26 Nov 2013 – Good Local Production 

SIN film Ilo Ilo was named the Best Feature Film at the Golden Horse Awards in Taipei on Saturday, the biggest award of the night. It won a total of four prizes, including Best New Director and Best Original Screenplay for director Anthony Chen and Best Supporting Actress for Yeo Yann Yann.

Ilo Ilo****/爸妈不在家: set in SIN about the relationship between a family of three and their newly arrived Filipino maid, Teresa. The family needs to adapt to the presence of this stranger, which further threatens their already strained relationship in their 3-room HDB flat, 700sq ft size as my apt!

Teresa and Jiale, the young and troublesome boy she cares for, soon form a bond. Their unique connection continues to develop and soon she becomes an unspoken part of the family. But this is 1997 and the Asian Financial Crisis is starting to be felt in all the region…

A must see movie for me not just because it won the awards but because the need to understand and relate to the local scene during my stay here. SIN-made movies do not usually make it to the overseas big screens and will try to catch them here if possible.

The local made movies reflect on the life in SIN. And no do not have a maid but know people who have at least one or two maids but would prefer calling them house-help. Grew up here in 1950s & early 60s with house-help. But they were there to clean and cook, not to look after the children! It was a different era then!!

Iloilo is the name of a province in Philippines where the real Teresita Sajonia is from. She was the nanny for the director’s family, the Chens from 1988-1997. Somehow the Chinese title Father Mother not at Home does not come across as exciting or interesting as Ilo Ilo!

Happy ending for former nanny Teresita Sajonia as she hugs Christopher Chen, the youngest of her three former wards in Singapore, at a  hotel in Iloilo City. Sajonia is the subject of a Cannes’ award-winning film  written/directed by Christopher’s eldest brother, Anthony. Photo courtesy of Selrahco.

http://entertainment.inquirer.net/111665/nanny-beloved-from-iloilo-now-nanny-the-movie

All pix on this posting are downloaded from various media.

I’m very happy that they remembered the years we were together and that this was made into a movie. I’m happy that they grew up well – Teresita Sajonia

24 Nov 2013 – Chinatown, Suntec City & Beach Road

Thu: finally the painting work completely but could not shut the main door overnight and if I did, the paint could be ruined. Thank goodness the outer gate is in place and can be locked with a pad-lock.

Fri: today Linn & family move into their new house and feeling a bit down that I am unable to help even though she has ensured me that they have plenty of help. All the best and good luck to them towards another new start.

Great to catch up with niece Daisy C for updates of her branch of the family. To Henry, tkx for helping to eat frog-legs congee with raw fish salad dinner at Tiong Shian Porridge Centre 長城粥品****/New Bridge Rd and for helping out with a job. Had a good night sleep until the storm started when the lightning and thunder nearly struck me out of the bed !

Sat: tkx to nephew Clement and Audrey for a BBQ pork, roast duck & pork lunch at Alex’s Eating House***/Beach Rd with dessert at Ji De Chi**/Liang Seah St. Decided to try the YinYang, almond and black sesame paste to discover that am no fan for that mixture! Glad that they were separated as in pix and could carefully eat first the one and then the other. Like almond paste on its own and same with black sesame but some of these fusions do not agree with the taste-bud 🙂

The Black Sesame Cold Cake and Osmanthus Flower Cake were so-so

A stroll to Suntec City to see the revamped version, and quite a change, especially the convention section where I used to help set up various conventions and shows. Another Christmas tree up and Thanksgiving is not even here yet!

Audrey drove us around Lavender MRT area. Usually when in this area, it is for a wake as that is where SIN Casket is located. Tyrwhitt Road has some trendy places where the younger generation gathers.

Chye Seng Huat Hardware, a fashionable coffee joint which is rather unexpected when one passes by the front door! They make their own brew but anyone who knows me also know that coffee is no no for me after 12n. As my bro said, she is hyper as she is, can’t image what she will be like with coffee 🙂 🙂

Further up the road are: the tiramisu hero, menu looks quite good but the eyes are wider than the stomach where there is not even space for another drop of water! Konzepp, with funky stuff, Chinese Druggist Association and with such a name seems an exciting place but was closed 🙂 🙂 🙂

Appreciations to Audrey for introducing these new locations. Enjoy exploring new places and such an eye-opener. Am blessed that these young people include me for their afternoon out.

