20 Jul 2022 – Busy Busy Busy

Sun: appreciations to family&friends for being at the picnic; to LionelC for yummy ‘DryMeeSiam, IncheKabinFriedChicken‘, old school sardine sandwiches and for driving us to EC-Pk; to Calvin&Sam+Chris from CC for the drinks& set-up and to family&friends for food&flowers.

Happy Birthday to CH and tkx for the beers – pix credits to all who took pix and appreciations to all who helped with blowing&tying of balloons.

To auntie Anna, 82 with the most seniority, related thru’ paternal grandmother CHAN branch of the family here today from KCH and cousin Karen, for making the effort to be here with champagne to celebrate. To cousin ChengEn/Roy for being there with cupcakes; to niece Sue for all her help+foods. Today we have 4generations represented, sitting Anna, Ivy, standing from L-R Karen, Sue, Sophie, me, John, Linn, Kiera Patricia, Leslie.

To Theresa&ChengJun tkx for beautiful orchid bouquet, AudreyW, Hannah&Heiko for his yummy home-bake chocolate-chip brownie-cookies who cycled part of the way here, Carmel for cupcakes,

Chris&family, Iyas who cycled here, Helen for many of the shots, Yoshie – looking forward to tasting the sake from Japan;

SengHock who also cycled to&fro here (~50k) with his camera taking good shots and tkx for sharing. TingTing who turned up towards the end – tkx for driving my family back. To each&everyone who took energy&time to be with us, we are most blessed&grateful for your gracious company.

Mon: ChocolateTissuePrata breakfast went down well for the teenagers while mother enjoyed her DumplingNoddleSoup and grandmother her cuppa@blk59MT-coffee-shop across the street nearest to my blk.

While they spent the afternoon@GardensByTheBay with John overlooking his birth-country – pix credits to Linn, I managed to sort out some pix and chill. As it is am so short of breath, another afternoon out&about will be tempting fate!

Met for satay@LauPaSat where Sophie had 20+sticks! Always fascinates me to watch how they close BoonTatSt at 1900hrs sharp and all the tables&chairs are set on the street in a blink of an eye!

Dessert&ice-creams@FoodFolks, the only place I know of that has 4different flavoured cones! John was so stuffed that Linn had to finish his DeepDarkChocolate ice-cream. Sophie managed to finish her LycheeRaspberry and I had the YuzuSorbet, too sweet for me – but nowadays many things are too sweet for my taste. https://danielfooddiary.com/2020/12/01/cremeandcone/

Tue: an easy morning while ladies got their nails done – time to chill and pack before more long flights ahead. Time for them to check out Jewel while I keep guard of their luggage as KoreanAir does not have early check-in. Snacked on crabcakes@Privé while they were exploring and feeling so appreciative&happy that they even want to make this grueling journey –  do not think I will survive this kind of journeys nowadays.

They dined on Impossible Spaghetti, Fish&Chips & GreenThaiCurry – average food but fills the tummy and most important, quiet without crowds for me!

Wed: flight took off on time 0100hrs and so ends their SIN trip for now – even the sky is crying this early morning while they are changing planes in Seoul/SouthKorea, but will look forward till we can meet again. Safe journeys back to the USA to them and a quiet day for me with the washing machine going all day&the next few days if energy permits today.

16 Jul 2022 – Linn, JohnW & Sophie

Wed: not sure if I am able to see straight tonight after getting 3beds ready! Light supper in TheCoffeeBean&TeaLeaf@Jewel (24hrs), conveniently facing T1-Arr-Belts. Yeah they’ve landed, both #3&4 taller than I am since last seeing them 3yrs ago when they were still shorter than me! #3 has not been here since 15yrs ago when he was born here and his comment, this is my longest plane journey (1+hr drive from CAE-CLT~2hrs flying from CLT-JFK ~16hrs-ICN ~6hrs-SIN).

Thu: ~0300hrs was the time we settled into a sleeping mode and being teenagers, who are able to sleep till noon with or without jetlag. Their 1st-SIN-meal with a short stroll introducing HDB-living –  Beef&Seafood hor-fun (Asian pasta!) went down well, but durians? just looking with their jet-lag eyes on their first day, perhaps a taste sometime before they fly off! How about a beauty treatment? No, not my shop and nothing to do with me – as it is they are naturally beautiful inside-out. Nice quiet day to chill, calm before the storm.

