No intentions of doing that

No. Any social contact is strictly limited to those living within your household.

Q: May I eat by myself in a void deck or other public areas? No intentions of doing that

No, you cannot loiter or eat in a public area even if you are by yourself. 

Q: What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Anyone who flouts these restrictions will be subject to penalties under the Infectious Diseases Act. 

A first-time offender can be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to six months.

Repeat offenders may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or punished with both.
Read more at

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/explainer-can-i-your-questions-new-circuit-breaker-laws-answered?cid=telegram_tg-single_social-free_26012019_today

Wed: 2200hrs, beautiful full-moon, but does it really effects sleep or just physiological?? The lunar cycle seems to influence human sleep, even when one does not see the Moon and is not aware of the actual moon phase.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43960958

Thu: an earlier morning walk than usual and this was what I observed&noticed – more ppl walking, (usually I might cross path with 1or2, but today I counted 8), some young generation in a group making more noise than normal, no more boom-box blasting out music for the older generation groups of TaiChi or QiGong.

Regular coffee stall&ChaiTowKway for my take-away. This handful of herbs cost S$6 today, which should have been S$4 in normal times. – have to use herbs sparingly instead of abundantly nowadays!

Appreciations to these young volunteers for their good job by checking on and handing food&info leaflets to SIN Seniors. Being just one mouth to feed and still able to walk downstairs for my foods, thus passing on the food for those who may need it more.

Fri: Happy Good Friday to those marking the day. Have been watching a bunch of feel-good movies on Hallmark&Youtube. Just cannot get myself into a creative mood, working hard to fight the restless feelings as the COVID-19 cases raising sharply here. This too shall pass…

The timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream – remembering Kahlil Gibran who died on this day in 1931, wrote The Prophet, one of the few books I keep close to me.

6 Apr 2020 – Stay Home To Avoid A Short Circuit

Thu: tkx to nephew Jay for the info regarding this form. Need 2 witnesses and it will be out in the mail next week after informing L&M. When I go, hopefully it will be fast and as little pain as I can bear, and also hopefully in a SIN hospital. In that way whatever I have signed now will go into effect and there will be no expenses to wake, funeral, etc which I have always thought to be a waste of money&time. 

Fri: TGIF – tkx to Calvin/CC for the loan of a freezer and frozen foods from IKEA for a decent balance-meal (greens&fruits from the local market). With Mustafa-Centre now one of the new COVID-19 clusters, frozen gravlaks is better than none!

Sat: today 4Apr 2020, is the ChingMing Festival 清明节Tomb-Sweeping Day. Plx be safe, pay your respects&tributes online. Your ancestors will understand as they do not want you with them yet! Just heard over the news that you can buy paper breathing ventilator (US$100) to burn for your offerings!!! (for real). What next??? My parents will haunt me if I burnt any of these paper offerings to them, have been told before they passed on that they do not believe or practice any of these rituals. Paternal grandmother did and was allowed to participate and watch, fun memories of all those festivities from childhood.

Tkx for dinner&signatures from Clem&AudreyW. It will be a while when we can gather again for a get together.

After the speech from our PM, will be following the latest guidelines for the Circuit Breaker period. An interesting way to put it, but will be staying home and drinking whatever I need to learn a new language for every sip! Hopefully will be able to stay in the pink to pull thru’ without being Short Circuit – not trying to be sarcastic, but just keeping myself amuse with words. If you saw the speech, you’ll know what I mean. 

From 7Apr-4May 2020

https://www.gov.sg/article/covid-19-circuit-breaker-heightened-safe-distancing-measures-to-reduce-movement

1. Stay at home. Only go out if necessary, such as to buy daily necessities or for urgent medical needs
2. Do not hold social gatherings during this period
3. Limit social contact to immediate family members
4. If you need to exercise outdoors in a park, keep a safe distance from others

Sun: Happy Palm Sunday to those celebrating or marking the day.

Whatever you do, where ever you are, just stay healthy&be safe during this Circuit Breaker period, now the latest SIN idiom to stay home! Spending time to make food I like and to update the FB LAM TInYue Heritage Post. Tks to the family for feed-backs, pix etc. Appreciations to Clem for his help to discover a web-site from some other LIN/LAM-clan where our Ancestors’ Hall could be seen. Will update when I find out more, very excited to discover this..

