Senior to Seniors

The Man who moved a Mountain.....Literally!!!

2012-08-09T01:14:00.002+08:00

Way before the word, "multi-tasking", was in vogue, my late mom was practicing it.

She used bed-side stories for my siblings & I, as a channel to teach us.
Viz: "24 Filial Piety", Chinese myths & legends, heroes ... the list goes on.

My siblings & I loved the heroes from the "Water Margin" & Yue Fei. However, we loathed Yue Fei's blind loyalty to the king. Impatient, ill-tempered me, would fumed over his "stupidity" for walking into a trap ...knowing full well that it was set for him!

Another tale which stayed vividly in my mind is "The fool who moved the mountain". In spite of my "smart Alec" comments that the feat is impossible without machinery.
I admired the "fool" for his perseverance & shared his dream to accomplish his feat.

Today, I stumbled on the article:

The Man who moved a Mountain.....Literally!!!

The page told how a frail, uneducated man, the late Mr. Dasrath Manji, moved a mountain, with a hammer and a chisel ... a set of rudimentary tools! Not heavy machinery!
What I believed was impossible, is made possible by this humble man.

He made my mom's bedside story came to life!

It humbled me.

My mom's exhortation "If there's a will, there's a way" came to my mind.

Yes, mom, I'll push on in adversity. Watch over me & bless me with your stoical personality.

Thank you Mr. Dasrath Manji for your inspiration to the world & I.

PS I dedicate this page to "Little Darling" & all the children of the world.
Wishing you the courage to stand up in adversity & the perseverance
to push on till you achieve your dream

2012-08-09T00:00:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday Singapore

2012-01-14T14:51:00.007+08:00

Wishing all my Chinese visitors a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

My New Year gift of a Yu Sheng recipe follows..

Enjoy.

My Yu Sheng recipe

Around this time of the year, pre-packed Yu Sheng galore are found in various shopping centres & markets.

In each pack, you'll find some green, red & yellow pickled stuff. Their very high sugar content & colourings, meant "chemicals" to me. The purpose of those pickles are to add colours to the dish and to make it "chi chai" (7 colours)

I prefer to employ the natural colours of the different vegetables to fulfill the 7 colours in the dish

Let me share the recipe & method of how I do it.

Ingredients: 150 gm each of the following (A)
Purple cabbage,
Radish,
Carrot,
Green carrots,
Cucumber (please get the Japanese type which is slender, firm & has very little seeds)
Turnip

(B) One Beet-root -- small to medium size
(C) A fistful of corn cereals
(D) A pc of ginger -- thumb size (abt 3 cm)
(E) 4 bulbs of pickled leek
(F) 2 red chilly (optional)
(G) Remove the pulps of 2 slices of pomelo & break them into small pieces

(H) Slice your choice of fish/seafood: (parang, Salmon, abalone...)
Omit (H) if you want a vegetarian "yusheng"

Sauces & spices:
1 bottle of plum sauce
2 dessert-spoon of Soya sauce
3 table-spoon of oil with fried shallots
3 tea-spoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of fried white sesame
100 gm of grounded, roasted peanut
1/3 small teaspoon of Pepper

A pinch of 5 spice powder
A few shakes of sea salt (optional)

2-3 small lime cut into half
Chopped spring onions & Chinese parsley for garnishing

Method

Slice (A) into long thin strips with a slicer, soak the sliced vegetable in ice water for about10 minutes, squeeze dry & keep in the fridge.

Most slicer can't handle (B), (D), (E) & (F). So you need to slice manually. Keep in the fridge, after slicing.

Just before dinner, take (A) out of the fridge. Lay out the all the sliced radish flat, on a large plate.

Next, place 3/4 of the the sliced carrot on top of it, in a slightly raised circular, mound. Do not cover all the radish with the carrot. Leave a circumference of about 3 -4 cm uncovered.

Divide the turnip, cucumber, carrot, beetroot & purple cabbage into 3 portions each.
Imagine that the plate has 3 sections. Distribute one portion of the turnip, cucumber, carrot, beetroot & purple cabbage in that order within one section, covering the radish circumference on the plate.

Repeat that in the other 2 sections on the plate.

Divide the ginger, pickled leek & chilly into 3 portions.
Place the ginger & chilly on top of the turnips & the leek on top of the beetroot.

