Gallivanting

I love love love gallivanting. I have been pretty busy in the last few weeks, working very intensively on a project which ended on a high note this past week. So it was a sweet feeling to start the weekend with.

So today was a totally unplanned and unexpected day for gallivanting with Sheena... lunch, shopping (oh I bought my brother's Christmas gift already - I know, it's early, but it's not that easy finding him stuff! Into hiding it goes until the appointed time), heading off for a movie on the spur of the moment. Whee. I am grateful for dear friends with which to share the many chapters of our lives *grin*

In other news - my aunt has been out of the hospital for about a week now and I think the whole experience has brought the family closer together. Cool.

On to the new week!

Presents are delightful

I've got a lovely birthday present waiting for one little girl. Now if
only her mamma will hurry up and arrange for us to meet up :)

Teachers' Day

My first teachers' day in Sunday school. This just about made my day :)

And tomorrow,we're havin' waffles!

Working outside is pretty cool

The Dome outlet at Dempsey rocks. Power socket, wifi, tea and cake.
What more could I ask for?

Elixir in a red thermos

Today I was tasked with the responsibility of personally delivering some home-brewed goodness to my aunt Lil, still in hospital. She's recovering well, due in part to the food she's been getting, I'm sure...

This is a glimpse of my luan-see (what's the translation - endearingly complicated?) family in action:

My mother, early in the morning, bright-eyed and busy thinking up permutations of schedules - who to visit, who to do this and that. Plopping onto my bed to set the plans in motion.

My mother, waiting for NTUC to open at 8:30am in order to buy some liver and cook up a concoction of liver, pork fillet, ginger and just a teensy dose of brandy for the patient. It's not my kind of thing but Lil slurps it up at mid-morning and in the early afternoon. My uncle calls the potion the 'elixir'.

Me, arriving at 10am at the hospital with said concoction in a thermos container. My mum had thoughtfully packed the thermos into a decidedly auntie-looking red seagate re-usable bag, with some golden kiwis in an NTUC plastic bag, and a plastic container of apple muffins. I eyed the bag. "You're making an auntie of me", I said. "You think this is bad, I had to carry 3 bags the other day - and they were heavy ok!", pipes up the cousin who has arrived to go to church with my mum. My mother and cousin take a lift from some fellow church members who stay across the road (more permutations in action).

My grandma, who just got back from Kuching last night, arriving at the hospital at 10:30am. She has porridge in another (smaller) thermos container. I put the thermos containers side-by-side and contemplate taking a photo but (a) you're not supposed to take photos in the ward and (b) it's time to feed the patient.

Emails and SMS-es fly across and out of the country providing updates on Lil's status.

My uncle arrives at about 2pm, thereafter K and I leave. Mama stays behind to stay the afternoon, and probably because she wants to meet...

... aunty Day who will get there around 6pm with special food for dinner and to stay the night.

I love my luan-see family.

The week in summary

This week my thoughts are with Lil, one of my beloved aunts, who has been warded for fever and what seems to be some infection of her brain lining (?!). I miss having her all lively and bossing everyone about. But it's pretty marvelous how the family network sprung into action - people bringing porridge and bovril for the patient, visiting, checking in on the family... it really feels like some sort of safety net: fall, and the rest link up to catch you.

So as I went to check in on my cousin this week, I thought about how - many years ago, I was a blur sotong of a twelve year old, and my aunt came to my rescue. I was supposed to go to my aunt's after a class event at the national stadium. Only thing is, I figured it would be faster for me to take a public bus rather than go back to school. So I persuaded my teacher to let me go... but after the class had left, I found that I didn't know which bus-stop to take the bus from.

Recap: Twelve years old, all alone at the stadium, hardly any money, handphones didn't exist yet, and I think I asked some passers-by for a coin to make a phonecall with:)

At any rate, I managed to call my family to let them know where I was. While waiting for Lil to come get me, it started to pour. I felt sooo miserable and lost and pathetic.

In the end, Lil zoomed down in a car that she happened to have possession of that week - borrowed from someone at work who was overseas (again, cars weren't all that common then). It was raining buckets, we were both drenched, and I was so cold my teeth chattered together in the car. But I was safe with my aunty Lil, and that's all that mattered.

Ah, the drama of it all. Missing my aunt the drama queen...

***

As for the rest of my week: busy juggling some new areas of work as I get ready to switch units at the end of the year (finally).

Chasing Bubbles

It was dusk, and the little girl was a whirl of pink as she chased
after bubbles blown by her mama. Precious moments indeed.

Back to work

It was a pretty laid back long weekend. I had some alone time at home, which was nice.

I had time to check out old blog links that I chucked under my less-frequently-visited blog folder. This post by a field journal is so pretty and dreamy! Now I'm wondering how she did it.

