10 Aug 2025 – SG-60 Majulah Singapura

Thu: l-o-n-g eventful day, up dark&early on first bus196 heading to the WestSide changing@N-BuonaVistaRd to bus95-NUS-SPHS/TahirFoundationBldg. Nothing serious – participating is some HealthLifestyleResearch starting 08.30hrs.

Past 14.00hrs upon completing procedures and equipped with an AcitivityTracker to be worn 24hrs for the next 7days. Appreciations with tkx to staff&management and was pleasantly surprised to be given S$65cash+S$20FairPriceVouchers for volunteering in this project.

Since in the area, took a walk to Geneo which was in my list to explore. Walking past SUH bringing back memories when last there with broLawrence who passed on 4yrs ago.

Geneo, the latest science&business hub in SINSciencePark with its beautiful timber arches&towering pillars. Beyond its breathtaking cathedral-inspired architecture, this lifestyle hub doubles as KentRidge’s latest lunch spot.

Not just another office but a mixed-use development 5 business park buildings, including offices, co-working spaces, and serviced apartment residence. This hub also houses 3Levels of F&B&retail shops. GreatNayang for late lunch/early dinner, the fish were on the greasy side(ate half and bagged the rest), and if you like RedBeans this dessert is really refreshing&good. Sitting under this tall ceiling with fans cooling the surroundings was a treat.

MRT-KentRidgeSta heading back to the EastSide changing to bus30@HabourFront and another change to bus16@OldAirportRd getting back to my 4walls before 18.00hrs. A long way to go about avoiding too many ppl+underground, but all worth it for the mental being despite being completely exhausted physically – after a shower was in bed by 21.00hrs.

Fri: relaxing by hanging up some flags to mark tomorrow’s SG-60, cooking broth, doing laundry on this perfect dying weather day with the sun&breeze facing in just the direction needed – being content for the luxury of my 4walls.

Sat: 2014NDP pix downloaded from ST, first and probably the only NDP attended outrageously patriotically decked up hoping that no one will recognize me! Appreciations to Aileen for the ArmyNews, her hubby Alan was an army guy then! Made myself a promise to attend one NDP to salute LKY and sadly also LKY’s last NDP. https://amylamsg.com/2014/08/10/ndp-2014/

Nice to hear the festive going on downstairs and to see the red/white dressed ppl at a distance on this lovely morning to celebrate SG-60. Being older than this nation, will stay away both from crowds&heat – difficult to imagine that it was also exactly 60yrs ago when I left for overseas study and did not return to stay&work until 2000/35yrs later.

Now after 25yrs of adjusting&adapting, still unable to fully relate or understand the general pop here and as my nephew tells me I am not as SINporean as I think myself to be, even with my pinkIC and redPassport – hahaha. Do enjoy moments with family&friends here but also missing overseas family&friends. At this stage of life journey cleaniness,food,public-medical+transport-system,safety are priorities, no matter where and for now SIN seems to be it for me!

Sun: having to live and adapt in Ireland,Norway,USA do have a glimpse of those countries and now another glimpse of SIN. Blessed to feel comfortable in all these places lived. Knowing&understanding that there are advantages&disadvantages wherever one choose to live – so the secret is to apply whatever to suit your lifestyle of contentment so that you can live in harmony&peace within yourself.

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old – Job12:12

6 Aug 2025 – Tiong Bahru Food Centre

Sun: welcome back to SIN Kat,Devon&Eliot – not quite the baby as she imagine herself to be, hahaha! Appreciations for Sunday’s dinner fit for a king with Royal-Bhutan-Mushrooms,Steak-A-La-Rochalie,Morsels’Salads,MrsRahman-homemade–Lontong,BengawanS-kueys,literally–fresh-catch-of-the-day,etc…

Figs-Wrapped-Prosciutto and the kueys (request from Ivy) were my contribution not knowing that there was going to be that amount of food…

For those who are unfamiliar with freshly picked mushrooms and if you do not have a mushroom brush, do not wash with water just wipe clean with a tissue or cloth. These, a present from the king were absolutely delicious, have not had such good ones since those last picked in Møsvann,Hardangervidda/Norway another lifetime ago. Grilled to perfection when fresh, otherwise sauteed with butter and a splash of fresh cream hits the spot.