Bengawan Solo Kueh – OngolUbi, LapisSagu, KuehTalam&Eggtarts were well-received for late afternoon tea back in the 4-walls before their short walk on EC-Pk.

Fri: after 10hrs of  sleep last night, 0600hrs Linn&Sophie off for their runs while the SIN-born ppl slept in. CharSiew&prawns CheeChongFun, FishBallNoodleSoup, ChaiTowKway&YouTiao breakfast consumed with no complains.

The scent of wet-market, did not go too well with the ladies, but John, my SIN-born grandson had no problems with lingering on to capture pix – pix credits to him.

Tkx to Les&Ivy for a small family gathering (LAM TinYue+TSANG MayLan branch) last night for some of those who are unable to attend the picnic. GreenG (my generation) 7 Lawrence&Kiong have passed on now with 5 Jo, Steven, Joyce, Leslie & I left in SIN; OrangeG 18; PurpleG 24 excluding spouses. L-R/PurpleG: Kiera, Lucas, John, Sophie, Isebella, Beth. L-R/OrangeG:Sue, Daisy, Pat, Patricia, Back:Lee, Linn, Clement, David, Adeline.

4 yummy Steaks a la Rochalie by Les was wolf down in no time, John&Sophie was introduced to KueyPieTee made by Pat. Tkx to Sue for desserts, durian ice-cream was not their favourite but the cake was their preference.

GreenG feeling blessed that the OrangeG are now all sensible adults and that board games are still enjoyed by the PurpleG

Sat: from the bus-stop to HelixBridge with the NDP rehearsals

Entering MBS by the foodcourt where it was once a skating-rink is now replaced with an interactive light installation – the DigitalLightCanvas, features a 14-metre tall LED light sculpture suspended from the ceiling – aerial pix downloaded.

https://sgmagazine.com/city-living/news/dazzling-permanent-light-show-replacing-weird-skating-rink-mbs

Tkx to Clement for introducing PekingDuck&Osmanthus@ImperialTreasure/MBS to the teenagers and they even liked them, some of my favourite dishes from this location.

While Linn&Sophie were shopping, Patricia&Clement took John up to the SkyParkObservation – 56storeys high and it is the first time that he has been so high up out in the open. Was too tired, stayed down@Origin+Bloom for a cuppa, now only standing room and nowhere to sit. Had to take my leave while they continued to the Merlion with Clement and NightSafari with Lee. Most grateful to nieces&nephews for helping out now that the steam is running low – aerial pix downloaded.

Pix credits to Patricia from MBS-SkyParkObservation

Laughter is timeless, Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever – Walt Disney

12 Jul 2022 – RIP Former Japanese PM ShinzoAbe 

Sat: yesterday’s assassination of former Japanese PM ShinzoAbe has both saddened&shocked meお悔やみcondolences to his family with prayers&thoughts out to them and may he RIP.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/shinzo-abe-assassination-shot-japan-mourns-funeral-2798431

Sun: Hari Raya Haji (Eid Al-Adha) falls on the 10th day of the month of Dzulhijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar, and marks the conclusion of the annual Hajj. Pix downloaded of Al-Kaʿba al-Musharrafah Mecca/Saudi Arabia. Have been informed by YusoffAbdulLatiff that 30 Covid cases were reported among SIN-pilgrims and had to be ferried in ambulances to do their rituals.

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_694__2009-01-02.html

Not confusing with Hari Raya Puasa (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) ending the fasting month (Ramadan).

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_919_2004-12-20.html

Tkx to TuahBugis/Syaqil Sarafian for educating me as to when&what the Muslim new year – Awal Muharram is also known as Maal Hijrah, which marks the first day of the new year in the Islamic calendar and not the same time as the HariRayas, also not a public holiday here in SIN, but holidays in Saudi, Malaysia&Indonesia. In my younger/ignorance days! I used to think that HariRaya was the NewYear!!

