Malls

Every so often we pop in and out of shopping malls. To run an errand, go for groceries or for classes. Do we, unconsciously expects some familiarity?

The very basic expectation, A foodcourt. Bright and cheery. The staple stalls of chicken/duck rice, western delights, yong tau foo, chinese rice and fried noodle cuisine, beef, fishball and fish soups. Any other additions will be a bonus.

We expect to see KFC, MacDonald or Burger King the very least at the basement if not the ground level.

Mall would never be complete without Giodano or Bossini or Hangten.

The anchor tenant would have to be either NTUC or Cold Storage.

Lastly for electrical appliances that would be Best Connection or Save superstore.

Yes, Popular is to stationery users as Yakun is to the egg slurpers and Starbuck and Coffee Bean are to coffee and free wi-fi lovers. BreadTalk is to bread munchers as Old Chang Kee and Polar are to pastry snackers.

These establishments are also a must see in all malls.

Would we feel strange out of place in singapore if none of these establishments were in a mall?

Maidenhair fern

Washing hair these days is a painful affair. After every wash, a quick glance at the water outlet shows a massive tangle of hair stuck on the trap. Been this way for the last couple of years. Been looking around for some remedy but so far nothing. A girlfriend recommended a drop of brandy or two after every wash. It worked for her. Her crowning glory shows it. MDD suggestd that it's a matter of time before I have to visit Svenson or Beijing 101!!!

Tsukimi

On this night the moon is the brightest and the roundest

family gathers sipping tea and savouring cakes

With caltrope, pomelo and little yam on the table

Children parade around with little lanterns

The fruit lady

She put a little red packet into my fruit bags.

"This wednesday, I'll be saying bye!" she said.

"Going on holiday?" I asked

"Didn't I tell you? I am giving up this stall. Taking a rest."

Speechless.

The day, I moved here, 18 years ago, Her fruits stall is the ONE I frequent.

She picks the choicest fruit for me, gives me sound advice on which fruit to eat when my family have minor ailments.

Now, after 20 years running the stall she is finally throwing in the towel. I will miss her.

Another familar face I will miss.

Mint sauce

Green with envy she sits, sipping a cool Green tea
Leafing through Graham Greene
Observing Green fingers pottering in his Greenhouse
With Greenhorn by his side
In a little cafe where but in Greenwich

Listening to Greenspan predicting on the Greenback
While practising his swing on the putting green
With Green beret cruising around incognito
As Greenpeace bid to save the whales in Greenland

Memories

Convent Light Street the school I spent 10 years of my learning journey in 1972. Started Primary two at CLS after dad was transfered back to Penang. As an 8 year old I was utterly delighted to go to school on a trishaw together with my cousin.

Quietly I sat on this very hall waiting for school to begin. A timid and quiet child as I spoke no hokkien. But that was not for long. Here in this hall too was where I had my first injection.

Physical Exercise PE was always the hightlight of the day. Facing the sea the breeze was always so welcoming. Being small, I always thought how huge the school was. Mind you, it housed the kindergarten, the primary and secondary school that comes equipped with 2 huge kitchens for home science and a sewing room. A private school all within it's compound. On top of that, it was also the quarters for the nuns. A large dining hall cum kitchen located near the secondary school canteen never fail to catch my curiousity as I walked by it every day. Peering into the ajar doors. The most peaceful place here in CLS must be the chapel. Rich coloured motif stain glass and deep rich antique mahogony wood pews adds to the serene atmosphere.

I used to cast my eyes to these windows of the nuns' quarter above the classrooms hoping to see what inside. I never did. I still have never been to that part of the building.

I sat beside this wall in Primary 6. Eerie as it may sound but, we were more curious than frighten knowing very well where we were sitting in used to be a POW camp. POWs inscribed their name on these wall hoping that someone would know of their whereabout should they not lived to freedom. Knowing very well, too that many might have been executed and tortured within these compound. Never stay past 6pm. though.