Mon: Bus16 to Suntec thinking to catch the SGF but to discover that misunderstanding on my part, misread the year – the mind is playing tricks on me! No worries on this pleasant cool morning before the crowd to wander around the building checking it out.

Always wanted to take a pix of the view from the angel of this sculpture and now finally did it! Bus36 back to the EastSide learning that the sinkhole@TanjongK-Rd has been filled&repaired and buses are back to their normal route.

What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind — George Berkeley

Tue: grocery day@Giant/Tampines taking a whole day with buses 196&168 ~2+hrs/both ways. Every 3-4months there spending between S$200-300 with all the heavy+non perishable goods delivered. This round including curtainS$19,pillow-protectorS$8,towelS$12.90 – totalS$353.61 SS%S$14.75 PromoS$28.95 CDCS$350 payingS$3.60.

Wed: the hood here is sprucing up getting ready for this weekend’s SG-60. For a moment thought they were putting grass on this roof – too many years in Norway, hahaha!

StTheresa’sChurch/KampongB used to stand out in this surroundings during the time when enrolled@StTheresa’sConvent in the 1950s! Cloud spotting a dove over former CHIJ-chapel-steeple, RevMothers John&Damien must also be praying for PEACE. Imagination with clouds are calming for an active mind.

In and out from CT-scan-appt@SGH efficiently within less than 30mins – record time.

Lunched@TiongBahruFoodCentre which has been newly renovated, now cleaner and has more fans! Still like the TowKwarPokS$4.50 but the sauce seems to taste different or has my taste-bud changed?

The line snaked around Loo’s but not in the mood for that, and not about to be in line. Went by to say hi to ppl@HarriAnns who were friends of 10thAuntie and both she and 4thSIL were regular customers here since they started in the 1950s.

The mural is no longer, looking clean and white-washed for now – nice alfresco sitting area, but too hot in the mid-day-sun! Tkx to Clement for helping me sort out the CareFridge-IJOOZ-App.

Edited 11Aug2025: appreciations with thanks to RY for his 2011 pano share and

found these from 2016 with the wall mural – appreciative for these older pix from RY+my blog  to know that the memory is still intact is a blessing, hahaha!

2 Aug 2025 – Keep The Trail Alive

Wed: yesterday’s grocery@MT-Giant paid cash .25c after TueSS%,Promo,CDC, thankful&grateful for all the savings. Every $ counts and saving can be challenging for some people, especially with endless needs&wants, but you get the hang of it, things become more manageable. Look everywhere you can to cut a little bit from your expenses and you will be amaze at how it can add up! A woman’s best protection is a little money of her own – ClareLuce

S$1.70/Coffee has gone up .10c, MeePokBfast/CDC, S$10/fresh produce@wet-market. CareFridge/FOC – 5items per month, had to close and reopen fridge a few times to use this month’s quota.

Thu: thank you Henry for this signed copy of My Father is Police Lah!/RowenaHawkins2025 – looking forward to reading it. Appreciations for sharing my humble salad,sandwich,soup lunch and for this Brownie to die for. Proclaiming themselves to be the OriginalBlackoutBrownieDealer/Bundt By The Backyard Bakers has been selling their famous blackout brownies at their HavelockRd flagship store since 2017.

https://www.citygirlcitystories.com/2025/07/book-review-my-father-is-police-lah-rowena-hawkins/

https://thebackyardbakers.com.sg/collections/singapore

Fri: appreciations with thanks on this last day of Aug2025 to AT-FellowHiker-TrailAngel/MissWiggy(KarenSB&friend). Sorry to have missed our 20Anniversary since hiking the AT-Thru-Hike/2005 and ATC-100Anniversary, missing y’all but the fond memory is still intact. https://keepthetrailalive.org/

9days snail from USA is one of the fastest record! Thank you to NancyMcGee for this WanderingNut – a pre gift before the hike! Today this WanderingNut is grounded with a compass by the window – hahaha

Sat: Our Wild Neighbours/野邻居 book launch@Campers’ for WT Chih inaugural book collaborating with writer SW Yap. The book is a culmination of 10yrs of shooting SIN-wildlife/biodiversity documenting SIN biodiversity, and also about photography. Was thinking of getting it for #6 but would have defeat the purpose when it is in Chinese!