Was planning for a quiet day today – Sim messaged to ask if he could play on my piano and it was a pleasure to have him for a private solo performance, have been avoiding going to concerts, etc in enclosed areas nowadays. Showed him the way from my 4-walls to the EastCoastPk/McD (~5mins walk via underpass) as he wanted to check out the sea for swimming – nearly fainted, had to turn back immediately despite expecting this kind of crowd!

The Mob has many heads but no Brains —  Dr. Thomas Fuller

Heard all the commotion with colourful brightly-lit trunks – good that my curiosity in is still within even at this stage in life’s journey to take another walk to satisfy this kaypoh=nosy in Singlish, hahaha.

Still not wiser after asking someone who tired to explain something about the gods of heaven&hell.

Tried to google but unable to find any info, need to ask ppl who are knowledgeable with deity worship and will edit&update here if I get the info. Instead of a quiet day, turned out to be a rather eventful&fun day. Tkx to Lynn Wong Yuqing (黄鈺清) for her input: I’m not exactly sure what is the occasion, but yes, the medium in pink would be a yang deity, while the one on the truck, I’m guessing is the Er Ye Bo (二爷伯) who is a yin deity.

Mon: a  public holiday for the HariRaya – bought popiah to eat&work@CC, dinner@LongPhung – VietnameseCuisine@JooChiat.

Dessert@MelbaCafe, formerly the chapel of the former TrinityTheologicalCollege within the compounds of SophiaHillsCondo.

The isolation&quiet location is an uphill walk for those without a car.

Tue: nice that #5 is enjoying his time with his paternal grandmother@SanDiegoZoo, CA/USA (pix credits to Cindy) while #1&2 have returned after their Norway trip and #3&4 are preparing for their SIN trip. It will be his turn to travel overseas when he is older and can appreciate&remember more. At present he probably prefers the zoo. Memories from 1987 with 1st&2nd-born visiting that zoo, but do wonder if&how much of that trip they can recall?? Must ask her when I see her.

@NHCS(pix downloaded) for a follow-up appt – brought book, jacket&socks in case I had to wait (usually cold in that section of the HeartCentre!). Was pleasantly surprised to be called in 5mins before my appointed time – kinda commented to the dr that today he obviously did not have surgery or any emergency! Even had some energy to have a bite and run some errands in Chinatown.

8 Jul 2022: Memorable Afternoon-Tea

Tue: tkx to Ivy for a fusion Botanical-inspired AfternoonTea@CapitolKempinski and that’s some memorable tea to write home about where every morsel scrumptiously complimenting for every mouth full with presentations to feast the eyes too – highly recommended.

First-Course: FjordTroutGravlax paired with pistachio cream cheese, rice cracker, keta roe&herbs
SmokedDuckRicePaperRoll accompanied by crystalline ice plant and raspberry vinaigrette
FoieGrasRocher with candied fruits, Valrhona chocolate&tree nuts
JamonIbericoDeBellota with wild rocket leaves, compressed cantaloupe and Taggiasca humid soil

Complimenting the food throughout the courses is a selection of curated teas – Jewel of AnxiTieGuanYin with red-dates, wolfberries&dried longan.

Second-Course: RoastedBlackAngusBeefSandwich with spicy perilla leaf kimchi&gochujang emulsion
SmashedAvocadoSourdough topped with bocconcini, sundried tomatoes, and balsamic pearls
BeechwoodSmokedChickenQuiche with Japanese fruit cherry and cheddar cheese
Chilled Chananmushi spicy century-egg emulsion, Tobito, pickled-ginger-root
(if you are a century-egg fan like I am, you will love this!)
AndraschkoCoffeeScone – with DulceDeLeche, StrawberryCompote, FloralHoneyYoghut, too sweet for me
and here is where butter is my preference on scones.

The tea pairing for this course ExquisiteEarlGrey

Third-Course: refreshing palate cleanser of FrozenKyuriCucumberYuzuLemonade with dry sparking Prosecco. Fourth-Course: Forest Berries&PlumPudding flambéed with CapitolKempinskiHotel’s signature Plantation1840Rum

Fifth-Course: PandanEmeraldTart with tropical flavour that includes coconut chantilly&green moss
LemonBergamotCake – Marigold
IvoryMoussePebbles – cassis crémeux
Financier – Griottines Cocoa Sand
Profiteroles – raspberry cream

The sweets are paired with a refreshing cold Imperial Yunnan Pu Er with French Rose

Appropriate halo around our Irish friend who has lived in SIN as long as since I returned to work here, ie 20+yrs! Appreciations to Carmel for crossing my path who just informed me that she has lived here for 28yrs!

