The Parks

  A walk in the parks.

Singapore has many parks. The island has many recreational sections which cater to the urban folks. The island is small but so well equipped with facilities that benefit its people. When the girls pleaded for us to go down last weekend, we decided that we should honour them and pay them a visit.

After all it's Father's Day .

However, the truth be revealed. Papa longs for Emily and would agree at the first instant. He enjoys her tremendously; playing and talking to her in baby terms.
Grandpa will normally stop all regular work and entertain grand daughter.
So, it is not strange that Emily prefers granddad to anyone else in the home including mama Grace.

When Emily woke up from her short nap, she was greeted with the best surprise.

It's granddad in town. She ran her fingers all over his face and gave him that grin that breaks his heart . Very soon, granddad took upon himself to walk with her at the neighbourhood park. Strapped to him, Emily seemed ready to conquer the world.To the park, they heard birds chirped, cats purred and dogs barked. Little Emily, innocent in all ways is easily excited by the things she sees around her and in babyish speech communicates with granddad in great harmony. Yes, they really enjoy each other's company. Even at one, Emily already knows granddad dotes on her and can get away with anything when he is around her.

As we trotted round the park. we also men and women of all ages exercised using the facilities parked there. There were soccer and volleyball matches and some merely walked the miles to discard calories.

Like anywhere else in the world, the older folks are taken to the recreational surroundings by maids. While I noticed the old man nodding off in loneliness, the caregiver was chatting away loudly with a friend over the phone. It is not an unusual phenomena but it quickly brought me to remember my own parents back home and I wondered what they were doing. We begin to realise we are also nearing the era and while our feet can still carry us, we will attempt long distance walks and we decided to try the Mt Faber trail.

After the short stroll along the neighbourhood park, we left Emily home and scour the Faber Hill in a bid to reach Esther's home at Portsdown. Dad said it was a mere 40 minute walk which I believed was so achievable. So, armed with determination, we walked and walked.

Overlooking the hill, are panoramic scenes that cover the southern part and Keppel Port. It was breathtaking and throngs of walkers were taking the weekend as reason for that exercise. Granddad kept ranting that he should have lugged Emily along and that she would have screamed in elation. 

There were markings to show milestones and two noticeable spots were the Henderson Waves and the Hilltop Forest Walk. Here and there we watched families come out in droves for the coveted outings.

Dad mentioned that Alkaff Mansion refers to an old colonial bungalow with huge green grounds turned into a much sought after event area where weddings and other functions are held. All along the walk we saw colonial black and white bungalows and barracks once resided by the Whites who came to the island. They are still standing tall till this day.

The well-maintained walkway surrounded by rich flora and fauna are indeed therapeutic to the tired souls and the energetic lot. We have not walked for such a stretch for a long while and dad clocked his steps.

Yes, we did it!

We walked 15300 steps in 90 minutes before finally hit the door of Esther's abode.

Esther likes to be surrounded by nature. She does not mind the old look; she loves to be in sync with anything to do with architecture. So, for her to seek a barrack for stay is nothing unusual.

The morning walk was a calculated move.

We were prepared for a colossal dinner in celebration of Father's Day that evening.

I am beginning to realise that when extended families get together , it is always meals and a lot, a lot, a lot of money spent. We tend to succumb to treats in the name of celebration.

So, it was not surprising we landed at Sentosa Island for the meal of the day. I do not have to go into great details but enough to say it was Chinese fine dining with great service. Many courses were served and I wondered who the cook was.

Noodles were cooked tastefully and all seafood and meat were prepared with the finest touch. I had some guilt; to indulge in such meals.

We ended dinner with this sweet; Emily enjoyed it most.

I was truly concerned about the bill; felt we had overspent and dug deep into the girls' pockets.

Yes, this was where we dined and the cook was a  Master Chef judge...

No wonder all dishes tasted good with a polished touch.

Well, it is Father's Day. So we accepted gracefully in gratitude.

A good weekend indeed in Singapore.

The Pole

How a picture can evoke some unforgettable experience.

Yesterday at a local grocery, I noticed bunches of bananas hanging from the top; ready to be seen and sold. The normal shopper would glance from below and search for the best bet. The bananas must neither be too ripe nor too green. There must be a good combination so that the bunch can last long enough for a couple of days' consumption.

It is quite a chore having to pick and choose from below but nevertheless had to be done. When a final decision has been made, the next challenge was to get them down. So how do we do it?

Yes. The pole.

This pole has an end section which has a hook-like feature allowing the vendor to lift the string attached to the bunch of bananas. Yes, that's the exact needed device.

I remember surely the versatility of this device.

When I was a teenager, I used to help mama in her little shop selling clothes and the like. Like a seasoned vendor, I often get customers to buy mama's selection of bay clothes especially during festive seasons. Somehow, it was so natural in me to get the favour of the customers and I did a lot of sales for mama. If it had been in today's scene, I would have probably attained the top sales award.
But it was a dutiful gesture on my part then.
I had to help mama through the difficult days and the extra help I offered was appreciated by her. That is also why when I see my students assisting their parents in the wet market selling fish and the like, it evoked this sense of rightful behaviour and attitude. I am also very sure these children will grow up to be good , unassuming people and are ready to go through hardships.
Yes, for a good part of my childhood and teenage years, I had to slot through mama's business in the garment line and gain much hands-on experience with clothes and even sewing.
Mama employed seamstresses who catered to her customers' needs and that was partly where I picked up some sewing and stitching skills.
Not only that, there was this particular seamstress called Lin Yang who was very good at figures and mathematics. When I had problems with mathematics, I would go to her; sit beside the sewing machine and learn to solve problems. These are memories that are etched in me and forever remembered. Making the grade for arithmetic was truly challenging and I am grateful till this day for her timely intervention.
Oh I also remembered that as the daughter around the house, I would go wet marketing for mama early in the morning before gong to school. Mama instructed on the groceries and I walked a couple of miles before reaching the destination. Then mama cooked for her employees and I had my lunch before leaving for school in the afternoon. I did not complain much but seemed to enjoy the chores of the day. I truly was a good girl. But I am not supposed to compare the then days and today.
After all, life is different. Life is too good for many.
But believe me, you need some hard knocks in life to survive and some practices are best practised.

