12 Nov 2016 – To The Purple Generation

Mon: welcome to the world #30 Eliot Yihua Lam-Tribbe – born on Mon 7Nov, weight 7lbs 13 oz to Kat&Greg.

Mailed off Flat Stanley + Gardens By The Bay brochures back to Perth/Australia, a project PP’s grandson is doing for his class.

Flat Stanley will just have to be satisfied with one location, did not have the energy to do more!

Tkx to H&H for the colour print-out.

VivoCity with the newly renovated Kopitiam, also jacked up with new prices – a bowl of Beef Vietnamese Pho for S$6+

Watched Tsukiji Wonderland****a documentary film about the famed Japanese fish market which spotlights Japan’s food culture and hundreds of intermediate wholesalers in the market who devote their lives to procuring the finest, most desirable seafood. The film preserves on screen the fish market that has been operating for about 80yrs and according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, offered more than 400 types of seafood, with a total market value of about ¥1.6bil (around US$15.8 mil) a day in 2014.

Tue: pick up food here and there in the East for dinner today. Les famous mussels and caviar, 3 different kind of roasts, Salt-baked chicken and 2 veggie dishes was more than enough food for 10ppl. Forgot pix until dessert – Henri Charpentier cheese cake (the best I have tasted so far) from Ai-Ling, more cheese cakes from Sue and local fruits from me.

Wed: 9-11; 11-9

Breakfast@Blk51, 132TeoChiewNoodle first before leading Yun to the Courts of Hell@HawPaVilla!

These courts are so gruesome to be posted that they are now placed in a tunnel of their own. Much of the sculptures in the whole park are under maintenance and they sure do need a new layer of paint.

Since we were in the area, a short rest@The Norwegain Seamen’s Mission, 300Pasi Panjang Rd for a Solo and to pick up some kransekaker. The Peak@Balmeg Hill must have the biggest pool I have seen in a condo-complex, tkx to Pauline, Tama, Ruben & Eva for showing us their lovely condo. Tkx Yun, KoreanBBQ dinner@JuShinJung@WestCoastRd with interesting napkins. Must get myself some of these.

Thu: Yun’s MGS reunion. Tourist guiding up stairways to heaven via 3-storey high boots with Alice & Yun@Orchard Central after her reunion lunch.

 

6 Nov 2016 – Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng

Peck San Theng 碧山亭 in the 1950s as vivid as the memory tells in these B/W. The one of the cemetery without people is downloaded. 1950 grandfather LAM SongKee’s funeral from the family collection. 1955 – paying respects already at the age of 5. Gone are all my grandparents and parents, but never forgotten.

Fri: TGIF. Yun & I paid our respects to our common paternal grandparents, LAM SongKee (1891-1950) and CHAN SweeNgor (1891-1978)@KwongWaiSiewPeckSanTheng/廣惠肇碧山亭. Took us ~1hr+ on #13bus in the rains. By the time we got there about noon, the sky cleared for us to do our duties. There are 100,000niche capacity here.

Glad that we took the time to explore this location. Was first time here 8yrs ago, also with Yun and then we only had time to pay our respects with the blue generation, but did not check the grounds. It was then that Yun observed that the glass was cracked on our grandmother’s niche. It is now replaced with marble. Strange that our beloved helper HungJeh niche is under grandfather. Fond memories of a gracious and kind person who made the best dishes, and up to today am unable to taste anything as good as some of her dishes.

The KuanYin temple is amazing – cannot quite get enough of the intricate craftsmanship of roof tops and the interiors here.

The porcelain wall murals – Chinese classic stories from the Romance of 3Kingdoms +many more murals inside this temple.

Tranquil landscaped garden with the KwongWS monument and the 2 temples are quite a serene sight to reflect from the pavilion. The modern design of the niche buildings are a contrast from the temples, but fits in nicely.