Nice to be able to catch up with coffee&tea served from a box/ToastBox and appreciations to Glen for his help&tips regarding Nov’s China trip. Interesting pop-up-store with a good message against animal abuse from Samantha.

A visit with Helen to BukitPanjang – a new area for me to wander…

Appreciations to be introduced to her mother who is in her 90s @PreciousHomes /SenjaNursingHome, an amazing lovely lady who could still count in Chinese,Enlish&Malay up to 10 despite her not knowing that Helen is her daughter who has the patience of a saint.

Always fun on a joy-ride when you can have the front-seat on a double-decker-bus972, changing to 16 on OrchardRd back to the EastSide against the traffic to the rehearsals for NDP on NicollHighway. The bus is a reminder that life is a constant journey, and there’s always something new to discover, ie if you will take your eyes away from your digital devices and be aware of your surroundings!

2Aug– Happy Bday LAM ChengEn
9Aug – 59th SIN National Day
10Aug – Happy Bday LAM JenWee&Alvin NG. 12Aug – Happy 3rdBday Anna ANG
21Aug – Happy Bday LIM SiewChin/Candy
26Aug – Happy Bday Cindy LAM
29Aug – Happy Bday Sean KENNEDY
30Aug – Happy Bday Michelle ANG

29 Jul 2025 – Memories And Emotions

Sat: TanjongKatongRd/South closed after sinkhole appeared near the junction heading to ECP and also where bus stops for 36&48 – buses I take. Will have to take the MRT more now that those buses will be diverted despite apprehension and concerns about the section of TEL built under reclaimed land! Appreciations with thanks to our excellent public transport system and no problems to find other bus route with more changes but hopefully not being in the wrong place at the wrong time!! Pix downloaded.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tanjong-katong-road-south-sinkhole-closed-repairs-bus-5260676

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/collapse-of-tanjong-katong-road-sinkhole-did-not-happen-overnight-experts

Used to think that sinkholes happened only in FL/USA and joked about it with the kids when we lived there that those sinkholes reappeared on the other side as Guilin/China – hahaha. Pix downloaded and have never been to Guilin but have lived in FL ~16yrs!

Sun: appreciations with thanks to Theresa&CJ for scrumptious dinner @ImperialTreasureTeoChew/Ion – always a treat in this private room with a view for their signature items starters.

Shark-fin-chicken-soup, excellent suckling piglet(one of my favourite locations for this dish), TeoChewPorridge.

Sugar-coated yam sticks(first time tasting this yummy dessert) 反沙芋頭 easy recipe but hard to master and requires practice as it deals with recrystallization of sugar. Lotus&red bean dumplings, need to fast for a few days after such a dinner.

Feeling lost every time here@Ion, Dior is the landmark to find the restaurant+out to OrchardRd and Nespresso is the other landmark to the MRT-TEL.

Mon: bus196 on MountbattenRd passing the closed TK-Rd/South near the junction heading to ECP and also where bus stops for 36&48 before heading onto ECP. Those buses are now diverted to skip the stops before TK-Rd/South taking StillRd onto ECP – to my advantage!

Overhead bridge/KampongBahruRd on my way for appt@SGH/Blk3 – not the shortest route but will willingly take those extra steps to avoid ppl.

Today is the last day of operations for MP-PostOffice. GeneralPostOffice located at the back of this building on EunosRd looking just like any shopping mall – such a contrast from the 1950s GeneralPostOffice when it was at the Fullerton Building (now a 5*hotel). 

Lorong Buangkok is the last remaining kampung in Singapore. As Singapore’s economy grew rapidly, so too did the changes in its urban landscape. Singapore’s kampungs have made way for high-rise public housing with cleaner and more modern living conditions. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Zarina Baguio)

Tue: interesting read and not only memories of past locations but also some images can help to bring back memories of some moments – sometimes good and sometimes not so good.

Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it – L.M. Montgomery

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/ura-draft-master-plan-housing-identity-corridors-heritage-5249256

Developing your self-control starts with self-empowerment, said Ethan Kross, the director of the Emotion and Self-Control Lab at the University of Michigan and author of “Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/well/mind/self-control-willpower.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZE8.MU7E.onTz4oXZU2-2&smid=url-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawLv2EVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrf-yVv_khiv0-x1-PWtUnltjjZ1zcmbjLquPM5owF22kRp4fDC9fXT5OjX7_aem_7dc1wKOE-9DtLegGXXIHKw

Balance&moderation might actually be the more sustainable and more realistic approach to dealing with both emotions&memories.

