Peter's days with MAE are numbered

The news that Peter's contract is to be broken at the end of our teaching year was made public on Wednesday, much to the dismay of many of our colleagues.  Eric and I have known for a short time but are still getting used to the idea that he won't be around in the supporting role next year. As can always be expected of him, he is acting very professionally and trying to be upbeat. We hope it turns out to be a positive for him, the start of a new chapter. He hopes to stay on in Singapore so is now considering his options. Eric has organised a bit of a send-off for him at the end of next week. He will say a few words on our behalf and I am going to sing a song! 
Thursday morning saw Heather, Peter and the two of us tackling the Southern Ridges walk from Kent Ridge to Harbourfront. Kent Ridge has a rich history of battles fought during WWII but we particularly love the canopy walk. Next time we might explore it at ground level though just because you can.

 Must have cost a fortune to install

The Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge, spanning Henderson Rd and joining Telok Blangah Hill Park to Mt Faber always impresses me, no matter what angle you view it from.

 On another Mt Faber outlook

 

This has always been a favourite walk but this time we added a few more steps and explored Faber Point. We found a multiple deck plaza that provides great panoramic views from the top deck while murals on the first level depict the history of Singapore.

 

Altogether there are five Merlion statues authorised by the Singapore Tourist Board at separate locations in Singapore. For the first time we found the 3 m one located at Mount Faber.
More steps at the condo was how I started Friday. Up to the 10th floor, down to our 5th, up to the 9th floor, down to our 5th......and so it goes on to the basement and back. Ugh! So tedious. Then got the alterations finished on the latest purchases from Sams in Penang before going to work. Eric walked the streets and dicovered another nearby grocer that is very handy. 
The weekend flew by as usual with full classes; lot of students doing replacement classes for ones they have missed through the year and some free trial lessons we offer as a promotion for the new year. On Sunday night I explored the new outlet that has replaced our popular Bliss Bar but discovered they don't serve wine, so Eric and I ended up at Joe's, another old favourite. 
Our Monday walk was from Bishan to Ang Mo Kio and we had 10 starters which was surprising for this time of the year. Michael returned on Saturday.  

In the afternoon we caught up with both Luke and Adrian through skype. Luke has started his new manager's job in the city and seems very happy but busy training new staff (both of whom he headhunted from JB). Adrian has just finished his latest guitar. We were able to listen to him play it and we both felt very proud of both his skills in making it and ability to play. He has made the decision to move to Alice Springs at the end of January. In the evening we met at Kinara Halal Restaurant in Holland Village for some authentic North Indian food and then finished up back at Peter's. 

To continue in the Silly Season Theme, someone organised a Boys Night Out for the Tuesday assembling at Hooters in Clarke Quay. Not to be outdone, Heather and I set up a Girls Night Out too, assembling at Kinki's in Collyer Quay.