16 Jun 2017 – For This Visit

Thu: my father LAM TinYue would have been 106; L&M’s paternal grandfather John HALD III 94 today. Such noble gentlemen are not easy to encounter.

0700hrs XC practice has been re-scheduled from the neighbourhood back to the high school due to some issues with the Clearwater HOA

Good to see nearly 50 turned up for this breakfast practice,

while #4&5 were enjoying the sand at the long jump pit with the long shadows in the early morning sun.

After practice, headed into town to send the gang to their VBS. Breakfast@The Original Pancake House****good coffee&food. As usual had doggy-bag my omelette.

@Trenholm Plaza, Forest Drive, the shops are more upscale and the selections@The Fresh Market are impressive. 40%sale@Loft – have not bought a dress for a while and  something that fits to my liking too.

Spent the rest of the afternoon doing laundry and packing – my least favourite thing to do! Tkx to Linn&Jeff for dinner@Fuddruckers my favourtie burger place where I can order a medium or well-down burger.

The first time at a Fuddruckers was nearly 30yrs ago when we moved from CA to FL. It claims to have the World’s Greatest Hamburgers. Have not tried all over the world but so far Fuddruckers is my favourite. Had a sip of the beer, OK but still not a beer drinker. Got it as the name was rather intriguing! The evening storm was a relief after the hot humid weathers.

Burning the mid-night lamp to sort out my purchases and to see how much the backpack can take! NO it does not get easier no matter how many times I have been thru’ this, but it is a dark and stormy night…

Fri: TGIF. Tkx Jeff for taking time to meet with us for breakfast@Cafe Strudel****located in the historic Mill Village neighborhood of WestCAE.

Good biscuits and interesting atmosphere where one can purchase the artworks hanging around. Appreciations to Linn for getting me to the airport in time.

Guess what I bought for US$29 🙂

Here we go again: CAE-ATL-MIA-FLL-OSL-SIN with 5days stop-over in OSL.

Uneventful and on times DL flights from CAE to MIA. Drive from MIA to FLL airport was rather stressful on a Fri rush hour traffic with a couple to bad accidents on I-95. Interesting cloud formations&trees on this drive which manage to divert my mind.

On a full plane from FLL-OSL.

15 Jun 2017 – And Summer XC Practices

Mon: @Shandon Baptist Church where the theme for VBS is Star Wars. This year both #1&2 are volunteers to help out and #3 will not be there. With both their long hairs, #1&2 would have made perfect Princess Leia but with XC practise starting at 0700hrs, they will not have the time to braid their lovely long blond hair.

May The Force be with them all.

Linn & I did some shopping while the kids were at VBS. Always managed to spend money@World Market. Difficult to resist these beautifully packed soaps and do need a change of different leafs from the old place-mats in SIN, also found some napkin holders to match with the kitchen’s greenery. The cork designed wine gift-bags are neat too.

#3 is staying the night with Cindy so as to catch their early flight to CA tomorrow morning. That means I will not see #3 until next year.

Cindy takes one of the grandchildren when they turn 10 to anywhere in the US (excluding AK&HI), and this year is #3’s turn and they are heading to SanDiego, CA.

Tue: full day for the family from XC practice to VBS. Took #4&5 for a swim on the lake this beautiful late afternoon while Linn was busy with the coaches for their CPR Certifications.

Beautiful blooms of Crepe Mrytle (tkx Jan for the name) on the trees in the neighbourhood – the Tiger Lilies are out!

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high… – George Gershwin

Distrubing news from SIN – sad to learn about this considering how hard Mr&MrsLKY worked to build SIN and raise their family, and now just reading&watching his children carrying on like this is disheartening. Above 3pix downloaded.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pm-lee-denies-claims-made-by-siblings-8944026

I also noticed something in the air. The rain was over. The air was fresh. One era has ended. A new one has begun. Majulah Singapura – Bertha Henson

Wed: why does anyone wants to read the news when these are the morning headlines on BBC and similar headlines on other news channels? Such a downer for today.

A top US Republican was among five people who were shot and wounded by a gunman during baseball practice in Virginia.

At least six people have died after a huge fire raged through the night at a west London tower block, and police expect that number to rise.

