Are we there yet?

The local schools have now gone on 4 weeks mid year holidays. Some of the students finished as early as last Thursday and they found it pretty difficult attending our sessions in the evening. Might have been a good opportunity for us to do something a bit innovative with the language curriculum, but no, we just trudged on with the prescribed lessons. Many families are traveling back to their 'homelands' to visit grandparents and extended family. Same term but a very different scenario to the traditional meaning we are familiar with from the indigenous NT students. These students won't be crabbing, hunting goanna or mangrove worm. Apparently it is very difficult to get a flight out of here now unless you have already booked. On the other hand many students, especially those in the final year of primary school, will continue to attend school every day, enrolled in either catch-up or extension classes with the hope of getting the marks required to attend the best secondary schools. Poor kids! Some of the older classes have smaller numbers for the next couple of weeks until we finish for the term but it has made little difference in the pre school classes. 
 On Friday morning last week we went into town and visited a specialty Tea Shop. The last time we did this was with Bob abd Barb in KL where we got the full tea service experience. There was only one young girl serving in this one and she wasn't used to serving customers who really didn't know want they wanted to buy. When she asked me, I said I wanted to learn about the properties and qualities of the different varieties and she just looked at me with no understanding at all. We did eventually get to try some different brews and came away with loose ooolong and green and I bet she has been entertaining her friends by retelling the story about this strange Australian couple who don't know anything about tea. 

That same evening over dinner we met up with Avikshit (fortunately pronounced Avashek), Richard's housemate who is a most well informed Indian on all things cricket. He could name all the players in all the international teams and discuss their contributions to the game..... with Eric, oh my goodness but I was left behind. He invited us back to their place to watch the IPL final on the Sunday night but since it didn't start until after 10pm we gave it a miss. 

 As it was, we found getting out of bed on Monday morning for the walk hard enough. We've already done a 10wk term so our bodies are telling us it should be holiday time. We met at Bishan and walked through this beautiful park to the Lower Peirce Reservoir and back to Ang Mo Kio for lunch at the hawker centre. Then we called in on Chunjiao who had invited us back for fruit. She had called up in the morning to confirm we were still expected though she didnt feel well enough to walk. I think she just spent the time preparing the most expansive spread of fruit and juices, in typical Chinese hosting obligation style. Then, after eating as much of it as we could so as not to offend, she began opening all these delicacies her cousin had just brought in from Hong Kong, along with a genuine Gucci shoulder bag, if you don't mind. I wouldnt be exaggerating to estimate the combined weight of these bite-sized, individually wrapped treats to weigh 5kg and they included: 
~jelly sweets she had loved as a child in China, 
~peanut paste in a glutinous rice wrapping (my favoutite), 
~something else (in choice of 3 different colours) quite tasteless in the same glutinous wrapping 
~dried abalone which costs a fortune apparently, so after one I begged her to share them with someone who appreciates it 
~dried duck tongue (begged off that one too)
~dried duck liver 
~prunes 

I did mention we had already eaten lunch didn't I? We were bursting at the seams but she was forcing them upon us and eventually we all conceeded to take a doggie bag home. Our combined bag is still untouched in the fridge, perhaps we will take them along to work today to share at morning tea. 

 It was after 3 pm when we managed to extricate ourselves, I was committed to an early dinner with the book club in the evening. Not that I could imagine eating again this day. I met the other members at the Indo Chine Restaurant on the riverbank at Clarke Quay a few hrs later to discuss 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' which is set in France. Though I had struggled early I did manage to enjoy it and discovered almost everyone else had the same experience. And yes, I did manage to eat again, as you do. By some strange coincidence the film was showing here this week so we saw it yesterday. Not sure how we have managed to see two foreign films here in quick succession but enjoyed them both. The young actress who plays a very insightful 12 yr old was extraordinary. On the way home we called in to Little India to check out bargains in the Mustafa Centre, a department store that boasts selling more than 150,000 types of merchandise from bargain household appliances to designer Indian Jewellery. It was overwhelming and we eventually left with nothing.  The Great Singapore Sale, where the whole island has a combined sale,  has begun so there is no shortage of bargains to pick up in the next 2 months. We had a delightful meal at the Banana Leaf in Race Course Rd, how convenient to have this area just 3 stops from home! 

 Today we had plans to further explore the local bushwalk we found last week but neither of us have moved from the living room yet and it is now after noon so that will have to wait.

