Working till the last hours

What a way to bring down the curtain? Not only I have to work full day tomorrow and may need to stay back after my official hours. It's New Year's eve, right? Sigh... Bet in 2014, everyday is a busy day for me.

Tomorrow is the last day of the year. So what? I have not collected my December pay yet. Bet they will send my pay advice thru email at the stroke of midnight. Money money money. Let's hope 2014 will bring us Big Money.

Last Sunday of 2013

Me and Margaret decided to take it easy for the last Sunday of the year. So we gave going to market a miss in the morning and woke up at 10 o' clock. I had porridge with steam fish at home for breakfast. In fact that meal was also my lunch.

Celebrate good times. Yeah, went to Upper Thomson for a good Javanese massage to ease our tiring and aching bodies. We deserve this little luxury especially with our punishing work schedule. Thereafter, we proceed to Mariott Café for our post-lunch, pre-dinner year-end 2013 High Tea Buffet which we booked yesterday. A widespread of good local food with a relaxed ambience. By the time we walked out of the Café, it was 5pm.

It would be a beautiful last Sunday of 2013 should Arsenal beat Newcastle in a match which starts in 10 minutes time. Till then....

On the way...

The last few days of 2013 and we will be heading towards an exciting 2014. Let's hope and wish that it would be a good and fruitful year for everyone. As usual, good health takes priority in my wish list follow by what else... huat ah!!!!

We will be welcoming the Year of the Horse too, come 31 January 2014. Many thanks to my sister Jessie for arranging and booking in advance the restaurant for the coming Family Reunion Dinner on CNY eve.

I am beginning to feel the busy schedule at my workplace. It's going to be busier next year. Hopefully I have the strength and stamina to cope with it. Talking about holidays, me and Margaret have a few places in mind. We are still working towards them.

Yes, we are thankful for the awesome time of peace, love and joy in this year 2013. Go for more good blessings in 2014. Cheers!

X'mas greetings

 

A day for Roger

Roger is a happy man. Who would not? Me and Margaret brought him down to Centrepoint Robinson to shop for his Christmas and Lunar New Year clothing. Besides, got him a new pair of working shoes and other necessities. Oh yes, he was worried that we were spending a bit too much. But we didn't forget he asked for handkerchief last year and got him a box of threes too.

When we were done, it was almost dinner time. We had teppanyaki for dinner at Orchard 313. Half way through our meal, Patrick my younger brother called. As he was in town, he offered to pick us up. He sent Roger back to Queenstown before turning in to Toa Payoh. Btw, he just returned from Pontain JB for what else.....  buy fish and prawns. Most probably will visit my eldest brother next weekend. Till then...

Change

As time goes by everyone and everything changes. Some change for the better and some change for the worst. As we age our life should get better but do we need to be arrogant and boastful? It's a shame to be in the company who not only talk loudly but shout. Holy shit! They get angry when you tell them off. So what is the next best thing to do? Avoid them till they humble themselves once more.

 Definitely no Christmas atmosphere at my workplace. Hmm... at my neighbourhood too. In fact the shops are selling CNY decorations and blasting Gong xi gong xi already. Come Sunday, it's Winter Solstice where we make and eat tangyuan (湯圓) or balls of glutinuous rice. In my dialect, it symbolises we are one year older ahead of the Lunar New Year. Season's greetings...

Point taken

You think with your brain and why are you following your heart? That's a question posed by a friend and there is logic in it. Point taken.

A boo boo for Singapore U-23 football team losing to Thailand U-23 by a penalty in the SEA Games semi- final. Sad to say, they were not good enough to match the Thais. Go for the bronze instead!

I'll take Arsenal to beat Chelsea in the next derby game this weekend. Three matches in a week were just too much for them especially on the Man City match where they were chasing shadows. Most of them were falling like bowling pins at the slightest contact. Guess a week rest will see a different Gunners' team. Go Gunners Go!

My early Christmas present

I dreamt of my late parents last night and told Margaret that they were here to bless me again. OMG! True enough, they gave me an early Christmas present. Ho ho ho! My number came out in the 4D starter prize with a pay-out of $1250. Thank you so much, mom and dad. Blessed are the departed souls.

