Birthday

"So, were you at the Formula I last night?"
The Q which I was asked > 10 times yesterday morning.
"No..pe..."
I was not there. Did not even watch the start and the first part on TV; missed the first crash and the safely vehicle. Managed to catch the last 12 rounds and witnessed the 2 Ferrari's mishaps.

I was at a family dinner - celebrating my __th birthday.

"Why do we celebrate birthdays?"
I'm not sure.
A mother feels for her child's birthday as on that special day a new entity parted from her body and arrived into this world.
My mother refuses to celebrate or even to mention her birthday for as long as I can recall.
I think that question may be good enough to be a MD thesis for psychology or philosophy students.

Many of us, who are not lacking in basic physical needs (with time to surf net, do gardening, beading, going to the gym/spa, holidaying, collecting cars, taking photos as hobby....), derive contentment from sharing and giving. Over the years, although definitely having aged in many ways, I have remained juvenile and naive towards my own birthdays, awaiting happenings, anticipating surprises and desire to receive....

It was a good birthday....

with an e mail from a cousin from Australia,

plus a birthday cake,

plus SMSs from 2 very dear friends....

Lamp Work

You may wonder what that is, lamp work, a detour from my China trip, another of my Brand-new, hard to come by, exciting, intense and heated experience...


Beading is one of my many diversional therapies. Started one and a half years ago, I was introduced by colleague SN Tham and got to join this beading group led by 3 amazing dental surgeons-great personalities, full-time professionals, artistic, pretty and are also super-effective multitasking mothers/wives.

More details

LAMPWORK

Today's Master was Dr. Chan LinLi. She brought us through the steps in detail how a glass bead could be created.

We tried, struggled .....and produced something.....not quite the same...but we must treasure our first borns.



Hm....Well....we tried.. very very hard.




Work by the Master

Lu Xun

18th September 2008


Arrived at Shouxin, about one and a half hours bus ride from Hangzhou, played the second round of golf. My flight mates took 6 to 26 strokes off me and we played team match play. I started "shanking" and grossed 99. Cracked under pressure and loss $.








For photos pleaseclick



After lunch at club house, we proceeded to visit Lu Xun's residence. To include this sight-see in the trip was indeed a great idea. Lu Xun was a great writer but a greater philosopher. His articles / short stories are to be studied and not just read.

Hangzhou west lake (Xihu) at Night

17 September 2008


It was my father's 75th birthday. Had a huge cake but it was soft sponge with fresh cream. Tasted better than it's appearance.











Proceeded to watch the grand performance at the West Lake after dinner. It was spectacular, a Zhang Yi Mou's production. The music was really romantic, modernised Chinese tune which was also suitable for lyrical jazz. I was thinking that the producer could simply alter the costumes and the floating motel, and it will be "westernised". A different flavour for the tourists.







For more interesting views, please enjoy

Day 6 China Trip

Skipped the other days in between because the trip was just too hectic....Will definitely upload the photos in due time. But this you must see......

more photos

China Trip

16th September 2008







Left for Hangzhou via Shanghai, on the last day of my daughter's A level prelim. Managed to arrange older boy to chauffer early in the morning before his morning assignment.


Had very tight security >>> long Q at the check-in counter despite being at the airport 2 and a half hours before flight time.










With mother's Asia Treasurer card which I have failed to obtain one from my banker, we had Laksa for breakfast.

Took the whole day travelling. Arrived in Hangzhou late at night. Needed 2 doses of anti-emetic. But the dinner was delicious.

Lantern Festival at River Walk

10th Sept 2008

Ended work early and had no prior plans or duties. Decided to take photos at the River Walk. Had never been there and was disorientated, ie lost my way. Found the lanterns only after dinner, when they were lighted.

It was a beautiful evening, cool and breezy, wonderful outside the UOB plaza, watching the little boy disturbing the pigeons.

The pubs were very crowded, reminded me of the those in Scotland....But I think the restaurants were not doing so well. Most of them were offering free first drink and auto-discount 20-30%. I had my first beer free....

For lantern photos click here

There was a troop from China performing but there was no proper stage and people was just crowding around. Worse than the old Wayang we had. Could have been better organised and more people would be able to enjoy the performances.

It was interesting to realise the change of mood..... I felt like a country mouse......

Simple pleasures in Life

My recent new achievement : traditional Hakka Yam dish - the "Wu de Ban".

I went over to my mother-in-law's place 3 weeks ago to have hands-on workshop. She was absolutely kind and organised. It was almost like a TV cooking demonstration. She prepared half of the Yam the day before after learning that I was going over, so that she could demonstrate the cooking part to me, ie it was a 2 stage affair. And I had the other half of the yam to learn the dough preparation.

For about 1.5 Kg of yam, it will take about 2.5 hrs on day 1 and about 1 hour in day 2 preparation plus cooking time. Roughly enough to feed 15 persons.

I have cooked the dish twice since then. Managed to satisfy my ever-supportive husband, my children and parents. Very Satisfying... will try to learn the Hakka Yong Tau Foo next....