Treasure Your Good Friends

I thought it's just another day today. To my shock, I received a Watsapp message that my friend from undergraduate days had just passed on after battling illness for many years. She was like a big sister to me, helping me with Mathematics. 

A small group of us who came from different polytechnics engineering to direct entry second year at National University of Singapore helped each others. I was from Temasek Polytechnic and she was from Ngee Ann polytechnic who was on a scholarship to study in Singapore. She was loud and outgoing but I was quiet and reserved. But we were closed in university, always going to lectures and having meals together. We had steamboat at the university hostel, went to Malaysia for a short holiday and studied late at night at NUS.

Somehow after graduation, we just drifted apart. She was married with two beautiful children. I was wondering why she never contact me while I was shy to reach out to her after the Chinese New Year gathering. I thought that she must be busy with her job as a senior engineer and her family. Also I always felt that she was much closer to another friend thus I didn't think of contacting her. I was wondering why she didn't contact me.

I was driven and busy at work many years ago in my previous job, sometimes working till 9 pm at my workplace. I won some awards and was promoted twice but grew weary when a new head took over. I delivered results but was passed over promotion. I also lost the drive in work after seeing some of my ex-colleagues passed on due to illnesses. I began to think about the meaning of life. I realised that I didn't ask her out for meal. I assumed she must be busy like my other married friends focusing on her children and career too.

I resigned from my job in late 2016, taking one year off to travel and just read all the books I was busy to read when I was working.  

Coincidentally days before her passing, I was just thinking of my friend and wondering about her. I thought that she must be busy teaching her children. They must be smart like her. 

It's important to keep in touch with good friends. Don't assume they are busy. At least try to message them, if they are keen to meet up, then it's great else it's also ok as you don't regret not keeping in touch. 活在当下

Spice Girls- Stop

I love this catchy melody, Stop by the Spice Girls which has this Motown feel. Enjoy this song. 

Bearbrick at Raffles City Shopping Mall

It's the Christmas season now and many shopping malls are now decorated with Christmas decor. I like the BearBrick Christmas design at Raffles City Shopping mall which comes in vibrant colour and sweet candy. It just makes you feel so happy. 

 

Dessert on Sunday

Brought Mcdonald Hershey Chocolate sundae and topped with honey pecans and chocolate.  Only eat once in a blue moon.

Happy 100th Day Panda Baby

Today marks Singapore panda baby 100th day birthday. Next month Singapore and China will  announce his name.

Looking forward to seeing this adorable panda next year January!

 Image from The Straits Times

Christmas in Bloom at Singapore Orchard Road

Finally Orchard Road is decked with dazzling colourful Christmas light-up. I love going to Orchard Road to experience the Christmas festive atmosphere with my cousins and friends. This year, speakers are placed along the road near Ngee Ann city and Ion Orchard playing Christmas carol. Last Saturday my cousins and I explored Orchard Christmas light-up from Wheelock Place to the Ngee Ann city. 

I will back to Orchard road again to see Christmas light-up again. 

From the Straits Times here

The 3.1km light-up will kick off on Nov 13, with seven weeks of festivities till Jan 2. The lights will be turned on from 6.30pm to midnight from Sundays to Thursdays, till 2am for Fridays and Saturdays, and stay on overnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, until 6am.

The 12m-tall main arch at the Scotts-Paterson road junction, seen in this artist’s impression below, will be lined with colourful lights accentuated with red and rose gold poinsettias, a traditional Christmas flower that symbolises purity and mirth.

At Ion Orchard

Inside Wheelock Place

24-Hour Security Robot at MRT Station

Saw this cute 24-hour surveillance camera, a security robot at Singapore MRT Station.

 

Deepavali Light-up 2021

I am really grateful to my uncle-in-law who sent me home with my cousin after the outing. He gladly travelled to Little India so that I could take photos of Deepavali light-up and post in my blog.

We love the elaborate design and vibrant Deepavali light-up at Little India. No offence please, but I think the Christmas light-up kinda pale in comparison to the Deepavali more vibrant and nice design. 

 

Creative Home Design

I enjoy watching home tour to get some ideas for my new home. It's really time to get a home of my own. Recently I thought that I could participate in the Barista skill workshop in Nov. Alas, there is no male participants thus the workshop is cancelled. Being single has some advantages.  I can just decide the design style I want at home. I like pastel colour, light wood tone tiles and lots of wood furniture in my new home. I will also buy good quality massaging shower head, washing machine and also comfortable seahorse brand single bed to save space. Wow, thinking of all the things I need to buy, I really need to start saving now. 

I love plants but all the succulents that I brought just wither in 3 months. I simply don't have green fingers.  

This November, I will just apply for 2-room BTO flat under the Singles scheme. Hopefully I can get the 47 squares metres flat which I think is sufficient for one person. 

After browsing the home decor magazines and looking at home decor videos, I kinda know what I want. In my new home, I want white marble with light grey streaks tiles in the bathroom wall and also on the kitchen table top. For study table, I love light beautiful wood grains that exudes warm vibes. There will be a few Billy bookshelves which are able to withstand 30 kg load per shelf. I like the smart storage ideas as shown in the interior design video below. I will continue to explore different interior design and renovation companies for my new home. It is quite exciting to decorate your own home. 

 

Why is Squid Game So Popular?

Many people around the world have watched the popular Squid game. Out of curiosity, I went to watch the trailer. It looks interesting but I don't like the bloody scenes. I still prefer comedies and musical movies which help me relax and laugh. This Squid game show is just too scary and sad.  