Glad to have talked to a gentleman at the administration building who gave us a brief run-down on the history and yes this is the original location of our grandparents’ cemetery. Appreciations to them for providing me a wonderful and blissful childhood; to HungJeh for her cooking which has taught me what good food should taste like.

Playing tourist on EmeraldHillRd. Somehow this area does bring up a picture of the play Emily of EmeraldHill (1989) by Sella Kon – a fascinating play about a journey thru’ human consciousness, and thru’ time…

Alamak, had to be kiasu to make sure we get to see everything at the SIN-Visitor Centre on OrchardRd including a virtual tour. Also can buy a chope umbrella for S$22, prefer my old-fashion tissue way and does not matter if stolen!

Snacking on a piece of bakkwa from BeeChengHiang. Pity that Yun is unable to bring that and the pork floss back to Canada.

ChowKuehTeow@Zion Rd. Memory lane thru’ TiongBahru&SengPohRd where Yun&family lived in the 1950s and early 1960s. Popped by the lobby@FullertonHotel as we had to change bus there. One does not blame her for moving out to stay with her half-sister after what I have put her thru’ 🙂

Sat: nice to catch up with more family including 13Auntie&Uncle. Appreciations to cousin Annie&family for a scrumptious dinner@BengHiang****one of SIN most famous Hokkien restaurants. 8 course dinner including a soup and dessert. Was formally located@AmoySt, now@JurongGatewayRd.

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锦绣拼盘/ColdDishCombination – lobster,jellyfish,century-eggs, HokkienSpring-rolls/NgorHiang, 海南烧猪 SucklingPig (Boneless) – CharcoalRoasted, Steamed fish.

香脆蚝煎/Fried Oysters with Egg (OysterOmelette), 炆白菜粒/Traditional BraisedWholeWhiteCabbage and 生日寿桃/Longevity BirthdayBuns.

Sun: both mind and stomach need to rest before the heart gives in – going to be another busy week ahead. Have so far managed to not repeat any foods for Yun but now that she is with Annie&family, it is up to her to remember what she has eaten, hahaha!

Winter is hitting with full force in Norway (winter pix downloaded).

Remember that if there were a lot of red berries on the Rowan trees (pix taken last month in Norway), then it’s going to be a long cold winter (Norwegian folklore). Stay safe&warm Norwegian family&friends. US family&friends, remember to Fall back.

3 Nov 2016 – From Toronto/Canada

Mon: no rest for the weary. Lunched with Cynthia, Linda’s cousin before she leaves back to Edmonton/Canada. Met with Lawrence at the airport to see him off and to pick up a bottle of bubbles that he could not take with him without checked-in luggage.

Looking forward to sample this bottle of Champagne Roses de Jeanne, where each wine is from a single grape variety, vineyard and vintage.

Happy Halloween and tkx to L&M for the pix. Missing the Magnificent6. Looks like a viking, pirate, some green monster and an adorable minion, but not sure what #1&2 are??

Congratulations to Irmo Boys XC team to qualified for state and to Katy Hall and Katie Weber who qualified as individuals! Good luck to these fine young runners and way to go coaches.

Tue: beautiful peacock floral arrangements at SIN airport to welcome cousin Yun from Toronto/Canada. Glad to have her in SIN on schedule safe and sound.

Started our food tasting at Soup Restaurant***SamsuiGingerChicken and AhKon FanShuLeaves@T2.  Food pix downloaded.

Dinner@Blk51 MarineTerrace, nasi lemak/otah, satay with calamansi juice. F&B pix downloaded.

Wed: breakfast@Marine Terrace Market****BeeBee Carrot Cake and congee.

Checking out the seafood section at the wet market.

Testing the East Coast Rd selection of nonya food/AngKuKueh, KuehLapis, KuehDadar, OngoiUbi

 BakChang – food pix downloaded.