And continuing the sightseeing theme... this time in Paris...

Have a good week ahead!

Pretty weeds

I have a great fondness for these weeds. I like the shades of purple and white. I like walking by quiet places and finding them growing free, in a place that hasn't been earmarked for development and is just being left to its own devices.

Head over heels for TTV

Oh long weekend, I'm so happy you're here.

My blogger posting issues somehow disappeared so I am back to being able to post photos and links. Whee.

And to celebrate... Photo time! This how-to-do-TTV video was a majorly instructive 5 minutes and 17 seconds. Via Elsie, whose blog is always full of inspiring craft ideas. And thanks also to Nesster who generously shares overlays for photo-editing in that awesome world known as flickr.

About the photo - I took it last December on a family holiday to Sarawak. This was taken outside Kuan-Yee-Poh's house. Living someplace with lots of open sky and low-rise buildings is great for photo taking.

En

The photo doesn't do the place justice but I'm posting it anyway cos I enjoyed looking out of the window of En Japanese Dining Bar, and it is much prettier in real life. What was really good: the beef carpaccio, sashimi, fried beef cubes, unagi fried rice.

I was there with a special group of friends - people who have shared many ups, downs, joys and trials of youth ministry well over a decade. It sounds like a long time but it has passed by so quickly - truly in a blink of an eye. When I look back, I see that God has brought us together, brought us through the challenges, healed many things in my life which are no more than a painless memory now. So the dinner was really a toast to the journey thus far and that which lies ahead. There will be more changes in our lives and areas of ministry but regardless of that, I think the bonds that have been formed will last a lifetime - something which I find deeply moving.

Sun Day

A happy day after church. Taking photos. Zipping along the AYE to
Chelle's. Relaxing with the doggies. Indulging in scrapbooking stuff.
Ahh.

Spotted

Another house, but a real one this time. I like the clean lines and
monochrome colours.

Spotted

I want to see UP! :)

Another stationery store

Another shop discovery from my recent foray at Tampines1, the new mall. From a distance, it already looked like trouble. It's not a scrapbooking store exactly, but it's the closest thing to it in the east. Not luxe, but functional. It won't make you giddy and fork out twice what you intended to spend, more likely you'll make a calm, rational, value-for-money purchase and leave feeling pleased anyway.

To answer the obvious question: I bought 1 set of stickers. Very cute asymetrical heart stickers that will bring cheer to several people. $2.25 after discount (it's an offshoot of Popular!). Yes, a prudent purchase. Though in my mind I hear my mother scoffing. And rolling her eyes :) And for a moment I think, gosh, am I still that 7 year old spending her pocket money on stationery?!

Perspectives on Pocky

Things I do on the train to work: peruse my photos and ponder their
prettiness. LOL.

I compiled this using a photoshop-like iPhone app called montage lite. It works really well and is good for stringing a couple of photos together. It's got other features like editing the colour and transparency of individual photos. Really easy to use and it's free;)

So- the story on the pocky is this: firstly, I am a (moderate, not rabid) pocky fan, junk food though it may be. I'm thrilled whenever I find new flavours - like a certain strawberry marble one from a shop I just found at Tampines1 last Saturday. It's a quirky japanese snack
emporium :)

This one, though, was left on my table one ordinary work day by Bee, one of my good friends from work. It's dipped in CHOCOLATE and laced with OREO crumbs. Cheer for a chocoholic!

How to make Konnyaku Jelly

For Steph - sorry! tech issues!

You will need (shown in the photo):
Konnyaku powder - 1 pack (10gms), makes 24 jellies
Citric Acid - 1/8 teaspoon
Food colouring - 1 drop
Flavouring, e.g. Lychee - 1/4 teaspoon
And just for fun, some dried kiwi seeds

(not shown)
Caster Sugar - 210 gms
Water - 950 ml
Canned fruit - my mum used canned lychees


The name to remember is Red Man. Yes, Red Man. Proudly made in S'pore. Everything shown above is from Red Man, except the food colouring. You can get the ingredients from NTUC or directly from Phoon Huat. The most amusing discovery I've just made is that - after repeated attempts to save my photo of the ingredients - it's all on the Phoon Huat website! Just buy the Konnyaku Jelly powder and you'll find the recipe on the back of the packet :)

So anyway, what you do is mix the Konnyaku powder and caster sugar. Boil the water, then stir this mixture in. Keep stirring, add the citric acid, colouring and flavour.

Pour the Konnyaku solution into plastic moulds where you've already placed the fruit. Chill in the fridge.

Easy to do, and they just look so pro :)

Ta-da :)

Today's Lunch

Just a snapshot of a relatively frugal lunch from the staff canteen.
And a pretty satisfying one, at that. I used to eat like this most
lunches but these days my food expenditure has increased...

