21 Aug 2015 – SIN First And Only

Tue: saw Lawrence off at T2 and did some promotional shopping for MoonCakes at BeeChangHiang. The carry-on size bag finally broke down and got a new one that is quite visible 🙂 Always enjoy being in the world’s best airport.

Wed: great with catch up with Gel for a cuppa and good to see that she is better and bought a place of her own. Thx Calvin for dinner at KretaAyerFood Centre****Chinatown complex. Been awhile since I ate fishhead, and the cheeks are my favourtie parts!

Thu: tkx to Yoshie for arranging this exciting preview tour at SIN first and only Musical Box Museum to be opened officially in Sep/Oct.

Appreciations to our gracious host and the founder Mr Naoto ORUI for showing his collection. He has moved his collection from Minamichita Music Box Museum/Japan to SIN this year.

The smallest and most expensive in his collection, a Swiss made app 200yrs old which he exchanged a château in France for this! Absolutely delightful sounds.

One that nearly went on the Titanic and fortunately it did not. And another with an interesting Jude-box style, probably the first Jude-box! The history and stories related to some of these boxes are fascinating –  one with a ring stuck in it and another which was covered with dirt and only after cleaning could one see the semi-precious stones.You will have to go and see it for yourself to enjoy them.

An amazing collection under the roof of the old ChongHock Girls’ School, one of the earliest Hokkien girls’ school in SIN, now a heritage site with the 150+yrs original tiles on the floor and the side of the wall.

This old heritage building commands a fantastic skyline of the ThianHockKeng Temple from the upper floors and here is when you can find great contrasts of the old and new – and where East Meets West!

Our gracious host extended his hospitality with lunch where there was enough food to feed an army at JuChunYuan****Located at FarEast Plaza and have not been there for eons. The last time there was quite a fun unforgettable dinner mystery and it was under different management and name then.

Fri: and peace be with y’all for a wonderful weekend.

18 Aug 2015 – Weekend With Family &Friends

This is so so very sad. Prayers and thoughts to all those affected and condolences to those who have lost family and friends.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/16/asia/china-tianjin-explosions/index.html

Fri: at MtE as Lawrence was there for a minor surgery. His immediate family is in KL with Mabel who just had one of her knees operated on. The other one to be done when she has healed from the 1st surgery.

Sat: a lovely time catching up with niece Sue&nephew Clem. Raise the red lanterns, thus starting the Hungry Ghost Festival! Bad enough with the these explosions and bombs, now the mess with food, burning rituals adding to more pollution in the environment 🙁

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_758_2004-12-16.html

Sun: breakfast & lunch with Lawrence, Les & Ivy. An afternoon at CC to catch up with Calvin&Chris who recently returned from the US with gifts – do appreciate that someone was thinking of both ends of my spectrum 🙂 🙂

All the apologies will not bring back all the life lost from any wars. Why it is that we do not learn from other people’s war and not have more wars??? 🙁

Emperor Akihito struck a more apologetic tone than Mr Abe, with an expression of remorse for the nation’s wartime aggression. ‘I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated’ he added.

Don’t we all hope that too but just look and read about all the unrest of today’s world and you too will wonder…

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33943736

The USS Missouri came to mind…

Almost exactly 70yrs since the end of WW2. Allied forces formally accepted the Japanese unconditional surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, signed at 09:04hrs on 2Sep 1945.

https://www.scmp.com/article/433673/frontlines?fbclid=IwAR1FzzCpXn0X-efIXRr4_I4Ku3TAMPM-vhdeDMPwPLtmpJpNCDp2xqClTVI

Late maternal 8th uncle EddieTSENG (1915-1988, may he RIP), was one of a handful of reporters aboard who witnessed the signing and the very first to report the news to the world (because there was only one radio onboard and he drew the short straw!). Thank you nephew AronTSENG for updates and contact. His grandparents were a gracious and charming couple.

USS Missouri was taken out of moth-balls and reconditioned for a good-will trip around the world in Sep-Dec 1986. Was so fortunate to be able to fly around the world to meet this battleship and to enjoy all the receptions on board in HI/USA, Sydney, Tasmania & Perth/AUS, Istanbul/Turkey, Naples/Italy, Palma and Lisbon/Portugal.

