14 Jul 2024 – Of Human Bondage

Thu: well-needed restful 8hrs sleep last night after 5nights without getting more than 1-3hrs of sleep at a go. Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. Appreciations to AlexMcD for pix of Linn’s BornInTheUSA 4miler. Always put me in a good mood when seeing my flock’s well-being by keeping body&soul fit&healthy in every way – somehow maternal instinct comes into mind, but according to

Simone de Beauvoir – There is no such thing as maternal “instinct”: the word does not in any case apply to the human species. The mother’s attitude is defined by her total situation and by the way she accepts it.

After 24hrs, over 3days with SomersetMaugham’s OfHumanBondage1915 audiobook, I might tend to agree with Beauvoir. Read this book in my teens and seen the movie but have forgotten the details, relaxing to hear&listen(tkx to YouTube) and reflect…

You will find as you grow older that the first thing needful to make the world a tolerable place to live in is to recognize the inevitable selfishness of humanity – Somerset Maugham

Fri: tkx to Linn for the update of the tomato plant, bought it in Walmart ~2months ago and knew that to eat that fruit was not going to happen but was thrilled that it produced some for her to consume. Glad that the peacock did not get to them! Here is where this Chinese saying comes to mind.

一代人種樹，一代人享受果實- One generation planted trees, and one generation enjoyed the fruits

PaulK – the Chinese saying is what we no longer do. When I was young a farmer would say – we look after our land for the next generation and the generation after that. Society now takes, takes, takes but rarely gives back to rebuild the resources it extracts. Me: sadly true, the entitlement society with iThis, iThat, etc has overpowered the younger generations…

Thousand tkx to Ivy for this bird’s nest – the Chinese have used bird’s nest in their cooking for 400+yrs and has an equally long history of providing health benefits. Could never afford especially the good quality bird’s nest but have had it in my childhood days with memories of how mother using the tweezers meticulously cleaning of feathers,sand-grains+other debris before cooking it.

Edible Bird’s Nests: Nutrients, Benefits, Downsides (healthline.com)

18Mar2011: Sarikei’s Swiflets – morning sky dotted with swiftlets flying in and out of their nests. Only a few species of swiftlets are renowned for building the saliva nests used to produce the unique texture of bird’s nest soup costing~MYR4,000-5,000/S$1,000-2,000perKg. The edible ones are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, thus a lucrative but polluting business if one is not familiar of the know-how!

http://sarikei-time-capsule.blogspot.com/2008/07/scenes-sarikei-nyelong-swiftlet.html

Sat: 0500hrs would usually do grocery at MT-WetMarket on Fri. Was not up to it yesterday and glad to discover more choices today@Giant~S$47 but no Sen%,only Tues. FreshProduceS$10.50+PorkBone&MeatS$6. Shopping done by 0600hrs with the rest of the morning to clean,refridge,freeze food for the week!

Sun: appreciations to Clement for congee&soups from CrystalJade – now fridge&freezer packed to the rim with yummy foods. Getting old is not for sissies ― Bette Davis

6 Jul 2024 – Changi General Hospital

Wed: now that Chick-fil-A has been introduced here in SIN and with Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt (just discovered that this has been in VivoCity since 2013!) – two of my favourite US fast food chains both found here but have not tried them here yet!! Fast food is convenience but remember to Indulge with moderation.

The problem is when that fun stuff becomes the habit. And I think that’s what’s happened in our culture. Fast food has become the everyday meal – Michelle Obama

LauPaSat SIN only hawker market under gazetted national monument managed by FairpriceKopitiamGroup commemorates 130Anniversary this year – pix downloaded.

Lau Pa Sat: Iconic Hawker Centre in Singapore’s National Monument

BoonTat/SataySt closes to traffic at 1900hrs sharp and turns into a alfresco dining with 9satay stalls on BoonTatSt and 80+other stalls in the market to choose from. It is quite an experience to dine in the surroundings of the CBD skyscrapers and hopefully these young ppl enjoyed it. Overseas family&friends are fascinated when they are there to watch the efficient process from closing of the street to getting the tables&chairs on the street. SatayStreetChallenge – record/253sticks in 20mins by ZermattNeo/2023

Thu: Happy 4th, another day to rest the stomach before the weekend socials. How is it possible that it has been 19yrs ago since I hiked ~2,200miles/3,540km Appalachian Trail??? Today I am short of breath just crossing the road!