A week of 'Culcha'

We did try the new Taiwanese Bistro last week for a belated anniversary but just starting up with new staff and reduced menu options meant that maybe arriving on their opening night wasn't so auspicious after all.  We also found an opportunity to try the Korean BBQ in this Teck Chye Food Street one night last week and that proved very tasty. Cook as you go ........

The week started in the usual way with us both getting to work in plenty of time for the 2pm Staff Mtg on Wednesday and then 3 x 90 min classes for the evening.  On the way home we dropped by our usual hawkers stall for dinner and found our florist greeting us warmly and gesturing for us to join him and his friend for a drink. We have never exchanged more than a "Hello" and a 'Those look lovely, I'll take 3 stems, how much?" before this. But Gary and his mate were obviously very pleased to share their table, discuss all manner of things and insist on paying for all the rounds of drinks. They kept refilling mine even when I insisted I couldn't squeeze in another drop and in the end I had to return my glass for it to stop. You just can't say no, they don't believe you! Turns out Gary (Anglicized name) owns his florist business which was handed down from his father. He rents his shop on the void deck (ground floor) of the HDB which we walk passed many times a week on the way to the shopping centre or train. He has split the shop into 2 and the second half he sub-rents to the fruit stall holder. While he insists he is not a rich man he was certainly flashing the cash in front of us this night. He is 62 and has no intention of retiring as he says he would have no way to fill his day if he didn't work, delivering flowers all over the island. That's why he was here on this evening, he had done a late delivery and instead of the family holding dinner for him, he just called in at the hawkers stalls after parking his truck. Thank goodness his usual routine is to go home or we might have to find another location to dine. His insistence on paying for everything made us feel very uncomfortable. His mate works for Honeywell, an American technology company where he has worked for many years. He starts his day with a brisk walk at 4:30 am every morning and finishes up at the workplace for breakfast. He is looking forward to retirement as he resents the fact that the company pay the US expats here at a much higher rate than the local Singaporeans for the same work. Can't say we could disagree with him. Then they got onto politics and we were a little uncomfortable about that discussion too as they were scathingly remarking on the ridiculously large wages the politicians take home each month.  You get into politics here to become instantly rich it seems, but it is best not to be overheard speaking in a derogatory manner about the government.  All up it was an interesting evening but exhausting as we needed to do a lot of interpreting as the conversation unfolded.  Slept very soundly after all that beer and spent brainpower.

On Thursday we caught up with Villa and Graham for coffee near their hotel in Orchard Rd. The last time we saw them would have been Dad's funeral. They looked very relaxed and had lots of interesting anecdotes to share about the weeks spent with their daughter Peta and her young family in Laden, Holland. Including weekends in Sorento and Antwerp. How would it be to have so many travel options every weekend?  So many decisions! We took them on the MRT to Chinatown for change from the shopping  culture of Orchard Rd and had a dim sum lunch before we had to head to work.  We trust they found their way back to the hotel safely. 

Its funny how meetings like this dredge up memories of childhood.  I'll never forget, though a long time ago I did forgive them, for how left-out I felt when I was not invited to their wedding. At the time I was very upset that Col's mate Peter Jonson took up the last seat in the car to drive to Sydney. Mind you, it probably saved me from being car sick out the window again (which is another childhood memory I can't forget). Worst of all was I had to stay at Grandma Northby's in Yarra Glen and she made me share her bed rather than make up the spare one. It took me a long time to get over it but I can't blame Graham for that bit.

On Fri Eric went back to get results from some tests he had earlier after a very severe heartburn incident which at the time we both worried might have been a heart attack.  It was quite upsetting at the time but as the initial results cleared him of heart attack and the weeks went by with no further trouble we both relaxed. The results on Friday confirm he does have some partial blockages but a very slim chance that this is going to be the cause of him leaving his fortune to surviving members of the family.  It is quite confronting to see such images and have the evidence spelt out in detail, but truth is the rest of us are probably walking around with similar conditions and we don't even know it as we haven't had the tests. He has vowed to look after himself and not leave the fortune to us earlier than anticipated.