The guys & me! had to be transported by tenders to get on land then – pix from Lisbon/Portugal, last port of call. Thanksgivings dinner on board for the 1986 trip. Had food poisoning on land that day felt miserable 🙁 but smiles 🙂 were expected to all the VIPs that evening. All’s well that ends well, flew off to OSL/Norway the next day to meet L&M who were attending the OSL American School there while I was globetrotting. https://amylamsg.com/2021/10/20/uss-missouri-bb63-1986/

Mon: met with Lawrence at MtE to take him to lunch…

As I am writing this post, breaking news of a bomb just went off in BKK with many fatalities. OMG what is happening???

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/explosion-rocks-bangkok-commercial-hub-casualties-seen-afp

You are the strength of the weak. He is not known through burnt offerings and ritual chanting – Sri Guru Granth Sahib

14 Aug 2015 – Is My Way To Relax…

Tue: Mr Holmes****is a new twist on the world’s most famous detective. An aging Sherlock Holmes returns from a journey in 1947 Japan where in search of a rare plant with powerful restorative qualities.

Now, in his remote seaside farmhouse, Holmes faces the end of his days tending to his bees, with only the company of his housekeeper and her young son, Roger. Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy…

Wed: Madam Bovary**set in Normandy, France, a classic story of Emma Bovary, a young beauty who marries small-town doctor, Charles Bovary, to leave her father’s pig farm far behind. After being introduced to the glamorous world of high society, she soon becomes bored with her husband and mundane life, and seeks prestige and excitement outside the bonds of marriage.

Over the years, Flaubert’s Madame Bovary has proven an exceedingly difficult novel to film – and this version adds another disappointing entry to the list.

Thu: Pixel*as kids in the 1980s, Sam, Will, Ludlow and Eddie saved the world thousands of times – at 25 cents a game in the video arcades. Now, they’re going to have to do it for real. In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens discover video feeds of classic arcade games and misinterpret them as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth, using the video games as the models for their assaults.

Not a game person, so did not think much of this movie…

Walked by Great World City and saw this amazing tree where the flowers and fruits grow on the trunk  Tkx to the members of Nature Society who helped to ID this and thus able to learn more about it. Couroupita guianensis Cannonball Tree and do watch out for falling cannonballs…

http://scribol.com/environment/the-dangerous-and-dreadful-smells-of-the-cannonball-tree

Thu: great to meet with cousin of cousin (Mike Leong in USA), Zarina and her sons Blake & Jeremy. Satay and PrawnMee dinner at Zion Riverside Food Centre***Stall #18 – the CharKwayTeow (one of the best in town) was unfortunately closed.

A tour around common family grounds at 3 Seng Poh Rd now the New Cape Inn and now TBB Tiong Bahru Bar and Craft Beer Shop where it was Fook Weng Seafood Restaurant 5yrs ago.

https://amylamsg.com/2010/06/22/3-seng-poh-road/

Fri: MtE and this time round to visit!

Do recall Pac-man, Mario and Donkeykong, thought them to be cute but never understood the how to play games!! This youtube posting is really quite fantastic, something I can relate to and appreciate 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bm-_hI5A9A&index=1&list=RD6Bm-_hI5A9A

This quote is for all who like to play arcade and video games.  For me it is the movies that work best to escape the world…
When I put a quarter into an arcade machine or call up an emulated game on my computer, I do it to escape the world that is a slave to the time that makes things fall apart. I have never played these games to occupy my world – D. B. Weiss

11 Aug 2015 – A Trip Down Memory Lane

Land from the sea for the new Marine Parade – the drain marks the old coastline (NAS) from The Long and Winding Road

Thanks to Richard Goh for this aerial view showing what East Coast SIN is now (can even spot the block where I am) – with the reclaimed land from the sea to the marked green neon-line. The dotes on the sea are cargo ships of all sizes waiting to unload their containers on shore

The SIN I grew up with was when the sea front was at the neon green line! Pix of my siblings and I at Katong Park (1950s) with Seaview Hotel in the background!

Fri: a wet and cool Fri and free bus and MRT rides on Fridays until 31Dec for those who have registered their PassionCard/EZlink Reload. Using this free ride today revisiting Haw Par Villa with its 1,000+statues!

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

Used to frequent this location with visitors in the 1950s and early 60s, one of the few attractions that is still existing. Now the MRT stops there and believe it or not, there is a Statue of Liberty – for real 🙂

Many will remember The Ten Courts of Hell with statues describing in details the torture and punishment for each sin one commits in a lifetime. This used to be set inside a 60-metre long trail of a Chinese dragon but the dragon has been demolished, so the attraction is now covered by grey stone walls and comes with a warning sign – due to the graphic nature of the exhibits, visitors’ discretion/parental guidance is advised.

http://wheresidewalksend.com/court-of-hell/

Sat: nice to catch up with sis-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnephews this long weekend. Tkx for Japanese dinner at Irodori***Riverview Hotel

An evening stroll down Collyer, Clark and Boat Quay watching merry makers by the SIN River on the eve of SIN 50 Birthday.