Feeding #3’s pet frogs is a nice break. Was teasing him about Chinese liking to eat frog-legs, but he was not too worried as these are no bigger than my thumb-nail – bringing back memory of a 21st Century Fairy-tale from many moons ago…

https://amylamsg.com/2009/07/20/21st-century-fairy-tale/

12 Jun 2017 – Second Samuel

Sat: #2 is better and off to a Bday party in the afternoon while Cindy took #4&5 to the movie Beauty&The Beast. Had hardly any sleep last night!! and also have seen the movie recently, so stay in to rest.

https://amylamsg.com/2017/03/05/beauty-and-the-beast/

The Village Square Theatre, Lexington’s Community Playhouse, is owned and operated by the Lexington County Arts Association. Used  as a movie-house in the 1970s. Was told that it was also used as some auto show-room but unable to find any links to confirm that; this painting in the lobby does not even look anything like the present building.

It was a simpler time in the late 1940s, especially in South Georgia and specifically in a sleepy little town.  What had been called the Great Depression was quickly fading into memory. The war had been won, the election was now over, and ‘Give ’em Hell Harry’ was still president. It had been an exciting time for sure, but the folks in Second Samuel were ready for things to settle down and get back to normal. Except—this was the summer Miss Gertrude passed away, and deep dark secrets were about to be revealed. Nobody could have imagined how the death of one sweet little old lady would turn the entire town upside down, leaving everybody in Second Samuel wondering if anything would ever be normal again!

Delightful & entertaining performance with a touching message about life and friendships in the Southern treasure. Tkx Cindy for this.

Tonight’s clouds and sunset are for Gators’ Fans. Dinner@LittleChina Buffet. Food – nothing to write home about, but the a wild selection at reasonable price, even a senior discount.

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky – Rabindranath Tagore

Sun: Linn is on the road (3hrs there&3hrs back) to pick up the hiking gang@Ammons Branch Campground NC so that they can get to the car at their starting point@Burrells Ford SC. This year’s hike is about the same as last year except that they will hike further to ABC and not have backtrack to the car.

https://amylamsg.com/2016/06/12/boozers-tree-service/

Family safe and sound home together and had a good hike with the best weather ever. VBS starts next week.

9 Jun 2017 – Happy 8Bday Sophie

Mon: not a pleasant day, throwing up all day and feeling lousy. Age takes its toll and the body is reacting to nearly a month of US bottled and boxed foods. That too shall pass…

For families and whoever may be interested in the Kwong Lee Bank history, here are the latest updates corrected by Wikipedia (mistakes pointed out in 2009). Repeated image above was forwarded by Daniel Yiek some years ago. Considering the background of the LAM banking family, only 2 so far in the orange generation are in banking.

I just like to keep my money in the bank; I’m not a big risk-taker. I don’t know anything about the stock market… I stay away from things I don’t know anything about – Wayne Gretzky

Tue: feeling lethargic, stomach still queasy and no appetite but at least not throwing up – good way to diet. Took a breath of fresh air with a few blooms of the Gardenias, Clematis&Azaleas in the garden this morning. Will these be the last blooms for this visit?

#1&2 have started their XC practice, #2 baking a key-lime pie, #3, 4&5 on screen-time, Coach Hall and #1 are zzzz while I made a trip to Walmart to get #5 Bday gift.

Wed: saw in this wimp.com posting as to What Rush Hour Looks Like Around The World. Downloaded 3pix (where in this case they say more than 1,000words!) from many others for contrast – Beijing’s traffic, São Paulo subway and

if I have to be stuck in any rush, it will Ireland.

Took #3 for a treat and to pick him a reward for keeping his room neat and clean. A successful XC coaches’ dinner hosted by Linn while the teens were out and the younger ones busy playing.

Thu: another glorious morning with perfect 60s°F temps, an eventful morning when Jeff lost the rental car’s keys. He did an extensive search all morning, but #2 located them in 5mins.

From Linn – see what I have to put up with hahaha. Jeff is still the Jeff I remember from FLschool days 🙂 A brilliant absent-minded son-in-law with a busy day ahead getting ready to take #1, 2&3+Zuno camping&hiking this weekend.

It is full moon tonight and the children are are out enjoying the fireflies on this beautiful evening before #4 turns 8 tomorrow! Blessed to be in a neighbourhood where the children can play safely outside even after dark.

Fireflies pix downloaded – have not seen that many of them since my days at Lake Cumberland KY many moons ago.

Fri: Happy 8Bday to #4. Still remember so well that day when we were searching desperately for her and found her asleep in the laundry basket – she was 4 then!

Today she nearly wears the same shoe size as I do – time flies.

TGIF on this glorious morning and safe hikes to Jeff, #1&3+Zuno (#2 is feeling queasy and might have got what I had) who will be camping for the weekend – thus the early Bday party for #4 last Sun. #1, the teen will be behind the wheel until they get to the Interstate!