This is how I will travel in my next life, stay in places like the Kempinski, eat like this every weekend and on roads where there is no traffic – if that is what Heaven is about, get me there now – hahaha!

There is a moment when your dreams and your memories merge together and form a perfect world. That is heaven, and each heaven is unique. It is the world of you. The land is filled with all you will do, and the sky is your imagination – 

Thu: the motor-bike with the side-car got me dreaming&imagining how I would like to travel again if  there are no concerns about finance&health! Dreams&memories can be so pleasurable and best of all, they are free – digging into some old pix, visually revisiting the countries I have lived in with fun&good memories.

Sep2019 solo drive: CnoicDhoireBheatha=DerryveaghMt, Errigal/751m County Donegal, Ireland. Lived in Dublin from 1965-1974.
Sep2012 with KK&PP: Atlanterhavsvegen=AtlanticRd, Norway. Lived in Olso&Tromsø from 1974-1985.
Oct2012 with Glenda&Franklin: BlueRidgeParkwayMilepost 304.4 – LinnCoveViaduct, NC/USA, not sure what the reflection was about and how it got there?? Lived in CA&FL from 1985-2000.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference – RobertFrost

Fri: oh wow! indoor summer+all year round skiing now in Norway. Their relationship with winters explains how the Norwegians win most medals for the WinterOlympics! Another must try for me when back in Norway – pix downloaded. https://snooslo.no/

Looks like #1, 2&6 (pix credits to Linn) are having a blast. Could do with a dose of the snow here, the heat&humidity have been rather oppressive the past few days, thank goodness for AC.

There is no bad weather, only bad clothing – Norwegian Saying

4 Jul 2022 – ByeBye to MPCC

Fri: after 22 years, the iconic facade of the Marine Parade Community Building will soon be no more as the building undergoes major upgrading with no plans by the PA to retain the mural… – tkx to DarrenSoh for this share – 30Jun2022. Built in 1999, designed by WilliamLimAssociates with its design architect  Goh Kasan, one of the sons of famed SIN dramatist, novelist, poet&doctor GOHPohSeng. Both William&PohSeng’s families were old friends of our family. Hope to be able to see the new upgraded version in 2025

Getting off bus36 on RafflesAve on the way for my SGH-appts bright&early for a walk about – looks like the Float is ready&geared for the NDP. Peaceful&pleasant stroll only with a handful of ppl around the water front. Oh how I do enjoy these early morning walks when I can have the space to myself.

From the Esplanade-Outdoor-Stage with some quality meditation-reflection-time to calm the mind before a very busy Jul month ahead.

New bus-stop (here is where I will transfer to bus75 and when done in less than 45mins, no extra transfer charges) on EsplanadeDr in front of the Esplanade+info with newer larger text font size,

but even the new kids on the block, a forged copper of Family of Five will still not be able to read! The rest of the morning for blood-tests, CTscan, etc@SGH. Preference to morning appts, can then get my favourite almond croissant+a cuppa@TiongBahruBakery before heading back to my 4-walls.

Appreciations to Theresa&CJ for dinner, she makes the best lobster-congee where there are more lobster bits than congee! Good white, not too dry or sweet wine from MargaretRiver/Australia to perfectly compliment dinner, tkx to Les.

Sat: a L-O-N-G day at T1 Changi airport – met with LilyLing (Mabel’s sis-in-law) who is on transit from KCH-BRU. Luggage issue on transit, thankful for helpful ppl at AsiaAsia, iCounter+a kind young man who loan me his charging cable (phone battery flat!) and that she had 9hrs layover giving time to sort out her luggage issue+time to sit down for a meal. Glad that I had on a colourful outfit so that she can find me on this crowded day –  All’s Well That End Well and now on her way to re-unite with her daughter+grandsons, ie if luggage does not get lost again on her next transit in Istanbul/Turkey

See previous post for words of advice from CarolN regarding –  Flying internationally (to UK/Europe, anyway) right now is not for the faint-hearted…

Linn&Katy+Ellie are now in OSL/Norway, delighted to see lovely blue sky pix where that they are having nice weathers with their Norwegian family and enjoying the new zip-line@Tryvannstårnet – new for me, must try when I get back there.