On Monday we had the option of a social day with the MAE workmates on a round trip to St John's and Kuso Islands. This 'Big Day Out' replaced 'The Great Race' which has been the trademark social event of the business for many years until now when it died through lack of interest.  I'm sure the Crisps remember it with fondness and will be disappointed to hear of its demise but today they have other events on their minds.  They have become grandparents again, in fact twice in one day.  First a baby born in Sydney and then just a few hours later another in Perth.  Not sure how successful the day was as we didn't join in through lack of interest!  St Johns was once a penal and then later an immigration quarantine settlement but none of that remains today from what we could read.  To join the group you get up early, take a ferry with all your food and refreshments and laze around for the whole day without air con. We didn't feel like another early morning so instead we had a sleep in and then went to the movies with friends Carolyn and Margaret (both teachers from Geelong).  We saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which we loved (Mum, if you haven't seen it you must) and then shared dinner back at New Everest Restaurant in Little India. Our book club is about to review The Elegance of the Hedgehog (which I struggled through but then couldn't put down) and I see it is coming to the theatre on Thursday so perhaps I'll be back soon. 

On Tue we went to the Changi Museum dedicated to all those who suffered during WWII.  There are many photographs, letters, artworks and personal artefacts on display and an excellent audio guide to bring it all together.  It was a very moving experience. Most of those who have signed in we noticed were Australian, paying respect to all those unfortunate Aussie POWs, but there were also a tremendous number of civilians interned there as well. 

The museum and chapel are now located near the Tanah Merah MRT, which in turn is quite close to the condo where Carolyn and Margaret live, so we caught up with them for a beer by the Pasir Ris Pond in the afternoon.  You can go fishing here for $40 if you are so inclined.  But we weren't. 

They had been online during the afternoon and taken up the offer of cheap flights to Penang for a weekend in October.  So we came home and did the same thing. Next we'll look up the rates at the Red Rock Hotel where we all stayed last time. Who would have imagined the Smiths could end up there again, this time perhaps with the Ashes!

A Week of Celebrations

First there was my sister Jude's birthday, this time next year they plan to visit us here on the way to Europe to celebrate a Big O birthday. Plans are under way already. 

That was followed quickly by our 33rd wedding anniversary. It fell on a Fri and we had the day to do something special but in the end just relaxed at home.  Planned to share a special dinner after the working week but that hasn't happened yet either. There is a new Taiwanese Bistro that opens tonight just around the corner so we will give that a try.  Should be auspicious attending on opening night, don't you think? Bit like being the lucky first customer of the day.

Finally there was Mother's Day on Sunday, and since we were working it didn't occur to us that this would be celebrated, but we were wrong.  Colleagues at work arranged for chocolates and cake to be waiting for the Mums when they arrived. Of course we were obliged to share them, so maybe that had something to do with the motivation. The chocolate certainly helped get through the last of the parent teacher interviews. Both boys have been in touch this week, the newly weds are nesting at Koolpinyah and Ali has had a lovely time with Adrian and his 2 dogs.

On Sunday evening we were invited to the New Everest Kitchen in Little India for a Nepalese - Northern Indian meal.  The most amazing thing about the evening was getting out of the MRT at Little India and finding ourselves in a moving mass of Indian men. Bianca had told us that Sunday evening is amazing down there and as a young blonde she had felt quite uneasy.  Even though I was one of only a handful of women in the street I felt not at all threatened as everyone was peaceful and cheerful. Maybe it also had something to do with my age and Eric's company! Its traditionally the time all the Indian men step out to relax and socialize with one another, and the only time when the construction workers get time off. Even forewarned, we weren't expecting this crowd. 

Peter, as leader of the Nepal trekking group, is very keen for us to commit but we keep deferring. We were never going to let that interfere with an opportunity to enjoy good food though. He also contributed champagne and chocolates since it was Mother's Day. 

Today I have sent a fax to the orthopaedic surgeon in Darwin asking if he could recommend one here, just on the off chance we do consider going. I would need another Synvisc injection if that is available.
Peter sent us this picture of Gudel Village in Nepal where he and others have been supporting a school over the last 10 years. 

This week the walkers began their walk at Kent Ridge Park, the far end of the Southern Ranges Walk and made their way back to VivoCity.  It was only a very select group this week, going out to dinner the night before might have been just too much for some. We walked for just on 2 hours in, or above, the forest on the canopy walkways not once crossing a street at street level.   I can't believe the cost of putting in these connected paths and am so pleased we get to use them on a Monday when everyone else is at work. The highlight for the birdwatchers among us this week was sighting an olive backed woodpecker. 

Today we ventured just a couple of blocks up the street to the 'Helping Hand' which was founded in the 80s as a Christian half-way house for the rehabilitation of ex-drug addicts and as of 2006, they opened their doors to all ex-offenders. They have a number of rehab programs in place and one is importation of teak furniture from Indonesia for 'direct to the public' sale.  We picked up a nice little folding table much like the one so admired by our fellow drinkers at the Brinkin Drinkin' sessions.  Now we feel even more at home here in Serangoon. 