Birthday Blooms

It's kind of nice to have flowers on the table at breakfast. This is my birthday bouquet from my aunt, in which she also artfully shoved in a mascara and eye liner :) love my family...

I can never quite decide but if I had to pick 2 favourite colours, I think it would be yellow and white (technically a non-colour).

One Hand Waving

OOH. I am thrilled to add this blog to my list of blogs-to-check-frequently.
http://thesoundofonehandwaving.blogspot.com/

Janice Tay, ST correspondent, has been studying/working in Japan for some time and I've always enjoyed her articles. Unfortunately, the blog doesn't allow for linking to individual posts at the moment so one of the articles she wrote on 22 Sep 08 has to be searched for by entering 'vending' as a key word. It's about a seemingly inane Japanese blog about a vending machine. Totally Sassy-Girl like. I could see it playing out as a movie!

I love reading blogs! (to quote Steph :)
I like going through them the hard way. None of that Google reader stuff for me, it's just not the same experience :p
Another reason I'm happy to add this blog is that most of my blogs are American-based, with 1 Australian one. Lots of mummy blogs and people-who-love-fashion/design blogs, and people-who-love-scrapbooking blogs. Whimsical Asian blogs : none, till now! Whee.

30 was good

So I was just chatting with an old classmate who shares the same birthday. And when I say old, I don't mean literally...for this birthday anyway :P

It was so funny, I was on facebook and she just popped up in my chat box. We haven't talked for what... 15 years maybe? No need for preambles to conversation, just cordial exchanges of bday wishes and exchanging thoughts about hitting the 30s and whatnot. Last year this time round, I was blue about moving up the age bracket. This year, I am much calmer. In fact, I am feeling very relaxed about many things at this point in my life. I am satisfied :)

Photo blues

I am having problems posting photos :(

Meanwhile, check out this gallery by Matt Lauder, a professional photographer - he takes astoundingly amazing, breathtaking photos of the Australian landscape.

Nitey Nite! Woohoo, the weekend's here!

Park

Played hooky today, just for awhile...

Dinner & Dessert @ Riciotti

Memo: Chelle's turn to organize next dinner :)

This was tonight's lovely dessert from Riciotti (ri-CHIO-tee, said
Steph). I was reminded of my warm chocolate cake recipe from Martha
which is still stuck forlornly on my fridge door - I will get down to
making it (eventually).

Yet another nice night out with Chelle and Steph!

By the way, I've been enjoying this free iPhone app called Polarizer
which turns photos into pretty cool Polaroid-like shots.

Jelly relief

It has been SO HOT of late.
My mum made Konnyaku Jelly last weekend and we slowly ate our way through a few trays. Cool, cheap and yummy!

Shadows

Day at the Museum

Like I said, I love big wide open spaces.

Ticket to transformation

Spotted along the way to the national museum. LOL! Speaking of which, I'm looking forward to watching Transformers. I'm on leave this afternoon, helping to man one of the stations that we're doing for our Amazing Race activity for the English summer camp kids. I'm supremely happy, having been able to work at home the past week. Had a super productive work spurt. Having cleared major bits of work, I get to enjoy a peaceful afternoon off. Bliss is wandering around the museum's wide open spaces with John Mayer in my ears. Ear.
Bliss #2: taking a million photos with Sheena, my photo kaki.

Sun Nite

Candy coloured houses

Tea Cosy

Tucked away in a corner of plaza sing, right next to spotlight's craft
corner (and by association, delightful!) is a unique cafe called Tea
Cosy. It's hidden amidst what I can only describe as decorative knick-
knacks and it's such a gem. A quiet corner and good food. Now this is
how dory should be done - lightly panfried and with miso soup. Tis a
nice lunch.

I had a productive morning at work, clearing some tasks before the
busy week comes along. Now to peruse the crafts section before I head
down to church. We have a camp over the next fortnight so we are
gearing up. I think of this afternoon's little getaway as the calm
before the storm :)

Tuesday by the beach

View of the the shoreline from the jetty. Imagine along with me, a salty breeze, a day winding down. The East Coast always reminds me of school days and of kayaking.

Good cheer

(above) Rhetorical Statements

Being a little restless as I usually am when three-quarters of the world (my world) seems to be on leave, I thought I would take the afternoon off and brighten Wendy's day with my presence. And cake (chocolate truffle from cedele - it's good). And sushi (new find: yummy sushi and reasonably priced, at Jason's supermarket). And chocolate cookies.

Goodnight, Monday

Pretty!! And soothing to listen to on a quiet Monday night!