I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring? Tom Hanks.

Relaxing with SomersetMaugham(1874-1965)audio-books short stories.

Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it – Somerset Maugham

Edited&updated: Fri: met with PP on the bus and continued to MaxwellFoodCentre to get a bite. Urban Redevelopment Authority/URA, the national urban planning authority of SIN would be a good place to introduce to anyone who is interested to learn about SIN and to her family who joined us later.

Met up with nieces,nephew&grandnephews@Swensen’sT2. Did not even get back to my 4walls as when the bus got to my stop, barely to just manage to get off the bus and threw up so profusely, could hardly breathe but asked some kind strangers to call the ambulance – rest of the evening@ChangiGH/A&E, thank goodness for oxygen via nasal cannula/NC&Nebulizier I could breathe…

Sat: still not feeling good but managed to text to inform family – was pumped with meds the rest of the day that by later evening, now warded was again throwing up. Tkx to Clement for the charger&headphones, much appreciated&needed.

Sun: could not hold down anything and a miserable feeling – not only one IV but two, one for the Saline and the other for AntiB&nausea med. System reacting to the chemicals…

Mon: Xray(showing infection in the lungs), blood test, etc, no appetite despite of decent food but drank alot of water, peeing alot – changing  AntiB, previous one seemingly not effective. Amazing how HighTech it is, everything is updated on an iPad by my bedside.

Tue: appetite still not good but eating a few bites for every meal to keep the energy, feeling more human. Interesting to watch how ppl&things function in Ward38. There is this seemingly sweet demur looking female(guessing her to be in her 80s) who yells on top of her voice(even an opera singer would be envious of those vocal cords!) in the foulest Hokkien-dialect when she is awake without her helper or visitors.

Oh how looks can be deceiving – according to PP dementia might be the reason and my comment is that hope that does not happen to us and a good one from her: We won’t know but would bother everyone else – hahaha

Wed: more blood test and a relief to know that this strong AntiB Levofloxacin is taking its effect against my newly diagnosed Pneumonia! – really and how did that get to me? Anyway always easier to deal with whatever when the cause is known, now back to my 4walls to rest&recover. Appreciations with thanks to all in ChangiGH who helped me to get my breath back and, on my feet, again. The only complain, and a serious one is that they did not return calls when family called and that got my family really concerned especially when I could not update them.

2 Jul 2024 – Peggy PUDDEY (nee LEUNG)

Sat&Sun: welcome back to SIN my first&oldest friend Peggy/PP, her son Joel+his 2kids Daniel&Sarang(their 1st visit) from Perth/Australia. PP is also in some ways related by the extended-HKG-TSANG-maternal side of the family by marriage, ie mother’s 4th-bro-in-law, the LEUNGs – family pix when 4thMaternal-uncle’s visit to SIN/late 1950s and that was the only time I met him. Pix of 4thMaternal-auntie BG4TSANG YokeLan&her family and met with those cousins in HKG&Canada over the years of travelling. Will not be able to do the TSANG branch family tree properly – have minimum info&knowledge of 3branches out of the 10branches there.

PPs father, uncle VincentLEUNG&his family (4th-maternal uncle’s nephew) moved to SIN to start his import&export business ~1952 and mother was his only relative here then thus bringing us together – the rest is history, we have stayed in contact since even when their family immigrated to Perth/1968. PP visited Norway in 1974; 1986 in CA/USA when I first met with her family 1989; she&family in 1996 FL/USA. We were busy raising our families then – now that our children are grown with their own families, trying our best to catch up and so far have done well in SIN,Croatia,Montenegro,Iceland,Norway,Japan,Italy…

Today I had the pleasure to meet another of her LEUNG’s cousin MayYee and her son Ming who have been living in SIN for many decades. MayYee deceased spouse LEUNG Yim was one of the engineers who established the MRT in the 1980s and she decided to stay on here with her 2children. Appreciations with thanks to them for a yummy lunch@MellbenSignature/TanjongPagar, not an easy place to find but thanks to a young couple who kindly showed me the way there.