All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own ― Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

25 Jul 2025 – Private Museum

Tue: ready&decked here with the appropriate colours lights for SG60. MT-GiantS$47.15 and with SenSavS$1.97,PromoS$7.15+CDCvouchersS$10 paid S$7.15 for this week grocery. Usually done with Bfast+TueGrocery before sunrise avoiding the heat&crowd.

Two of my favourites cartoonist – CharlesSchulz/Peanuts and BillWatterson/Calvin&Hobbes. Have been a fan of Schulz since student days in Dublin/Ireland and he was already launched since 1950! Watterson was launched in 1985 and was introduced to me when we moved to CA/USA. Both my children Linn&May had their imaginary friends/Knerten&Konda – could so relate with appreciations to both these cartoonists for always putting a smile on me.

Read&heard about 2workers being rescued yesterday after they became stranded on a gondola@RafflesCityTower. Usually like walking&wandering in the rains here in the tropics but considering that I had to take shelter@SBG despite having an umbrella yesterday, cannot imagine how the rains&winds must have been on the 28-29Floors – thank goodness no one hurt or injured – pix downloaded.

RescueTeam equipment are supplied by Campers’/SingingRock – pix credits to Chris

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/raffles-city-tower-gondola-two-workers-rescue-scdf-5249111

Wed: Happy 14Bday #5-James. Like his mother, he too likes to be near&in the water – the only one of my grandchildren who has not been here to SIN and will be starting in HighSchool next month! Also Happy 17Bday to GrandNephew Lucas.

Well, I could do it for a day, but I wouldn’t want to be a teenager again. I really wouldn’t – Jamie Lee Curtis.

Appreciations with thank to Chris for making sure that I get up these stairs to MtEmilyPk safely – no SingingRockEquiptment needed, hahaha.

First visit@PrivateMuseum/UpperWilkieRd, walking&wandering inside brought back memories of childhood home@5TemenggongRd, especially the staircase and the marble&wood floors.

The Art of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years of Singapore through the Love of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan’ is open from now until 21 September 2025 celebrating the love and legacy of two Singaporeans who have dedicated their lives to art and nation. Tkx to ChuaYang for her interesting talk&tour – the photo by her of her father working at his last painting has quite an amazing effect for me.

You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved ― Ansel Adams

https://www.findglocal.com/SG/Raffles-Park/208661435832201/The-Private-Museum

Squid-ink-pasta@DaPaoloGastronomia/BukitTimahS$39.45 – been a long time ago since having a meal in this location! Night walk into SBG from this gate was unfamiliar in the dark, felt more comfortable when we got to N-Parks-HQ leading back to familiar grounds from Nassim-TanglinGates.

Thu: a fire this afternoon at the multi-storey carpark@35MarineCrescent – quick response by emergency services, the fire was swiftly contained&extinguished. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported – pix downloaded.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/three-vehicles-catch-fire-at-marine-crescent-carpark

The sirens&fumes of burning rubber got my attention bringing back traumatic memories. https://amylamsg.com/2013/10/06/lost-for-words/

Fri: after ~15,000steps/12k@MtEmilyPk&SBG-LightShow slept like a rock on Wed night for 8hrs!

Now some clarity&energy to post! SBG will host its first-ever light show to commemorate the 10Anniversary of its inscription as a UNESCO-WorldHeritageSite, also coinciding with SIN-60. Just learnt that SwanLake is the first man-made-lake in SIN. Somehow one needs to be there to do justice for these lights!

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

https://mothership.sg/2025/07/singapore-botanic-gardens-1st-ever-light-show/

22 Jul 2025 – National Orchid Garden@SBG

Tue: early yesterday@SingaporeBontanicGardens/SBG to escape the heat and the crowds but many also had the same idea! Direct MRT TEL MT to NapierSta,nice ceiling and shaded walkway to traffic lights

but without any shade crossing the junction of Napier&ClunyRoad to SBG/MainGate.

Heading via the Main/TanglinGate towards the BotanyCentre.