Kim Choo Kueh Chang***good selection of Nonya snack delicacies. 328 Katong Laksa****deemed by many to be the tastiest of all the neighbourhood’s many laksa shops, this one’s known for their thick, spicy, totally slurp-worthy coconut gravy in their newly renovated location.

Shared a piece of yummy rich sugee cake@Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant.

Walked thru’ Ceylon Rd – Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, a temple for the Hindu god Ganesha who is the presiding deity.  Joo Chiat Rd to show Yun some of these well-restored shop-houses.

The sky opened up and we took shelter@I12 window shopping. Continued to Little India by #16bus and MRT. Vibrant and colourful clothing@the upper level of Tekka Market. ChickenBiryani, SoupKambing  and fresh coconut juice for dinner. Glad that the Deepavali lights are still on.

Thu: lunched with Jo@Glory****NasiPadang – Achar, AssamCurryFish, ChickenRendang, Otah, Popiah, SambalSotong. At present noisy and dusty constructions just outside, so not a good time to be there!

Continued for coffee and kaya toast@the iconic Red House in Katong, which once housed a famous bakery. Now Heavenly Wang Cafe, a neat casual yesteryear ambience and is a pleasant place where one can get decent affordable local coffee and food.

Special Nov date:

31 October 2016 – Goodbye Oct

Been so busy that postings for the blog have been neglected. A whole load of pix uploaded now before more hectic days with cousin Yun’s visit.

Mon: need a quiet day to relax…

Tue: welcome Huang back to SIN. Arr safely and ahead of schedule, a quick bite at T3 Kopitiam where there is a 10% discount! The beef hor-fun there is actually quite decent. My favourtie from these Kopitiam chain is the calamansi juice with sour-plums. #36bus to MP Rd directly in the rains.

Wed: good of him to be such a sport walking EC Park with me. Most overseas guests are amazed how clean and graffiti-free SIN public places are, including this underpass.

Pleasant morning walk to discover that Red House Seafood Restaurant (1976-2015) is no more there. It was one of the first seafood locations in that area and I remember being here with father. B/W pix downloaded – now a green piece of land.

Of course BeeBee Carrot Cake is a must if you are early enough to avoid the lines, unless you are Joseph Schooling 🙂

UOB and what a good way to display the past by pasting on top of the present. Tkx to Daisy for lunch@Maxwell Food Centre.

A brief walk thru’ Chinatown for the yummy Taiwan durian shaved-ice@Mei Heong Yuan Dessert.  MRT to CC to discover that Huang’s feet is too small to get any Chacos. MRT to National Stadium (favourtie MRT station) for a quick look about.

Thu: 10+K walk in wet weathers starting at 1045hrs from EC Pk.

Marina Barrage, 2panoramic pix credits to Huang.

Was fortunate to see the release of water to prevent flooding;

and to see people out flying kites made my day – good windy weather for the kites.

Gardens by the Bay, light lunch@Satay Club

Noisy lion-dancers did attract some attention at some opening of a new shop@MBS and The Water Tornado Fountain is a must if you are in the area at 1700hrs.

At Mustafa, bought a mini turbo fan/Sona 8″by 5.5″for S$30 and Huang got a pair of sandals – his shoes are very wet from yesterday’s walk! Deepavali lights in Little India lights are magnificent this year and worth the time to visit.

Got take away chicken biryani @Tekka Market – too crowded, hot and tired to eat there.

Fri: tkx to Clement for lunch

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant****

with views from the 60th storey/UOB Plaza.

Breezing quickly thru’ National Gallery.

Civil Defense Museum, the former main fire station.

Sat: Happy Bdays cousin Lock and grandniece Kiera. Old Airport Road Food Centre for Prawn Mee, bought some paus for Ivy. The sky opened up pouring buckets while we were enjoying our breakfast.

Journey East for wine tasting (Doctor’s Sauvignon Blanc is good) and yummy canapés beautifully presented by Paz Campos De Zemella.