Convinced Clement to watch the lights at Fullerton Hotel before taking the last bus just pass midnight hoping that it would have been free! But it was considered still considered the last bus for 8Aug even-though technically it was 9Aug – well no harm asking&trying. And this is the crowd for just watching the Fullerton lights, can imagine the crowd for tomorrow’s NDP.

Sun: Happy 50 Birthday SIN. Was at the 2014NPD (the only NDP attended) to pay my respects to LKY then. Having a real phobia to crowds and the thought of not seeing LKY resulted in watching the whole parade online. Congratulations and thank you for a job well-done to all those involved. Tkx Henry for lovely flowers and lunch company.

Mon: one more day of holiday for the people with jobs. Tkx for lunch company Clement in my new place-mats setting! Must have been tired as I napped for 4+hrs today!

With the SG50 celebrations behind, onwards to tomorrow with thoughts of the 6 grandchildren and whatever will be will be…

9 Aug 2015 – My Birth-Country

Appreciations to all for sharing these interesting links –

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3181291/Swampland-skyscrapers-amazing-images-Singapore-s-transformation-high-rise-metropolis.html

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/08/singaporean-historian-launches-weekly-podcast/

Many of the pix in this link below are still vivid in the memory!

http://foundily.com/50-rare-photos-of-stunning-old-singapore-that-you-may-not-have-seen-before/

My admiration and respects for LKY and the PAP for building up SIN. Today it is one of the richest countries in the world with the same ruling party for half a century, what will be of the next half century?????

https://www.facebook.com/ChannelNewsAsiaSingapore/videos/10153043696952934/?pnref=story

http://remembersingapore.org/2015/07/28/sg50-singapore-1965-2015/

There are 50 different designs on one side of the bag and the map of SIN is the one I was given – very appropriate, maps are an important part of my life journey!

http://www.ndp.org.sg/ndp2015funpack-designs/

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/volunteers-spread-sg50/2040142.html?cid=fbsg

Marine Parade/Crescent Rd with its dressed-up HDB block

More HDBs

http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21657606-continue-flourish-its-second-half-century-south-east-asias-miracle-city-state

http://www.overseassingaporean.sg/articles/d/national-day-2015

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-turns-50-on-aug-9-heres-your-morning-to-night-guide

SINGAPORE – What a journey it has been. From the “moment of anguish” when Singapore separated from Malaysia, the first generation of leaders convinced the pioneer generation that Singapore could succeed as a sovereign country.

Together, these lions and a lion-hearted people built a nation through a lifetime of unwavering determination. After them, younger generations picked up the baton and took Singapore further…

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-has-ample-reason-to-celebrate-its-50th-anniversary-as-one-nation-one-people

In fond memories of LKY – the person I will think of most today. Thank you to LKY and SIN would not be today if not for your leadership and your group of people. You are truly missed but may you RIP…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azOg-ospx7U

And some of my favourite pix for the NDP downloaded from various postings and sites –

pix credits Michelle Tan

pix credits SG50FBpage

pix credits ChannelNewsAsia

Majulah Singapura/English: Onward Singapore; Chinese: 前进吧，新加坡; Tamil: முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர்

7 Aug 2015 – IKEA Sale

Tue: is when some of the grocery stores give senior discounts here in SIN. Shopped at T3 Changi airport – not only with senior discounts, but without GST+Changi Reward Points. For me it is nearer to go there than into town.

The Kopitiam there is offering 30% off with their  iCard (for seniors) on all the food items until 31Dec. It works out to be about the same price to eat there with AC as in any HDB neighbourhood without AC.

Bus#36 to and from the airport is a pleasant one on ECP and MP Rd. Today was a good experience to write to SBS.  Usually at T2, there is a change of bus-driver and over the years the drivers just locked the passengers inside the bus and left before the other drive arrives. Was never comfortable with it even though nothing happened. For the first time today, this bus driver waited till the next shift arrived.

Wed: tkx Aileen and Yulis for yummy Thai lunch at Beerthai House***Golden Mile Complex – Little Thailand! Here one can find authentic Thai food, well as authentic as one can find away from Thailand! So far, the best Olive rice I have had in SIN.

