No Time To Die

11 Oct 2021 – Living With COVID-19

Thu: the new JamesBond/DanielCraig movie No Time To Die is out. Was thinking about viewing it in the cinema, but as the movie title so approperately implies, think it will be wise to wait! Numbers of C-19cases here are high ~3,000+and that would be tempting fate to wander about, considering my age with whatever underlying heath issues which might be within. Memories watching the first JamesBond/SeanConnery DrNo in Dublin/1960s – and have watch all the SeanConnery/JamesBond movies during student days in Dublin/Ireland, but have not watch any since then, for real.

https://www.cnet.com/news/james-bond-movies-ranked-the-best-and-worst-of-007-dr-no-no-time-to-die/

Fri: TGIF – a good weekend to all and again 6yrs later, the same 6multiple birthday greetings this time from SIN to FBfamilhy&friends Angelina/Belgium, Audrey/SIN, Erin/USA, HengSun/SIN, Larry/Malaysia, Tom/USA. And how mistakened can I be to think that so many Bdays on the same day&month happens only in Sep, but seemingly it runs into Oct too! Do wonder if 3generations in the LAM-family will share the same day&month like in Sep?

Sat: SIN PMs speech today – we concluded a few months ago that a ‘Zero COVID’ strategy was no longer feasible. So we changed strategy to ‘Living with COVID-19’. 

S’pore to allow quarantine-free travel to 9 more countries, including US, UK

Those unvaccinated can no longer eat at hawker centres, enter malls

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pm-lee-full-speech-covid-19-path-new-normal-2232531

More of some favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentres (max 2ppl and vacc for now!) in SIN. ChangiVillageHawkerCentre  2ChangiVillageRd, #01-03 International Muslim Food Stall Nasi Lemak 椰浆饭 S$3.50 https://www.jointhawker.com/en/shops/34551

The 2nd time round using Deliveroo and this time for Carl’sJr. No complains with Deliveroo, fast&efficent, but should have known better to order fried&onion-rings as these kind of food should be consumed fresh&hot! PortobelloMushroomAngusBeefBurger (low-carb/lettuce-wrap)+cheese S$15.90 is one of my favourite burgers.

Sun: have been efficient&productive here placing orders from WineCountryGiftBasket/USA

Sun30-Oct  – Halloween/US$39.95
Thu25Nov  –  Thanksgiving/US$35.95+US$15 shipping
Mon29Nov  – Happy Bday#3/US$26.96
Sat25Dec – Merry Christmas/US$44.95
Mon: Happy Candaian Thanksgiving to Canadian family&friends. 1st-born will be running the BostonMarathon/USA (world’s oldest annual marathon) again today. Hope that she gets to see some FallColours – the NewEngland states have some of the most beautiful colours there at this time of the year. 2nd-born is up in some Norwegian mts hunting reindeers and hopefully experiencing the FallColours.
All pix downloaded in this posting.

Changi Memorial Sea-Burial

6 Oct 2021 –  130 Total Deaths Due to COVID-19 In SIN

Sat: MOH unveils new COVID-19 map with areas in Jurong, Bedok, Sengkang among those frequently visited the past 3days by cases – the darker colour being the most visited areas. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/areas-in-jurong-bedok-sengkang-and-woodlands-among-those-frequently-visited-by

Death toll in SIN has crossed 100-mark today with a total of 103ppl have died from COVIDcomplications.
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/8-singaporean-seniors-die-covid-19-complications-death-toll-crosses-100-mark-reach-103

Sat2-Oct: more of my favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentres (max 2ppl for now!) in SIN.  ZionRiverside FoodCentre 70 Zion Rd, #01-17 ZionRiverside FoodCentre, 18 Zion Rd FriedKwayTeow 炒粿條S$5 (with Michelin Recommendation!). Although its name is No.18 Zion Road, the stall is really No.17. The man who runs the stall has mastered the skill thru’ many years of operation and there is usually a long line.

Yummy steamboat dinner at Clement’s and we did justice to the food.

Tasted one bite in every piece of these desserts from Sinpopo which I have tried some other fusion sort last year – do remember that they were too heavy&sweet for my taste then and now, but like the Roasted Apple Tart

Jul2020: located in a conserved shophouse on JooChiatRd, SIN Peranakan heritage district, Sinpopo (Local Artisanal Restaurant) heritage menu with a twist, a fusion of local dishes for the most discerning palates. Have been wanting to try this place ever since it started  into this neighbourhood in 2013 (the same ppl who started&continue to run Awfully Chocolate, also born in Katong in 1998). Will be back to try the other dishes.