Sprinkle the grounded peanut, pomelo,fried shallots, roasted sesame, chopped spring onions & parsley evenly over the arranged vegetables.

At the table:

Squeeze the lime over the fish (not necessary if it is abalone) & watch it "cooked"
Pour the fish onto the vegetable

Scatter the corn cereal on top

Add the sauces & spices according to your personal preference.

Invite everyone to toss the yu sheng together & wish everyone with the various well wishes before you tuck in.

Happy Chinese New Year

Fatt ah!!

2012-01-02T20:03:00.003+08:00

Hi, Wishing all of you a blessed & blissful year.

2011-12-24T15:15:00.004+08:00


WISHING ALL VISITORS A MERRY X'MAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR Please click on the image below to receive my gift to you

2011-12-21T05:02:00.017+08:00

At Foot Solution, They Go The Extra Mile (G.E.M.)

Note: I am not paid to advertise for Foot Solutions
but am just sharing a satisfying shopping experience.

Most of the shops were closing for the evening, when I walked into "Foot Solution", a shoe shop. There were a couple of customers keeping the sales promoter, Ela, very busy; but she welcomed me with a big smile.

I learned later, that besides being a physiotherapist, she multi-task as sales promoter & cashier.

Service with a SMILE

A soft-spoken guy came up to me, offering to get me a pair of selected shoes of my choice. He suggested that I should get my feet measured to ensure that I got the right size. He was friendly & tried hard to please. Unfortunately, he wasn't fluent in his presentation of the features of the shoes which I set eyes on. In spite of him trying hard at it.

I had a long day & was not in any particular need for shoes.

I thought of leaving.

But I stayed because, Mr. Teo, came to save the day, or rather the evening.

Mr. Teo was very knowledgeable & speedy in fielding my inquiries. In between, serving the other customers, Ela chipped in, & joined our discussion. After completing her sales with the earlier customers, she started to bring, from the store, more shoes for me to try. I teased her for hiding her shoes from customers.

By then, it was way past closing time. Yet the whole team, showed no hurry nor hinted on their desire to close. Instead, their body language & service, conveyed that they were pleased to be able to go the extra mile.


The team that practices "Go the Extra Mile" (Left) Mr. Ng, (Center) Elle & (Right) Mr. Teo Elle (Left) Mr. Teo, (Right) manager of the outlet

(Center) Yours truly, the happy customer

I left as a happy customer, after buying a pair of shoes, a pair of slippers & a pair of made to measure in-sole & a sizable bill of > $700; but pleased as Punch.

This team sells without selling! While
the customer buys even when she had no plan to do so!

Keep up the good work, folks.

2011-12-16T01:13:00.003+08:00

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(Advertorial)

2011-12-14T20:40:00.001+08:00

My treasured art pieces

Come every December school hols, camps operators do a roaring business holding various "camps" for school children.

Parents are willing to pay an arm & a leg for the camps, for various reasons. Their children
1) learn something new,
2) have a lot of play & fun under the supervision of "program facilitators,
3) interact with children of the same age group & learn to make new friends during camp

Last & most important, parents who are too busy to find time for their children, have the "peace of mind" to carry on with their own life ... at work.

Just like other children of her age, Little Darling also went to camp.

She did these "treasured" (treasured by me & the rest of the family) art pieces during one of the camps.

Enjoy:

2011-12-04T01:01:00.005+08:00

Here comes the Bride

(My nephew, Eric &
Janice's wedding)

The other day I mentioned that I flew to Hongkong to attend my nephew's wedding.

Here are some of the photos of the radiant young couple

The very important & significant "tea ceremony"

The young couple knelt to serve tea to the parents, then to a long queue of senior members of the family. After showering the young couple with well wishes & blessings: they gave gifts of jewelry & "lye si" (red packets with cash in it) Note the numerous gold bracelets on both the bride's arm & the necklaces around her neck!!


My brother-in-law, added yet another gold bracelet to the bride's forearm

THE "tea"


"Lye Si" ("lucky money" in red packets) from grand-aunt & uncle who flew from USA to Hkg for the wedding


The bridesmaids ... busy preparing for the tea ceremony


The newly "promoted" mother-in-law (my sister) at the wedding dinner


Arrival of the bride & her entourage.

Awaiting for parents (witnesses) & Uncle Henry (lawyer) to go on stage to solemnise the wedding

Course after course ...