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed – Albert Einstein

21 Nov 2013 – And we are all culprits…

So long for now dear cousins May&Lock and looking forward to our next meeting. It has been a fun and hectic week, but too short and did not get to see as much but got to eat too much 🙂 Changi Airport T1, 2 & 3 are ready for the Christmas but that is still far away in my mind…

While the social calendar is busy for the past month and the next month, the global news have not gone by unaware or unnoticed. The fires in SE Australia, storms in UK and EU, typhoon in the Philippines and resulting in floods and mud-slides killing many. Very sad even though none the family helpers’ family or friends here in SIN are involved!

Disasters like these are considered natural but how long more are we going to keep our heads in the sand and not admit that we are all culprits in contributing to this global warming thus resulting in these disasters? There is no stopping or prevention with the amount of people all living on this one and only planet but how can we help by slowing it down when if we so materialistic and selfish??

19 Nov 2013 – Emerald Ball + Happenings

Sat: condolences to Pat & family for the passing of their father (93) and was told that their mother (85) passed away 4 months ago too. Managed to attend the funeral mass at St Teresa’s Church and the last time there was in 1961 where I was a student at St Teresa’s Convent then!

Thank you to Carmel&Soon for including me at their table for this annual SIN Ireland fund-raising function held at the St Regis. The theme this year is the Gatsby Gala with the McNally Pipers piping us into a night of glitz & glamour to a tasteful 5 course dinner with champagne, wine, Irish whisky etc. Followed by auctions and ending with dancing.

Sun: thank you to all who were there to support in one way or other, Audrey, Ting, CH, Carmel, Mica, Henry and Sue. It was a fun & educational experience to participate in a SIN heartlands’ Flea Market! — at Marine Crescent Gardens 2013 Flea Market.

Appreciations to Les&Ivy for a fusion dinner at KU DÉ TA*** on the 57th floor of MBS. OK food but usually when one is dinning al fresco on the 57th floor, the weather is important too and we had the sea view. It was a beautiful evening with May&Lock, Patrica and Kierra.

Mon: Gardens by the Bay and another wonderful day in the gardens lunching at the SuperTree by Indo Chine****Good food but the service does need improvement.

Thank you to cousin ChongWah & family for a gathering of 4 generations to an excellent dinner. Started in 1978, Beng Hiang Restaurant****at Amoy St has since established itself as one of the best Hokkien restaurants in SIN. The sucking pig is one of those die die must try! Niece AiLing will have to provide the names of this branch of the family!

Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead – Scott Fitzgerald

16 Nov 2013 – to show off SIN good sides!

Mon: why does everything has to happen at the same time? Apt under touch-up paint work, window grills and door gate at workshop and now done. A quick trip to Giant at Vivo City to get a step-ladder and small trolley and was rewarded with a beautiful sunset towards Sentosa and the cable cars.

Tue: annual visit to the temple at Waterloo St with Ivy’s mother and the help of Miela. This time round was just a quick visit and did get the chance to have lunch or shop. The threatening grey rumbling sky was just not the best day to be out.

Wed: more work done to the apt and had to leave the door and windows open due to new paint. Thank goodness the weather is not too bad but would have preferred the AC!

Thu: welcome May&Lock to SIN! Looking forward to showing Lock that his birth country is not what it was since he left in the early 1960s!! And yeah to the Kinetic Rain sculpture which is back in motion at T1 — at Changi Airport.

Tkx to Les&Ivy for delicious dinner at Dempsey Hill’s LongBeach Seafood****

Fri: received news of Pat Chee’s father’s passing.

Tourist guiding May&Lock  by bus to SIN River as they needed to settle their account at UOB. Was not aware that pix were not allowed in the bank. Anyway the lights there are quite amazing and difficult to resist the temptation to not take a pix 🙂

Fullerton Hotel with the new Gallery

SIN River, Raffles Place

Tkx Chesper for bringing back my pair Chaco from the US and tkx Larry for receiving them. Now I can walk in comfort. Bought a new pair when in the US but that was destroyed in the fire! Anyone who has owned a pair of Chaco sandals also know that they are strong, lasting and good for the feet. Have done much of my long distance hiking in them when weather permits.

Lunch at Blanco Court Prawn Mee, Haji Lane, Kampong Glam and Parkview Square with a bottle of wine at Divine Wine Bar. Many of the places mentioned are in past postings.