Sun: cheerful memories from Mar2011HKG trip@Johnny’s – 10+yrs have gone by too quickly. Harry is now busy being a GhostNetHunter and leading many beach clean-ups; Johnny has since moved to China and LokLok is in DogHeaven. 

Mon: funnies to cheer myself, got news today that ChrisT/CC was admitted into NUH yesterday for Bell’sPalsy, praying&hoping that it is nothing serious. Overseas-FBfriends Kim/Australia, Tracy/USA are being hospitilized – hoping&praying for their speedy recovery. RIP MichaelO (pioneer of SINs florist scene) who passed away on Sat from complications due to COVID-19, condolences to his family.

Tue: bright and early on the buses (#196 changing@Bedok to #2) heading to ChangiV bringing back memories of some childhood weekend trips to our seaside bunglow there.

Changi prision has always stayed in the memory as when I see that, it meant that finally the drive from TemenggongRd together with my then car-sickness would soon be over. Today part the old entrance+turrets are still standing+new entrance. 2016 Changi Prison’s entrance gate, wall, turrets gazetted as SIN 72nd national monument.

Traffic was heavy into ChangiV and nice to still see some old houses standing.

Pleasant short strolls before and after the downpours, nice to see all the greenery flourishing.

Delighted for the Kedondong (Spondias dulcis) 沙梨 S$3 at the food centre, seldom can I get this juice fresh in SIN.

Catching up with cousins JohnW, Yeng&Ching+HH at the memoial sea-burial for 10thauntie LAM PohChee who passed away in Mar2020.  Due to present circumstances, only 4ppl were allowed on the boat while the rest of us stayed on land to wave our final farewells. https://amylamsg.com/2020/03/27/kedondong-spondiasdulcis-ambarella/

Met with DaisyL&Darryl@CC for him to pick up a pair of climbing shoes and for me finally a new pair of black Chaco. The first and only black pair I had was burnt down in L&Js housefire/Sep2013. Introduced my favourite thin pizza to DaisyL@OwlsBrew – appreciations to DaisyL.

Wed: will need a couple of days to rest&recover after such a busy day like yesterday!

We’re so busy keeping busy that we fail to see the error of our ways ― Frank Sonnenberg

Welcome Oct 2021

1 Oct 2021 – The Month For Pumpkins And Halloween

Tue: it is amazing that I could hardly recognise #4 in the pix (far left here, credits to Linn) who is now also running and they were in one of my favourite Southern US towns, Charleston/SC – not even sure what meet or race they were at over the weekend? But looked like they had fun&amazing weather.

Also over the same weekend was the 44th annual Cooper River Bridge Run – beautiful day there, pix credits to JohnW/MoFo

Many thanks to all for your concerns. Doing OK so far, no side-effects, arm not even sore today! According to Clement, am now officially boostered0up. if only I could also feel and be boostered-up mentally too! ABRACADABRA to keep my sanity – books, dreams, illusions, memories, movies, music, etc… hopefully do the trick for now, but will be taking it easy for the week.

Logic only gives man what he needs. Magic gives him what he wants ― Tom Robbins

Wed: appreciations to Barbara/SC,USA for this share about news where most of my flock in USA attends where I have also been countless of times – pix downloaded. Why would someone like Resuda who has no connection with this HighSchool want to vandalize it? What is his problem or what is he on?? https://www.wistv.com/2021/09/28/arrest-made-connection-with-vandalism-irmo-high-school/

This is the second day in a row SIN has reported a record number 2,258 of new COVID-19 infections, after 2,236cases were announced yesterday.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-covid-19-sep-29-8-more-deaths-2268-new-cases-2209956

Thu: Happy Bdays to yet another 6FB-family&friends on this last Sep2021day – not sure if it will be that many family&friends Bdays on the same day for other months?? Today, 3generations in the LAM-family, sis-in-law Mabel, nieceDaisyL&grandnieceValerieL share this day!

A birth-date is a reminder to celebrate the life as well as to update the life – Amit Kalantri

The total numbers of the latest COVID-19 deaths in SIN is quite a worry, considering that last month in Aug2021 it was 55, and with 93 today – 38deaths for just the month of Sep2021, making it an average of 1+death daily for Sep!!