And to MayYee&Ming’s gracious hospitality in their home@InternationalPlaza for dessert with a view.

Mon: Hello July and Happy CanadaDay to all celebrating today. Appreciations to Peggy for taking the time to visit my hood, 54MarineTerrace mural of life by the SIN River in the 1960s painted by MrLim, MarineTerraceWalk resident. Spent a lovely day chewing the fat, introducing&sharing this yummy RedPrawnDurian/AngHae. Blessed to have such a good friend&doctor to confide in, even as kids we used to chat late into the night when I was sleeping over at her place as she was never allowed to sleep over at anybody’s. We certainly go a long way back, 7decades and fortunate to still be able to keep our close bonding&friendship.

Tue: need to rest the stomach today after feasting the past 2days!

28 Jun 2024 – Marine Terrace – Outram Park

Tue: grocery shoppingS$30@Giant(promo+4%SeniorSaveS$5+) using up the previous CDCvouchers, will redeem the new ones tomorrow. Taking the MarineT-staExit2-Exit1, a longer but more comfortable AC-walk without crossing any roads and easy&smooth with elevators at the MRT-sta for my shopping cart.

Wed: 0745hrs from block 46MarineC-MarineTsta/Exit2 ~100steps/shaded outside walk down long escalator, ~350steps/5mins over a straight-long clean&brightly-lit-AC corridor to get to the train heading to OutramPkSta/~20mins with 9stops and not much of a crowd.

OutramPkSta/8exits – choose Exit6 to head to SGH-NDC where ppl was starting to head to work. To get to there was a long&stuffy walk~10mins underground without AC, so for future NDC-appt will take Exit7 and walk under the shaded walkway outdoors despite for the slight incline on FirstHospitalAve – check-up took 10mins with 20mins wait!

Bus196/NewBridgeRd heading back to the EastSide with the rush hour CBD-traffic when on RoblinsonRd and by Suntec but was going against the rush-hour traffic ~40mins ride back in my 4walls before 1100hrs. Preference is still to take the bus and walk outside the shaded walkways – there are shuttles from SGH-bus-tops to the different building but will still walk slowly as long as I am able to even when short of breath

Thu: myths about aging are often stereotype with negative misconceptions. As we get older, it’s important to understand the reality of aging and to choose what works best for yourself. Since my asthma has been acting up lately, it is my prerogative choosing to take it easy staying away from crowds&noise which I know are some of the factors that trigger stress for me.

Cheerful memories from Mar2011HKG trip@Johnny’s – pix credits to Harry. What a Wonderful Life! – Here-There-Everywhere – This-That-Everything (amylamsg.com)

I ordered a glass of wine and the server asked for my ID. I replied: ‘Do I look that young’ and she said: ‘No, just wanted to see if you qualified for the Senior-Citizen-Discount’

Feeling more or less back into this time-zone with such contrast views from just a couple of weeks ago! The sunrise from the front door and clouds from the kitchen window in a HDB-public-housing surroundings! Amazing sky&clouds from a kitchen window – a hand reaching out from heaven guiding me thru’ these unrestful times with my breathing! Am now wondering besides Asthma if Chronic bronchitis is also in the system??

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

Fri: Je suis: Céline Dion/I Am: Céline Dion – a music documentary about her ongoing battle with stiff person syndrome (SPS), where I learnt is an extremely rare neurological disorder that causes painful spasms&muscle stiffness – prayers&thoughts are out for her.

