Harmony

fasting, feasting and everything pre-hari raya

2009-09-30T18:38:00.001-07:00

@Java Kitchen Tanjong Katong Road to break fast

Finally the food is here and it's time to break fast!

Geylang, Si Paku Geylang...

Pulang, marilah pulang marilah pulang bersama-sama

mobilising...

2009-09-30T18:24:00.001-07:00

A timeline of Gundam evolution behind us

Into the world of Sangokuden

Poor hunny had a pretty nasty ulcer; yet hunny still grins and bears it

kites fly so high way up into the sky

2009-09-30T17:52:00.001-07:00

Hunny posing with the our first kite at the entrance of Marina Barrage.

Hunny and me

Hunny and me (II)

First step: Smile and hold the kite in the plastic bag this way...

Ta Da! The complete kite unfurled and ready to rhumba!

Our eagle kite's maiden voyage

Hunny looking so cute and holding onto the string in case I yell...

Looking pro for the camera...

Our second trip - more confident so brought 2 kites!

Lovely aren't they?

A spectrum of colourful kites at West
Coast Park

Here's another trip- 2009 Kite Fest

random mobile pix

2009-09-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm writing again to say that the following pictures taken at random here, there and wherever we go are sooooOOOo nice! (except for the one above haha)

Magnum Golden Hazelnut

Hunny and honey in Gundam and Domo-kun tshirts respectively...

Card from hunny for our 50th honeymonth. It's a monthly tradition to get cards for each other and profess our LOVE in written text...

Happy Teacher's Day 2009! What a pleasant surprise from my hunny!

Yummy linguine @Cedele Raffles City.

Selamat Hari Raya hunny! My card for you...

2009-08-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Dearest hunny sweetheart,

Happy four-and-a-half honey years to us!

I love you very much.

Here's wishing us sunshine and smiles.

I'm missing you lots during Ramadhan... may this be a most meaningful honeymonth for us.

All my love,

Tanglin core shots

2009-08-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

We were very excited for the long NDP weekend and what better way to start it then a visit to the outdoors? After a yummylicious breakfast at Taman Serasi, we ventured into the Tanglin core of the Botanical Gardens on Saturday. Wallace and Darwin Evolution & The Survival of the Fittest theory exhibition

Botanical Gardens

Only us

Noraini

Sing Poh

Awesome times together

I love you!

happy hunny

2009-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

My hunny, my sunshine. He smiles ever so often and cheers me up when I'm down.

Happy 53rd honeymonth to us! Love, me.

old songs

2009-06-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Many old songs invoke emotions and nostalgia to me. MJ's Heal the World for instance and Nazareth's Love Hurts.

Loneliness Knows Me By Name is a song by Westlife and I can't agree more. When loneliness looks for a friend in me, please God, let me bolt my door against Mr Loneliness.

Kuala Lumpur 2009

2009-06-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dressed in shades of red tops and Levi’s Signature jeans, we took our Samsonite luggage to Concorde Hotel to catch an 8am Luxury coach to Kuala Lumpur. Leaving humid Singapore is the best thing for us as we really wanted a breakaway from all that depression, stress, heat and humdrum of the Lion City.

Upon arrival to Hotel Istana at Raja Chulan, we took a taxi to the Berjaya Times Square. Nothing hospitable there but we were feeling happy so we had our first meal in KL – at Kenny Roger’s Roasters and boy did we have a hearty meal! Hunny had chicken and I had potato jacket with macaroni and cheese. Nice!

We did a couple of disappointing things after that like going to the Weld with no toys bazaar and the utmost disappointment being Planet Hollywood which was under renovation! We were so crestfallen but we chanced upon Pavillion and things got better. I bought an orange blouse and a black one for sis from Nichii. We had a meal at Secret Recipe near Sungei Wang Plaza and then took the monorail back to Imbi Station.