30Sep2021: WorldOmeter of COVID-19 deaths are as follow:

SIN/pop ~5.6+mil in an area of ~721km²  – 93
SC/USA/pop ~5+mil in an area of ~82, 932km²  – 12,259
Norway/pop ~5.3+mil in an area of ~365,268km²  – 861
Fri: TGIF – a good weekend to all and welcome Oct, the month of pumpkins&Halloween.  Family&friends in China enjoy today’s 72nd Celebrations and their GoldenWeek ahead – it is never too early or too late where celebrations and good vibes are concerned. And everyday is a celebration as long as there is life…
Have not celebrated a Halloween with my flock since I do not even remember when?? It was really more an American celebration when L&M were younger, but has spread around the world over the years. Fond vivid memories for our 1stHalloween celebrated in 1985 LongBeach CA,USA. May was sooo apprehensive with her 1st TrickOrTreat that I had to accompany her to knock on 1st door – upon receiving her 1st large Hershe-chocolate bar, there were no more issues with knocking on doors the rest of the evening or the years following. They really had a blast then.
Oct Bdays
3  – Happy Bday CHONGSiongYin
6  – Happy Bday DavidWONG
7  – Happy Bday LeslieLAM
8 – Happy Bdays Larry LAM, AudreyWONG and KONGHengSun
12 – Happy Bday Karen SCAF-BENHAM
13 – Happy Bdays DavidYUNG
16 – Happy PatriciaLAM
21 – Happy Bday SteveLAM & DeeHALL
27 – In memory of EllenHALD Sr
29 – Happy Bdays KwokLockLAM & KieraCHUA
31 – Happy Bday AdelineLEE, MarkBOROWSKY, and Happy Halloween

International Daughters’ Day 2021

27 Sep 2021 – 3rd COVID -19 Pfizer-Shot 

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Fri: TGIF – have been quite engrossed into audiobooks and time goes by quicker with these interesting reads as the eyes need a break from the screen. The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss read by Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt. An amazing heartfelt candid share with the public about their personal life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUB46dh6oGo  Do look forward to watching the HBO production of Nothing Left Unsaid.

When we learn to live well in this life with nothing left unsaid or undone we find peace, freedom and full self-expression. With that, we are capable of anything — Jacqueline Harrison

Sat: more of my favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentres (max 2ppl for now!) in SIN. TiongBahruMarketHawkerCentre, 30 SengPohRoad#02-06, TowKwarPop豆乾薄 (Stuffed Tofu Puffs) S$3. That is the market our family frequented in the 1950-60s, bringing back fond childhood memories, considering that our family used to own the row of houses on 3SengPohRd (now NewCapeInn) – https://amylamsg.com/2010/06/22/3-seng-poh-road/

Some shopping at PP before dinner@Theresa&CJ. Appreciations to yummy foods by both bro Les and Theresa celebrating an early Bday for Les as from next week, SIN will be back to 2ppl for gatherings. What else more can you ask for when a bottle of 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild is served!

Sun: Happy International Daughters’ Day – with one in the USA the other in Norway makes it difficult to get a pix of us all together, but they are always in my heart there will never be enough words to let them know how much I love them. Pix are from 1981/Norway and 2020/SIN.
Daughter are angels sent from above to fill our heart with unending love

Appreciations to SL for the reminder. To those who are eligable in SIN for these 2boxes of free masks, today 20.00hrs is the last day for collection, but need to check which area still have stock. Also remembering the SP-bill or AC# when collecting. Was lucky to be@BedokMall just before 1100hrs with 2ppl ahead of me. Dinner@Jo’s

Mon: Good Monday morning, a good week to all with the result of the ART-test from early this morning before heading out for my shot – the few times when negative results are good! Efficiently in MPCC at 0800 and out before 0900hrs for my 3rdPfizer-Shot, hopefully without side effects besides the usual sore arm for the week ahead! Another box of free mask and a bottle of water+hand-sanitizer given – must now have enough masks to last me for a lifetime!

There is no consensus among scientists and agencies that 3rd dose is necessary, but many scientists believe that a third dose may help protect the very immune suppressed, transplant and cancer patients. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid19-vaccines-booster-third-shot-what-you-need-know-2136941

With local Covid-19 cases climbing, the authorities will be tightening restrictions again today to prevent daily infections from rising at the current rate – group sizes for social gatherings cut from 5 to 2. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-dining-group-size-two-social-gatherings-reduced-moh-2199456

A nice surprise call from cousin Yeng who has braved the journey in these circumstances and is back in SIN from Canada to spend some time with her parents, 13Aunite&Uncle and to take care of a memorial service for 10Auntie who passed on in Mar2020.