Sun: back to the inside of the Espalande

Tkx to Leonard & SL for lunch at StraitsChineseNonyaRestaurant 土生坊正宗娘惹餐馆@Esplanade, a drive to check out AreaG-ECPk for their input&comments.

Dessert at the new PS-Cafe@I12, their keylime pie is not as it used to be, too sweet for me now and also a pet friendly outdoor terrace where you will not find me there!

Mon: Happy 4th to all celebrating&marking today. Fun memories of this day from the many visits in USA over the years and this year Linn+Katy&Ellie will be celebrating this day with May&Olai in Norway.

Also a gentle reminder to be considerate with your fireworks with thoughts from the reactions of the family’s dog!

Sharing food with friends@CC today – pix credits to Helen (one of her by me) and tkx for chicken-wings+++

Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die – Dwight D. Eisenhower

4 Jul – Happy 4th
6 Jul – Happy 80Bday cousin JohnWong
14 Jul – Happy Bday Keith and Happy Bastille Day/France
17 Jul – Happy Bday NancyBowman
20 Jul – Happy Bday DavidYeoh
21 Jul – Happy Bday AlbertChua
22 Jun – Happy Anniversary Dike&Mark
23 Jun – Happy Bdays Lucas & James

30 Jun 2022 – Areas F-H

Tue: do wonder what these leaf will look like when they are fully opened? In the meanwhile enjoying the unusual folded moments and looking forward to seeing them when they are ready to unfold.

Though we see the same world, we see it through different eyes. Any help we can give you must be different from that you can give yourselves, and perhaps the value of that help may lie in the fact of that difference – Author: Virginia Woolf

Not sure why I am feeling so out of myself, perhaps due to the after or side effects being infected with Covid? A long overdue haircutS$10 helped with cooling down the neck area, but the head is still on the heavy side! Some colourful Bday motif pix to share and if only I could bake such a cake like ErinHH. Appreciations to all concerning FB-friends for their kind comments.

Would have liked to be sitting in this cafe in Lisbon/Portugal for a cuppa, tkx to PaulC for the share. Or being in this tree-house in Castlecomer/Ireland (pix credits to AnnetteK from Australia who is visiting Mario).

Or in Tromsø/Northern Norway with the mid-night despite of memories of having the need of black-out curtains – pix credits to EllenB. Some of my favourite pix from FB-friends – tkx to all who permitted me to live vicariously thru’ their wonderful moments around the world. Not sure when I can feel comfortable to travel overseas again? Still have more tests and follow-up appts@SGH in Jul&Aug.

We arrived at Dublin airport 4 hours ahead of our flight (as advised by hotel, cab drivers, etc), and got through to the gate in time for scheduled departure. The airport was a zoo with multiple flights cancelled (200 by Aer Linguas alone) the day before due to lack of ground staff, flight crews, etc) – and the summer peak season isn’t till July/August! Our flight was then delayed for over an hour (not cancelled this time, thank goodness), and then we ended up sitting on the tarmac upon arrival at Newark for over 30 mins waiting for a gate (and staff to manage it) to open up. Many people missed connections but we were lucky and arrived home at midnight after travelling for nearly 20 hours (from Dublin!!!). Could have gone to Australia in less time!

Words of advice. Flying internationally (to UK/Europe, anyway) right now is not for the faint-hearted, the immuno-compromised, or the impatient. If you really have to, take only hand luggage (which you may not get to keep with you as not enough room in overhead bins) and two days supply of “necessities” in a small piece of hand luggage that you can keep with you under the seat when your carryon luggage is taken from you. You can always buy other necessities (Ann and Rita had a ball in Marks & Spencers in Edinburgh) if your luggage is lost for more than a couple of days!

In spite of all, Ann and I made the best of our “covid break” and took miles of solitary walks in and around Dublin, seeing things we wouldn’t have otherwise. Thank goodness we had each other!! Rita never got Covid, in spite of having shared a room with Ann, and managed to meet up with her friend in Denmark. She is now en route home, but like Ann and I on our return trip, is dealing with delayed/cancelled flights and possible missed connections.