Mon: must have been watching too much Sci-Fi movies to create this poster! Even ET can only phone home if he gets stranded again.

1 Apr 2020 – No Fooling Around With COVID-19

Sat: glad that I was at the local branch (MarineParade) post office yesterday and not the main branch. Today’s news was where the new cluster was reported@the main branch. This is getting too close to home, will have to let Norway&US family know that no more care-packages until the situation is better.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid19-moh-update-49-new-cases-singpost-cluster-12582990

Only discovered SIN main PostOffice recently in Dec 2019 – misleading and strange have a building name Singpost which is actually a mall with the post office in a a tiny section far back in the corner on L1. Pix&map downloaded.

https://amylamsg.com/2019/12/11/ec-pkway-paya-lebar/

Sun: comment from Hazel – I was wondering how you managed, Amy. Can’t imagine living in a huge city just now. We are in Ballycotton and get food deliveries. And walk on country roads- the cliff walk is closed – too narrow. 

To give her an idea what city-living is like here in SIN – avoid peak&rush hour if I have to take public transport. Morning walk&swim (not on weekends, live less than 5mins walk to the coast) before sunrise, might see a couple of ppl or none – usually none, but I like it that way. The best way to start my day.

It is just only a matter of 2mins by taking the elevator or 7flights of stairs down, crossing the road to the local provision stores (know as Mama-stores here) where I can get everything I need there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama_shop

If lazy to cook, another few steps from these stores to the next corner gives me the choice of all these dishes, eg 2veg, 1meat+rice S$3.30. S$15 for Sun morning-coffee, sardine-lunch, dinner+dessert, tonic for a gin-nightcap and ice-cream for the week. This is not the most healthy diet, but weekend indulgence for a balance!

Mon: this bicycle has been here since 2017 when I wrote a feedback to MPTC. They slapped it with a warning sticker that it will be removed then, but did not follow-up with their warning. Over the years, a box was added next to the bicycle (forgot to take pix). Nov2019, was personally at MPTC to book and put a deposit for the use of the common area and reminded them about this. Today someone finally knocked on my door and asked if I am the owner of the bicycle. Case closed and finally the common area looks like how it should – better late than never!

Getting another free update, this time a digital TV HD Set-Up.  Was aware that I was getting this update, thus did not bother me too much having the TV on with just volume but no image to keep up with the news, now can also see what is going on too, not sure if it is for the best!!

Getting overwhelmed with all the COVID-19 news. Checking out a few movies on Netflix, finding the feel good movies, not only social-distancing but also negative-distancing to get thru’ these turbulence times. Concentrating on good memories and positive thoughts. Tkx to Wiggs/AT Karen for recommending these, had a bad attack of asthmatic cough the past few nights and then remembered that I bought these when we were in CHS last year – really helped me to sleep thru’ last night. 

Tue: Happy 83rd Bday to sis Jo, no celebrations this year to avoid any gatherings. Throwbacks from 2011, 2014&2018 when the hair was still being coloured in 2011, glad that stage is over and now more or less all naturally white. Otherwise not much change in these pix for the GG&OG over the years except for the PG who are growing up fast.

Wed: All Fools’ Day, but this year no fooling around, even Google is skipping its pranks due to COVID-19. 

Pix credits to Leonard taken Apr2015 in Brunei – Take care of your Body, it’s the only Place you have to Live in. You did not realize how anti-social you are until there is a pandemic, and your life does not really change – saw these 2 quotes somewhere and so appropriate for&to me!

Talk like Doraemon Malaysian ministry issues tips for wives during COVID-19 movement control order, and I thought that I was either dreaming? or was that a bad April Fools’ joke?? Where do they get ministers like these???

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/coronavirus-malaysia-ministry-tips-wives-nagging-doraemon-mco-12593708

Just one of those moods to spike my vitamin C with an umbrella to end this All Fools’ Day without the Fool On the Hill but with The Bucket List. So until tomorrow good night for now to those in my time-zone. If I continue this way, my family&friends might send me to the funny-farm in a straight-jacket!