I miss it so much, the people – if I can’t run, I’ll walk, if I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop – Dion

‘I AM: CELINE DION’ – New original documentary to be released on Prime Video : June 25 | CelineDion.com

24 Jun 2024 – Marine Parade & Marine Terrace Stations

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/6-things-you-can-do-at-the-public-preview-of-tel-stage-4-on-june-21

Fri: yeah MRT-MarineTerraceSta/Exit2 is less than 100steps shaded walk from my door but you still need to go down this long escalator&walk along this corridor before you get to the trains&Exit1 – total of 6exits here. Also means can now walk to the wet-market&hawkers/Exit1 in the comfort of AC rain or shine – do not mind walking in the rain, it’s the heat&humidity that bothers me.

Walked to ParkwayP for a haircut&errands and to check out the MRTsta there. Took the MRT back from MarineParade(total 6exits)-MarineTerrace. Today’s free ride from 12noon-9p for Stage4, ie to&fro TanjongRhu-Bayshore only. Crowds@MPsta to try out a train simulator&checking out a merchandise booth especially the kids as it is still school holidays. Service for MRT-TEL from Woodlands-Bayshore(27stops) to be opened Sun23Jun.

Seven MRT stations on TEL open for passenger service | The Straits Times

Good to be finally connected by MRT.

‘When we say we’ll do something, we make sure we deliver it’: PM Wong at opening of TEL Stage 4 | The Straits Times

If you grew up in the east, there’s always a special place here. You know that there are excellent food options in Joo Chiat, in Katong, and I think some people have even called this TEL4 line the ‘makan’ line – PM Wong.

Appreciations with thanks for scrumptious homemade fish,crab,steak-dinner@CJ&Theresa who is an excellent cook – the next time there, will be able to take the MRT directly from Napier-MarineT.

Edited: belated Summer Solstice greetings – longest day of the year! Also SankHans in Norway – have not celebrated or marked this day since 11yrs ago! Pix downloaded. https://amylamsg.com/2013/06/28/melbystolen/

Sat: must have been some serious winds to have wakened me up ~0300hrs. Would usually sleep with windows opened and if not for my heavy dark-out curtains blowing at right-angel onto my feet, would have probably slept thru’. Ppl who sleeps in AC would have slept thru’. FB-friend MarcusL commented that it even toppled his super-heavy flowerpot!

Sat&Sun: turned out to be lovely cool cloudy days and enjoying the temps. All the windows opened to air the place after being shut for ~2months with the sounds of pickleball being played downstairs on the hardcourt – perfect day for this popular game but glad that it will be quiet after 2200hrs!

Mon: now that school holidays are over and also feeling more human to walk to i12 catching a big-screen movie@GVKatongS$5. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies หลานม่า After reading FB-friend Ng YiSheng’s comment, was digging into my memory as to where I met him and with him stepping on a snake reminded me of TemenggongRd(as they too used to get into my childhood home) and of course he was at Royals in Our Midst: A Telok Blangah Tour by Tuah Bugis/Apr2019. Appreciate his summary on the movie, contemplating to watch or not and after reading that his parents not calling it stupid, decided to watch it, me being of his parents’ age!

Not crazy nor rich but about what we all have in common, Family! Personally, not so much a tearjerker – more to reflect on your own family relationships! Pix downloaded and a notable quote from the character grandmother – Sons inherit the house, daughters inherit cancer.

‘Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Brings Tears to Southeast Asia – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Decent fish.rice+veggie lunchS$9+Chendo dessertS$2.70 

20 Jun 2024 – Resting And Fasting

Mon: SalamatHariRaya to those celebrating&marking the day. The advantage of being in a multi-cultural country like SIN is that it’s a public holiday here and looking forward to eating one of my favourite Malay foods – Satay with all the trimmings, especially when the ketupat is wrapped in coconut leaf and not in plastic!

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams – Jimmy Carter

Appreciations to Les&Ivy with grateful&loving thoughts to our parents for the blessings of our families&friends in this life journey on earth, cherishing&celebrating 3generations together with delicious food.