Appreciations to Les&Ivy for dinner at Boon Tong Kee/River Valley Rd chicken rice***

Pleasure and action make the hours seem short –  Shakespeare

10 Nov 2013 – And Overseas Guests

Thu: lovely catching up with Carmel for breakfast at Blk 59 Marine Terrace. She is a terrific Irish lassie who has lived in SIN for 20yrs and one of the very few expats who knows how to shop at our local wet market. Way to go Carmel and such a pleasure to know one like her.

The nasi lamak/fragrant rice stall at Blk 59 Marine Terrace, next to the wet market is quite good. This traditional consist of sambal/condiment that has a chili-based sauce, ikan bilis/ anchovies, peanuts and boiled egg. This is the most traditional version. You can find stalls serving them with fried egg, sambal kerang/cockles – local favourite, sambal squids, sambal fish, chicken or chicken/beef rendang, squid fritters or even fried chicken or fish.

Lynne is back from Oxford/GB and thought she would like nasi lamak for lunch. Memories of slumbering at her place in the early 1960s and her parents were always kind and gracious to me. Being from Peranakan origins, had delicious noyan dishes made by Mrs Ong, Lynne’s mother and my Pri 6 teacher.

Great to catch up, tkx for delightful company and will see her a few more times before she takes off in Jan.

Tkx for dropping by Audrey and appreciate the company for a supper of cheese and wine!

Fri: celebrated Beverly’s bday at Blu Jaz Café on Bali Lane. Happy Bday Bev and appreciate for including me among your young international group from Bangladesh, France, Germany and Korea. Tkx Ting for yummy home-made carrot cake (the western kind!). Had to leave early with the third eye staring at our table all night 🙂

Sat: it is not even 1100hrs yet and look at the traffic jam by the bus stop! After last night, had to go down to Arab St area again to do some shopping and to have a bowl of my favourite Blanco Court Prawn Mee*****on Beach Road. Mee=noodles.

Art décor on Bali Lane. Amazing that the Parkview Square (across the road from Bali Lane) have had the luxury of standing without any obstructions for so many years, but alas this will not last. Constructions for a new building beside it are on going at the moment!

http://amylamsg.com/2013/05/23/people-and-places

Order a bottle of wine at ‘Divine Wine Bar’ for an angelic experience 🙂 🙂 Check out this link: http://www.divinewinesingapore.com

US college football game with the Florida Gator playing against Vanderbilt Commodores has started as I am wrapping up this post. Not a fan of football but someone posted this beautiful pix and thus could not resist sharing and cheering on the Gators.

Jeff, Linn and May are Gators too. Off to bed now and Go Gators!

The  game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block  your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity – Lewis Grizzard

7 Nov 2013 – Gone Tomorrow

Mon: Gravity***on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth… but the loud effects and music did not convince me of any silence!

Not my taste, even with good ratings and reviews but had time after curtain shopping and it was pouring rain. The other movies were even less tempting!

Dinner with Henry in Chinatown. Chinatown Point has changed since the last visit, now with the Chinatown Public library on the top floor.

Tue: early breakfast at Cassia Crescent, behind Old Airport Rd and to pick up the best homemade bite-size cha-siu bao/Cantonese barbecue-pork-filled bun here in SIN.

Captured these shots while crossing the overhead bridge to the bus stop, this is so like life’s journey… here today gone tomorrow 🙂

Thanks to Nancy for sharing this: http://www,defocus.net/visitedstates/ Made me realized that there is still much of the US that needs to be explored 🙂 🙂

Pink: not been
Amber: visited
Green: lived there

Somebody out there, be creative and do a world map using this idea.

Belated Bday present to Kiera, Free Birds***and it is about turkeys that try to travel back in time to get turkeys off the menu for Thanksgiving. This movie will certainly NOT get turkey off my Thanksgiving menu! Pizza is not for Thanksgiving 🙂 🙂 🙂

Thanks for dinner at Les&Ivy and hope that the new piano teacher will work out for Kiera.

4 Nov 2013 – Daylight Saving Time

Sat: out bright and early to run errands. The huts attracted attention while waiting for the bus by the National Museum. Took a detour to see what they were about? SIN Biennale: Lumbung Ilmu (Granary of Knowledge), is an installation by Indonesian artist Rosid, in which he turned a hut, which was originally used by Indonesian farmers to store harvested rice, as a multi-functional space — a library, prayer room and a gathering point.

The vertical gardens at SIN Management University/SMU never fail to amaze me. Delightful memories of an International group of exchange students (pix Mar 2012) who are now traveling and working around the world.