One of the Heritage Trees – Calophyllum inophyllum/PenagaLaut, impossible for me to get a good shot of the whole tree where it is growing.

Prisoners-of-wall brick steps –  they bear the memory of those who were imprisoned during WWII in SIN under Japanese occupation. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/prisoner-of-war-steps

Unlike the Girl on the Bicycle/1987 and the Bandstand/1930, the Girl on the Swing/1984 is not so easy to spot if not aware of it.

You can wander onto any path and will not be disappointed.

SIN-National Flower since 1981 – Vanda Miss Joaquim

https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/education/resources/national-symbols/national-flower

Images and pix do not do justice to this spectacular Heritage Tree – Ceiba Pentandra/Kapok or SilkCotton, you need to be there to see it.

Enjoyed the Heritage Museum/first time. In 1861 LawrenceNiven planted these Grammatophyllum speciosum/TigerOrchids and they are still at the same spot today – for real and I do try to be there to see them in bloom when possible.

By the time I got here, the sky opened up and the rains came pouring down in buckets, best to be indoors to check our this new Planting Memories. To my surprise, saw this pix with Albert in it, and strangely enough its his Bday today which he does not celebrate!

Like the idea that this CDL-GreenGallery has orchids blooming on the roof. Hope that they can keep this despite looking portable!

SIN-GardenFestival2025 starts with Orchid Society of South-East-Asia/OSSEA’sOrchidShow from 19-27Jul@NationalOrchidGarden.

FOC for locals in celebrations of the Orchid Garden’s 30th anniversary,

SBG’s 10th year as a UNESCO-WorldHeritageSite,

and 150th anniversary of the SIN-Herbarium&Library of Botany&Horticulture.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/medallions-with-singapore-botanic-gardens-iconic-landmarks-launched-to-mark-milestone-filled-year

SBG – one of the best gardens in the world listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by the Agri Horticulture society in 1859 and covers an area of 183 acres. This 150 years old botanic garden has a history of horticulture attractions and one of the worlds best plant collections and the only botanic gardens in the world that opens from 5am to 12am midnight. Botanical gardens are the sanctuaries where we can immerse ourselves in the peaceful embrace of nature’s healing presence.

Have been helping out OSSEA with their MOR publication from 1999-2009 and setting up with their 2003 first show The Singapore Orchid Festival@SBG, then the first festival held@SBG in the UNESCO’s/World Heritage List. For me it was and still is my favourite orchid festival&show ever. Despite having worked here once upon a time, there is always some new surprises to explore. Do like visiting but it takes a day of ~10,000steps to see only just a small part of this amazing garden and another day to put that small part into ~500words with ~40pix just for this posting!

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/our-gardens

21 Jul 2025 – Imagine

Sat: belated posting for last night’s Steamboat dinner@BukitMerah. Delighted that elevators are now installed@overhead bridge. ~45mins direct joy ride on Bus196 to Clement’s getting there just before 1800hrs to avoid the CBD-rush, otherwise would have taken over an hour if caught in rush hour. Being in a rush and not moving are not mutually exclusive, the Japanese have adopted this western phrase as their word Rushawa – trivial info!

We’re in this together usually means I’m here for you, unless it requires me getting into my car anywhere near rush hour – Dov Davidoff

Appreciations with thanks for a delicious&delightful Fri evening discovering refreshing new drinks, especially for someone who usually drinks water.

Someone tell me how this is works? @MT-Giant with intentions of buying some fruits, eyed a bag of cherries+a bunch of grapes but was informed by cashier that for one bag of cherries would cost S$18 2bags on promo for S$13.95 – not going to argue or question such a deal. Decided to forget the grapes, bought 2bags of cherries using S$10CDCvouchers, paying a total of S$3.95 cash – pleased to taste these fresh firm sweet yummy cherries for the weekend treat. No Sour Grapes – hahaha…

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom and where our cherries grow – Marcel Proust

After S$90 with 2foreign workers for ~45mins as the presence of Cantonese-speaking BigBoss only for BigJobs. Minor job of kitchen sink now no longer dripping, yeah to that new sink not necessary, and hopefully no more drips for the rest of my time here.

Sun: appreciations with tkx to FB-friends DocMartin&RY/HKG for updates on TyphoonWipha – pix credits to DocMartin.