Well, so much for the story of the pole and its tales.

The Planner

The Bride

Sara has given much thought and planning to the long awaited day of her big day with Garrett.

When Garrett first proposed on Christmas eve 2014 , the planning began.

I did not pay much attention to the details never thinking that a wedding needed so many details.

But the determined girl gave no chance for untoward mistakes and took the reign for the best outcome.

First, there was the card to design. Both bride and groom took much effort in designing a card to their taste and style. The card has the personal touch of a desired product; sweet and calm.

This red velvet cake was also baked with style. When the size of the "hee" ( double happiness ) word was wrong, even the baker took pains to rectify and made it right; befitting the occasion.

The betrothal gifts were packed and selected according to requests and culture.

When the exchange was done, Sara cheekily concluded,  "Just to entertain you, mum."

Well, the Chinese culture needs to be observed to a certain degree as long as it does not clash with religious connotations. For surely it is good that a daughter married off is to be known by friends and relatives. We are grateful many took time off for us,

On the morning of the eve of the wedding day, the door was decorated with the red Chinese Ball on a 9 feet long material by the creative, thoughtful mother-in-law. With the double happiness blessings, surely it was a day to look forward to.

The red flowers on the blue porcelain jars added colours to the home and jubilated the mood.

What a myriad of hues.

Sara grew with friends; from primary to secondary and college days. Perhaps it is in her to have such thick friends at every juncture of her life. The truth is they stick together in their ups and downs and were here for her day travelling from all over the world. Faye, fourth from the right was the mastermind behind the bridal reception tricks which had all present in stitches.
You see those cotton skirts? The material and choice of colour was meticulously selected by the bride herself. She is into cotton and even included this passion in her wedding.

Garrett lacked no man friends too. They came in full force to make the path easier for him to enter the bride's room. The gate crashing ceremony was completed in full gaiety and explicitly composed by Faye and her comrades.

The Hen night was also gladly rejoiced with her girlfriends and they gave her the relentless support all the way through the different stages of the wedding.

The array of balloons in blue, pink and white all tied to the gatecrashers was the one of the hurdles they had to help the bridge groom get across. Boys are great. they are not afraid of noise and pains, They jumped, banged and hopped on the balloons;  ajob they had to complete before the next hurdle.

He passed the test and received his bride with relief.

The couple beamed with gratitude.

The many kilos shoat was a thanksgiving gift and was deliciously grilled to everyone's applause.

The sisters released her to the groom; I hope they stay friends forever helping one another through the thick and thin of life. The mother loves to see the siblings truly care for one another.

This is family to Sara and Garrett from this day.

Thank you dear God for the new family.

The ROM was conducted by Rev Eu at FGT on 03/06/2016 in the presence of God and the family.

At the gardens.

The girls are so beautiful and vivacious. Amelia from Scotland, Grace Wu from London, Suet and Sook Yi from Brisbane. They could not miss their pal's big day and forever etched as friends.

Look at the goodies on the candy table. Much effort was put in to make the occasion more memorable for the guests. Sara and Garrett gave much thought to the display and many were enchanted by the details. This surely needed planning and canniness. 

These are bottles of home formula for muffins. Every guest was presented one and  all they needed to do was to follow the instructions enclosed . " Tell Sara it was a treat indeed. Delicious!" That was a message received from a guest. Her close buddies came over during some weekends to pile up the ingredients and they must be jubilant to know that the "mug muffin" was superb.

The arch was personally devised by dad. At his workshop, dad chopped and shaped the arch according to the wish of Sara. I have been hearing the discussion from many months ago and finally saw the end product. The flower colour scheme was in tandem with the wedding card and indeed it was detailing at work.

The march began with the bridesmaids and ring bearer followed by the bride and her papa.

It was with great relief that the garden party could begin for before that the skies were playing at the strings of our hearts. It was dry and then wet and then the slight drizzle. Kit Yi, the coordinator on the extreme right was god sent. She had to bear the brunt of the uncertainty and made a bold final decision of having the marriage vows taken outdoor. 

Sara teared at the instant the vow was conducted out of relief; so many months of preparation and what with the thunderstorm and hailstorm the night before. God was faithful and rewarded her hard work and poured His blessings fully.

Thank you dear Jesus.

A family wedding cannot be executed without the presence of these little ones.

Yi Liz and Yi Jay children to cousin Vern and May together with Caeden, son to Shen and Pam were such a delight to have around. They complimented the wedding with their presence.

Papa accompanied his little girl for the final march to the alter. At a wedding reception the day after, he quoted his memory of personally sending Sara to the kindergarten each morning on the way to work and the little kisses that she blew on him. Papa said she is now slipping off his fingers and leaves the home for greater days ahead. He reiterated that Sara has many creative skills and all Garrett has to do is to tap on them. Papa says "find them." Yes, find them, Garrett.

To Garrett papa gives away his little girl.

The vows spoken and taken ; they are now officially husband and wife in the eyes of God with the blessings of the parents and siblings.

To the husband I pray he will be the partner who compliments her in most ways and to the wife I pray she will uphold him in submission and respect. Together they will be a team who will respond to life and practices approved by God. This godly union will indeed bring glory to the Almighty One who has seen to all their needs in times of call.

To God be the glory.