Our second day was so lovely! We headed in a taxi to the Tugu (National Monument), a great spectre of some perwira (war heroes) with a cenotaph at the rear, signifying how the Malaysians commemorate WWI, WW2 and the period of Merdeka (Konfrontasi). Hunny and I took photos and admired the Iwo Jima sculpture looming above us in black marble. It was awesome!

We also went to the KL birdpark. We were greeted by cockle-doodle-doos, great hornbills, parrots, toucans, bright-eyed Lorries, ostriches and an ultimately sleepy owl, which took pictures with eyes tightly shut. He is quite a character, that owl – featured in the Birdpark brochures and photo frame – what a guy! We shared mee mamak at the Hornbill restaurant.

The Merdeka Square was a treat! Malaysia has very nice colonial + Malay architecture.
The best treat from Hunny sweetheart! The Malaysian Philharmonic was sooooooo good and the performance was excellent. Tip top crème de la crème! We enjoyed dressing up and going for concert together. It’s an experience I shall cherish for as long as I live!

Colmar Tropical @ Berjaya Hills was a sweet melody and coda to our trip. Lush greenery and fresh breezes as we whizz around in the shuttle tram up and down the winding tracks towards the Japanese tea garden and Rabbit farm.

What a beautiful getaway and as always, we are sad to see time slip past us. If only I know how to grab and freeze the time, I shall spend it all with you, dearest. Thanks for the special June holidays. I will remember all we share.

Love,

Who was Bingley?

2009-05-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ans: Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles' middle name!

Today, we went to the Raffles Biodiversity Museum at NUS Science faculty. It took us some time to get there and I felt very sleepy along the way, after a hearty lunch at Swensens.

We intended to take the shuttle bus but by the time we reached BV, I was dehydrated and could not make it to the other side of the road in the scorching sunlight, so we took a taxi down to lower Kent Ridge.

The museum has a spectrum of flora and fauna preserved artifacts that used to be found in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. Once alive mammals stood on all fours looking menacing into the camera in their preserved state.

Many specimens tugged at my heartstrings. First, to be frozen in their dazzling state even in death captured my sympathy. Secondly, the fact that many can no longer be found in our river estuararies, much of which has been canalised or dammed up and even non-existent specimens at our few existing mangroves and catchment areas.

We learnt a bit about the animals but there was not much information apart from their name tablets. Ah, these biologists, they really should write more!

zucchini & a lotsa mozzarella

2009-05-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

A date at our own backyard, Pasta Fresca De Salvatore at Siglap!

We ordered Promodoro Basil Conchiglie pasta, Margarita Pizza and Creme' Coffee.

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as the food is heavenly!

Hunny's the best!

P-E-D-R-O all on board!

2009-04-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

So there we were, at the zoo onboard Pedro!

Which way to the Proboscis monkey enclosure?

I feel crowned with blesings whenever i think back of the fifty months we shared.

Our enduring love has overcome the odds and here we are, celebrating our fiftieth honeymonth this week!

Last weekend we explored Simpang Bedok.
Sedap Corner fusion food is sedap, zhen de!

You have made everything I wished for possible hunny...

e pinky day

2009-03-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here we are in front of the National Museum of Singapore.

These pictures are taken at the Chirstian Lacroix Le Costumier exhibition on 28 March 2009.

Behind us are sample costumes, inspirations of the designer on how costumes should be.

We had a great time, managed to catch the 4.30pm guided tour and understood more about Lacroix's creations.

I sense that this costume is so French, period and operatic, don't you?

After we view all the distinguished masterpieces, we went to Bukit Larangan a.k.a. Government Hill a.k.a. Fort Canning for snapshots.

Happy Hatch-Day Hunny!

2009-03-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Hunny,
This one’s dedicated to celebrate your birthday on 27 March 2009.
I was thinking of the wonderful things God has created and do you know something?
You came into my mind.
I want to make this year yet another special one for you.