......10 course Chinese dinner


Blessings by a rinpoche

This great looking couple are the bride's happy parents

Yours truly here, wish the young couple
a blissful life & am hopeful to go to
Hongkong a year from now
for a baby's shower.

2011-11-30T12:20:00.002+08:00

It's all in the learned doctor's mind
"Incurable" because of "Aging"

A cough is innocuous to most people but it's my nemesis; ever-since
I was at the "young age" of 40.

Wherever a cough hits me, it would quickly escalate to a severe case of "upper respiratory infection", bronchitis, and asthmatic attack. It often culminate to a hospitalization ... for "nebs" & oxygen. In short, within a short period, I will be "disabled" & require care, just due to a cough!

The road to recovery from a cough, is painful & long!

Think months. Think 18 months

3 yrs ago, I coughed for months & was referred to one doctor after another... including the doctors of ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) & Respiratory Department. The cough dragged through a battery of "investigations" ... X-rays, blood tests, scopes, lung capacity test & what nots, 2 hospitalizations for "nebs" & a period of 18 months!

Finally, the cough was "controlled"

(I still coughed, but less frequently & was able to sleep better as I was no longer awakened by bad coughs).

When I asked the doctor whether my cough would eventually goes off, he (The head of the respiratory department, no less) told me earnestly, that although my condition is "stabilized", I have to live with the cough & to be prepared for it to become worse or "relapse".

"What's the reason?" I asked.

"Aging", came his quick response. He went on to elaborate that
our body is generally stronger & has the ability to recover quickly when we are younger.

Great news, eh! :)

Until then, I've always turn to the doctors & relied on their treatment for all my ailments.

In Singapore, the common alternative to seeking treatment from a "Western" (trained) doctor, is the "sinseh"

I've not been to a "sinseh" (Traditional Chinese Medical physician) since I was a child under my late mother's charge. She had selectively sent me to a "Western" doctor & "sinseh" according to the ailment which hit me. e.g. for fever I'll be sent to the "Western" doctor, menstrual cramps were relieved with the concoctions from the "sinseh".

I couldn't remember what was my late mother's logic of choice, but I do recall her saying that both Western & Chinese medicines have different efficacy.

Since the doctor can't cure me, I went to a TCM clinic upon the encouragement of my daughter. The "sinseh" felt my pulse, asked for the history of my cough, & assured me that it can be treated & I should recover in 6 weeks. He added that Chinese medical treatment is holistic & unlike Western medication, it takes some time to work & show results.

I was fully recovered in 3 weeks

Incurable cough because of "Aging"?

The turn of event, proved that it was all in the doctor's mind & not in my "aging".

Thank God.

Thank you Yue "sinseh"

2011-11-26T23:04:00.005+08:00

Ask & you'll receive

Little Darling @ the Halloween Party

Many of you/friends have been asking how my Little Darling looks like.

I've uploaded a couple of photos for you to see her:

Another photo, of Little Darling with her loving parents,
(My elder daughter & son-in-law)

A family hug.

2011-11-24T15:53:00.005+08:00

Nature's Sculptures
with trees.

Big nose?

Knobs, knobs, knobs. What a knobbly tree! I was told
that this tree is more than 1,000 yrs old!

3 -in-one tree

Sleepy old man with droopy jaw

What are a bird's & goat's heads doing in a tree?

Clingy child & Mom

A dragon with a bull dog's head

Hi folks,

Do you like the above "sculptures"?

Leave a comment & indicate your favorite choice.

Appreciate & value what nature has done for you?

Do your part to help nature ... save the Earth, blah, blah, blah

(You've heard that repeated often enough. So I won't bore you with the rest of the current clique)

2011-11-21T10:26:00.003+08:00

"Sneak preview" of the Gardens by the Bay

Went to the "sneak preview" of the Gardens by the Bay.

Took some photos to share with you.

A beautiful miniature garden of stalagmite

Another view of the same stalagmite garden


"Bottle trees"

The crowd is building up

Cactus

More cactii

Creeper (front) & bottle trees (far back)

A Lion in the Jungle?

Blooms in cactii

What's that?

Orchid sculpture

Ancient olive tree

Another ancient olive tree

Yet another ancient olive tree

Another ancient olive tree

3 trees in one?

Palms

Seats in the garden

A chair made of drift wood?