Sheer hard work

It's best I say nothing about the Serangoon Riot by the Indian Workers the other night. On one hand I feel sorry for them and on the other they deserve to be punished. Let justice takes its course.

Surely, it's a busy period for me. We are short-handed in this mega residential project. Even with a few more staff coming in next year, everyone got to work to the max. For it's a masterpiece by a renown foreign architect, it can never be easy to construct. Whatever, I just hope to go for a good break in the second half of 2014. Meantime, looking towards joyful Christmas and the New Year 2014.

Little time

I came home after work and slept like a dead pig for the past few days. Yeah, damn bloody tired. Not only that, attended a concert two evenings ago and this afternoon a wedding lunch. That left me with little time for Margaret. The good thing is she brought my mother-in-law to shop for her X'mas clothing this afternoon.

My resting time this evening while I awaits my Arsenal match against Everton at midnight. OMG! I  am going to have less than six hours of sleep tonight. The match ends at 0130 hrs and I have to wake up at 0700 hrs tomorrow morning. So long as the Gunners win, it's worth the sacrifice. Go Gunners Go!!!

Drumming drama

My family were at The Star Performing Arts Centre attending the musical drumming drama Meeting With Bodhisattva this evening. Though I struggled to follow the storyline, nevertheless I enjoyed the musical part especially those drumming sessions. All the artistes were full of energy and were so graceful in their act. I could only summarise the performance in one word 'Superb!'

Give

It's time for shopping not only for Christmas but Chinese New Year 2014 too. The Lunar New Year comes thirty-seven days after the X'mas celebration. It's an annual affair for us to bring my second brother Roger down to Robinson to get his new clothing, shoes, etc. Margaret will bring my mother-in-law Anna to Metro and OG to get a few new clothing too. It is a blessing to be able to give and more important to see these loved ones smiling all the way.

Let's not forget the lonely, disabled and the sick during this festive season. Share the joy wholeheartedly. I hate to see people who preach and talk a lot but do otherwise. Remember, someone up there is watching you. Luckily, most of my friends are God loving people who are kind and caring. Whatever, let's Jingle Bell this month before we gong xi gong xi next month. Cheers!

Long time?

They are coming from all directions. A new staff join us today and come tomorrow, there will be another. Will there be more, definitely. Hopefully our office would not be overcrowded. Unless I make a move, or else I should be here for the next three years. That is a long time.

Hooray! My favourite Gunners remain on top of the table after beating Cardiff City 3-0 on Saturday. The big test will come when they face contender teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, etc. later this month. The team confidence and spirit are high and I am sure they are a team to fear. High time for a trophy. Arsenal rock!!!!

Going places

It's pay day! Yeah, some of you may have collected yours last week. Still I am happy for some unfortunate will receive theirs next week. Whatever so long as the money comes in, who cares?

Aha... it's year-end school holiday too. Many of my friends are going places with their family. Guess everyone deserves a break. Please do take care when abroad. As for us, mid-year and year-end holidays are long gone. We go for Spring and Autumn holidays instead.

Complimentary tickets

I would not forget my friends in good times. They take priority for the drumming concert complimentary tickets ( original $118 ) on 6 December 2013. For those receiving my What's App?, please confirm your attendance soonest possible. Tickets are running out fast.

A question

So Kevin, you are into music? This new colleague was asking and I was puzzled. How in the world did he know? A sigh of relief when he told me about my profile in What's App? with my younger days photo holding a guitar. I coolly replied him that I was into music but no longer. There is a saying that goes like this ' Music is something that when you're happy goes into your ear and when sad goes into your heart '.

Coming festive season

At this time of the year, nothing else matters. Yeah, let's celebrate and enjoy the coming festive season namely X'mas 2013 and New Year 2014. We were there at last evening Orchard Road Light Up. Beautiful. While at Robinson @ The Heeren, we were treated to a glass of champaign. We understand that they are shifting from Centrepoint to here. How true is it? We do not know.

From their opening in Singapore to last evening, we were not given a chance to dine at Jollibee Restaurant @ Lucky Plaza. It is an American-style fast-food restaurant with Filipino-influenced dishes. Each time we passed by and tried our luck, the queue was simply long. The majority dining inside were the Pinoys. Maybe we shall have our dream fried chicken dish in Manila in the near future instead.