Mon: nieceYasmine&family+cousinYatSoon&family, pix credits to him who so eloquently puts it what a wonderful vindication it is of our interconnected world that these two lovely, differently mixed-heritage women living in 21st century London share the same great-grandparents who were born in 19th century China. We are all citizens of the world and we should rejoice in our shared diversities. In these potentially troubled, distracted times it is a comfort to reflect that “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us” (Jo Cox MP, 1974-2016).

Bringing back memories of a trip in Paris,France/1998 with May and her 2cousins Kat&Yasmine – quite an amazing mix with origins from China,Iraq,Norway from LAM TinYue’s branch. We also have 12AuntieWinnie/Eurasian,15AuntieElise/Germany,CousinHelen/UK.

Still is my favourite song since it was first released in 1971.

Off to SBG for the 2025Orchid Show for today. Posting tomorrow…

18 Jul 2025 – Pictures Do Not Tell The Whole Story

Tue: will try to make use of Giant’s SeniorTue4%Discount as every cent helps – its Lychee season and S$1.56 for these will be dessert for today.

S$800 tkx to SG60-CDCvouchers, no need to dig into the bank or pockets when using locations accepting CDCvouchers for now.

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance – Eckhart Tolle.

Comfortable cloudy&cool and not too crowded morning for a sit-down MeePokBrunch@MT-food&market(usually take away to eat)CDCvouchersS$5 – spending only S$1.60 for coffee this morning.

Wed: appreciations for call from Linn who is now on her last lap of the summer vacations. We had a good laugh over good and so good experiences&memories of our travels with air,bus,car,foot,trains,etc. The most traumatic on flight being when we both(she was probably too young to understand what was happening!)saw fire shooting out of the what looked to be the pylon? on the wing on route from SIN-CPH-OSL/1982. For one moment, thought it was the end, but our time was not quite up yet! After an emergency landing and an overnight in BKK/Thailand, we were back in the air and headed safely back to Norway. May was then nearly 1, still not yet walking, and Claire our baby-sitter was also with us on that trip. Downloaded pix is what we all hope to see when on flight.

The ongoing news with the recent Air India/171 crash has stirred up some traumatic and not so good experiences which are there deep down but best not to dwell or think too much. Hopefully we learn to deal with them as constructively as possible so as to move forward with some wisdom when there is still life to live – pix downloaded.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/12/india/air-india-crash-questions-intl

Thu: dinner@PalmDr – good to see sis Jo/88 with such a hearty appetite and also quite agile&mobile for her age.  It did not seemed that long ago this corner location was some durian stall, how things change so quickly and amazing how this wallpaper can be so misleading!

Fri: have been visiting my US-flock annually for the past 25yrs(even before blogging and before grandchildren!) except during COVID shutdown and this year – pix from 2011 and 2024. #1Katy will soon be married and #5James the baby will be 14 next week – missing that I will not be with them this year but will look forward to Feb2026.

The pictures do not lie, but neither do they tell the whole story. They are merely a record of time passing, the outward evidence – Paul Auster

14 Jul 2025 – Gasket vs Washer

Fri: IngcoByHorme@342ChangiRd did not have what was needed but StrongHardware the shop next door had – what was though as gasket is known as washer here! Just as well had them along to show, discovered that it is cheaper to buy a whole new drainer including 4gasketsS$2.50, just the gasket cost .80c per piece.

Pleasant walking in the shade to see such lush greenery with a tall-fenced-in cactus on one side and bamboo on the other side+nicely maintained fences with colourful Bougainvilleas/TelokKuruaRd. Bus33 to OldAirportRd.

Trip to Decathlon/Kallang – do like this view on both sides from the overhead bridge on MountbattenRd despite it being more garbage in the GeylangRiver this time!

Short walk along GeylangPC and HokkienMee CDCvouchersS$5@OldAirportRd.

Refreshing fresh OJ(not everyday or week but ~a few times per month)hit the spot by the time back@MarineC, 151,091,514cups sold worldwide today. ~10,000steps and probably overdid it ending the day with a headache but appreciations to May for walking me thru’ online with SAS tickets from OSL-ATL-OSL bookings ~EUR457/NOK5,500/S$684. Will keep checking SIN-OSL-SIN fares and book when the price looks reasonable.