Wall Garden

Another orchid sculpture


Isn't this basin huge?

Loving, elderly couple, heading home

2011-11-19T02:52:00.000+08:00

Annuitants Club

18th Nov. 2011

Our club went to the 20th World Orchid Show yesterday (18/11/2011)

The tickets booking, purchase (at a deep discount) liaison with the organizer for guides, registration of members who wanted to attend ... was done by Ms Christina Wong

While Mr. Charles Koh helped with the purchase of snacks & drinks. It was quite a feat as the whole lot was V-E-R-Y heavy.

Here's some photos taken at the event:

Q & wait for the shuttle bus

"Pretty" Oldies?

Ha ! Ha! In the bus, at last.

Indonesian Garden

This is the Champion Orchid

A "ribbon winner"

Beautiful

Our cheerful, efficient & knowledgeable guide, Doris


The "Orchid Man" & members

Orchids, orchids, orchids

A filial daughter (in her 60s) with her
wheel-chair bound mother appreciating the orchids

2011-10-24T16:30:00.002+08:00

Global Village (24th October 2011)

I've made yet another trip to Hongkong. Unlike my other frequent trips, this trip is special ... it's to attend my nephew's wedding!!

Besides me, relatives from the 4 corners of the earth are flying to Hongkong to attend the wedding. A couple of my aunts are here ahead of me.

I'm here for almost 2 weeks before the wedding as I wanted to do "the usuals" ... some shopping, visit the museums, "photo shoot" with my i-phone, rest & relax in the "7 stars hotel" which caters for only one guest (yours truly).

The said "hotel" is my sister's residence, where my sister anticipates my every whims & immediately sets about providing it.

Best of all, I simply enjoy every moment of her company. Not only because she is my sister but because she is the most caring & warm person on earth; who is simply filled with love for those around her.

"Yes, she is one in a million", & she is real.

Here's how she looks:

Doesn't she looks elegant & dignified?

Do visit again to "see" a HongKong wedding

2011-10-22T16:13:00.007+08:00

I was bowled over

My "little darling" loves bedtime stories.

Besides reading stories from books to her, I sometimes spin stories of my own for her.

Recently, I spun a story with a "local flavour", around the life of a 9 yrs old boy "Xiao Min".

The story spanned over 3 bed times.

After the completion of the story, the night before, I asked her at
lunch time, whether she could tell me why she liked the story.

"You mean to critique the story, por, por?

"Yes, please, darling", I responded, somewhat surprised at the word "critique".

After saying that "the plot is quite good & interesting for young children"; she reeled off with eloquence, for almost 10 minutes.

First, she pointed out that the story is too long; explaining that "children want to know, quickly, how the story ends".

Then, she shared that there are too many "morals" in the story.

"One, maybe two morals will be enough", came her comment, as she flicked up her 2 little fingers, one at a time.

I sat, enthralled.

Indeed, I did try to weave in a few morals or teachings!

I did ambitiously tried to reinforce my teachings on ... manners, good behaviour, gratitude ... in the story, and was amazed that she saw through it!

Then she pointed out the "holes" in the plot & "story line"

Finally, she rounded off with an improvement on a sub-plot, where the rogue was jailed (in my original version). She opinionated that it will be more interesting to state that he is on the run and is on the police' wanted list.

I nearly fell off my seat!

2011-10-19T16:44:00.000+08:00

Little India

Had some free time a couple of months back.

Decided to wander around Little India.

These are some of the photos which I shot, whilst there.

During my "walkabout, I met a group of students & teachers on their outing with a tour guide.

The tour guide with his company's advertisement on the Tee that he wore. Clever

"Can some one tell me what is this?

The guide encouraging one of the students to talk about his experience at Little India

A happy couple giving thanks to the deities

2 sisters sharing a blessed meal at the temple

"Xiao Xue, my friend "caught on camera" in front of the dieties

That's yours truly saying thanks

2011-04-20T23:58:00.004+08:00

Tribute to a grand old dame

"Y K Lee's mum (Madam Tang aka our aunty) passed away"

A lump rose in my throat & my eyes teared, when my husband announced her demise.

Many thoughts & images flashed in my mind.

One of my thoughts was "Oh no, we have lost a great Singaporean, who was a great mother, grandmother & friends to many"

Other thoughts were: "I shouldn't have shelved that visit, now it is too late"

"I will certainly miss her & her gentle ways in leading by example".