You bring so much joy just by being yourself and I hope you remain just the way you are!
If only we needn’t work on our birthdays, wouldn’t that be awesome?
Have a blessed birthday dearest, may all your hopes and dreams come true.
Mine came true when I met you.

Roman Catholicism tour

2009-02-27T06:51:00.000-08:00

St. Peter held 2 keys to open and close the gate to heaven.
St. Paul, a Jew, was beheaded and his symbol was the sword.

Immaculate heart of Mary
Prayer-Penance-Devotion 50-beads rosary, Hail Mary
Catholic Holy Days: Ash Wednesday-Days of Lent-Palm Sunday-Last Supper-Good Friday-Easter Sunday.

The insignia of Pope, his hat. The church initially reported to Macau, not Rome therefore the Coat of Arms on the opposite door belongs to the King of Portugal.

St. Joseph Church with the Latin cross …

The Anglican cross where young lovers met in the olden days when the National Library was at Stamford Road.

Tell me how a four-year relationship can still be this strong...

If only you know what’s deep in my heart... I love you.

Flowers and Dreams

2009-01-25T03:47:00.000-08:00

Sentosa Flowers 2009
I, for once, did not mind walking an extra mile around sunny Sentosa Palawan beach as well as Imbiah Lookout for moments like these with you...

Sentosa became an enchanting woodlands bursting green with silky flowerheads popping up here and there to welcome us.

Colourful petals bid us to step between their lovely dew-laced beds.

To the left, to the right, by bunches of pink and white, yellow and orange blossoms puffing up for an audience to admire.

We had such a grand time at Sentosa flowers 2009. Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Our Ipoh Trip

2008-12-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

Arrival at Ipoh at dawn, 4a.m.

Shall we wait or hesitate upon the December morning?

We were at the hotel lobby half awake, half asleep.

We sought out the prata kopitiam once it was bright enough to venture out to the streets.

Tambun Water Themepark was beautiful.

Follow the sounds of water and tribal calls of the lost civilisation and you’ll find sculptures on the crown of the roof, centre stage and for an alto tenor boost, the surrounding limestone cliffs stand looming over the water park.

The hot spring was soothing after the travelling. We managed to catch the train ride and hop on the swan ride, isn’t that something!

Here’s Prince Hunny and his damsel. The Kellie Castle embodies the charm of country lore. There was an old bridge across the moat surrounding the castle entrance. All is hushed around the unfinished mansion. The history of the love of Sir K. and his beloved wife lies crumbling in the mould. You could half imagine the rooms being furnished splendidly with king-cups, sequins, silver, velveteen and gold. To me, the castle itself is a shining gold that lies on sunlit meadows of the past.

Gazing at the dazzling height that awaited us at the foot of the stairs, Gua Tempurung is one exercise regime you would try to skip and instead beg for a lazy day in which to doze. It is a holiday after all...

Despite the heart’s protests, we climbed the staircase and walked further into the awesome cavern. The guide pointed out a few interpretations of the limestone formations inside some of which really look like faces and animals, very artistic nature, praises be to God.

We took the opportunity to see one of the temples in the cavern, the Kek Lok Tong.

Here’s the KTM station and sights around the old town admin buildings of Ipoh.

Light breezes croon among the trees and we came before the most important tree, the Ipoh tree, whence the town’s name originated from.

Night scene.
Perak Darul Ridzuan Museum portrayed the treasure of tin-mining.
No pirate chief was ever more delighted by his swag,
No buccaneer more boastful of the contents of his bag... From a distance, St. Michael’s Institution looks magnificent. It is as though if you say a prayer, it will be sent skyward on gauzy wings. This other-worldly place is ours to stroll past in idle thoughts and dreams divine for awhile. SP and I had lovely smiles that day. We enjoyed each others’ company so much it is indescribable.

Lunch at the Chicken Rice Shop. On this trip, we had tantalising meals every day. Our tummies are full and we are delighted.
The Padang bearing Perak’s flag unfurled.