I may not always be with you
But when we’re far apart
Remember you will be with me
Right inside my heart ― Marc Wambol

Thanks for last weekend situation@ECPk from Gel. Can smell mild oil fumes at some areas, when the wind blows towards me. The cleaners don’t seem to be wearing any masks. I don’t know how the overnight campers can tolerate the smell. There are beach goers streaming in this morning. Leaving the beach now and my airway feels like it’s been lined with something. Best to avoid the affected coastlines and beaches till cleanup is done if you have asthma, sensitive airways or young kids – 2 above ECPk pix downloaded from ST, pix credits on Right to Gel

Thanks for warning – being asthmatic, will definitely avoid ECPk until cleanup is done.

Joint Media Statement: Progress of Joint Oil Spill Clean-up Operations | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (mpa.gov.sg)

Rest is the joy of focusing internally instead of externally. It’s taking time to nourish the soul and find calm within life’s storms and at times like now, just breathing can be such a luxury.

Thu: a decade has gone since Les received his NUI Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medicine/honoris causa – such a memorable moment and appreciations to FB for the reminder.

https://amylamsg.com/…/06/20/degree-of-doctor-or-medicine/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRc8X2gQ0Mc&t=18s

16 Jun 2024 – Happy Father’s Day

Thu: arr HND on schedule UA803 after 14hrs flying with 9hrs layover – that’s for buying the cheapest ticket! Landed in T3 took my own sweet time at one of their amazing handicapped restrooms.

For someone like me with IBS, it is such a luxury when there is a clean public toilet such as this with a back-rest&all kinds of water-sprays+air-dry – a restroom where there are instructions for everything! Undressed the bottom layers and felt good to lay down to air that area after sitting 14hrs, must have dozed off when I heard a knock with the security officer asking if I was OK as it has been an hour! – good that they checked incase of emergency issues!

Airport bus to T2 – an ice-creme for JPY500/S$4.50 did some shopping to discover my favourite Royce chocolateJPY800/S$7 as in SINS$16+ Spent a totalJPY6,320/S$57 internet painfully slow, so found some empty rows of seats to doze&stretch. Long airport layovers remind me of the movie The Terminal with TomHanks.

Fri: took off 00.24hrs on schedule from HND-ANA-air/ AC6228,NH0843,SQ5905,UA7991 – my guardian angel must have been there for seat 24H, a whole row to myself where I could lay flat to sleep after take-off. Slept thru’ snack time and got up in time for breakfast before landing, ie slept ~5hrs, probably one of the most pleasant 7+hrs flight ever! Smooth flight&landing safe&sound on schedule into SIN 06.30hrs and from the time to deplane,immigration,baggage,bus36(98cents for localSeniors only) to MarineCres by 07.45hrs – glad to be back to an efficient immigration&public transport system despite the rest of today being on zombie mode!

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love – Marcus Aurelius

Oh dear, what am I returning to? A Dutch-flagged dredger struck the SIN fuel supply ship and damaged the cargo tank which leaked oil into the sea blackening part of SIN’s coastline causing concerns about the threat of marine wildlife as a clean-up operation was underway – more details on later posts when being human again!

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/oil-spill-slick-sentosa-beaches-east-coast-park-labrador-park-4412481

Sat: not sure how much longer this mind&body will be able to handle the toll of long trips like these but will try to stay in decent health to do my utmost best to be there for as many of the grandchildren’s future milestones journeys.

In loving memory of my beloved father LAM TinYue(1911-1996) who would have been 113, a man who I have admired,loved&respected all my life and always in my heart as long as my heart beats.

Sun: Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, a day for Hallmark and restaurants to make their big profits! Each Father’s Day, there are ~72mil cards exchanged in USA, according to Hallmark. Forget about going to any of these locations listed below to eat if you do not have a reservation – my pick would have been WahLok Cantonese Restaurant/CarltonHotel for my father!

Father’s Day 2024: Top Singapore Restaurants Serving Up Feasts Fit for King of the House – The Ordinary Patrons

Late lunch with Clement before he takes off to Bali@Prince of HokkienMee, formally GeylangLorong29FriedHokkienMee/EC-Rd – preference to the former stall. New dessert place, more for the younger generation – despite of the decor 老人街=old ppl street but better to reduce noise pollution before it reduces the hearing capacity!