30Sep2021: WorldOmeter of COVID-19 deaths are as follow:

SIN/pop 5.6+mil in an area of 721SqKm – 95
SC/USA/pop 5+mil in an area of 82, 932SqKm – 12,259
Norway/pop 5.3+mil in an area of 365,268SqKm – 861

Mid Autumn 2021

23 Sep 2021 – mOOn/Lantern Festival

Tue: Happy MidAutumn/mOOn/Lantern Festival. It is not a public holiday here in SIN, but many, including me will be marking the day with mOOnCakes in our menu, enjoy. Fond childhood memories with big family gathering playing with our lanterns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMMU1YJadzE – interesting  and recommendable watch on YouTube for the legend of this festival. Must make a note and remember to post this for JulieR in NC/USA annually as requested by her and being a teacher, also a good link for kids to learn from.

We are going to the moon that is not very far. Man has so much farther to go within himself ― Anaïs Nin

Some downloaded amazing perfectly-timed moon pix.

2 of my favourite moon songs, one in English, Somewhere Out There – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkI-B2JWSZI

and the other in Chinese The Moon Represents My Heart 月亮代表我的心 – Teresa Teng – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B5gAczFJps

Another forgotten item for this festival is what I rememberd to be LingKok, and it was no wonder that we only played with them as kids; it is nearly impossible to crack and when you do manage to do so, the taste reminds me of BrazilNut. Lovely memories of many talks (the flock seemed to like volunteering me during my US-visits!) given @IrmoElementrary SC/USA –  https://amylamsg.com/2012/10/03/the-lady-on-the-moon/

Discovered only recently that these nuts need to be cooked! WaterCaltrops 菱角 pix all downloaded – https://www.thehongkongcookery.com/2014/09/boiled-water-caltrop.html

Had a bite@TiongShian 長城粥品 did not feel like their famous frog-leg congee/porridge; a plate of ChickenFeet S$6 nice&tender, but missing some flavous that use to be! Do miss their raw fish/WolfHerring, must have been 5-6yrs ago since I last tasted it here – https://amylamsg.com/2015/03/05/zuno/ Now no longer permitted (my favourite place for this dish), but such is life when health issues are concerned.

My usual durian-shaved-ice S$5.50 haunt@MeiHeongYuen 味香园甜品 with my new butterfly S$6 (the only thing I bought besides food) and nice to catch up with Linda who I managed to catch as she was just done with work at her family’s dried-goods store next door. Favourite mOOnCake place TaiChongKok 大中国@SagoSt was closed – had no plans to get any, just like that shop, decor and presentation boxes there.

Enjoying the lights on a quiet evening without the hustle&bustle in Chintown – good for me! but not for businesses, feeling sad&sorry for them.

Crossing the overhead pass to the bus-stop! The bus ride with my butterfly was with few pessangers and for once, this bus-driver did his job 100% when he stopped the bus to tell some ppl to not talk on their mobiles, quite rightly so as they were loud&annoying!

Wed: family&friends in Australia (especially in the Melbourne area), and Spain/LaPalmaIsland – praying that you are all safe&well. Appreciations to MOH for these which just arrived in the mail. Will remember to use one of them before going into my 3rd booster shot next week, also will try to remember to pick up the 2boxes of masks before Sep is over. Not good news with 3 more deaths bringing SIN C-19 toll to 65. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/3-singaporean-seniors-aged-62-74-and-83-die-covid-19-complications-death-toll-reaches-65

One beautiful bright full-mOOn outside my maindoor&windows. Tonight’s mOOn is supposedly larger than last night’s, but to me all mOOns are beautiful and when I just concentrate and look up at it, I can dream&imagine myself anywhere I want to be!

Thu: fully-vaccinated Singapore residents can visit 143 countries and territories without quarantine. https://milelion.com/2021/09/22/where-can-vaccinated-singaporeans-travel-without-quarantine/
FAQ: What you need to know about COVID-19 quarantine orders, health risk warnings and alerts.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-quarantine-order-health-risk-warning-alert-faq-moh-2193851
Autumn2021 in the Northern Hemisphere starts today. Will be missing yet another year of the FallColours – pix from 2019 in Norway.