Checked out their new shipment – a corkscrew the size of the coffee table (who ever said size does not count do not know what they are talking about!), rabbit chairs, lamps with stands made from old biscuit-tins, etc. Tkx to Daisy for dinner, appreciate that she took the time and trouble to dine with us at Blk 51.

Sun: Happy Deepavali/Dewali – celebrated by Hindus across the world to mark the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Safe journeys to Huang and tkx for a lovely visit.

Visited Ivy and was sooo exhausted by 1400hrs that the snooze button went. Dinner with Lawrence and Les@Rochalie – good champagne with tiny bubbles. Champagne Salon is a small producer of critically acclaimed Champagne made in the blanc de blancs style. Salon, along with Delamotte, is part of the Laurent-Perrier group since 1989. It is regarded as one of the greatest Champagnes on the market.

In bed just before mid-night and this time the zzzz button hit hard!!!

If life brings you troubles, drink some Champagne, then your problems will just become bubbles –

24 Oct 2016 – By Richard Wagner

The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever. The myth is likely to have originated from 17thC nautical folklore. The oldest extant version dates to the late 18thC. Sightings in the 19th and 20thC reported the ship to be glowing with ghostly light. If hailed by another ship, the crew of the Flying Dutchman will try to send messages to land, or to people long dead. In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship is a portent of doom.

The Dutchman was cursed to sail the seas for eternity, and only a woman’s love could set him free. An enjoyable performance in 3Acts without intermission.

Sun: have not been to a life-opera for a long while and this was quite a new refreshing experience to see a setting in South-east Asia with regional influences such as wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and the set is inspired by a kelong, or fishing villages on stilts.

The shadows and colours gave a vibrant effect. Glen Goei and Chong Tze Chian did an excellent job for the stage designs.

Presented by the Richard Wagner Association (Singapore), co-produced with Opera Viva. Limited and in association with The Finger Players Ltd, The Flying Dutchman (first performed in Dresden 1843) is staged at the historic and beautifully refurbished, grand dame, the Victoria Theatre with conductor Darrell Ang and the opera chorus conductor Albert Tay.

Sento – Kathleen Parker, Winner of the Wolfgang Wagner Prize and Audience Prize at the 2015 International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices. The Dutchman – Oleksandr Pushniak, Winner of First Prize and Audience Favourite at the 2012 International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices. Erik – Jakob Pustina and Daland – Andres Hörl.

Appreciations to Juliana and Peggy for this entertaining evening.

The post-reception before and during the crowds.

Tkx for Hong’s good company and for Vietnamese supper@JooChiat.

Who hath seen the Phantom Ship,
Her lordly rise and lowly dip,
Careering o’er the lonesome main,
No port shall know her keel again…
Ah, woe is in the awful sight,
The sailor finds there eternal night,
‘Neath the waters he shall ever sleep,
And Ocean will the secret keep 

Albert Pinkham Ryder

23 Oct 2016 – To Count & Be Grateful With Your Blessings
Thu: in and out of MP Polyclinic under 2hrs with a check-up and a month of medications. Good to catch up with Gel and to see that she is OK. At MtE, so glad and relief to see that everything went well with Ivy.

Tkx to Les for a yummy celebration dinner@Takashimaya Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine*****

The sauteed baby shrimp with honey peas and black truffle oil is delicious, deep-fried eel nice and crunchy and good pan-fried pork bun are all new to me. 3above pix downloaded.

Fri: TGIF. Food shopping (favourite kind of shopping!) for the mini fried soft-shell crabs which are perfect finger food with champagne. Unfortunately after the renovations@Scotts Isetan, could not locate them. Got some mini sauages@Takashimaya basement food stall. They went down quite successfully with my mustard concoction sauce!

Besides his mussels and Empurau Wang Pu Liao/忘不 fish dish (pix from previous postings),  my bro Les makes the best Kampot Black-peppered Crab (pix credits to David). Good to catch up with Ivy’s cousin, Irene & family – David and Cindy. Sorry that Soakkoon is missing this.