Another party by the lake with even more kids. By 1100hrs I lost count with 16kids??+8moms (including 2Norwegians, Anna&Jenny)!! – I too will call in sick together with #2 hahaha 🙂 

5 Jun 2017 – An Early Bday Party

Fri: TGIF and a good weekend to all. Schools are out today, marking the start of the summer holidays. Besides Zuno’s footsteps, you can practically hear a pin drop in the house this morning 🙂 Happy Bday KK.

Thank you Linn for a glorious sunset dinner&drinks@Liberty On The Lake****Whatever kind of ducks these were, they look like they would make a good roast in the oven!

She-Crab Soup was rich&yummy, steak cooked to my taste and there was enough food to doggy-bag for another meal or two.

Sunset and clouds were amazing, so mesmerizing that I just wanted to stay and watch it set all the way.

Sat: L&J drove to Greenville SC (103m/170k drive) for the day to help Frank&Jennifer moving in there. Cindy helped with The Fabulous5, would not have managed on my own by the lake with all 5. As it was did not even have time for any pix.

More sad news from UK, this time in the heart of London@London Bridge. Families&friends there have updated that they are safe&sound.

Condolences, prayers thoughts out to all affected.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40148737

Sun: early Bday party for Sophie as Jeff and #1,2&3 are planning for a hiking trip next weekend.

Did not get any good shots, except for the one when they were back from church, getting ready with the goodie-bags and coincidentally they were all dressed in shades of blue. Hoping for better shots on her real Bday when there will be a bunch of kids by the lake.

Pix credit to Linn for the one with the cookie-cake&candles. Was introduced to a new toy today – Shopkins, and rather confused about these Shopkins as they are exactly like Lego but not Lego???

1 Jun 2017 – Cook & Share A Pot Of Curry

Tue: to those celebrating enjoy your 粽子 ZongZi rice dumplings – based on lunar calendar the 5th day of the 5th month, 端午节 Dragon Boat Festival 2017 falls on today. Good memories of the delicious dumplings paternal grandmother made. Pix downloaded.

#2&3 & I gave Zuno (who did not seemed to mind) a bath using my shampoo – of course it’s one of those 12fl oz .98c shampoo but he now smells like me, hahaha 🙂 #1 had the girls’ Track Team home for a year ending pizza party while I snoozed (shows how tired I must have been! thus, no pix) in-spite of 15 teenage girls 🙂 🙂

Wed: cooked a pot of chicken+veggie curry to share with neighbours&friends and to celebrate the diversities of culture, this time round here in CAE. Appreciations to Haley&Brian for hosting this at their home and tkx for yummy home-made brownies. Good to meet Sarah&Eric.

Special tkx to Haley for a signed-copy of her book, enjoyed it. Here is to my OSL May-May (little sister in Chinese), she does not need to think – summer is here and looking forward to seeing her&family again this month.

The last time Cook & Share A Pot Of Curry was in Norway 6yrs ago, in the good company of Kirsten, Mette&Toril – neighbours from Piggsoppgrenda. Cooking curry reminds me of 2incidents (1987&2011).

https://sg.style.yahoo.com/news/curry-murder 061921889.html

http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=7074

https://amylamsg.com/2011/08/21/variety/

Some of the ingredients used in curry, but of course impossible to get them all here. Used the ready-made packet (from Japan) and have found this brand to be OK. The mild version in mild enough that even the kids like it. According to Linn curry is Indian stew and I agree. Pix downloaded.

Thu: Happy Bday to Morten in Tromsø. Last day of school today for the kids – bye-bye May and welcome Jun.

These treats arrived in time for the summer holidays, tkx to cousin Wilki in HI for his care-package, such a thoughtful gesture. Been a long time ago I had to prepare Chinese sausages and not quite sure how.

29 May 2017 – Last Monday In May

Fri: another Field-Day and another year over@the snow-cone stand. Appreciations to the Irmo Elementary School PTA, staff&administration and volunteers for organizing a fabulous last Fri in school for the kids. Am still know as Linn’s mom here, like during all her school days 🙂 and am privileged to be so.

Sophie with her teacher Liesl Price, James being a sport pulling hard and Coach Goodale doing a good job. No pix of John as I was busy when his class was out in the afternoon.

Pix from the creative works posted outside the classrooms.

Thank you for lunch provided by the PTA.

Sat: bright and early 2hrs drive with Jeff, #3, 4&5 and Cindy to Ashville for Memorial Day celebrations with Jeff’s aunt Kathleen (Cindy’s sis) & her family. Linn, #1&2 had their own programs and were not able to make the trip.