Sat: the short early storm~5a was quite something, even uprooted one of the newly planted trees. Kathleen, one of the best bakers, yes have tasted her bakes with her homemade, handcrafted, 100% deliciously fresh available this week at the DowntownMebaneFarmersMarket NC/USA. Plx beam me there&back immediately – hahaha! Hope that she will be able to bake for Katy&Jack’s wedding – pix credits to Kathleen.

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world – Tolkien

Toasting to the craftsmanship and centuries-old heritage of sake and appreciations to Ivy&Les for Sashimi with Sake (seldom drink Sake but this one is not to be missed!)a memorable Japanese meal for the tongue(with thoughts of BabyKai). Tuna/maguroまぐろ with the ōtoro 大トロ cut from the belly which practically melts in the mouth+salmon/sāmonサーモンfresh enough to be made for Gravlaks too. Tkx to Kiera for the first taste of Warabimochi, a silky-soft and delicately chewy mochi dessert coated in kinako/soybean powder, served with kuromitsu/black sugar syrup, on the side.

Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit — Robert Mondavi

Sun: after replacing with new drainers still leaking realizing that it is from the main sink, and knowing my limits, will have to call a real plumber next week. Hoping&praying that no new sink will be necessary…

Writer’s block? I’ve never heard of a plumber complain about plumber’s block – RB Parker

Mon: mess in the kitchen+more mess by cooking bones,withered herbs, etc for stock and TexMexChilli – should be enough food in the freezer to last for a while.

Happy Bastille Day! 20yrs ago today when on the AT-Thru’Hike was thinking how to locate my Irish friend Keith to wish him a Happy Bday. Finally located him in France/Aug2012 and have not seen him nor have I been back to France since then but do appreciate the seldom exchange with updates of a few online words. Wonder if our paths will ever cross again, may it be in whatever his latest car or in his RedCitroen2cv?

https://amylamsg.com/2012/08/21/etourvy/

https://amylamsg.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/citron-2cv/

Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them – Bob Dylan

10 Jul 2025 – 1st LAM For this New Generation

Mon: welcome to the LAM-family and to this world adorable Great-Grand-niece LAM XinLin(Jun2025). Congratulations to my 2ndBro LAM KwokKiong’s branch of the family(2020pix) for this addition. Totally blessed to be alive and still OK health to experience and see #2 of a new generation, the BrownGeneration in the LAM-family-tree.

Am so impressed – as mentioned last week, flags were up and just coincidental that I was within my 4walls when the flags were being attached to the railings. Feedback to them that it defeats the purpose as those flags keep flying up in the wind and end up looking rather untidy wrapped around the railings, asked if they were any ways to prevent that from happening?

Lo&behold wonders never cease! today those flags that were possible to be attached are attached at another extra point. Amazed&delighted that my feedback did not fall on deaf ears and now looking much better for my eyes – hahaha!

Tue: early morning grocery@Giant+fresh produce@MT-Market. Nice to have caught up with Sim even for just 30mins(do not know when and if next!), sorry to miss his jazz session last Sunday@Esplanade but if possible, trying to keep away from crowds especially indoors. Looking forward to these constructions to be done with more entrances&exits in&out of PP.

CDCvouchers accepted@PP and now back to access with CareFridge@MarineC,  sandwich dinner and dessert thx to SIN.

Walking to&fro PP between MarineDrHDBs is pleasant now that there is an elevator crossing the overhead bridge on StillRd, did not want to deal with the traffic crossing when walking on the main MP-Rd – making 8,000+steps for today.

Blessed&spoilt to have these choices when walking from my 4walls-PP, in AC&ShelteredWalkways and on EC-Pk by the sea, the choice depends on wherever is least ppl. If not walking, there are many buses/3stops &MRT-TEL/ MP-MT-direct.

The power of choice is a double-edged sword – Oscar Wilde

Wed: well done Desiree – nice article&read on this lovely wet Wed morning. Still have one of those CHOPE tissues – hahaha.

https://www.islands.com/1901457/lively-country-singapore-street-food-culture-unesco-culinary-tradition-celebrities/

Thu: have been having minor leak from kitchen sink for a while, but was not too concerned until recently. Cleaning out wherever possible to discover that the gaskets look rather worn, to be expected after 25yrs – time for new gaskets…