Sat: visited bro Steven at the home and Ivy at MtE. First time to see such a clean machine and also to witness the scrubbing of the sugar-cane before juicing@Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre. With lemon is my preference, some like it with sour-plum.

Good variety and decent food, but wished that the Char KwayTeow was served with calamansi.

Preparing and looking forward to cousin Yun’s visit from Toronto to show that here in SIN she can have 3different meals (without preparing or repeating any) everyday for 21days and also with the different ways to eat with.

And if you are using your hands to eat, plx remember to wash them well.

Sun: looking forwarding to attending The Flying Dutchman tonight. More details for next posting as it will probably deserve a posting on its own. Have not been to an opera for ages and will probably need the time and  space for the plot.

19 Oct 2016 – An Attachment With Holter!

Sat: AC serviced today and have decided against the tray to be placed underneath it. Saw an AC with a tray underneath and do not like the idea if anything goes wrong and the water gets stuck in it, especially when I travel so often for extended period.

https://amylamsg.com/2016/04/18/hot-hot-hot/

The view from the kitchen and bedroom with the roof-garden on top of the multi-storey carpark. Have been keeping an eye on the tree with the yellow flowers hoping to capture a visit from the yellow bird.

Sun: visited bro Steven at United Medicare Centre and sis-in-law, Kit in her home. Today has been a low-day, reflecting back to more joyful days in their youth where they were and still are both good people caught in a society with complications of life dramas.

On the bus, Sunday traffic on Orchard Rd – must be out of my mind to be there, but thank goodness public transport in SIN have AC and are clean and comfortable. Dropped by to CC to say hi before Calvin heads off to the US.

Mon: MtE to get blood test done and to get hooked up with the Holter equipment to monitor Afib. Movie Inferno***Tom Hanks returns to play Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor and symbologist who has to decipher clues in Florence along with his ally doctor Sienna Brooks in order to stop an engineered disease by a lunatic geneticist who wants to drastically reduce the world’s overpopulation. Too much action for an irregular heart…

Shopping@Plaza SIN and luck out@John Little’s relocation sale. Good deals for the perishable items. Stocking up for the Christmas and enjoying TipYew Chong’s mural paintings there.

Tue: could not wait to get the Holter off. After 24hrs, felt like a suicide boomer with all these wires hooked up to the body 🙂 Would have been stopped and imprisoned if I had to go thru’ any metal detector! Blood tests OK but the Afib still persistent, such is life when one ages on top of bad genes – family history of heart problems. Ivy admitted to MtE.

I’m proud of my HEART. It’s been played, stabbed, cheated, burned and broken, but somehow it still WORKS…

Sully****have seen this on my laptop not long ago, but wanted to see it on a big screen.

The world witnessed the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ in 2009 when Captain Sullenberger made an emergency landing on the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone (155) on board. Although some may view him as a hero, but an investigation threatens his reputation and career.

Serene walk along SIN River where the preparations for the 2016 River Festival are in progress. Good to know about it, cousin Yun might be interested.

Privé@ACM***by the SIN River – nice location with a lovely breeze outside, and if you want AC, indoors can be quite cosy too. Was not hungry but needed some greens. Had only the Caesar Salad, food and service OK but then I did not try the other dishes. This location was where IndoChine was, and I do miss their summer rolls and the beef PHO.

Wed: Happy HumpDay! Fullerton Hotel, my favourite hotel lobby to enjoy a glass of bubbles or a cuppa under calm live-music from the balcony. Stumbled upon ‘Meows in Museum‘ artist Svetlana Petrova and Zarathustra the Cat at the hotel’s East Garden Foyer – a must for cat-people.

The troubles of modern life come from being divorced from nature – Isaac Asimov

14 Oct 2016 – Connections With The Little Red Dot

Tue: tkx Sue for notarizing my papers. More paper work and errands to the post office.