Bus 129 Journey

l Iove travelling our public transport especially double-decker bus during non-peak hours as you have better vantage point, seeing things that you can't with cars. During school holidays, I will try to explore new buses with scenic views. I heard that there are interesting features in new buses like the 3-door buses with power charging points. 

As usual, today I took bus 129 from Bartley MRT station to Temasek polytechnic. From there, it's another 10 minutes walk to my home. There are some interesting views like the sand storage and the hidden lake along Tampines Avenue 10. You can only see the hidden lake from double-decker bus or you can walk there. I haven't explore the lake yet and most probably will venture there with someone else.

Hidden lake at Tampines Eco Green near Temasek Polytechnic along Tampines Avenue 10

Comfortable seats in bus 129

Ongoing constructions

Coniferous trees at the roadside.

Sand storage

Hoshino Coffee at Ion Orchard

My buddy Y, who is like my elder sister and I had great dinner at Ion Orchard Hoshino Coffee restaurant last Friday. Besides my parents, she is one of the few  people who is honest with me, especially on what I need to work on. 

We love their delicious and generous pasta and their signature Hoshino coffee with chestnut flavour. It's a great place for good coffee and pasta and catching up with pals. We think they need to work on their service as they took very long time to serve the coffee. 

I opted for the Souffle omu tomato cream spaghetti at $16.80 which is a new dish with prawns, mushroom and this big fluffy egg. I was happy with my choice.

My friend had Roast beef carbonara at $18.80.

We added mini salad and mini soup with additional $4.00.

Hoshino coffee with chestnut flavour

Christmas Decor at Orchard Road

I'm so looking forward to next Saturday Orchard road Christmas light-up! Yesterday I had a wonderful time meeting my pal, Y at Orchard road for dinner and shopping. We went to Ion for dinner first at Hoshino Coffee first. We also went to Zall bookstore at the Wheelock place. Later we went to Paragon to try Kind Kones ice-cream and to buy some facial products. 

This year Orchard Road Christmas is my favourite floral theme with giant outdoor production. Next Saturday I'll go to Orchard Road again to see the light-up. This year I don't feel like travelling especially when I read of the rising covid fatality cases in Singapore. I hope there is no more covid just like the end of SARS. Next year, hopefully I can travel to Italy and Switzerland. My friend, C told me she is also interested to visit Europe. So for now, we just save for the trip. I'm also learning some basic Italian language from youtube video. 

We love the festive feel with Christmas song playing outdoor. Even though I'm not  Christian, I love Christmas as I love the dazzling Christmas light-up in Orchard and the holidays season for me. Maybe I just stay at home on Christmas Day as Orchard road will be crowded. 

 

                                           At the Paragon Shopping mall

Floral decorations along Orchard road

Stunning Sun Rise at My Workplace

There is a spot at my workplace where I can view beautiful clouds and stunning sun rise. I find today sun rising shyly and hiding behind the clouds.

Does this look like painting?

Hilarious Music Video -Hubby Song by Jolin Tsai

I love this Hubby music video and song by Jolin Tsai. The music video reminds me of my favourite comedy movies by Stephen Chow. There are special appearances by popular and famous Hong Kong comedy actress Sandra Ng and handsome Chinese actor Zheng Kai in this slapstick comedy MTV which is  a typical Stephen Chow style. Sandra Ng is the Goddess of Marriage in this MTV and she still looks so pretty! Speaking of Stephen Chow, I hope to watch his movies soon. I only watched one movie, Mulan last year. I prefer to watch comedies, musical movies like Jersey Boys and inspiring movies like Kungfu Panda.

Today my mum reminds me again to hurry look for a boyfriend and get married soon. She has been lamenting that she has never receive any gift like mooncake from her daughter's boyfriend/son-in-law. I'm the only daughter. I told her I can afford to buy for her but she said it is different when a son-in-law give. Anyway this MTV gives me timely reminder. I should pray for divine help and maybe go to Yueh Hai Ching temple with God of Marriage 月老 to help me find the one and only one. You can read an interesting case from Yueh Hai Ching temple here.

Vote for Your Favourite Name For Baby Panda

From now till 7 November 2021, you can vote for your favourite name for local born baby panda now residing at Singapore River Wonders formally known as River Safari. You can choose from the five names as shown below. You can visit River Wonders here to vote now. I just voted for Xin Le as I hope this baby panda can grow up to be happy always. 

宏宏Hóng Hóng

叻叻Lè Lè

新乐Xīn Lè

新阳Xīn Yáng

新缘Xīn Yuán

Baby panda at River Wonders. Image from River Wonders.

Morning Sky Today at Tampines

Captured this lovely orange blue sky this morning at 6.36 am.

Canon in D by Pachelbel

I'm not really into classical music. Many years ago, my elder cousin asked me to accompany her to the Esplanade theatre by the Bay for a classical music performance. In the midst of performance, I actually dozed off. After the episode, she never ask me to accompany her to classical music performance.

However I love this Canon in D by Pachelbel. I heard it somewhere before but didn't know the name of the music. Today I learnt the name of this amazing music composed more than 300 years ago by Pachelbel. 

This piano and cello performance is really good.

Great Singing By My Pal

My pal Y can sing really well. I really enjoyed the karaoke sessions we had before this pandemic starts. She introduced me to the singing app but I don't really fancy it. You can record your singing and share with others. When I'm free, I might just explore the app more. I'm looking into sharing my singing too but am now too lazy to explore.

You can click here to listen to my pal great singing. However I think this is not the best. I will post her best singing soon.