Accepting The Inevitable

20 Sep 2021: Gate To Heaven!

Fri: PostOffice@PP mailing belated Bday greetings to Norway. FB-account seems OK now, sorry about it being hacked and appreciations to all for their concerns by informing me. Was out all day yesterday and did not get back online until late last night to fix the problem. What a surprise to see these artificial-flowers neon-blinking lighted wreaths, bright enough to wake the dead! This is the first time seeing a such a wake!! Looks like the Gate to Heaven here leads straight up to my floor, but only for 3days and not sure if its my time yet – hahaha

Hell and heaven are within you, both gates are within you. When you are behaving unconsciously there is the gate of hell; when you become alert and conscious, there is the gate of heaven – Rajneesh

For my wake or memorial service (if any), I want ppl to turn up in bright colours, drink pink champagne&cocktails, dancing all night to celebrate a well-lived life, like the one (that was a close call!) I had in my delirium in the ICU-ward@RafflesHospital – but please, NO mahjong and neon lights!!

Jun2020: Must have been in such a delirium – had no idea what was going on, but do remember seeing shadows of some clear figure (nothing spooky)+an on-going party in the background, so clear that I asked for a of change room in the ICU. This is what drugs can do to the mind, messes it up completely – the cheek of them to party on disturbing the peace without including or inviting me! This must be the first delirium ever experienced, do not recall or remember of any others.

Remembering Cousin Lam ChengChwab (1974-2018) Nov2018 – the most colourful light-show burial ceremonies attended – https://amylamsg.com/2018/11/25/a-funeral-in-johor/

Not trying to be morbid – just honest&realistic to accept the inevitable, especially as we get on with  age in this life journey.

Sat: more of my favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentres (max 2ppl for now!) in SIN – OldAirportRdFoodCentre, 51 Old Airport Rd, #01-98Whitley Road Big Prawn Noodles 威利大蝦麵 S$5.50
Dropped by CC sharing some Mid-Autumn cheers for Chris’s kids – had a bite of this yummy pork-satay tkx to DavidW; to AllanW, might have finally found the bike I would like to have, but will first need to test it out – a Taiwanese-made-foldable 6kg.
More Bday celebrations with appreciations to Les&Ivy for a lavish-scrumptious BBQdinner under a beautiful fool-moon-lid-sky; tkx to Lee&Adeline for the best chocolate cake (from Jane’sCakeStation) tasted here in SIN with 3generations including Clement and Isebelle who was the only PG here tonight. On the bus heading back to the EastSide, some annoying ppl who was asleep left her alarm on her phone and we all heard a child singing TwinkleTwinkle all the way for me! When I got off at my stop, it was still ongoing, wonder if she woke up and got off her stop??

Sun: looking good there #2&3 at their first cross-country season meet – The MikeMoore LakeMurray Invitational yesterday@CrookedCreekPark in Chapin, SC/USA with their mother being their coach. Do miss cheering for them there, but will always cheer for them in my heart&mind. Has been awhile since I made a steaks, good of Clement and Leonard to take time to share my lunch today.

Mon: Happy 101stBday to maternal 10th Uncle曾恩泉TSANG YanChuen/Toronto, Canada, the only surviving sibling on my mother’s branch. He is the only person and the only one in the family who is over 100yrs

Tkx for this share IreneH – amazing that the Do’s and Don’t’s for Influenza Prevention influenza epidemic in 1918 is still so appropriately applicable for this 2021 pandemic now! Wish that ppl would read and practice these do’s and don’t’s vigilantly with hopes of slowing down and controlling this pandemic now with 1,000+new cases.

Looks like FB has blocked me from new postings probably bc my ac was hacked a few days ago!!

500s – 800s

16 Sep 2021 – COVID-19 Cases In SIN

Mon: a good week ahead to all – missing overseas family&friends, autumn-colours, etc etc. With 520new COVID-19cases yesterday in SIN trying not to gallivant about, thus sharing memories from some of my favourite places on this earth. https://amylamsg.com/2018/09/14/tromso-kvaloya-2018/

Tue: 9/14/2021 07:34hrs ST MorningBriefing 607 new Covid-19 cases yesterday here in SIN, rather concerning & depressing with 500+ and 600+ cases the past 2days! https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-covid-19-cases-sept-13-21

Needed this uplifting, heart-warming pix&write-up to share today!

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/hikers-rescue-dog-wicklow Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen ― Orhan Pamuk. But only very very few know how to listen!

Memories of taking care of Ram, a golden retriever in the late 1970s when we were living in TOS/Norway while the owners (Ellen&JohnSr+Nils&Cathrine) were in UK for 6months. Ram was such a good well-trained dog and gentle with L&M but working part-time and living in a small 2nd storey-house (Anne&Roar were occupying the ground-level), felt guilty&sorry that he could only be outside when one of us had the time to take him out then. Unable to locate the 1977-78pix, the only one with Ram is from 1980 after we all move to OSL/Norway.