Appreciations to Rob&Leslie (Jeff’s cousins)  for their gracious hospitality in their beautiful home@The Ramble – Biltmore Forest, a gated community in South Asheville, sculpted into 1,000acres of woodlands and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The kids enjoyed wading in the creek while I did a bit of both.  On the log L-R – John, Jack, Lincoln, Amelia, Graham, James&Sophie – the brave ones went barefoot 🙂 Graham and I are the wise-ones 🙂 🙂  (pix credit to Leslie). Tested the new amphibious shoes in the creek (Astral, bought@Trail Days) and they worked well both in water and on-land.

Well-maintained asphalt trails surrounded by lush greenery. With their plentiful dagger-sharp thorns, it’s not hard to understand how the Hawthorn Tree got its name. Crataegus (from the Greek kratos strength and akis sharp, referring to the thorns of some species) commonly called hawthorn.

Good company with plenty of indoor&outdoors activities – even for the grandmothers, there are new toys to be discovered…

giant Jenga – amazing how Graham&John balanced these blocks until Ashley toppled it 🙂 🙂 🙂

Soap-bubbles never fail to entertain until the whiff of the hamburgers&hot-dogs on the grill by chefs Rob&Pat took over. Kathleen’s baking is to die for!

Enjoy your time with families&friends remembering that Memorial Day is to commemorate and honour all who have died in military service for USA. Thank you Kathleen&family for yummy foods.

A great time was had by all young&old, big&small. Tkx to Rob for the ride around the neighbourhood in the back of his truck (pix credit to Kathleen) – been awhile since I did something like this! Was thrilled to see these cute fox-cubs playing on our way out of the Biltmore Forest.

Sun: nice quiet day while the family is at church, bdays&graduation parties.

Mon: The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war ― Douglas MacArthur

Mon: Memorial Day here in the US, thus a public holiday and boating time for The FaBulous5. Was out earlier tubing with #2 (+her friend), 3,4&5.

Remained on land with #3,4&5 as they wanted to swim and I learnt from #3 about a Dragonfly nymph’s skin he found. This boy sure knows his insects!!

L&J took the teenagers #1(+3friends) & pre-teens #2(+1friend) first tubing and then water-skiing. These parents deserve a medal for their patience 🙂 My hat off to them.

137 years later, Memorial Day remains one of America’s most cherished patriotic observances. The spirit of this day has not changed – it remains a day to honor those who died defending our freedom and democracy – Doc Hastings

26 May 2017 – Last Full Week Of School

Mon: CrossRoads Intermediate School was formally CrossRoads Middle School. Congratulations to The Cougar Orchestra for placing Superior at the Music USA Festival in FL last weekend. That was when Ellie was away the same weekend I was at Trail Days.

Ellie’s Awards Night where she received awards for Leadership, Math Olympiad&Principal’s List – congratulations and what an achievement.

The FaBulous5 wanted milkshakes@Zaxby’s, but first they had to have a bite before milkshakes. The milkshakes work wonders for the kids’ brains in this case 🙂 as it seems to be their usual request after awards ceremonies the few times I had the privilege to witness them receiving their awards.

Katy having fun with Apps on her phone, tkx #1. Will probably be awarded in a Freak-Show hahaha lol. Here’s to those who ask why I do not like to have my pix taken…

Tue & Wed: has been raining non-stop all day, but not cold – so no worries about running errands and even quite refreshing. Everything is so green and perfect snoozing weathers. The forecast for Wed weather was incorrect as the rains continue

Sad news from the UK with the bombing in Manchester Arena and the passing of Sir Roger Moore (89). Prayers and condolences to all affected.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40032504

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-40018422

BBC

Early memories of him in The Saint (pre-James Bond), a mystery spy thriller TV series that between 1962 and 1969. Enjoyed those series more than the James Bond movies. It was based on the literary character Simon Templar created by Leslie Charteris in the 1920s and featured in many novels over the years.

My father believed in toughness, honesty, politeness and being on time. All very important lessons – Roger Moore. So did my father and agree there fully with Roger Moore.

Thu: waking to a beautiful morning with the perfect temps of 61°F/17°C; the chirping of the birds and a lovely sunrise breaking thru’ the rustling of the leafs in a breeze. Laying in bed to enjoy moments like these are sooo soothing for body&mind.

Welcome to MoFo’s grandson Jackson McLean Wilson to the world.