I’m very pleased to be here. Let’s face it, at my age I’m very pleased to be anywhere — George Burns

https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/singapore-bib-gourmand-2024

Caching up with news, delighted to read about our young SINchef – congratulations Mathew Leong/29, glad that we made time to Stavanger/Norway last year in Jul2023.

What an amazing culinary experience with our handsome young SIN-Head chef of two-MICHELIN,

MathewLeong@Re-Naa where for him

food is connected to all aspects of our life — from our cultural upbringing, to our relationships with others, and to our emotional nourishment

and that is what he has done so well blending his exquisite taste&presentations.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/chef-mathew-leong-michelin-norway-renaa-forbes-under-30-list-3393226

https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/people/creating-history-with-mathew-leong-2-star-re-naa-s-singaporean-head-chef

Decided to go with local Cider&Juices for this meal.

This restaurant is located on the ground-level of EilertHotel – high-end boutique hotel located centrally located. The building is originally from 1937 and is a typical example of Norwegian functionalist architecture.

The pent-house on 2-levels is beautifully decorated with fantastic views from the master bedroom and the kitchen above it. This is the kind of view to wake up to and to cook in…

My father says that there is only one perfect view—the view of the sky straight over our heads – EM Foster

12 Jun 2024 – CAE-IAD-HND-SIN

Sun: appreciations with thanks to Jeff for his delicious salmon dinner,

and to #2 for her yummy cake – impressive baking skills with a pink Bday cake requested by the Bday girl, Happy 15th Birthday#4Sophie.

#3 did an amazing job with cleaning up the boys’ room and the work room, have never seen these room so tidy all the times here! Delighted&pleased to see that he embraces both his Norwegian&Singaporean heritage, considering that he is the only one in the flock born in SIN!

A lovely evening to be had by all and a learning experience with manicure for me.

Pix credit from Clearwater to Linn and my attempt from YachtCove during a short evening walk to return a book soaking in the fireflies&views as it will be in 2025 for #3’s HighSchoolGraduation when I can hopefully be here again. Feeling completely blessed&grateful to be with my flock for this round and will be packing up with a heavy heart.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae West

Mon: early morning started with lightning&thunder reflecting the mood but that too shall pass! Happy DragonBoatFestival 端午節 enjoy your dumplings to those celebrating today 願你被誘人的香味包圍，願你享受粽子的甜蜜滋味，願你過一個難忘的端午節

The Legends Behind the Dragon Boat Festival | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com)

#4 got her beginners driving license today allowing her to drive from 0600hrs-midnight with a licensed driver, who is at least 21 and has at least one year of experience, in the front seat of the vehicle – now with 4grandchildren behind the wheel sounds another milestone!

Tue: bought this tomato plant a month ago@Walmart – excited&thrilled to see 4bunches tomatoes on the plant but will not be here to taste the fruit! Hopefully this solar-energy-hummingbird-light will manage to keep the squirrels&birds away for Linn to taste them. Appreciation to #3 for driving me to the bank and what a pleasant impromptu morning to also have #5 joining us for breakfast.

Dinner@TavernOn6,Irmo before taking off tomorrow morning.

And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation – Khalil Gibran

8 Jun 2024 – Visitors From DC, NC & VA/USA

Wed&Thu: welcome AT-Hiking-Buddies, blessed to have visitors from DC/Nancy(Pokey), NC/Glenda(HiHills) and VA/Lori(Lizard). Nice to be able to eat, drink&be merry+a joy ride around the neighbourhood – no hiking or walking too much as Pokey is still healing from her broken foot, HiHills&Lizard managed to fit in a refreshing swim. Missing Karen(MissWiggy) and condolences to John(MoFo). We are still into our trail names going down memory lane reminiscing about the AT, a reminder of what got us together nearly 19yrs ago.

Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves – Tejada-Flores

Seafood,smoked salmon,chicken&shrimp salad,curry,etc prepared for their stay and might as well make enough for the flock at the same time. Thank you, Glenda, for yummy homemade bread,poundcake,blue&strawberries,etc.

