Rainbow

After the rain.

Year of the Bike

This year looks like it might be the year of the bike for me. Addictive!

Movie Spotting

I spy with my little eye... a movie my family will love watching together, not to mention shedding a few tears (yes we do get a little emotional).

Gotta love long weekends. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Wicked the Musical...

...is awesome good. And dressing up for a show at the Marina Bay Sands is fun, to boot.

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

"For Good" from the Musical Wicked - Click here for more home videos

*my heart sighs*

Happy 2012

Ahoy there amigos

(for some strange reason, I had that mixed greeting in my head),

Been jet setting and paddling gently in the lovely cool relaxed month that is December.

I'm not sure that I'm entirely ready for 2012 but it's here nonetheless, and may it be a good one.

The past year was a mix of ups and downs, like any year.

I'm so glad we managed to pull off a house painting (with accompanying massive clean up!) this past year, and we had a family trip to Kota Kinabalu which was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. All the more so with my dad being diagnosed with cancer later in the year. We have been so blessed with so many people looking out for us, helping us and showing such great kindness. We are thankful for each one of you.

And of course a lovely trip to Bali with best friends, days of pampering and recuperating from a busy year.

I am thankful for everything, every day, every blessing both big and small. Thank you, heavenly Father.

Speaking of Everything, I adore this song... enjoy. It takes me back to windy days up in Jimbaran, surrounded by mountains and blue skies and the green hues of the tree tops around us.

Amanda

Milestone of Note

I finished my guitar lessons this week.
It was great fun learning over the last 5 months, and I'm thrilled to be able to strum to myself now.
"Can make out a tune now", said my mum.

Day Out with K & G

Days like these don't come by very often (literally years).
And when they do, you savour them, enjoy them with relish, and take lots of photographs.

p.s. I adore rambling about in the civic district...

xx

Rooftop, Bras Brasah Complex (here)

Font: Lazy Day (appropriately enough). I will remember the cool breeze + overcast sky + phototaking with glee & wild abandon for years to come.

I have a thing for photos of HDB blocks.

Paperbacks, with the elegant Raffles Hotel in the background.

Oh! My heart skipped a beat with this beautiful shot.

Banyan Tree Bintan

Snapshots from a weekend getaway with my church friends, with lots of laughter and chilling out.

Hello Operator? Buggy, please. (Lazy holiday indeed!)

Private pool from which to gaze at the sky meeting the sea. Changing shades of blue and white, light and darkness. Lovely.

Champagne at breakfast - sheer decadence.

Life's Sweet

I thank God for my family. I feel incredibly blessed to have all this love around me...
Anyway, here's my dad barely 3 weeks after his operation, AND he just started his first round of chemo (which the doc promised wouldn't cause hair loss - at least for the current cocktail of drugs). Dad has been more tired of late but keeping in good spirits and overall doing well.

Cousin G is back in town this season and that was reason enough for a whole lot of family activity - let the luan-see-ness begin. Good timing, really, dad quite enjoyed having people around.


Photo: Dad enjoying a sunny day by the beach.

p/s

Sweet Paul magazine Fall 2011 - Gorgeous!

Ooh, Morocco.

Tiny Miracles...

... is probably an oxymoron. Is a miracle ever tiny?

Still, here at this point of my life, I find myself thankful for the many blessings that God has given me, in all shapes and sizes, form and colour. Most of all, I thank Him for calling me to be His child. He is always with me, always comforting, guiding, shaping.

So this past week has been spent in hospital with my dad. He was diagnosed with cancer and had a tumour removed. He's such a tough ol' bird, I never knew that about my dad. He has shown me how to face a major trial with fortitude.

Being a caregiver is tough (though not as tough as being the patient), so we appreciate our whole village of relatives and friends who have surrounded us with their love and prayers.

As the doctors said, we have to pace ourselves. So today I am resting in for awhile before I go for a guitar class (the start of my third module!) in the afternoon before checking in on my dad. He is in good spirits and has been getting better by the hour.

Photo: Shortly after you move off from the kangaroo enclosure at the world-famous Singapore Zoo, you might spot these tiny feathery insects resembling delicate bits of tissue paper. Marvelous, God's creation. 

Terminal 3

Location: Changi Airport, Terminal 3
Font: Monaco

There was something so striking about the bright blue sky and the neat row of trolleys that I just had to take this shot. Have a clear-blue-sky week ahead.

Cavenagh Bridge & Other Sights

Playing tourist on a grey-ish morning.
Lovely details.
And an iconic shot of ye olde founder of our sunny shores.

Early Morning Photo Shoot (At the MBS pool)

Elmo Movie

Sometimes I see trailers that make me go, ah-ha, a movie to watch with my mum and aunt and cousins!

How the apple crumbles

I love Saturdays, especially in the aftermath of a severely trying time at work.

Totally enjoying my morning.

My brother bought these ramekins! It doesn't take too much to make me happy :)

So Mum & I made apple crumble this morning. Too lazy to post the recipe... but it's a lovely mishmash of red/green apples, cinnamon, raisins, brown sugar, plain flour, butter and digestive biscuits.

xx

Chrysanthemum tea

ChrysantheMUM tea. Ok this punning thing is one of my nerdy skills.

But seriously folks, home-made c.tea rocks.  Just boil a put of water, add the dried chrysanthemum, add sugar...and drink.

Love the old-school packaging, and love the look & feel of a bundle of dried flowers. I can almost imagine all their summery goodness condensed into a palm's worth of leaves.

Chilli plant updates

The pet plants have upgraded their digs! New pots and more soil, courtesy of my mum.

Proverbs, Recycled paper and Washi Tape

Monday

Cupcake: Of the red velvet and cream cheese glaze variety, baked by my cousin K. Of course I had to take a photo of the ridiculously cute heart on top.

Font: Never Let Me Go. Good reminder, that.

This Season: is about learning to be calm and carry on. Peace out y'all.  (inside joke)

xx
Manda

At the Marina Bay Sands, from End to End

Friends, food and a fabulous time.

This reminds me of my chee cheong fun shot. At Sky on 57.

Ku De Ta's signature red. I miss Bali already.

Fireworks on the Bay

xx
Manda