Was told that I was not allowed to take pix of this dessert stall after I took the pix.

Thu: app at MtE and later to IKEA. With SG50 sale, it was not difficult to find something to purchase. The crowds and lines were expected and there are some good deals for members today. Promotions on the smoked-salmon and meatballs.

 A set of 3lights (battery not included!) S$2, chain of red lights S$2 – ready to celebrate National Day and Christmas 🙂

4 Aug 2015 – To Add To The Bucket List

Mon: Bhutan, the Land of Happiness – officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country with an area of 38,394 km/214,824 sq mi and a pop of 700,000+

Bhutan’s capital and largest city is Thimphu. There is only one flight in from SIN and one out of the kingdom back to SIN daily and depending on weather.

Paro Airport/PBH is the sole international airport in Bhutan located 6 km (3.7 mi) from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu. With surrounding peaks as high as 18,000 ft/5,500 m it is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports. Flights at Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.

Tkx to Calvin at CC for hosting this informative talk sponsored by Drukair. Nice surprise to see nephew Raymond at the talk.

Talks and bucket list reminded me what George Bernard Shaw said – ‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’, one of my favourtie quotes on food! Bon Appetit to those who agree including moi.

Tue: 1965****tells the engaging and touching stories of immigrants and natives during the time leading up to the independence of SIN. The protagonists were a part of history in the making; they become the pioneer generation who live to see beyond the prejudice and fear of racial hatred and ultimately face the challenge of nation building – a mirror reflecting the fragility of racial harmony in our world today.

My first passport was a Malaysian passport!

Then my first SIN IC and passport…

This movie left quite an impression as I was into my adolescence and do remember the news about the racial riots. Ignorance and protected then in the safe compounds at 5 Temenggong Rd, did not understand the seriousness of the situation, thus did not suffer any physical or mental trauma. Was more traumatized living with my mother’s cancer followed by her death in Jun 1965 and was sent off to boarding school in Ireland before 9 Aug 1965.

It is rather strange to be older than a nation, this nation – SIN, my birth country where I still have some affiliations to in some ways or others. Somehow I am too western to fit in here and too eastern to fit in the west. Doing my best to enjoy both worlds to the fullest 🙂

My total admiration and respect for Gill Pharaoh (age 75). Condolences to her family but hopefully they will respect her wishes by celebrating her life and may she RIP. That thought has been on my mind – to live and leave with dignity and grace!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11778859/Healthy-retired-nurse-ends-her-life-because-old-age-is-awful.html

For now, looking forward to enjoying every moment possible! Tomorrow is another day and will look forward to lunch with Aileen and Yulis…

3 Aug 2015 – Hello Aug 2015  and to SG50

Thu: tkx to Clem for dinner in my neighbourhood.

 
Fri: appreciations to Andrew for lunch in good company of Calvin and Peggy. From one CC/Campers Corner to another CC/Crossings Cafe***just across the road from each other. With a PW like this we should know how blessed we all are and remember that it only works when you believe 🙂

The fish and chips were crispy and I trust when Calvin said that the paste was good!

Another whisky tasting round but this time with Scotch from Scotland, wow Bunnahabhain Islay and Bowmore IslaySingle Malt – quite something. Tkx Andrew for sharing and surprise to discover that Andrew is Calvin’s landlord, small world!!

Sat : early bday celebrations for Roy, tkx to Calvin, staff & friends at CC. This time round a whole bottle to Bhutan whisky/K5 was consumed. This is quite a different drink from the Scotch – more about it when I attend the Bhutan Night on Mon!

Yummy seafood cooked by Seng Teong and my contribution was a cocktail fruit salad. Lobster instead of bday cake is good for me. Poor Chris was stressed out with work.

Thomas’s new toy ‘One Way’ looks fun. It can go at a speed of 40mph and for 6hrs. For S1k+… I will walk 🙂 🙂

Sun: welcome back to SIN Tony. Dinner at Lau Pa Sat with the company of YuZhang. Good to catch up with both.

Strolled towards the Fullerton Hotel for a light displays in the pleasant breeze. Fullerton One and the Merlion Park are on the way. Always a pleasure to show off SIN, especially with all the flags etc out ready for the NPD.

Fullerton Hotel and you will have to be there to see the real lights and the sounds.