Night work

My first night work in a long while. It was confirmed at the last minute. Lucky my friend could not make it for the dinner appointment this evening. Coincidence? Your guess is as good as mine.

My Newton working gang has gone separate ways with all of us at different projects, both new and existing. It's a matter of time that some of us will be reunited again. Guess all of us miss our 'lao da' or immediate superior. He is one who takes responsibility and protects his staff. Well, we got to move on.

Good start

Thank goodness! I am feeling better after a weekend of discomfort. Body aching and pain with tummy upset. When I woke up this morning, it was all gone. What a good start to the week! It's a good thing that I do not need to work overtime. It suits me fine though financially at a loss. What I gain is that extra hours of rest every evening. Good health for more travelling.

Utmost respect

We visited my eldest brother Thomas this afternoon. It's been about three months since we last visited him. Prior to that, Margaret called my sister-in-law Jeanette and understand that he was not in his best of health. We went to Orchard Road to get his favourite Hokkaido milk.

When we reached there, Jeanette said he had guessed we had just returned from overseas. He was in his room resting and his maid brought him out. Phew! Brothers reunited. He looked sick but as we chat further, he was back to his normal self. His mind was sharp when we talked about going places especially his bringing my late parents to China, Thailand and many more. Though handicap now, he has not forgotten those in need of attention like my second brother Roger. I told him that we would be visiting Roger next week and that eased him a little. It's never easy to be the eldest and he is one who deserves the utmost respect.  

Our visit had brighten his day and I hope to visit him more often.

Jaw correction

A rainy Saturday night. Pretty quiet with the English Premier League matches taking a break. The best thing to do is to do nothing and idle around. In fact I do not know what am I writing too. Just type whatever comes to me.

Margaret and I  went to visit Jared who had a major operation to have his jaw corrected. The poor boy has to live with liquid food at this moment. For he is young, I believe he would overcome this difficult period. Speedy recovery, Jared! We miss your voice.

The other side

At different stages of life, our interest changes. Music gave me the greatest joy and the deepest sorrow. It's a thing of the past. At this moment, I am in love with travelling. Yes, I know I won't be able to travel round the world but half of it would make me a happy man.

Me and Margaret had never dreamt of going Europe and our recent trip there had not only surprised ourself but many people too. So, where is our next destination? There are simply too many like Moscow, St Petersburg, Scandinavia, etc. Maybe we should go Western United States next. Reason being the extra long journey flight and we should be able to take it. Gosh! It's the other side of the Earth. Cannot imagine.

Haikou Street Market

OMG! The street market in Haikou reminds me of my childhood days in the 60s'. Hock Lam Street, that's where Funan Centre sits on today. Though filthy and smelly, me and Margaret walked through the street enjoying the sight and sound of this buzzing market. For me, it's just like homecoming. No wonder the place looked so familiar.

 

An unexpected itinerary

Goodbye Hainan, hello Singapore! It's nice to be back. A relaxing trip with an unexpected Act of God, Typhoon Haiyan. A first-hand experience for Margaret and the aftermath of it was devastating. Power and water supply were cut off, trees uprooted, broken branches, signboard collapsed, flooding in many areas. All shops closed. Our original eating place was a distance away and they were closed. Luckily, we had our dinner in our hotel's restaurant with limited food. No complain for there was another tour group searching for another restaurant as ours was fully booked.

Because of the typhoon, we had to give Nanshan Guangyin a miss. Not a big deal for Buddha is in  my heart. I believe in fate and the calling is Guangyin Bodhisattva wanted us to witness, experience and know the hardship what this natural disaster can bring. Oh yes, there were water seepage through our window in our hotel room too. Aside from this day, the rest of the trip went on smoothly.

Here are the other photographs taken:

The birds are real and heavy

Margaret and the proud Ostrich

Minority village

Their way to welcome you

Birthday greetings

Wow! Birthday greetings not only from Singapore but USA too. Surprise greetings were from those I have lost contact for a number of years. Yeah, so nice to hear from them. There are so many people to thank and I wish to start from my wife and children. Actually I was asleep and my son came into my room to wish me at the stroke of  midnight. For the record, the first to wish me on Facebook was Smily's darling Sheryl Koh. Yeah, give me a five.