It was a rainy afternoon when we reached THE Old Town White Coffee, Ipoh. A nimble wind unfolds and the rain sweeps over us in light drizzles but we were very happy drinking hazelnut coffee and having the scrumptious French toast.

A pretty pink-and-white HSBC building

Cool! Rest & relax...
Take my heart and keep it with you always... As the school holidays are closing and a new year begins, I want you to know you are the one most precious sunshine to me.

Year end

2008-11-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

I was thinking if I were to write a letter to my pupils, how would it sound?

Perhaps...

Dear children,

How do you do this last day of school? We made it, didn't we? I wouldn't say I told you so.
We came so far as a class. It's an honour to teach you and be your form teacher. It has been a tough tough tough year for me, keeping up appearances as your strict mentor. Frankly, I have learnt more than each of you put together. You have taught me tolerance, patience and above all, LOVE.

I love you, children, from the first day I stepped into the class this year and I have not stopped ever since. Yes, I maybe harsh at times, pushing you as you struggle with growing up, growing strong.

We had good times when I felt like hugging each of you for being such a gem, always rooting for me, being by me through the longest days. There were times too when I receive such a bad time in school because of you.

You know whom amongst you I have tried so hard to shelter from harm. How eventually the cane fell on one of you and how my heart cried out for you, although keeping up appearances, I looked on.. not helping to stop the punishment, but caring, all togther, mixed emotions...

Well, this year has been a good kind one for me. I have worked so hard for the sake of your education. I wish we will not part but life is like this. I believe each and everyone of you will be great men and women someday, if not to the world, to your loved ones.

Au revoir

Ms Noraini

Pulau Ubin

2008-11-08T03:58:00.000-08:00

Excitement before taking the bumboats to Pulau Ubin. We captured the moment at the entrance of the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Prior to this, we met early in the morning for breakfast at the new coffeeshop next to Bedok bus interchange. That was good dhal with potato for dahlin.

We took bus no. 2 right up to the ferry terminal. There were two queues. One for Pengerang Johor and the other for Ubin. I am glad to see they have upgraded that area and the terminal has become rather pretty and sturdy.

We had to wait for ten other passengers and took a bumboat there. The moment we reached the jetty, I felt like stepping into kampung life already. Pulau Ubin reminds me of our visit to Redang, only then the water was clear crystal blue.

The tandem took us as far as Sesame Street.

We had a great time cycling up and down the slopes. The road is tough. I cannot imagine doing the bike tracks that are rougher. We cycled past old road names like Jelutong and Mat Senin. The mangroves around the area was nice to see although some inconsiderate people did litter the swampland with plastic bottles. Not us!

Around 1.45pm on Saturday, 8 Nov.

We took leave of the island. Thanks dahlin, I cherish each weekend with you...

Moses parted the red sea

2008-11-08T03:30:00.000-08:00

On 1 Nov, we visited the Marina Barrages. The sight that greeted us was amazing as a cofferdam portioned out water between our new Marina reservoir and the sea. I felt happy and what's more, we had the chance to relive our schooldays as we quenched our thirst with a cup off the milo van. I enjoyed the gallery the most and SP took some pictures of the water-flow process - an engineering challenge!

Coat of Arms

2008-11-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

I love history. I did a review on Francois Guizot during my university days. Here, you see a coat of arms of the House of Bourbons from early 14th century. Doesn't it look precious? Love history

Jacob Ballas

2008-10-29T06:49:00.001-07:00

After a hearty meal at Prata Cafe off Evans Road, we headed to Jacob Ballas Children's Garden @ Singapore Botanical Gardens. We took a stroll amidst the Simpoh Air, the Calabash and the Okra. All of them beautiful, flowering and bearing fruit. We had an awesome time there.

Work-life Harmony

2008-10-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Did I mention you are a total malady?

There was a time when work got more of me than it should because I was healing my heart.
I believe those times are not over...