2 Aug – Happy Bday Claire

4 Aug – Happy Bday Candice Tay

5 Aug – Happy Bday LAM ChengEn

9 Aug – Happy 50th Bday SIN

10 Aug – Happy Bday LAM JenWee

This week’s quotes will be in memory of LKY

30 Jul 2015 – Keeps Me Young At Heart!

Mon: tkx Clement for spending the afternoon with his ‘havoc auntie!’. In Chinatown to get a gift for cousin Amy in LA. Wanted to have the Taiwan Shave Ice from Mei Heong Yuen****but did not realize that the main branch on Temple Rd closes on Mon.

Had to use a restroom after the walk – Chinatown Point was the cleaner choice and since we were there in an AC location, took a walk around to see what is there. Lo and behold there is another branch of MHY Dessert. So it was meant to be for my shaved-ice urge 🙂

Tkx for gifts from Italy. Had a dress-me-up David many moons ago, but he died from a broken neck! Glad to see the new David has an extra face to go with it for when he is dressed, otherwise he will break his neck again!! Am truly blessed with more angels. A visit to 4th sis-in-law later that evening who has done a wonderful job raising my 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Clem bought us durians.

Tue: appreciations to Peggy for lunch with Pat at this Thai Indonesian place – Bumbu***food was good value for the cost. The interior is done in a Peranakan style. This location is in a HDB estate on Farrer Rd – there are 2 other locations at Telok Ayer and Kandahar streets.

Tkx Sue for stopping by with the mail. Good to catch up with family news.

Wed: fun afternoon with Audrey at Red Dot Design Museum with interesting designers’ displays.

URA (one of my favourite stomping grounds) where there was a PageOne book sale. Bought gifts to be mailed.

Scarlet Hotel to say hi to Jana. Always enjoy the stroll down Erskine Rd and Club St.

PS Cafe*** feasting on my favourite Key-Lime Pie on Ann Siang Hill.

Thian Hock Keng or Temple of Heavenly Happiness where the contrast of skyline and visitors to this location are quite fascinating. What I saw today was my first and a hopeful sight – 2 women in tudung visiting a Chinese temple. May peace be with us all.

Safe journeys and the very best to Audrey who will be heading back to China next week. Good to see her and glad to hear that she is happy with her new job.

This quote is what my father told me time and again – Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and expect nothing. My observation is that you will not be disappointed if you manage to live by this quote!

27 Jul 2015 – MPCC
Sat: jetlag has its advantage that the speed for uploading images online is less than a blink of the eye 🙂

An early grocery shopping and breakfast morning at the wet market and done before 0630hrs. Been awhile since I bought fresh and was quite taken in that this tiny local ‘plaice’ cost S$10! Large bag of chicken bones for stock is more reasonable, S$2.

10eggs, 1 large Taiwan mango+all these fresh produce for S$15 and all good and fresh. Calamansi, LemonGrass and Pandan leafs (the tall pointy ones) are good for flavoring food and drinking water. The leafs give nice aroma and decoration in the kitchen + keeping the roaches away!

Was too tired to cook after washing all the produce. Good nap before heading into town. Only in SIN will you find such charm and hospitality – the preparations of a Malay wedding at the common area in a public housing estate. Was just taking pix as I passed by and was invited to the celebrations…

Dropped by MtE as Ivy’s mom fell and was hospitalized. Lawrence is in town. Tkx to Les&Ivy for dinner at Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House at Heeren*****where the food is top quality and the whiskey is good.

This is my first experience at the Heeren after it has been revamped. The bus from town took over an hour with diversions, being Sat night and the NDP rehearsals! Crashed on the sofa and fell asleep…

Sun: at MPCC, designed by a family friend William Lim. Was there to collect the ‘SG50 fun package.’ Have not been to the top floor since the opening, where the basket ball court is located. Can even see block 45 Marine Crescent from there! Quite a fascinating banana-leafs concept shaped roof. Wonder if the rains get in or if the sun-rays will distract when shooting baskets?? Must get up there again when it rains to check it out.

Was there for the opening when it was officially opened by Goh Chok Tong on 28May 2000.

Like the bag for SG50 with the map of SIN on the other side. Tkx for all the stuff in the bag.

The old standing fan has seen its days and had to get a new square one – S$23 at Giant in Parkway Parade. Wish I could remember how much I paid for the old one to just compare prices from then and now! Appreciations for keeping me cool for nearly a decade!

Too tired to attend any wedding but do enjoy the sound of the drums as I drifted into LaLa Land 🙂 🙂

Mon: a fabulous week ahead to all.