Aunty was such a warm & caring person.

She has touched many lives, including mine.

In spite of her busy schedule, she somehow found time to help people who were in various kinds of need ... cash / gifts in kinds / a listening ear.

All that was done while juggling her time to bring up 4 fine children, attending to all their needs, kept their beautiful home ship shaped & helped her late husband to manage a roaring business!

Although she was a great teacher & counsellor, she did not have a formal education.

When we met up in those bygone years, she shared many ideas about "customer service" with me. That was way before "customer service" was identified by the business schools as an important facet for businesses to succeed.

Naturally, she was a successful business woman, in her time. The people in her industry looked up to her. Yet she personified humility and graciousness, virtues which many Singaporean seem to lack.

She handed over the baton to the 2nd generation when she assumed a new role as her late husband's nurse; till the Lord called him home..

Her empathy & gentle advice helped to keep my marriage on keel.

Farewell aunty.

I mourn your loss.

Condolence to all of aunty's children & loved ones.

2011-03-23T16:40:00.001+08:00

Hi, I've returned from my trip

Hainan Island is beautiful ... it lives up to the nickname of "Haiwaii of the East"

The weather is cool, comfortable with slight breeze throughout our stay. The temperature ranged between 15 to 18 degrees Centrigrade during our stay.

Am uploading some pictures to share:

Found this seat specially reserved for the elders ... at the airport. Isn't that heart warming?

My snapshot of a happy woman at the immigration queue.

Watch this blog for more interesting photos

2011-03-12T08:00:00.001+08:00

Please visit after 20th March

Hi.

I'm travelling.

Have no time to schedule posts for my blog.

Please visit again

2011-03-10T08:18:00.001+08:00

Facebook: "What's on your mind?"

Twitter: "What's happening?"

Foursquare: "Where are U?"

The social media reminds me of an anxious mom.

2011-03-07T11:17:00.003+08:00

Adversity

I would like to share this very wise saying by O.Mandino:

"U learn things in adversity that U would never have discovered w/o trouble. There is always a seed of hope"

Dear friends, keep this in mind when you are facing any challenges.

Also remember: 明天会更好 (Tomorrow will be better)

2011-03-04T15:18:00.003+08:00

Sharp eyes

My family have been writing short notes to my little grand-daughter, to encourage her to write .. She is supposed to reply to our "letters" in writing.

Day before yesterday, I dated my note (to her) "2rd March 2011".

Today, she came to me, note in hand. Pointing to the date, she said: "por por, it should be "2nd". Please do your correction".

I am always very proud of "my little darling" for being a sharp, bright child.

A hug & kiss followed naturally.

2011-03-01T08:01:00.001+08:00

Baby influence / power

The Tan family became our neighbours a few months ago.

Theirs is a 3 generation family: Mr & Mrs Tan (Senior), their son, Mr. Tan (Junior) & his wife & their baby girl.

Mrs. Tan (Snr.) is a chatty, housewife in her 60s. Her husband is a business man.

The younger couple are professionals who worked at their office, way beyond their normal working hours. They have their own home, which is about 10 minutes drive away. Upon baby's arrival, they decided to stay with Mrs. & Mr. Tan (Snr). The new arrangement is to ensure that the maid is under supervision, while the young couple are in their office.

Mrs Tan (Snr) & I had tea together.

As we enjoyed a lazy afternoon, she related that her husband is a "married batchelor".

He used to stay out late into the wee hours of the morning. He did not bother to return home for dinner for many, many years. He ever expressed that so long as he brings home money for the family, his duty is done!!

With the arrival of the baby, he changed his daily routine somewhat. Nowadays, he would come home before dinner time. After his bath and a change of clothing, he would spend a good half hour playing with the baby.

After playing with the baby, he would take his dinner & go out till the wee hours of the morning again. This has become his new routine.

Besides being the change factor of her grandfather's daily routine, the baby is the reason for Mr. Tan's (Jr.) kicking his years of smoking habit.

Talk about power of influence anyone?

This Baby beats you hands down!!

2011-03-01T00:23:00.000+08:00

New photos uploaded

Hello Annuitant Club members.

I've just uploaded some photos taken during our photo session
with Mr. William Oh.

Feel free to upload your work in the page "Outing w AC"