Wed: movie The Girl on the Train***Rachel, devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds. Wonderful in a mediocre movie.

Not good reveals from the critics but I liked the movie.

Visited bro Steven@SGH before he is off to a nursing home tomorrow where he needs to be. Somehow the culture and ways here may not agree with me when this subject is concerned.

Thu: condolences to the Thai Royal family and the Thai people for the passing of their king – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016) who was born in the USA. Having reigned since 1946, he was, at the time of his death, the world’s longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch serving for 70yrs 4months.

‘We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people’ – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016). And he has absolutely done so with total grace and dignity. Pix uploaded from various sites.

Fri: TGIF and a good weekend to all. to this little ‘Red Dot’ for the positive continual connections with Australia & Norway. May we always be able to keep or renew these friendships and ties. Pix credits to SIN PM, President and various medias.

Look who is sitting next to Mrs Tan, Dr Tony Tan’s pix during his visit@UiT in Tromsø? Morten – someone I have known and fond of since he was 15, uncle to my children. Today he is the Dean of UiT in TOS, Norway.  Pix credits to SIN President Dr Tony Tan.

Café Society***in the 1930s, a young Bronx native moves to Hollywood, where he falls in love with the secretary of his powerful uncle, an agent to the stars. After returning to New York, he is swept up in the vibrant world of high society nightclub life. 

A bittersweet comedy about love, family and the irony around perfect personal growth – a love story drenched in nostalgia…

Believe it or not, all pix in this posting have been downloaded from various sites. The calm before the storm for the camera. Expecting overseas guests from 25Oct-21Nov and the camera will be very busy with shooting moments for memories!

10 Oct 2016 – 2016 Fall and Winter Launch

Sat: much boring paper work to plough thru’ for the weekend but has to be done before partying tonight!

What a bunch of dashing young men@Arc’teryx Fall/Winter 2016 Launch Party 🙂 Pix of QX, Thomas and Benson (pix credits to SengHock). Saw that many were taking pix and looked like my pix turned out as blur as I was at this party! Blame it on jetlag and hurricane Matthew!!

Upon catching the sight of SengHock, I knew that there will be enough of good pix circulating around. He is a good photographer who takes clear and sharp images. Sam sprucing Thomas up for the fashion parade!

Appreciations for the invite Calvin, good to see so many there. Tkx for an enjoyable evening to Management, Staff & Friends@Campers’ Corner and Arc’teryx, the best outdoors and urban outfitters stores in SIN.

Chris testing out my self-timer with a smaller group downstairs@Campers Corner as the party upstairs was crowded. Those who know me also knows how I feel about crowds! More so after just returning from the world’s northernmost city Tromsø/Norway pop 50,000+, area 2,520km² (973sq mi). SIN pop 5.3+mil, area 719km² 277sq mi)…!!! Tkx to Christian’s daughter that we have a group pix.

Sun:  9Oct 0630hrs – the view outside is same as the previous posting (7Oct), no updates necessary. Really enjoying and liking these downpours (do not usually last more than 15mins) and cooler (of course that is relative) weathers. Very calming and relaxing.

Family and friends in FL, GA, SC and NC have reported that they are safe from ‘Matthew’. Have been following closely with the news and see that there are wide-spread floors. Linn, Jeff & the Fabulous5 have escaped to higher grounds at their Sugar-Mt ski condo in NC for the weekend, but still wet and windy as reported by her. 4pix credits to Linn.

Lunch with Clem & family and a walk-about window shopping with him who knows me enough to take me to the least crowded places in the weekends. Visited bro Steven in SGH and so sad to see him aging this way 😢

Looks like the MRT construction works are not only in my area, here at the jct of Grange Rd and Rochalie Dr is the same story. Hope that the big trees will stay. Wonder if I will be around to be able to take the Thompson-East Coast Line MRT from MT to Napier?? That will save me 30mins with this direct line to travel from my place to SBG. Tkx to Les&Ivy for dinner and wines.