Those who do not really know me believe that I do not like dogs and that is such an incorrect observation. Do not like any pets who are not well-trained and really dislike any animals jumping on me or licking me. Feel sorry for dogs being cooped up, especially those living in cities – they should have the space to roam&run around freely. How many can take the responsibilities&time to take their dogs out in the nature to do that??

Wed: https://www.worldnews.easybranches.com/amp/10157377

Oh no! 837new cases in today’s news, need to stop keeping taps with these figures!! The 3above downloaded pix are from a FB-posting Trust Me, I’m Singaporean – maybe at the rates of all these high figures, it might be the way to go on public transport – better safe than sorry!

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/837-new-covid-19-cases-in-spore-including-755-community-cases

Bring in the good memories&thoughts now that I should not be roaming around too much and as for travel, that is definitely out of the question at present.

Must be missing Norway to watch this documentary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B25DbSNoyRs Not a fan of cruises but have been on the Hurtigruten a few times on short trips and once from Bergen-Kirkenes before moving away from Norway/1985, it was in my bucket list – really enjoyed&glad that I went on it then.

Revisited a section of it with my oldest friends KK&PP 9yrs ago/Sep2012 – tkx for wonderful memories. Hurtigruten – The coastal highway to the soul of the north. Even I who do not like cruises will go on the Hurtigruten any time – highly recommended.  https://amylamsg.com/2012/09/11/svolvaer-goat/

Å – World’s shortest place name is located on the Moskenes island in Lofoten is the civilization most far-out on the Lofoten islands.

Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it ― L.M. Montgomery

Thu: Happy Bdays sis-in-law Ivy/SIN, cousins Edith/Canada&Wendy/USA. In memory of LKY(1923-2015), SIN1stPM (1959-1990) who would have been 98 today.

Tea with KK before he takes off for UK and appreciations for yummy home-made dinner@Theresa&ChengJun to celebrate Ivy’s Bday in the healthy good company of a cardiologist, gastrologist, gynecologist and a GP!

‘Variety’s The Very Spice Of Life…

12 Sep 2021: That Gives It All Its Flavour’
Thu: it is bc of consequences like these that gets me to report to MarineParadeTownCouncil/MPTC when items are placed in our HDB common areas&corridors. Appreciations to MPTC who has always been prompt&vigilant to remove them.
Today 100pax from Germany lands here@ChangiAirport and they will not need to be quarantined if tested negative for Covid-19 on arrival. Hope that flying can be opened up bit by bit, and no, I will not be rushing to fly anywhere yet – safe journeys to KK who will be flying off next week!
Fri: I think I have tasted&used most of these herbs&spices in my cooking, but not sure if I can name them all, can you? Could not resist downloading&sharing such a beautiful&colouful pix.
Variety’s the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour – William Cowper.
After a FrenchMalayanCuisine dinner, I need to add this – its good to have variety of flavours, but do check that they compliment each other where the preference of your personal tastebuds are concerned.
Visited bro Steven@UMC a day early for his Bday, app made in advance and had to be swab for COVID-19. Nice to see him even when I can see in his eyes that he was having problems to remember who I am. Not easy to capture a decent sunset shot with all these constructions&barracks as I crossed the overhead bridge to the bus-stop.
Appreciations to niece DaisyL for dinner in good co of grandnephews Stanley&Darryl @TheWhiteLabel/FrenchMalayanCuisine where FrenchHalal cuisine does not compliment each other when you know what real FrenchCuisine is about! The food did not match up to the lovely presentation and the chic-decor. Do remember going there for coffee&cakes (also with the same company then) and now same thoughts as from 8months ago below!

From Jan2021posting: nice ceiling lights at a Halal-French-inspired eatery – The White Label, where we had dessert, but somehow cannot imagine how French-Malayan fusion cuisine, made Halal and infused with local flavours would taste on my palate? Desserts were OK, too heavy&sweet for my taste. Stanley was impressed with the cutlery&tableware, especially the small spoons!

https://amylamsg.com/2021/01/19/sometimes-the-heart-need-more-time/

Fri: Darryl’s drink YuzuBleu looks as pretty as he, I did not taste it. Daisy’s chicken was OK taste, but chicken was not properly cooked thru’ –  hope that she will not get a stomach upset tomorrow!