Retire into thyself. The rational principle which rules has this nature, that it is content with itself when it does what is just, and so secures tranquility – Marcus Aurelius

22 May 2017 – Parade, Dinner&Banquet

Sat: breakfast@Zazzy’z and enjoying the companies of Wiggs, MoFo, Whamo, Lizard, Loon&RisingEagle for Trail Days at the food, craft, beer and gears vendors.

Watching from the comforts under a shaded-porch of the Hikers Inn – appreciations to Lee&Paul. A good turn up, especially from the 2017group for the parade, great to see Loon&Rising Eagle in the parade. The sky opened up just after the parade passed by the Hikers Inn. Attended Jen Pharr’s talk on A Thru-Hiker Recovery Program.

Sooo good to see HiHills&Franklin. Dinner@Rain****(without any rain!) appreciations to them for taking a detour to catch up and for dinner. Tkx to Raising Eagle for his entertainment and finally to meet him.

Sun: wet morning but happy to capture a Kodak moment patch of sunrise. Bye and tkx for this time round Alpine Motel. Breakfast@MoJo’s recommended by Lee.

Wet wet drive (practically a tropical storm at some stretches) in VA, TN, (providing Trail-Magic again@Sam’sGap), NC, back to SC and a stop for lunch@FatzCafe. Many tkx to Wiggs&MoFo for driving and do understand that it is not easy on him not knowing when the grandson decides to pop out to this world! All’s well that ends well and he will be back home for the birth of his grandson.

And I am happy to be back in time for the Irmo High Track Banquet –  appreciations to Coach Barry Lee as this is his last track season. Good to meet his family, Amy & their 3boys, Graham, Andrew and Ryan and nice to catch up with Denise, Ashley and Lily again.

20 May 2017 – Damascus, VA

Mon: feeling blessed watching my first-born in the serenity with her new toy on the lake.

Tue: an efficient day – getting a phone and tkx to Brian@Walmart for his patience for setting this flip-phone to working mode for me (now I have 2phones and do not really know how to use them?? but tkx to Katy, I might now know how to text 🙂 ); driver’s license renewed@DMV for US$12.50/S$18 and sorting out bank matters. Appreciations to Linn for the use of her car.

Wed: hurra for 17mai from us in the US. Had to make a quick run to Walmart to pick up a new US flag, the old one was torn and it would be disrespectful to have it next to the Norwegian one! Being a weekday and with L&J having a meeting to attend, did not celebrate to the full extent, but marked the day with the colours!

Thu: 0930hrs headed for Trail Days Festival in Damascus/VA. Lunch@BT’sBurgerJoint***Biltmore Park Town Square Asheville. Had the low-carb burger with loads of onions, yummy! Taken by iphone, forgot to charge battery in camera.

MoFo, the Trail Angel@Sam’sGap with Sky&Spontaneous, a soon to be triple-crown from S-Korea.

Tkx to MoFo, we got into Damascus 1500hrs and he got the chance to do whatever he needed to get his gears ready for his PCT hike and I got my 12yrs old GraniteGear pouch fixed. This is the location most of us thru’-hikers get our camping and hiking stuffs repaired, thus known to us hikers as the friendliest trail-town.

Appreciations to One Way Ministry for the Hiker Feast@The FireHall with MoFo& Whamo, good chicken and coleslaw. A good time was had by all and everyone had their bellies filled

Fri: TGIF after a good night sleep@Alpine Motel/Abingdon, ready for a lovely morning and a delightful 13k/8m (3hrs) walk from Alvarado to Damascus with MoFo&Whamo on the Virginia Creeper Trail with the flow of South Fork Holston River.

Plenty of wide-life including having the privilege to witness a turtle (have been told by Yung from KCH that it is a alligator snapping turtle) laying eggs on the side of the trail – bringing back childhood memories of watching the big sea-turtles laying eggs in Kuantan/Malaysia and felt sad. To learn now that the crying with egg-laying (that’s the only time they come ashore), and that they cry in the sea as well. The tears help flush sand from their eyes – knowing this, I can now feel happy&appreciate that memory more.

Lunched@The Old Mill***where I had my first decent meal (steak&a glass of red wine) during 2005 AT-Thru’hike! Appreciations for yummy Chicken Alfredo dinner to the Shaws from ME.

Neal Steeno & Tim Keenan’s presentation Naneek@the Rock School. Ended the day with MoFo, Whamo, Miss Wiggy, Lizard, Loon, and Rising Eagle for a beer@The Mill again. Looking forward to seeing HiHills&Franklin tomorrow.