Wed: up dark&early to hopefully walk off this heavy head, also to check out where would be the good spot for a family&friends get-together picnic@EC-Pk. Looks like there are some ongoing construction works at AreaF, still possible to find a spot near the Bougainvillea-Gardens but not sure if it is a good idea?

AreaG does not have convenient carparks or public restrooms and much of this area is fenced off by OutwardBound

AreaH opp the NationalServiceResort&CountryClub is an ideal nice spot and far from the maddening crowd, but not sure how this will work out for others. Will need to get some feedback over the next 2weeks before confirming the exact location.

Can park, use the restrooms and also if needed food can be taken away or eat at the NSRCC, Stella, Ray’sBeachHouse, BellyViewZiChar but not sure how accommodating or welcoming these locations will be on a crowded Sunday without reservations? The head seems lighter after walking for 4+hrs, stopped once for a toilet-break and other short stops to take pix, so getting back into the dark&early walks may be the key to feeling better.

Thu: last day in Jun and that also means we are half way thru’ 2022. Tkx to Wendy for today’s T.

30Jun2022: WorldOmeter of COVID-19 deaths are as follow:

27 Jun 2022 – Dusit Thani Laguna

Friday’s evening@Jewel/Tonito – good Latin-American food which includes tacos, quesadillas, burritos, stews, paella, grilled meat and more was pleasantly surprised with the decent service despite of the weekend crowd there.

The sweet purple potato recommendation of the day was delicious – do not remember what it was called as not in the menu. SalchipapasS$16 KurobutaSausage with Chorizo, CrispyFries, MustardAioli, GarlicAioli, OK, but slightly on the salty-side for my taste. Refreshing VirginMojito$10 (Classic | Strawberry | Orange)MintLeaves, FreshFruit, Sprite

PaellaMarinera$28 mixed Seafood, KurobutaSausage, Chickpea, CilantroMayo; ChickenQuesadillas$16 FlourTortilla, CheddarCheese, CharredChicken, PineappleSalsa; Mariachi$35 slow-cooked PorkRibs, AdoboVinaigrette, BraisedBean – all good&tasty

Japanese-French bakery, LadyM-Confections, prides itself on creating the freshest, finest cakes&confectionary delights, but seriously 3pieces of cakes+3coffees for $69??? And with the new K-pop inspired light&sound show, impossible to keep up with the younger generation and their expensive taste for foods&toys.

Amazing golf resort and was actually planning to walk from ECPk, but glad to have called in advance to learn about the ongoing constructions, thus the underpass is closed and

walking part of the main road on XilinAve to get to DusitThaniLaguna would be tempting fate, especially in the dark!

Was driven there this time round and nice to be able to check it out, but when constructions are completed, might be tempted to walk here for a swim+SPA-treatment some day. To walk from my 4-walls – ECPk/MarineCove – Bedok PCN ECP exit – DusitThaniLaguan is ~6+k and would take 1+hr.

Sad news to hear&read about. Citing police advice, Oslo-Pride organizers cancelled Sat’s parade – We will soon be proud and visible again, but today we will mark Pride celebrations at home, they said. To all in Norway and around the world, please be safe. Ignorance is the consequences to discriminations, violence, wars, etc. And against ignorance&stupidity, even the gods Themselves contend in vain. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/25/mass-shooting-at-oslo-pub-leaves-two-dead

Sat: Happy Bdays to these 3fine young men, nephew John (55), nephew Clement (50) and friend Huang in Hawaii/USA who I am proud to be addressed as auntie by them all. It is difficult to imagine or even think that some of my nephews&nieces are into their 50s&60s! And now even grand-nephews are into their 30s!!

Lunched@my favourite CCF@MTmarket with Wendy

Tkx to all who shared their foods@CC – first time tasting this cheese (AlpBlossom), always fun tasting all kinds of foods there.

Sun: a day to clear up pix taken over the week and to organize them.

Mon: lousy night sleeps the past few nights and woke with a splitting headache – that too shall pass! Staying in my 4-walls and taking it easy, good to not have to be at work or anything today.