Shared TWLTruffleFries; my orders TruffleMushroomChowder – do wonder if they know what truffle is or even taste like?? Specifically requested for NON-spicy when asked if I wanted mild or strong spicy SquidInkSpaghetti – had to send both soup&main back after one taste. My main did not even get to the table until the others had finished theirs! Stanely’s duck tasted OK, but was dry as dry can be and Darryl’s pasta was nothing to write home about.

Have no intentions of ever returning – slow&poor service despite that they did smile and did not charge my orders. Perhaps one can blame it on the Fri crowds, but I do question what the younger generation knows about or have tasted the authentic world cuisines! Or maybe I am just more decadent as age catches up!!

Glad that we did not ordered dessert and decided to venture to TheHainanStoryChapterOne (Hotel Boss) for more food&coffee for the grandnephews – these young men can really put it in! Tkx to Leo for the introduction to this 24hrs place, glad they all liked it here too – especially the KopiGuTou! and, no, did not taste – need my zzz for tonight!! A lovely evening was enjoyed by all; am truly blessed in the youthful company of charming grandnephews.

https://amylamsg.com/2021/07/04/welcome-july-2021/

BearyCuteQingBuLiang dessert ($5.60 per bowl, now $2.95 promo with top-up) consist of coconut water, taro balls, red kidney beans, pearl sago, coconut jelly and honey sea coconut before topping it off with shaved coconut ice and cute frozen iced bear. A good way to celebrate the new Panda bear cub recently born here in SIN, maybe he should  be named QingQing – hahaha

https://danielfooddiary.com/2021/04/14/hainanstory/

Sat: Happy Bdays to bro Steven/SIN and to cous May/Canada. And in memory of all who were lost 20yrs ago today when most of us will remember where we were when the NYC TwinTowers were destroyed.

Some more of my favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentre (max 2ppl for now!) in SIN. 208 NewUpperChangiRd, #01-19 Bedok InterchangeHawkerCentre, BedokChweeKueh 勿洛水粿 $0.50 per piece.

https://danielfooddiary.com/2019/10/04/bedokinterchangefoodcentre/

Tonight’s dinner by LondonFatDuck tkx to SL.

Sun: the stomach&body need to rest today!

Happy Labor Day/USA, 2021

8 Sep 2021 –  Missing My Flock

Sun: Happy 10Bday to #6, the youngest of my flock and today my whole flock counts their age in 2digits! His request was this kransekaker made by his mother, nice that she can use those old rings from me as my baking days are more of less over and also my oven in SIN no longer works. Tkx for dinner@Jo’s 

Mon: Happy Labor Day to US family&friends. Enjoy whatever you are doing and stay safe where ever you are located. My USflock is probably out boating on Lake Murry/SC, missing them all (pix from 2018). This week in SIN is also the school-holidays!

235 new locally transmitted COVID-19 and SIN rolls out measures to slow down spread of COVID-19 community cases by reducing non-essential social activities for next 2weeks. As it is, with the school holidays and the spread at 8different bus-interchanges despite that there has been no evidence of COVID-19 spread to commuters following the detection of COVID-19 clusters at bus interchanges, said Transport Minister S Iswaran on Friday (Sep 3), I would prefer to stay within my own 4-walls, except for my early morning outdoor cycle or walks before sunrise.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/no-evidence-covid-19-spread-commuters-bus-interchange-clusters-mot-2154091

If you’re superstitious, you’ll know that during HungryGhostFestival (8Aug-6Sep2021), ghosts are said to revisit the land of the living. Particularly on 22Aug, when GhostDay hits. So today is the last day before the Gates of Hell closes again for another year. This is the first time I bought this package S$10 for sis Jo as she practices these rituals and I helped her to include a list (~50ppl) of the LAMs&TSANGs we know of in the family who have passed on – I am a total non-believer! Blog posting from a decade ago on this subject and still the same thoughts! https://amylamsg.com/2011/08/22/if-religion-is-a-thing/

Tue: nnnoticed deaths of older people will become more common as the population of over 60s grows – so sad! Next-door neighbour about my age lives alone like I do, but I am blessed to have family&friends to check on me regularly. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the newspaper are no longer delivered to the door, but to the postbox downstairs. Do hear her every morning getting out of her place to go to downstairs, and if I do not hear or see something like the 2above uploaded pix, will report.