It probably will not surprise some of you that (a) I took an Intro to Music elective in uni (b) that I still have the lists of music we were supposed to listen to (c) yes, I listened to them all (d) and I also annotated them with my reactions (smiley face for those I liked, etc).

Back in the day, we had to go all the way down to the basement of the library to borrow the music...and now it's all on youtube...

Anyway, one of the smiley faces went to...
Satie's Gymnopedies 1... (like the overcast skies I like :)


Goodnight world! (Music: clair de lune, fades out softly...)

Hello Monday

Spotted in Bali.

For Feli who's 'dreaming of a holiday'... not to worry, it's coming soon (maybe...). And for anyone else who needs a chuckle :)

Monkey Business

News: A monkey generated work for some hapless NParks employee somewhere. I must admit I was mightily curious about this dangerous monkey.

Slice of life

Breakfast with Khairani. Perfectly done eggs and good strong coffee. And lots of catching up on life stories!

Today's treat

I haven't been to Ghim Moh market for ages. So today was a treat -
Ipoh hot fun and for dessert, peanut & sesame glutinous rice balls in
sweet peanut soup... Too many things were calling my name, I shall
have to go back again...

Indulgent Saturday

I finally signed up for my own iTunes account and for the first time
in my life, paid for a game (all of 99 cents) rather than just use the
free versions.. And I am having oodles of fun with the (free) photo
apps! Super fun. Samples will be shared in due course!

I love a man with a sense of humour

It was from the blog of the stylishly entertaining Ms Spinach that I first heard of the White House's flickr photostream (Impressive!). What caught my attention though was this hilarious photo and all the comments it attracted. LOL.

Day off

Just so you know, it's a bright and sunny day...

Minorly bored

10am and my hair has held up pretty well I think :) inspired by a
video that Stella sent me, bless her heart...

Update: Here's the video!

Heart heart heart

I really get a great kick out of drinking a drink with a heart in it.
My frequent lunch time treat :)

Mixing business with pleasure

I wonder what it feels like to do craft all day ... for work :P
Does it feel a bit like being in some strange land at the top of the faraway tree?

Why I Blog

1. To capture the enjoyment / happiness I feel
2. To help me remember things, like when I last met some friends, as I did tonight at the extremely charming & affordable Pasta Brava. I met Chelle & Steph for dinner. And oh Steph, last time we met was in Feb :)
   
3. For fun
4. ...and for other reasons I'll talk about some other time when I'm less sleepy :)
   

Things to give thanks for

...namely, people in my life who swoop down on me at lunch time on a day in which (1) work is taking its toll (2) it is a very wet day in which it is near impossible to get out for lunch and the prospect of canteen food seems dreary (3) I need cheering up. Thanks gal :) This is at House at Dempsey Road. This is truffle pizza and some delicious squid concoction on the right.

Sun-dae

Sticky Chewy Chocolate!

Sweet Surprise

I was talking to a colleague on the train this morning and mentioned
that I was feeling panicky about some deadlines. After lunch he came
by with some cheesecake to cheer me up. How sweet! That's the kind of
thing I would do for someone so I hardly know what to say when I'm on
the receiving end. Um, except a very big Thank You.

Tea at the Raffles

It was a pleasant afternoon off.

Nightfall

Though the photo doesn't suggest it, it is now night as I write this.

It was a beautiful day. Joe and Mandy got married. Little boy Joe, a kid who I recall was a terror in sunday school. The kid whose favourite t-shirt for a season cheerfully proclaimed "I'm here for the beer!" It was a very sweet wedding. My brother was busy scampering about helping the couple, in his new suit and with his brand new ties which I take some credit for. Oh he looked very nice :)

It was a nice hot-but-windy-day.

Dinner was nice too. Good food and it's always nice to see everyone dressed up.

And beautiful thought, the weekend is starting!

It is night. I have had a good day and am satisfied.

My noticeboard, May 09

I brought my stamps home from work where I've been doing craft stuff with a colleague at lunch. This being a long weekend, and with my new stamps, I thought I'd have time for some craft. Made a card for Joel & Mandy who got married this May Day.

I've been playing with my friend's Polaroid camera. I wasted one shot at lunch with Stella, Jac and Sheena when I accidentally pressed the wrong button. There went $3. I stuck it up on my board as a reminder of lunch, and I tried stamping on it to see the effect.

A giant A by Adobe which I love. I tore it out of a brochure.

Christmas card from Sheena. We made our cards at Chelle's store, I mean, home :)

Some Lomo photos that I cut up.

A little pen and marker thing I did after seeing Jacob's website.

And things that have been on my noticeboard for ages... what I have previously described as a decorative thing, and a toothpick-and-macaroni-letters painted over with nail polish from a secondary school fun fair made by my one of my classmates. Someone once said that things in my house don't change that much, which is pretty true!