Fri: 2days went by too quickly – thank you for good company on this fun visit with beautiful roses,etc and safe drive home to all.

It’s a wrap to Linn’s 3rdGradeClass for this school year. Appreciations with thanks to these amazing teachers for including me at their dinner@BoneAppetite/Lexington last night. Being a schoolteacher once upon a time reminded me how demanding&difficult it was for me to combine that with being a mother, thus that gave up to be a full-time mother then. Tried teaching school again in 1998 and gave that up completely upon realization that many kids then and even worse today tyrannize their teachers in schools as many parents are not doing their part by giving time to love&discipline their children at home expecting the teachers to do their jobs in school.

If you can read this, thank a teacher – American proverb

Sat: early Bday dinner@LibertyTapRoom&Grill,Irmo for #4 with her friends – pix is misleading as the crowds were on the upper deck while the parents who are there to pay the bill were discreetly hidden away on the lower deck from the teenage girls who were camera-shy!

4 Jun 2024 – Hello June

Sat: a beautiful day to start the month of June.

While waiting for them, took a walk around EppsOrthodontics,WesmarkBlvd,Sumter soaking in this glorious day.

Way to go for Zuno, the family’s pet to finish his first 5K-Race at the SumterSPCA K9-5K led by #2&Lily with Linn finishing 1st place for her age-group.

Driving to&fro there ~2+hrs in an open-top-jeep directly under the sun was not the best situation for this aging white-hair-head but Zuno loved it – above pix credits to Ellie#2

If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience ― Woodrow Wilson

Chinese-Buffet-Dinner but TopChina is no longer, this time@Blossom,SunsetBlvd,W-Columbia which turned out to be a success especially when #5 wants to have his Bday dinner there – that is what said! Missing Linn who was busy at some graduation and #1 away in GA.

#3 eyes were bigger than his stomach(as my father always said 眼闊肚窄= eyes wild stomach narrow) for this time, despite him usually finishes all the food on his plates! Had a bite for most of the not deep-fried seafood. Extensive selection, not only Chinese – BBQribs,Sushi,LowcountryBoil,Pasta. US$155 for 6ppl. Looks like a popular place with big crowds and waiting lines. Ended the day with card games, only the boys had interest – everybody was busy with their own life.

Sun: @RiverlandHillsBaptistChurch. Lunch@BJ’sRestaurant&Brewhouse and with selections like these, it is no wonder that ppl overindulged. According to BillHicks – if you want to understand a society, take a good look at the drugs it uses. And what can this tell you about American culture? Well, look at the drugs we use. Except for pharmaceutical poison, there are essentially only two drugs that Western civilization tolerates: Caffeine from Monday to Friday to energize you enough to make you a productive member of society, and alcohol from Friday to Monday to keep you too stupid to figure out the prison that you are living in…

Ignorance is a lot like alcohol: the more you have of it, the less you are able to see its effect on you ― Jay Bylsma. Schiller – against stupidity&ignorance the very gods themselves contend in vain.

Mon&Tue: tkx to #3 for driving me to&fro Walmart which will probably be it for this trip round. Getting foods,etc ready&looking forward to my AT-hiking buddies from NC,VA&DC who will be visiting this week. Will be missing Wiggs/VA and MoFo/SC who are not able to make it.

1 Jun – Happy Bday Morten
2 Jun – Happy Bdays KK & RichardLee
4 Jun – Happy Bday Natasha
6 Jun – Happy Bday Dika & Harry
9 Jun – Happy Bday Sophie
15Jun – my father would have been 112. L&M’s paternal grandfather would have been 100
15Jun – Happy Bday AmyJ
19Jun – Happy Bdays JenLeng & ChengSong
22Jun – Happy Bdays Josh & Devon
25Jun – Happy Bdays Chon/John, Clement & Huang/HI,USA.
28Jun – Happy Bdays Jeff & JohnWilson
30Jun – Happy Bdays JenMun & AnnieKOH