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3147740/103-year-old-hong-kong-woman-and-elderly-son-found

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/five-cases-of-seniors-who-died-alone-at-home

Wed: really! are we moving backwards to the dark ages???

https://newslogic.in/world-news/a-curtain-divides-male-female-students-as-afghan-universities-reopen/ 

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/texas-abortion-law-will-make-patients-suffer/619997/

Need to stop reading all these depressing news!!

Welcome Sep2021

4 Sep 2021 – In With The Lanterns

Wed: looks like it is a good harvest for #6 in Norway with his sunflower even taller than him who will be counting his age with 2digits on Sunday 5Sep.

Dance with the flowers of enlightenment—then watch as your mind and body blossom as you begin to harvest the fruits of self-progression and self-realization ― Natasha Potter

Byebye Aug2021 – in with the lanterns&mooncakes! Mid-Autumn/Moon/Lantern Festival will fall on Tue21 this month. Bought these 3lanterns 2decades ago and they need repair every year when I take them out, but they are absolutely beautiful&mesmerizing when a real candle flame is flicking inside them. Will probably need new ones next year! Looking forward to make a night-trip to the Chihuly exhibitions@GardensByTheBay after sunset with a full moon without rains! Perhaps that is asking for too much, but can always hope!!

Thu: Good Thu morning from a lovely wet cool island of SIN. Too wet to cycle but not too wet for a short stroll feasting the eyes with the pretty in pink flowers –

The Bougainvillea was named after French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville, whose voyage to circumnavigate the globe in the 18th century led to the discovery of the plant in Brazil. Because of its beautiful appearance and showy blooms, the Bougainvillea soon became established around the world as a decorative garden plant. In fact, even though the Bougainvillea originates from South America, its largest breeders and producers today are in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hawaii and Florida! –  NParks

Antigonon leptopus (common names: Coral Creeper, Chain of Love, Hearts on a Chain), a fast-growing climbing vine that holds via tendrils.

MrsGoh@HoltPk told us that the delicate pink flowers can change colours, thus also gained the nick-name False-Heart here in SIN! Actually the flowers will turn dull pink&eventually brown as they age – but that happens to humans too!! and down with the flags when they dry out!

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses – Alphonse Karr
Fri: TGIF and a good weekend to all. To those affected by the backlash of Hurricane Ida in USA, take care and be safe. 16yrs ago today, Sat3Sep2005 our group (CandyAss, Karen/MissWiggy, John/Gadget, Mike/T2 and I/TigerLil)+friends completed the AT-Thru’Hike 2,175m/3,500k in 127days in 2005 making me the first and only female from SIN hiking the AT-Thru’Hike then. Today VictorTan/FarerEastCoast (2012) is the other person from SIN who also has completed the AT-Thru’Hike. Appreciations to FB-Trail-Angels, fellow-hikers&supporters and to those not in FB.
Yummy steak dinner@Theresa&ChengJ with Les&Ivy – after a dinner like this, would not need to eat any more meat for the month!
Sat: Happy Bdays to 2nd-born, May/Norway and to nephew Vincent in Perth/Australia.

Sharing&recommending some of my favourite local foods (only 1dish~S$5) from outdoor Hawkers/MarketFoodCentre (max 2ppl for now!) in SIN. DunmanFoodCentre, 271OnanRd. Say Seng Famous Tau Kwa Pau 正宗生成著名豆干包 S$1.50 per piece/S$5 per plate.

Celebrating the day with nieces Judy&Daisy, nephew Clement and grandnephews Stanley&Darryl. Tkx for yummy ChickenRice delivered by BoonTongKee (been a while now since I have had their ChickenRice), and durians for dessert. 

We were surprised by this flock – Wings of Parrots Community/WOPC with their free-flying parrots on EC Pk. yesterday.

Our birds are our priority and they are born to fly; not caged – WOPC members https://wopc.sg/
Had to brave the crowds to take a short walk after all that eating over the weekend and glad that I did or would not have discovered about these free-flying parrots, no matter how noisy they are!
4 Sep – Happy Bdays MayH & Vince 
5 Sep – Happy Bday Olai
6SepHappy Bday Nicholas 
8 Sep – Happy Bday Alfred
11 Sep – Happy Bdays Steven & MayY
15 Sep – Happy Bday Ting Ting
16 Sep – Happy Bday Ivy 
19Sep – Happy Bday Edith 
20 Sep – Happy Bday AmyR
21 Sep – Happy Bday Greg
23 Sep – Happy Bdays Joyce & Klaus
24 Sep – Happy Bday Yun
25 Sep – Happy Bday Kat
30 Sep Happy Bdays Mabel, DaisyL Valerie