Probably that was the reason why frangipani trees were plant outside these classrooms. Looking forward to visiting this school of mine one day.
All these photographs were taken from this site

Thoughtful

Frizzy and carbonated drinks are never on my drink list, but had a sudden craving for the last few days, a tall glass of ice cool root beer. Twinkle toe had written it on the grocery list for our weekly sunday shopping. Yesterday at 4.15pm while waiting for twinkle toe, she, all sweaty from her table tennis practise came walking cautiously down the slope with one hand holding a full cup of drink while holding a thick file on the other balancing a school bag on the back. Gleefully she announced "Root beer for you mum. Bought it just for you". I was so touched.

Marmalade

One sure remedy to keep cool on a hot humid day. Binge on oranges. Quench thrist, Loads up on the vitamin, Add fibre to the diet. The acidity helps in the digestion. Keeps wrinkles. at bay with the orange oil that coats your hand as you squeeze out that last drop of delicious goodness from the Orange.

Isogashii

Watched on the chinese channel two nights ago on a very very busy life of a full time mum aka Auntie. Most mornings are spent at the CC in various physical exercise activities. She participates in most of the courses conducted by the CC. Ranging from beading to belly dancing. She is chairperson in the parent support team of her daugthers' school. She even takes time to attend regular classes ranging from japanese lesson to Cantonese Karaoke at the CC. I am impressed. Impressed on how she makes time to pursue new interest, to keep abreast with trends.

25th September

Is the celebration of the Mid-autumn festival, another term for the celebration of the Autumn equinox on the solar calender. When on this night the moon is at it's fullest and brightest. A symbol of bountiful and abundance.

In Modern times, it's the time of gourmet feasting as chefs pit their skill against each other in concocting the most delectable mooncake. A month where any filling is possible as long as it is savoury and unique to the culinary circle. Can't imagine what's like to bite into a cheesy fillings or Japanese sweet potato paste enveloped in champagne chocolate wrapped in snowskin.

This year, I have decided to be a bit adventurous and go for something more traditional. Being a teowchew, this is the first time I'm trying this teowchew Mooncake. Filling of sweet sticky stuff with sweet melon, orange peel, sesame seeds and ......hhmmmm......still trying to figure out the rest. Definately an acquired taste to appreciate this as you sip chinese tea and nibble at this, savouring it bit by bit.

Michael Bublé - Everything

A song for saturday

Once in awhile, someone comes along, reads your thoughts, shares her thoughts and experiences. Then out of the blues when you least expects it, a SURPRISE. Brightens the day, gives a reason to smile on an otherwise mundane Thursday. Thank you!! Only in this last few decades people are able to come together, be acquainted on a common interest. Reading each others' rants. I am delighted to have met over cyberspace wonderful bloggers like you and you. Thank you.

Decision

Heard over the radio this morning. Advanced Medical Directive gives one of sound mind the decision to decide over the right to live or die when the time comes. When the quality of life diminished. When one is in a state of complete immobile and unconsciousness, it's a mental torture. A torment of the loved ones to make that terminal decision. I would not want to see my children agonizing over my existence . Let me decide for myself.

One for all and all for one

The musketeer fought with it. Zorro marked his presence with it. Robin hood defended the poor with it. Today, my girl holding a foil lunged forward like Robin hood would in anticipation.

The girls had an introductory lesson on fencing by the reknown Russian women fencing coach Maria Bobok together with her husband Viacheslav Bobok coach for the singapore fencing team. Being very disciplined and meticulous, the girls had to go through the warm up routine, stretching before they were taught the basic stance in fencing. At long last after an hour of training, they finally had a chance to hold the foil.

Mr Tan

Mum just could not believe anyone could fail art!!! I did. One week later, I was taking art lesson from Mr Tan an art teacher and my form teacher in Sec 1 in CHIJ Light Street. Every friday, I would hitch a ride back with him after school. We, together with his son and daughter have a quick lunch clear the table and it was art lesson time. My most frustrating time was having to paint stilllife of a pair of dirty school shoes with the smelly socks draped across it. For the next three years, I diligently attended his class and was actually looking forward to his art class every week.

In school he was a patient teacher never without a smile. Goes, totally tomato red when he tries very hard to suppress a laugh. The class never forgets where he lives, Satan's court. His house is situated inside the Tan association compound to the right of the temple known as Seh Tan court. Mr Tan Lye Hoe, Happy Teacher's Day!