Going Through

Ever wonder where we will surface if we dig a hole all the way through from here in Sunny Singapore? Well the brits did just that and guess where the drill bits came up? It's New York !

Maintenance

Honestly, I never liked running. Running round and round the track or the park to nowhere. Till, an acquaintant confided, that she runs 20 mins every evening to shed away those tummy hugging pounds. Plus a sensible diet of course. MM Lee, gave up golf to run to lose his belly years ago. In the last few years so much has been published on the benefits of jogging/running. Increases the stamina, weight control, maintain bone density and the mental alertness. Time for some maintainence work on myself.

Bought a pair of running shoes, with grit determination, started my first walk a jog at the, across the road, park. More walk than jog. Jogging had me huffing and puffing in just under 2 mins. But for want of a springy physique, I wogged on. Most evenings, 20 mins tops. One eye on the watch, two ears plugged into the MP3. Have been at this for the last 2 years. It's true, a good workout is refreshing to the mind and body. I strongly encourage homebody mums to take time to walk a jog. We may be priceless, but most of the time we fail to do any maintenance to keep the body supple for the next lap. When children finally leave the nest, that is when our new career begins!

picture courtesy from Artbywick.com

On Positive

A refreshing view on growing ageless. When the family goes about the day like any ordinary day, no cake with candles, no mention of the occassion, it's with a reason. To the retain their love ones at the age they last celebrated.

Mercury rising

Finally school's out. And indeed there is so much to do here if one is game for exploring. The 9km Canopy walk, Sungei Buloh nature walk, the book fair at the S'pore Expo, the food fair Expo and the list continues... The great outdoor walk would be a delight for the senses if only the weather could be cooler and the humidity lower. Ah.........so hot!!!!!!

Fishmongers

Such stark contrast. On one side, it's racing against time to pull out as many alive from the rubble while the other, after one week, it's still pondering....... still considering knowing very well time is running out. With so much donation of cash and aids pouring in from concern outsiders, what will happen to this funds? What is needed most now is prayers not cash. Praying that the survivor will pull through this calamity. To survive long enough for the aids to finally reach them.

Sour plums

Over breakfast, she adamantly stated. She does not listen to the news, read the papers nor check her emails. The news these days are filled with nothing but all about lust, war and killing. Blogging? It's a waste of time. Bloggers baring their true colours ranting under the cloak of anonymity. Has not check on one yet but has heard enough. Deeply religious, she spent most of her time coaching her two children. One, with asperger syndrome. Her assertion so strong that I did not dare to venture further. Had intended to share with her the joy of writing and introducing to her an interest. Something she can share and exchange with other mothers. Blogging. But it has to be another time.

No flowers give this much joy

No cakes give this much comfort

No presents give this much delight

Nothing gives more gratifying than a Big Bear Hug

A big bear hug from all my little ones that made me mum

Taking charge

After 8 long years, she called on monday. A delightful surprise, taking the call as I stepped into the elavator. Born into a wealthy family. Spent secondary one sitting beside her. Thick black rimmed spectacles and the bob hair. Merticulous with her words and work. At the beginning of secondary 2 she was sent off to a boarding school in sherborne. For the next 5 to 6 years we met yearly on home coming. After a degree and 3 years of working in London, she chose Singapore as home base. An accountant by training. Always in control always very sure. The independant her, next made the right contacts and attended the appropriate function to look for her life partner. After much sensible selection, she got married. She took care of the wedding details to the acquisition of the new apartment. 2 years into the marriage, she decided. Visited the gynaecologist. Two failed attempt and her mind was set. Adopted a daughter. Love and Joy filled her home. Adopted another two years later.

Stopped working recently. A lovely house for the children, she now wants to spent more time with them. Learning should be fun and and enthusiatic so it's International school for them. She is alway in charge of her life. If only I'm as in charge of mine as she is of hers.

Swallowing blue

It's the awakening of the senses. Not just about swallowing the blue. The tantalising scent, the gentle touch, the coming together of the minds, the endearing look, the comforting words. Small wonder, after 10 years and still nothing for the more refine genteel other half.