2 Apr – Happy Bday MarianneH
4 Apr – Happy Bday RichardY
8 Apr – Happy Bday TorillW
12 Apr – Happy Bday PeggyT
15 Apr – Happy Bdays LynneO & AileenK
17 Apr – Happy Bdays AnneS, SharonK & Sarah
22 Apr – Happy Bday Ike
29 Apr – Happy Bday Stanley

27 Mar 2020 – Mandai Crematorium&Columbarium

Wed: usually would take the bus changing to MRT and then another bus to MandaiRd to get to the crematorium.  Now with the construction, to discover that it was easier and faster on bus966, changing to 171 taking 1+hr to MandaiAve. And all these years I have been taking the longer route – learn something new. 

Paying respect to my parents and they are going to get new neighbours when the constructions are completed. Looks like a few other ppl are here to do their ChingMing(4Apr) duties in advance too so as to avoid the crowds.

An easy 1min walk from the Columbarium Complex to the stairs down to the car-park and up the escalators to the Crematorium. By now I can find my way blind-folded as I usually will pay respect to my parents when I am here to bid farewell to anyone to be cremated.

Now to bid final farewell to 10thAuntie LAM PohChee/Emily(97), may she RIP. Here is an example of social distancing with 8family members +3non-family members. Pix credits to cousin Jason.

1st visit to cousin John who has been living in this neighbourhood for the past 50yrs! He sure has a green-thumb (anyone who can get air-plant to flower has green-thumb!), and not surprising for someone who majored in agriculture. If my memory serves me correctly, he used to have an orchid farm and was also one of the first supplies to KFC and later also one of the first to rear black chickens.

Today his farm is in JB across the causeway, and Malaysia being on lockdown, he is unable to go there.

Have not had this Kedondong (Spondias dulcis, known commonly as ambarella) juice since my last trip to KCH in Jan2019. Tkx to cousin John, these came from his garden here, enough to juice for the week. (cut-fruit pix downloaded) Healthy diet with CH&Ting’s farm produce+this juice, the immune system should be strong enough to fight COVID-19, but hopefully it will stay far far away.

Thu: glad that my duties for ChingMing was done yesterday. Today in the news – 

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/covid-19-all-govt-run-columbaria-be-closed-weekends-public-holidays-until-april-26

Eat tasty&healthy to boost the immune system – dinner tonight and one of my favourite ways to prepare a simple&yummy steam halibut (min bones!) with ginger+these and garnish with plenty of fresh herbs. Bon Appetit.

Fri: at the local post office to mail Easter gifts to the grandchildren. There social distancing is truly enforced, only 2ppl were allowed in and the rest had to wait outside. Continued to WaterlooSt to pick up some red melon seeds and some other dried goods. First time to seeing KwanImThong temple closed in daylight and hardly anyone around – does this mean that even the Goddess of Mercy has given up?

Had my Guiling Gao 龟苓膏=herbal Jelly@KoongWohTong. What is this herbal jelly about, too long to explain but wikipedia will tell you all about it. Not sure if I believe about the benefits, but I do like the bitter taste and will always have it without honey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilinggao

Now that I have stock-up for a few weeks, will isolate myself if necessary, but am still missing ice-cream which I have to have – hahaha

24 Mar 2020 – RIP 10thAuntie BG10LAM PohChee/Emily(1923-2020)

Fri: M1 was here to put this up this FOC Home Access Programme, but the old one works perfectly and I was ensured that there was not much difference, but would have to change password if I change, and knowing me, I will forget the new password! Decided against changing, so whoever wants this brand-new (still sealed in the box) Wi-Fi Router, plx message me either on WhatsApp, FB or my hotmail.

Have to get this gift ready by tomorrow and get it delivered, so burning the midnight oil. Is this really for real as I have not read the book??? Psychic Sylvia Browne did make some startling predictions in her book End of Days published in 2008 – pp312. Must try to get hold of a copy of this book@the library

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/1256553/Coronavirus-Sylvia-Browne-prediction-COVID19-prophecy-pneumonia

Sat: today my dear brother Les&sis-in-law Ivy got married 50yrs ago@Tam O’Shanter’, MorehamptonRd, Dublin/Ireland (no longer there today). Happy Golden Anniversary and many more ahead – cheers to them.