Way to go, Ashley, JeanB, Magnus, Natasha, Ryan and Tommy. And do return for a visit soon! But see the world first 🙂

Nice weekend catching up with friends and getting to know a new one. Tkx to KB&Mindy who brought durians and mangosteens, yummy desert after a cheese and veggie platter. To family and friends who will have an extra hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time, instead of thinking that the US grandchildren are 12hrs behind, 13hrs will be it until Spring Forward and can look forward to seeing them.

Sunday Times: A woman was arrested by the police after she climbed over the railing at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on the netting below the Kinetic Rain sculpture…

OH NO, my favourite sculpture at the airport, she should be deported!

…the Kinetic Rain display was damaged by the intrusion with some strings on the art sculpture entangled…

Above photo: STOMP

http://amylamsg.com/2013//04/12/changi-airport-t1/

Above 2 pix from 12 Apr 2013 posting.

I’m still a firm believer that we were definitely put here to use our mind and that is what makes us different. And that’s the key. If there is anything that is going to stop mankind from being such a beastly, destructive creature it is reason – Caleb Carr

1 Nov 2013 – Happy Deepavali

Have been back in SIN nearly 3 weeks and seems longer! Seeing a pix of the house being demolished was a mix feeling (now and then pix). Today the light at the end of the tunnel seems brighter when Linn told me that they will be moving to their new house on the 22nd. Glad to hear that the insurance co has settled and they have moved on to buy a new house, just sad I am unable to help them move but was ensured that they have plenty of help from relatives and friends.

Again this quote is so appropriate considering the situation:

Never make your home a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You’ll find what you need to furnish it – memory, friends you can trust, love of learning and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey – Tad Williams

Tue: appreciations to Ting and CH for an early walk by the sea and breakfast at the market. Ting and I thought we saw Dumbo, but CH was not convinced! Have been neglecting postings the past week, not on account of no life but more on no mood! Store/laundry room is a total chaos, trying to organise with storage box and hooks to hang stuff on the wall.

Wed: hooks shopping for the storeroom. Movie: Blue Jasmine****a story of the final stages of an acute crisis and a life of a fashionable New York housewife. After everything in her life falls to pieces, including her marriage to wealthy businessman Hal, elegant New York socialite Jasmine moves into her sister Ginger’s modest apartment in San Francisco to try to pull herself back together again.

Brilliant acting, but should have watched it when things are brighter!!

Thu: a youthful! Halloween gathering with Hannah & Victor in their 20s and Grace who hiked the MacLehose Trail/HKG with me in 2011 has just turned 30. Grace and Hannah have done sections of the AT and Victor thru’ hiked it in 2011. Great to catch up on AT stories. Felt rather motherly to these kids who are much younger than mine 🙂

Nov Bdays

2 Happy Bday John KERNAN & Happy Deepavali

8 Happy Bday Beverly LIN

11 Happy Bday Audrey MOH

13 Happy Bday LEUNG Yee Fun

19 Happy Bday Yulis ADAM TEO

27 Happy Bday Daisy CHIA

28 Happy Thanksgiving

29 Happy 7th Bday to my grandson John Whitham HALL

30 Happy Bday LAM Kwok Chai

28 Oct 2013 – Another Fire!

Now that the new furniture is in their place, the air-conditioner is a must when one lives in the tropics. Just goes to show how spoilt and blessed life is!

Sat: the old AC has seen their days after nearly 15yrs and has been having a gas leak in the compressor for the past couple of years. Time for the Mitsubishi inverter and was told that they are energy-saving, app up to 40%. Time will show!

Am totally paranoid with a fire across the road this morning. Full blast of sirens made me nervous with a combination of the smell of the welding from the AC workers! Read in the news that a 60yrs blind man did not survive the fire. Condolences to his family

The Butler****tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family.

Good movie inspired by a true story and a good cast, even when some appear only for a few minutes.

Sun: Happy 89th Birthday to one of the most remarkable ladies Ellen HALD sr, Norwegian grandmother of the children. Pix from 1973/Møsvann, 1974/Nesøya with Linn her first grandchild then and 2010/Nesøya with Linn & May. Ellen was in her 40s when our paths first crossed.

Appreciations to nephew Clem for a delicious lunch at Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine/Marina Bay Sands****Peking Duck, one of my favourites. Decent food but poor service! Safe journey back to the US to Larry and good catching up with Chesper. This piece of cake is good but not worth S$10 at Au Chocolat! That price can give 3 dinners of rice with 2 different kinds of veggie and I meat in my neighbourhood market!!

It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn’t hear the barbarians coming – Garrison Kellor