24 Jun 2022 – Summer Solstice & Sankthans/Midsummer

Tue: Happy Summer Solstice & World Music Day/Fête de la Musique – tkx to the parents of #1-6 for encouraging their children, ie my grandchildren to enjoy&play some music instrument and appreciations to all music-teachers&musicians. To all – you do not need a language, speech or word to appreciate&enjoy music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWTRQhF70k0

#9KeepOnMoving, #11FireflyField

#12Fallen, #14Florescentia

Crossing AndersonBrg to QE-Walk with #16Re-Act reflecting on the water remembering sweet childhood memories are my reactions whenever I am around the EsplanadePark

Made my evening and put a smile on my face when I overheard a tiny voice asking: ‘did they catch the mouse?’ while walking by #18Underworld&#19MeetMeUnderTheMoon. Enjoyed these bright lights on a lovely breezy evening – has been a long while ago since I was on my feet for 3+hrs on one go!

Wed: grocery shopping@Giant/Tampines, delighted to discover that SS is now 5% instead of 3% and that applies for Sat&Sun for this month. Total bill S$105 after deducting promotions$9.50, PassionCpts$1.20&SS$5.59. https://giant.sg/promotion/senior-citizens-promotions

Thu: god Sankthansaften to my Norwegian family&friends and to all celebrating mid-summer’s eve. Also a Christian holiday, which celebrates John the Baptist‘s Bday. However, it coincides with an ancient Pagan tradition, summer solstice, the longest day of the year! Paintings by NikolaiAstrup putting me in the mood for midsummer’s eve.

https://www.norwaywithpal.com/norway-travel-blog/sankthanks-a-norwegian-midsummer-celebration

Appreciations to Paul, an English gentleman who eloquently settled a discussion concerning summer solstice, midsummer and St John the Baptist DOB. Yes, it’s a bit confusing – summer solstice is 21 June but mid-summer’s day is 24 June, and mid-summer eve 23rd June (yes, the maths was a bit challenging ). St John the Baptist has traditionally been assigned a birthday of 24th June (I dont know why but I suspect it’s the same principle of assigning a Christian festival to a traditional pagan feast day as with Christmas). But depending on the country, parties start either on 23rd or 24th June.

My reply, tkx for the informative comment, just keep partying from 20-24Jun – hahaha.

Fri: checking out parts of ECPk for a possible&suitable area to set up a get-together picnic during USA family’s visit next month.

20 Jun 2022 – Staying Strong&Positive

Fri: tkx to Les&Ivy for scrumptious foods paring perfectly with his champagne&wine to celebrate our C-negative testings, but staying positive&strong to welcome Catherine&Lee from across the boarder.

ParadiseTeochew 潮樂轩@Takashimaya where they have changed their flavour to a spicy taste for the WhiteBait – prefer the non-spicy ones, but still good together with the pickled veggie for an appetite pick-up. TeochewStyleSteamedPomfret 潮式蒸鲳鱼 always fresh and made to perfection by the chef who has been cooking for Les since 20+yrs ago; TeochewStyleRoastedSucklingPig 潮式烧乳猪

Stir-friedJapaneseA4WagyuBeefCube with SlicedGarlic 蒜片A4日本和牛肉粒 yummy tender beef perfect with the garlic, BraisedMustardGreen with CrabMeat&DriedFishMaw 蟹肉鱼鳔扒大芥菜, ChilledOsmanthusJelly 桂花糕 a refreshing dessert to end this wonderful meal, perfect foods to recover by!

Sat: Thanks to Sarafian Salleh for this interesting share – Singapore as one of the most graveyards in the world. Its strategic location since the age of maritime trade has attracted people from all over the world to trade and eventually called this island, home. My quest to look for graves is to understand the diversity of the ancient societies here in Singapore which has made this island unique. Almost 90% of the graves of these early settlers have been exhumed to make way for commercial and residential development. Some people believe that houses built on graves bring about prosperity and luck. While others try to avoid living on them, fearing the spirits will affect their lives. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that the entire island were covered with graves. This evidently shows that Singapore has all time been a vibrant entrepot to the world. May the souls of our forefathers rest in peace. Without them, there is no prosperous Singapore today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTM3euk4ImA 

I remember PeckSanTheng 碧山亭 (pix downloaded) from the 1950-60s, the cemetery (now no longer) where my paternal grandfather&mother were buried and also where we used to pay our respects during the annual Qingming. https://amylamsg.com/2016/11/06/paying-respects/

Sun: Happy Father’s Day to all fathers with loving memories to the best father for me (pix from 1950s, 60s&70s).