Crowded beaches despite of present circumstances – what’s wrong with these ppl?? These are not the only beaches or places that are crowded, only picking these as I have been there but not in these kind of crowds. I supposed it is difficult for me to relate or understand as I really dislike crowds all my life so far and still continues disliking crowds, and will go out of my way to keep away from them.

https://nypost.com/2020/03/21/australians-keep-crowding-beaches-despite-coronavirus-warnings/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coronavirus-comes-spring-break-locals-close-florida-beaches-after-governor-n1163741

Sun: nice afternoon celebrating another belated Bday – lunch@DIY Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah. Was just there last month and enjoyed it. Dessert@Gobi and in time back to the 4-walls to escape the rains

https://amylamsg.com/2020/02/03/hello-february-2090/

Mon: the year of the Rat has so far not been good and if we keep following the crowds, the consequences will be like this image. Plx be healthy, stay away from crowds&crowded places and remember to practice social distancing. Somehow this story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin keeps popping up in my dreams since CNY, but did not know what to make of it nor how to read it?? Was going to share it, but decided against it, and if you know the history/story or legend of the PiedPiper (leading to deaths!) did not seem appropriate then during the CNY, but now the message is as clear as B/W – above 3pix downloaded.

https://amylamsg.com/2020/01/28/into-the-year-of-the-rat/

Tue: grocery shopping today (seniorTue3%). These are all the passengers on bus196 to Bedok and it only stopped once (out of 10stops) to let off one person on MP Rd from MarineC all the way to Bedok-InterChange.

Looks like ppl are practicing social distancing and everything is well-stocked@Giant/Tampines.

May she RIP, 10th Auntie BG10LAM PohChee/Emily(1923-2020)who passed away today in SIN.

19 Mar 2020 – And Leprechauns

Sun: today in the US she is 15 – Happy Birthday#2, a box of chocolate to her – life is like a box of chocolate with sweet memories from when she was 6 in the house that got burnt down! Sweeter memories of the short week here last month.

Appreciations for yummy home-made dinner@Ivy&Les. Les managed to capture these wonderful shots just when I was entering their gate. Delighted to know that these beautiful Hornbills are around. Saw 3 of them last year on MackenzieRd, but they were not that big…

https://amylamsg.com/2019/05/20/imagine-theres-no-countries/

Mon: getting my never-ending indoor projects and concentrating to gear up the creative mood ready to work on them.  

Tue: Lá Fhéile Pádraig Happy St Patrick’s Day from SIN to all celebrating. Due to present circumstances the parade&reception are cancelled. Same situation in Dublin/Ireland, Chicago&NewYork/USA. Let’s hope&pray that St Patrick can banish COVID-19 like he did with the snakes! Take care, stay healthy&enjoy the day the best you can – sláinte

Thank you Carmel for her thoughtfulness, bringing back memories of boarding school days where&when I first discovered these and found them most additive – looking much forward to tasting. On top of this, Jane/Tasmania posted this and that got me digging into my wardrobe to find my old blazer (1965) from the boarding school I attended in Dublin@Earlsfort Terrace – not that it fits me any longer, but it was my 1st blazer.

Wed: 46yrs ago today, this bundle of joy arrived into my arms in Dublin/Ireland and I have been blessed into motherhood ever since then. Happy Birthday to my beautiful 1st-born Linn and thank you for being. Sometimes I think I am dreaming to have a 46yrs old daughter and if I am, plx do not wake me.

Appreciations to Calvin for this farewell dinner – safe journeys&all the best to Glenn, will miss his smile as he returns to his homeland in the Philippines after a decade with Campers here. Looking forward for him to showing us around his country some day. He recommends this the Batanes Island and after reading about this location, can’t wait until pandemic is over.

How Hup Bbq Seafood 好和海鲜 Whampoa Makan Place, highly recommended – you know that the seafood here is good&fresh when the charming owner James loves fishing.

Fisherman&fish pix credits to Estella and tkx to her for the drinks. Karen/USA commented that she was surprised to see these larger gatherings and my reply – large will be over 12ppl for me, all I know here tonight are in good health and it is an alfresco location.