Nice to catch up with Les&Ivy to arrange socials for cousin Yun from Toronto when she will be visiting in Nov. Looking forward to family gatherings in Nov.

Mon: the SunShines of my life enjoying Caesars Head State Park, SC and to quote Linn –  What a difference a day makes☀️ tkx Linn for these wonderful shots and for sharing your sunshines. Appreciations for dinner at sis Jo’s. Have now caught up with those closest to me in my family.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to family and friends and to all who are celebrating today. Enjoy the turkey.

7 Oct 2106 – Airports

Tue: arr SIN airport, objective thoughts – my favourite airport so far! Plane landed ahead of schedule but was parked slightly off-alignment to the jet-way, error from Qatar airlines pilot. Waited app 10mins to be tugged to place and everything went smoothly after that. Was even offered drinks FOC while waiting for the luggage which took app 5mins. Caught the bus (costing less than S$1) and was back in the flat less than an hr after d-boarding the plane.

Was thinking how I had to wait 1+hr at the pass-control when I landed from SIN-OSL (Qatar) in Aug, and then waited nearly an hour for luggage upon arr from TOS-OSL (Norwegian NOK1,598 S$272RT) yesterday. Administration@OSL/Gardermoen Airport does need much improvement. Thank goodness flight from OSL-SIN (Qatar US$764 S$1,046RT) was not until 4hrs later.

Just because I have to travel like such does not mean that I like it, but if I do not, how can I get to see family and friends who live all over the world? Takes awhile to re-adjust to everything after being away for a couple of months. Welcome home is what is usually said to me when I get back to SIN, but was feeling just as much at home when with family and friends who I appreciate and cherish.

After 4airports, 16+hrs on 3different planes, lost count of the movies!! safe and sound stretching on any clean bed feels good.

Wed: usual thing to do is to get a hair-cut (S$5) when back in SIN. Had to watch Wild Oats***(S$4for seniors@Shaw cinemas, S$4.50@GV+others) before it is taken off the big screen.  A senior-citizen adventure-comedy where Shirley MacLaine (do usually enjoy her acting and this was no exception) stars as a woman who heads off the Gran Canaria with her best friend after receiving $5mil cheque by mistake. Pleasant entertainment when jet-lagging and did not fall asleep 🙂

Thu: believe it or not, but this time round most of the unpacking was done by this morning – wonders never cease, or maybe am just so tired about living out of a suitcase. Shopping in Parkway and bought myself a present (S$275). Have been wanting one of these for over a decade. It is actually not as big as this image shows, just the size of a small coffee table.

LOL Leonard – does he really want me dead (even when he is not the beneficiary to my will 🙂 )?? As it is, the heart is not even pumping regularly enough to hike 10miles!! not to say 24,000miles!!!!!

http://mentalfloss.com/article/85750/worlds-longest-recreational-trail-set-completion-next-year

Fri: TGIF and things are falling into their comfortable zones, but feeling confused. Sad to see the bigger trees gone at the jct of MC/MP Rd – all for the sake of progress! The bus-stop on MP Rd is relocated to nearer the jct of MT. Know that all these constructions of the new MRT station will bring up the value of my HBD flat but selling is not in my mind, not yet!

So impressed with this and such a brilliant idea, especially for those living with the dark winter weathers. No need to have to worry about forgetting to wear reflective accessories. 3above pix downloaded.

https://www.nightlightclothes.com/

Following ‘Matthew’ a catogary4 hurricane causing devastation in Haiti and the surrounding areas. Now heading towards FL coast.  Take care and stay safe all in these areas. Thoughts are with them all in FL, GA & SC. Even the weather here in SIN is feeling the moods of ‘Matthew’ on the SE coast of the USA.