For the ears

Someone wrote into the forum page recently. He is proud to be born and bred here. For here, he has pick up many dialects and speaks more than two languages. More recently there has been talk to revitalise the myriad of chinese dialects. I grew up chatting cantonese with mum, and conversing english with dad as he speaks no cantonese. Mandarin bridge their language barrier. Weekly smattering of teowchew with grandma and daily blabber of hokkien and english with classmates. To the language teacher, it's Malay. Picked up mandarin here in singapore and spent 5 years learning japanese. Every chance I have I love to natter my dialects with the fishmonger, the butcher or even the dear old lady selling vegetables. It's dialects that gives the sense of belonging. Bahasa Melayu dengan the dear old nenek next door, a sense of bonding. To her delight the japanese lady behind the snack counter at Isetan supermarket spent the next 20 min telling me her seaweed snacks when she found that I understand japanese. A sense of pride.

Stick and Carrot.

It has been quiet on home front. It's the start of the mid-year exam week. Have read enough and seen enough. Stocked up on snacks and chocolates. Pocky sticks and carrot cakes a better way to get the little brain thinker going then plain stick and carrot. Youngest needs a little prodding. Son and eldest need the fuel to keep them going. What matter most is the effort put in.

Apple ice cream pie

Picture courtesy of jchionh's photostream

All time favourite dessert, Apple Pie. Han's eatery in my opnion still makes delicious apple pie in Singapore. I like the pastry. Not crumbly nor flaky. Most would eat it with a scoop of ice cream topping but here's the all-in-one version. Apple pie ice cream from Island Creamery. Stopped by this outlet on the way home on saturday and spotted this flavour. Bits and bites of apple, hint of cinnamon and even junks of pastry! It's what you get when you mix mashed up apple pie with a good quality vanilla ice cream. Put it back into the freeze for an hour or two.

Writing and Reading

I may not be a columnist or a writer, to see my work of art in print, but blogging gives this delight.

Comments left behind, gives the joy that my piece has been read, dissected and pondered on. Writing and publishing on the world wide web gives the encouragement to produce a good piece of work. Keeping the flair for writing alive. Stimulating the mind and keeping abreast on the constant happenings around us.

I may not be Aunt Agony, but reading and commenting on blogger's writes gives me a chance to share, comfort and encourage others.

Reading others' write enlightment, awed, educate, inspire and most of all connects me with other wonderful bloggers which otherwise might never knew of their existence.

Nail biting pain

The two girls are home today. Eldest, down with the flu bug while, youngest, another very bad bout of tummy ache. Suspect the reason is her unconscious nail biting habit. Started at 6, tried Mentholatum cream to discourage her, during the school holidays, varnished her nails but never did break this habit for long. Admitted to me that she tend to bit her nails when nervous or anxious. Especially in school when the teacher is shouting and screaming in class. This time round, the pain suppression given by the doctor don't seem to be working. Blessing in disguise? I really hope so.

Yellow snail

With a fold and a tuck, and it's a fish with a swishy tail

With more folds and more tucks, it becomes a little snail

The magic of Origami.

Fountain of ink

The traditional desk in my school eons ago had a rounded depression for the ink pot. At primary 5, we were taught to use fountain pen. A messy affair for some. Ink spill, blotted pages and horrible smear if not written at a constant pace. Thank goodness for ball pens. However, recently this petit pilot caught my eye. Bought one and now am hooked on fountain pen. Surprisingly, for the price, it write very well. Comes in assortment of colours. Have a try, you might rediscover the love of writing.

Putu Mayong

A lost trade. In Singapore, it comes out from packets onto the steamer. While in Penang at the Pulau Tikus market, it's made fresh. The freshly grated coconut and the brown sugar sprinkle on this warm freshly made rice mesh makes this simple fare so delicious. Many have blogged about this seller. Long queue when I was there.

Squeezed

At Abbo Siti Lane in Penang, found this attap house sandwich between two block of shophouses. Wondered what is the story behind this predicament.

Marmite

Did not find the durian spread chen blogged about but found this on the shelves of Cold Storage at the Curve, KL. Marmite breadstick. What next would I find on the shelves? Hmmm.....

Salem

Broken hearted one morning, when we found sleek shiny black Salem's front leg badly injured. The residents' pet . Must have been involved in an accident. Swollen and dangling hobbling weakly. Called the SPCA. Hoping that something could be done before it got worse. On the way out, just in time to see the SPCA truck arriving. Officer had a look at the injured. Patted, caressed and checked. Not for the injury, a very healthy cat. Had to make a decision. Officer confirmed that, it would most probably be put down, if he takes it back. Leave it alone, it might have a remote chance of recovery and live. Suffering in pain though. Had to make a decision. Officer,assured that he would come again if it gets worse. At 5pm on my way out, spotted the SPCA van. Driving out of the drive way. Have not seen Salem since. Someone else must have made the phone call.