You see? I know where every single book used to be in the library.’ She pointed to the shelf opposite. ‘Over there was Catch-22, which was a hugely popular fishing book and one of a series, I believe ― Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey

Thu: woke up after a strange dream – will edit when I can figure out what it is about? Great to catch up with CH&Ting for dinner@MyBriyaniHouse/MarineCove and dessert@PS.Cafe EastCoast Park, 1st time here. For a Thu night and considering the present situation, it was crowded, but glad that I could introduce the KeyLimePie there to CH&Ting. Tkx for these Rocket, Beetcrest&Mizuna, yummy fresh organic produce from her farm. Blessed with the best salads for the weekend – Ting is the supplier for many of the Michelin+5*restaurants here.

14 Mar 2020 – One Day At A Time

Mon: belated Bday breakfast for Gel@Beach Road Prawn Mee 美芝律大虾面 at East Coast (one of my favourites in this area and has been posted about many times, thus another pix on EC Rd) which is 5mins walk from me. Located on EC Rd near Telok Kurau junction, it is a no frill clean airy coffee-shop – looking at the prices, you might wonder if you are in a coffee-shop! The eating house has 2 stalls, the prawn noodles stall which also sells drinks, and a ngoh-hiang stall. 

8yrs ago today, back in SIN from Norway (with the whole body aching having cleaned&painted the whole house) after putting my house on the market there! Who could have then predicted that the world would be in such a turmoil today? Still taking one step at a time, not knowing when I will travel again?

House with Panorama Views

Tue: this is an appropriate read for all days, especially nowadays, considering today’s situation – with a quote that I have worked and still working hard on to apply to my daily life. Taking things day-by-day during the end of days – Scott Gilmore: The markets are tanking, there is a global public health crisis. It’s not the end of the world, it just feels that way.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference

Taking things day-by-day during the end of days

8 Mar 2020 – Keong Saik Road

Thu: was hoping to catch the 0713hrs sunrise walk this morning, but caught sight of a solo swimmer instead. 0745hrs, the sun was struggling with the clouds when I got back. Usually morning walk for me starts in the dark before 0600hrs, done (still in the dark) by 0700hrs before the sunrise, but have seen the sunrise here many times. Was pleased that I am not the only one who swims in these waters or walk here and nice to see an active healthy life-style on this morning.

Taking this grounded time to update the family-tree and would really appreciate help from all.

It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies ― Matshona Dhliwayo

Fri: has been a while since being in one country for longer than 2months – have not been out of SIN for the past 4+months. With the family here recently, the need to travel is not there and content staying put for now. But also being aware to keep the balance by not becoming too comfortable or complacent. 4-walls here is so organized&cleaned that I am having senior moments where things have been reshuffled to! 1st pix is what living-room&kitchen looked like before I bought over and knocked down most of the walls. With the present COVID-19 situation, am not even sure if I will make it to #1 high-school grad in May/Jun USA. Cross that bridge when&if I get there, but keeping eyes on the air-fares and the cheapest RT fares SIN-CAE-SIN is under US$1000 today.

Am so totally filled with awe&speechless. Amazed&impressed as It was only last month that I posted about my fall and today what do I see on the same path today – coincidence or did someone else fall&complained or did someone with power&action read my blog posting???

https://amylamsg.com/2020/02/11/b-w-challenge-by-cousin-yatsoon/

Sat: understanding Cantonese do bring back memories from childhood days when children were to be seen and not heard was the norm of that era, but it did not stop me from asking questions even since then! Interesting book: 17A KeongSaikRoad by CharmaineLeung – an enjoyable dramatised reading on the script for the stage adaptation@ChinatownHeritageCentre. Good turn out and not too crowded (audience pix credits to Woo Hsia Ling).

Father used to go to a club on this street (not quite the red-light district then!) to play mahjong in the 1950s-60s, and if my memory serves me correctly, there was a good yee-sang (raw-fish) place below that club or somewhere near – thus my curiosity about the area. Charmaine is too young to remember, but maybe her mother can shed some lights to my curiosity! 

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day – Albert Einstein

Sun: Happy International Women’s Day with a downloaded pix which I have added text and Chinese characters – have been using this the past few years. Find it fascinating with the Chinese character of woman and the different meanings when combined with more characters.

女 nǚ= woman
安 ānn = peace by adding a roof over a woman
好 hao = good by adding the character child next to a woman

2 more characters using the Chinese characters 女 which were omitted in the poster!
女女 nuan = quarrel by adding 2 women together
姦 jian = adultery by adding 3 women together

The Chinese character女woman together with子child 好=good, So does it mean that I am a peaceful, good good (having 2children) woman- hahaha.