We are expecting Graham and Villa to arrive tomorrow on their way back from Holland.  Graeme taught at Dixon's Creek Primary School and then Healesville High for many years and lived with the Caddy family for about 8 of them I think.  In many ways he was like an other older brother for Col, Jude and I while also our teacher. They are staying on Orchard Rd and we will meet up on Thursday.  We are also excited about the prospect of Keith and Maree Meillor visiting in September. We call them our Butterworth friends as we have camped with them many times over the years at Butterworth reunions, although we never did live in Butterworth at the same time. Have to keep reminding ourselves of that as the stories keep getting repeated and embellished over the years.  

Did you notice we get more visitors here, than we did in the NT!

Honeymooners Return

Luke and Tahlia flew back into Singapore on Thursday morning and I went out to the airport to welcome them.   Eric was a bit under the weather with another bout of the flu so he had a sleep in.  Just as well really, as they skipped through  immigration so quickly I missed them, they had already collected their bags from the belt and were in a taxi as I arrived. Just as well I didn't go ahead and make that big sign! They called me from our own apartment where they had surprised Eric. We enjoyed most of the day together before we had to head to work. They shared lots of photos of their trip and we showed them the initial rules of our version of mahjong since they bought a set while they were away.  I thought this was a canny idea as they were both pretty tired after an overnight trip from Beijing, but in fact it was me who got the rules confused.  I haven't been playing at all.

Wow, what a week at work.  It has been Parent/Teacher interview week and of course it is the parents of the youngest students who are showing the most interest in turning up - appointment or not. This wouldn't be so bad but I am expected to be responsible for my class at the same time and you just can't expect 3 and 4 yr olds to be self contained for 10 mins let alone interview backed up to interview. The system we operate is flawed at every turn as far as I am concerned but it seems you just have to run with it because it will not be changed.  I have said my piece and been told that quite succinctly. Ok, I'll shut up now. I can't remember ever being so tired though as Sunday evening after work and we have more in the week ahead, though it can't be many. I have more than 80 students and so far I think I matched the right child to each parent, but who knows. Eric, having mostly older students, had far less interviews which was good considering he was not well.

But how lovely are these K2 (5yrs) students, its not their fault.

Despite really wanting to sleep in on Monday morning we were out of the apartment and on our way to Kranji MRT (an hr away) to meet the other socialites from work at 9:30am for a day of shopping or golf across the causeway in Malaysia in the town of Johore Bahru (JB).  Fancy having to pack your passport for a game of golf, but that's what we did.  Almost all of the courses in Sg are private so really the only option is to head over the border. Its really not that difficult, many workers live in JB and travel through immigration everyday to work in Sg so the infrastructure is well set up. 6 golfers took 2 taxis to Daimon 18 Course about 20 mins out but unfortunately one got waylaid by an errant driver so they detoured via Ponderossa Course.  That carload considered playing a round there instead, but the fees were more than RM$120 for 9 holes so they eventually returned to Daimon.  Meanwhile Eric, Wayne (ex Butterworth) and I arranged to play as a 3, the green fees were only RM$39.  We had to have 2 carts (only RM$2 ea) and were supposed to have a bag each (RM$60 ea to hire) but the buggy manager offered us his personal bag and another spare bag so we could split the set between the buggies (RM$35). Then we realised we had no balls and once again he came to the rescue, dashing off and returning a few mins later with a shopping bag full for RM$25. I bet he knows a few young fellas sneaking onto the course in the early morning finding and cleaning the balls and ready to sell them back to the players, just like Butterworth. I searched his bag for tees and found some interesting matter but no tees so we scrounged the broken ones left behind as we progressed around the course.  It was a lot of fun, I certainly got my money's worth with the number of strokes I played.  Most fun was driving the carts, I've never played a round with one before. Wayne managed to crash his before we left the buggy shed so I kept behind him the whole way! The other group caught up with us for drinks at the 19th.  I had a magic drive off the first tee and again on the 9th so I'll be back (not going to go into detail about the other shots). The only downside for the excursion was that travelling over there with a bug bunch of people with different interests means you end up wasting a lot of time reconvening as a group. By the time we got back to Serangoon it was 8pm, almost 12 hrs to play less than 2 hrs of golf. Next time we will just take the golfers.