Special thanks to my beloved sister Jessie Ng for remembering my day year after year. Greetings received were not only from Facebook but SMS, What's App and a kiss on the cheek from my dearest wife. Like what I wrote on FB, you beautiful and God loving people makes my day extra special. Once again from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.

P.S. A special present from my favourite football club Arsenal FC. They beat Borussia Dortmund  by a goal in the UEFA Champions League in Germany. Yes, Go Gunners Go!!!

Frog Party at 75?

Ladies and Gentlemen, in another few hours I will be 54 years old. OMG! Am I really that old? Whatever, let me wish myself  'A Happy Birthday'. Stay healthy is my priority. May it be so.

It's fearful to think of me reaching 50s' when I was in my 30s'. Now that I have arrived, it's not as bad as I imagine it to be. Of course, my lifestyle and everyday movement have slow down. My body ache often and even doing housework is a problem at times. The good thing is my children have grown up but as a father, I still worry for them. Many times I felt they lost direction. Still, I am proud that they are trying to better themselves. And they better do.

A good friend asked whether we would be still having Frog Party when we reach 75. I should have reply him with 'Will the cook retire and close the stall by then?' Maybe at that time we will be having problem attending gatherings too. Let's live day by day and enjoy every beautiful moment. God bless.

Hair cut short

 

The Apps has been silent since my three days leave ended. The excitement of meeting up is gone. It's my third day of work at my new workplace with new colleagues. The challenge over here is to write report and create progress photographs with caption using Microsoft Excel and convert it to PDF. OMG! I am an IT idiot. Somehow God has sent a very patient 'teacher' to guide me. Definitely, I am not going to let anybody down including myself.

Back to the basic with helmet on at my workplace. I had my hair cut short last weekend. So when I post my Hainan Island photo next week, you will see a neat and younger me. My wife said I look ugly with long hair and I couldn't disagree especially with the recent Malacca photographs. The youth is gone but life goes on. Sigh...
  

Hoilday again?

Yes, me and Margaret are flying off to Hainan Island (China) this Friday for a five days tour. We got this free land tour from our earlier Europe trip. At the same time, I have to clear my annual leave before the year ends. Who the heck cares so long as we are healthy to travel and spend within our means. Let us pray for more good and healthy years to come. Cheers!

Fyn's 2013 birthday

We celebrated Fyn's birthday at Cha Cha Cha, a Mexican Restaurant at Holland Village. The menu was foreign to us. To play safe, I ordered a combo which consist of all the best. OMG! It's never easy to remember the dishes / food name. Forget it, I am too old to learn another language. Overall, the food tasted a little Indian. In all honesty, I enjoyed the food. All in all, it's a new experience for me and Margaret. Thanks to the birthday girl for proposing this restaurant. Once again, Happy Birthday!


                                   The Mexican Food

 

Brought forward

It's the eve of Deepavali. Here's wishing all Hindus an advance 'Happy Deepavali'. If not for my wife reminding me of the date changed, I would be reporting for work tomorrow. My calendar shows it is on Sunday 3 November 2013 and Monday is a holiday.

Tomorrow is All Souls Day too. May I join the Catholics for a prayer. Blessed are the departed soul. May it be so.   

Free for a meal?

There are simply too many good food in Malacca. Chicken rice ball, satay celab, nyonya food, durian chendol, durian puff, thousand layer cake, etc. Of course, the meal is not complete without the balachan chilli. So for three days two nights , what I brought back was a bloated tummy with a lot of gas / wind. It's such a waste to go there and not eating their local food. Overall, it's a good family trip coupled with lots of fun.

The last of my three days leave before I move to a new workplace. In between, I catch up with many friends over lunches and dinners. I believe they appreciate my effort in calling and arranging the meetings. Well, the final one will be a Frog Party at Balestier with my ex-Poly mates this evening. For I value and treasure friendship, this is an exercise I practise whenever I have time. Yes, I find this meaningful and essential. Hey pals, many thanks for turning up. Cheers!
 

Family trip - Melaka revisited (3)

Malacca River