Sun: launching of Alvin’s 2nd edition of La kopi – looking forward to visiting&trying out some of the coffee locations, especially pp74 – hahaha

Appreciations to Jason (Books Actually) for surprised yummy snacks.

Tkx to Clem for KeylimePie@PS Cafe, first time in this branch@TiongBahru; biggest lily bouquet with a strong fragrance for the whole place and a decent selection of gins&wines. All the PS Cafes in SIN serve one of my favourite KeyLime pies, still having a vague memory of the best (to my taste) I tasted in KeyWest many many moons ago, so long ago that I do not even recall the name of the location. Appreciations to Wendy (living in the Keys and would know what real KeyLimes are about!) for her comment about it being so green and reminded me about KeyWest! Pie pix downloaded.

One of the reasons for postings in FB&this blog for me who lives an active life alone is so as not to worry family&friends having to check up on me, thus giving them a peace of mind to know that I am OK where ever I may be or whatever I am up to. Blogging is more for my own documentation by keeping the memory in tact. For those who do not wish to be in social media, do try hard to omit their names, but plx forgive me if senior moments creep up.

Sometimes, I think the things I remember are more real than the things I see ― Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

4 Mar 2020 – Welcome March 2020

Sun: welcome Mar2020 this time round of durian, chilly-crabs, salted-eggs squids, etc to celebrate Calvin’s belated Bday. My heart will give up on me if my diet continues like this, need to take a break from these rich high-cholesterol foods. The fruit stall@MP-Promenade will no longer be selling durian as the season ends now, this is one of the stalls I frequent as the seller is honest enough to throw away the fruits not up to standard upon opening. Sam does not like this fruit – durian pix credits to Helen.

1st time trying out this place in the neighbourhood@Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨 for the promotion of crabs – interestingly this branch is located in a condo complex. 

Tasty chilli crabs, salted egg squids bringing calamari to another level.

Had 4 of their signature dishes and they did not disappoint, but slightly heavy with the MSG. Will return – they called and have to return tomorrow to pick up my camera which was forgetfully left there tonight – senior moments! 

Mon: good Mon morning, do like the kitchen view of the HDB roof-top garden of a car-park. This sign is posted in some of the estates and hopefully ppl will read it.

SGF OrchidShow cancelled+hot-water tank dripping&plumber not available until tomorrow. Tkx to Calvin for his idea to redirect the water to a bigger container. Not a complain just sharing and documenting to find out that the last time the hot-water heater had to be changed was 8yrs ago (S$380). Have no idea to the life-span of these things, but with 5ppl showering at least twice a day when the family was here probably over-loaded it.

Thank goodness it happened now and not when I am away. All the towels stored there absorbed most of the water and good that it was clean water, just had to hang them out to dry as they were just washed last week. Thought I had to take cold showers after turning if off on Sun, but as it turned out, water was still hot on Sun night and tonight, it is warm.

Tue: tkx to Vincent (contractor/Palmwood Pte Ltd)&Heng (plumber/Inter Plumbing & Reno Pte Ltd), no more dripping hot-water tank. Out with the old (made in China) and in with the new (made in Italy), hopefully free from COVID-19!

What are the chances that both hot-water tanks I have are made where the virus are most prominently found at present?? Let’s hope this (S$500) will last me to the end of my days! Feeling more comfortable with washing dishes in real hot water, especially in the midst of this epidemic.

We can’t predict what a virus we’ve never seen will do – MarcLipsitch

Wed: planning to do some reading&sewing if the eyes are not too tired.

5 Mar – Happy Bday Gel
6 Mar – Happy Bday Linda
9 Mar – Happy Bday Sue Lynn
11 Mar – Happy Bday Ken
14 Mar – Happy Bday Ellie
17 Mar – Happy Bday Pat-Lynn and Beth, Happy St Patrick’s Day
18 Mar – Happy Bdays Linn, Yi Sheng & Al Sosa
19 Mar – Happy Bday Thomas Heggelund
21 Mar – Happy Anniversary to Ivy&Leslie
31 Mar – Happy Bday Josephine