Damper and Vegemite for Anzac Day

If it hadn't been for the Aust and NZ colleagues at work on Wednesday last week, ANZAC Day would have slipped by unnoticed. Eric was on afternoon tea duty so he shared his precious vegemite (especially precious since the largest jar was confiscated as reported last week) and damper (cob of bread really, but as closes as he could get). We also enjoyed Anzac Biscuits, NZ honey and Tim Tams. Just a pity we had to share this scrumptious spread around the workbench. We did think of all our mates in Aust in the pool or at the footy. What a match in Melbourne; but it would have been so much better if the Bombers had won by 1 point instead of the Magpies.  ANZAC Day will be likely even more significant for us after our trip to Turkey in June. This last week at work was busy assessing reading levels and 'Show and Tell' performances in the lower levels ahead of parent teacher interviews next week. I'm hoping I can find something positive to say about all the students but more importantly that I match the right parent to the right student! I have been meaning to get a photo of one of theses Crime Alert boards for a few months now.  At last this week I remembered.  You occasionally see them as you leave an MRT station and it is a real shame job for the community to have a board on display. Imagine how big the board would have to be for any neighbourhood in an Australian city, a traffic hazard.

On Thursday morning we visited the Ancient Civilizations Museum, we were lucky to arrive just as a tour was about to begin so we joined that and a volunteer lead us through the different galleries.  There is a lot to see here and we will need to return again. This tour focussed on the different religions as they have swept through and lived alongside one another in this region. There was also time to take a brief look at the temporary textiles and River Life displays before we went to work.

Bianca returned Sunday night after a long flight from Toronto. It was here car we were driving around in Darwin the week of the wedding. She continued on her way back to Darwin on Monday after a sleep in and late lunch with us. Fortunately she was able to be in the apartment when the air-con guy came back to sort out the continuing problem with our bedroom unit.  How she managed to sleep through all the noise of the painters and repairmen right outside the windows I don't know? It can be sometimes quite disconcerting to see the gondola go by.

Meanwhile we were out walking a series of linked trails through the Southern Ridges with the group. We  met at VivoCity above Harbourfront MRT and took the Marang Trail up to the Jewel Box on top of Mt Faber where the cable cars run across to Sentosa. From here you get a panoramic view of the harbour and southern islands although on this day it was thankfully quite overcast. It sounds extraordinarily steep but in fact you only cover an elevation of 70 m so not really a good training ground for trekking in Nepal. Next, we took the Faber Walk which meanders through the hilltop park which is almost exclusively dense secondary rainforest and ends at the start of the Henderson Waves. This is a 270m long pedestrian bridge connecting Mt Faber Park with Telok Blangah Hill Park. The undulating, wave-like structure is both easy on the eye and easy underfoot.  It would be good to see it at night when apparently it is lit between 7pm and 2 am.

We took the Hilltop Walk through Telok Blangah Hill Park which finishes at the colourful Terrace Gardens. Isn't it time to turn back yet????? Apparently not! We continue along Forest walk and find ourselves on an elevated walkway, traversing through the park with the canopy at eye-level.  It was from here we spotted our first sighting of the white throated kingfisher, a great thrill.

The final leg was across Alexandra Arch and onto Floral Walk which leads to Hort Park; a gardeners' paradise which boasts more than 100 flowering plants - many of my favourite heliconias amongst them.

How's this for a bunch of bananas?

By now we had been walking for about 1.5 hours so it was high time we retraced our steps to the MRT, not to mention find lunch.  If we wanted to though, we could have continued on to the canopy walk which links into Kent Ridge Park.  Amazing to find all these connecting trails that walkers/cyclists can utilize, we haven't had to walk beside or across a road since we left the MRT. There is a massive project being undertaken to extend this park connectors idea right around the island. This section is just a tiny part of it and we loved it. We met Bianca for lunch back at VivoCity and then on the way home called in to Chinatown to search out Pink Floyd t-shirts for Mervyn.  I'll have to send Luke and Tahlia back to make a decision on the ones I found at CityHall when we had no success and my accomplices headed for home.

There is a public holiday here today for Labour Day (trust Territorian readers are also making the most of it) but since it isn't a work day for us I had forgotten until I went to the shops for groceries.  Wow, it was so crowded. apparently it is always like this on the weekends but we never see it since they are our long days at work. next Saturday is Vesak Day, another Public holiday for the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Buddha. Since it falls on the weekend we don't take the holiday but instead the company give us double pay.  But we are not looking that far ahead yet.  Luke and Tahlia arrive Thursday morning on their way home from the cruising honeymoon. Can't wait to see them and hear all their news, see their pics.