To my 1st&2nd-born’s father (pix 1983Norway) and to the fathers (pix 2021USA, 2016Norway) of #1-6, thank you for being such wonderful fathers to my grandchildren. To my 3grandsons who some day might be future fathers.

One of the most adorable eye-candy! modern-day fathers for this Father’s Day – will inspire me to practice Liszt’s LaCampanella over&over, especially the first page – hahaha

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/liszt/pianist-dad-plays-la-campanella-for-crying-baby/

Mon: stay dry, healthy&safe on this cool wet Monday, also  World Refugee Day and a good week ahead to all – enjoying the rains making me feel lazy&relax, an excuse to procrastinate whatever plans I had today! https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-rainy-days-ahead-singapore-triggered-two-weather-phenomena

Rain produces a sound akin to white noise. The brain gets a tonic signal from white noise that decreases this need for sensory input, thus calming us down – Kimberly Hershenson

World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the UN to honour refugees around the globe. In the past decade, the global refugee population has more than doubled. According to UNHCR, ~100mil ppl around the world have been forced to flee their homes, so sad, but who wants to live where there are wars? Among them ~26.6mil refugees, the highest population on record and these numbers are only going to increase with this on-going Ukraine war.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/world-refugee-day-2022

16 Jun 2022 – But Without Complains Or Symptoms

With much appreciations and thank yous to everyone who has sent words of gracious kind thoughts, concerns&greetings – they have been received and felt&noted with gratefulness helping to make these few days go by quickly

Mon-Wed: not going to waste the ARTtest-kids until tomorrow as I will not be going anywhere even when the only symptom is just a slight sore throat. Besides reading, it is time to dust (long-overdue) the books on the shelves and more screen time than usual. Making sure all doors&windows are opened to air these 4-walls as much as possible except when it gets quite unbearably humid with humidity of 80%+and the fans are of no help – thank goodness for the AC then, usually between 1500-1900hrs.

Wed15Jun: loving memories of my father LAM TinYue (1911-1996) who would have been 111yrs today. He was never the loudest voice in the room, but he was the loudest presence with his quiet dignity, and I aim to be someone that he would nod to and be proud of. To the most amazing man I ever known, thank you for teaching me to become whom I am today. I hope he looks down on me once in a while with a smile because I am trying my hardest to carry around what that he has taught. I have been told that time heals everything, but something about this day still makes me feel a little sad.

Fond memories of my ex-father-in-law, the Norwegian grandfather of my children&great-grand-father to my grandchildren, John HALD III (1923-2008) who would have been 99yrs today – how coincident is that the 2ppl who I admire&respect were born on the same day!

https://amylamsg.com/2008/08/29/a-noble-gentleman/

Also the Bday of my favourite Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

Thu: tkx for the invite, but will have to give it a miss on the big screen due to present circumstances. Have not read this since my Dublin-days; today at this stage with my eyesight will not be re-reading it, but linking to Spotify for the recording by RTÉ Radio One – that should keep me busy for a few days!

https://open.spotify.com/show/4wntQzELHUc6US7lHcdRlS?si=_-gwvvxhTAOf0JiNaiLwjQ&utm_source=copy-link

Ulysses (1922): A book which almost requires no introduction, Ulysses has long been regarded as one of the key works of Modernist literature and one of the greatest novels ever written. Set over the course of one day, the 16 June 1904, the reader follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom and experiences the various encounters he has with some of Dublin’s other inhabitants. By modelling Ulysses on Homer’s Odyssey, Joyce creates a sense of the epic, and transforms Bloom’s journey through contemporary, mundane Dublin into one of mythic proportions. While nobody would describe Ulysses as an easy book to read, or even comprehend, many people from all over the world are drawn to its complexities, subtlety and unique stream-of-consciousness structure. Bloomsday, an international celebration of the life and works of James Joyce, is held every 16 June, during which many of the novel’s moments are relived on the streets of modern Dublin.