Painting the umbrella

Have been wanting to try painting a fruit umbrella for the longest time - my favourite is the lemon. Unfortunately, it is not that easy to get a brolly that yellow in Singapore. Plus, you WILL get a lot of stares in this land of conformity, walking around with a giant lemon slice.

Since I bought a cheap umbrella from 7-11 from that rainy farewell, I decided to do my experiment on it. I didn't like the plastic looking 7-11 logo, so the first thing I did was to cover it. Needed some tape to line the paint-in area, and two coatings. Some paint got out of the line as I didn't tape it properly (oops, first time!)

Then I created some 'birds' with the tip of the brush.

I think the final product looks OK - a little whimsical, and very girly.

Now all I need is a drizzly day to test it.

Another weekend in the east

So lazy to head out to town these days, especially since my new work place is also in the East. (Gasp, I have been working for more than two months now, and I haven't blogged/grumbled about it. That's a very good sign.)

Our afternoon snack at the balcony. That is, after we came back from a baby's full-month celebration and meeting a buyer from Carousell at Bedok. We waited for the buyer for half an hour but at least she turned up, unlike the last one who stood us up. 

While I got busy in the kitchen, Mr. Jang vacuumed the house, mopped the floor, cleared the laundry. Bless this man. He doesn't mind doing housework.

Since we are still full from all the junk we ate, we decided to burn some calories. Cycled to Blk 85. More junk. I am still living in the 80's era; I thought satay costs 30 cents a stick. It costs 60 cents. What?! For that tiny strip of BBQ meat?

No wonder the man said bringing $20 for hawker food is NOT enough these days.

Back home, forcing the husband to take a selfie with me in my hippie look before going for a shower. Not having kids means I can still act like one. Awesome.

Grandpa (2)

So Guma sent over some photos they took at a nursing home. They are discussing the kind of care Grandpa needs when and if he comes out of the hospital. Hire a nurse that comes at least twice a day to help him bathe and change diapers, or put him in a nursing home temporarily for the availability of medical care.

The latter would ease the burden on grandma.

But then my eyes turned red and my heart felt burdened when I saw the photos.

The rooms looked so forsaken.

The halls seemed quiet. I could hear the echo.

If only we have round-the-clock doctors and nurse in the flats we stay in. A resident team in each block, available 24/7. That way the family can still live together and get the medical care they need while spreading out the cost of a full-time nurse.

Then it doesn't have to get so lonely for old folks like grandpa. So abandoned...

Grandpa

Flew back to Hong Kong on urgent leave because Grandpa was admitted to the hospital. He complained of pain when my aunties visited him last Saturday. When they entered the room, they could smell iron. His stools had so much blood that it seemed as if he had menstruation. A look at his pale face told them they needed to call for an ambulance right away.

Mom texted us. Fly back immediately if you can. He is very weak now and we do not know when he would go.

I am still on probation and am not entitled to any leave. Thank God that Boss was extremely understanding when I called. She told me to go ahead and let her know how long I need.

It has been three days since we came back. Grandpa's condition seemed to improve but the fear of him dying never left me. The hospital had told us to standby for phone call as his condition could deteriorate. Dad said one day lived is one day gained.

I never knew that having someone close to you dying can be so... numbing. Maybe the myriad of emotions just clashed - sadness, helplessness, worry, regret, frustration.

Above all, the guilt of trying to distance myself from it all. I don't know what to say or do. I don't know how to process these feelings. What should I pray for, God?

I have started to think that accidental death is such a blessing.

No pain. No prolonged suffering.

Remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew: A rainy farewell

The skies cried hard for him, so did the nation as we waved goodbye.

Remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Our journey to pay respects

Photos from our 4-hour long queue to pay respects to MM Lee.

Remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew

We joined the crowd at the Istana this evening to pen our condolences. Mom, Mr. Jang and I.

I brought along the card I made for MM Lee. On it, I drew a tree. He has given his life to build this country, sheltering its citizens from torrents of global crises and external threats. This is one great man - strict as a rock but selfless as a tree. 

I have never met him personally but emotions welled up as we neared the long, white tent where endless bouquets of flowers were laid. His eyes were looking back at the mourners. As I stared at the many faces of MM Lee, printed on cardboards and cards everywhere, it is hard to believe that the man is really gone.

I think the only time I even came close to seeing him in person was at the first project I worked on as an information officer. It was the inaugural Singapore International Water Week in 2008. MM Lee was the guest-of-honour for an important segment (water prize?) and we were supposed to get the media ready for photo opportunities. Our ministry at that time was hosting a journalist visit programme. For some reason, we were running late with the Chinese media and turned up a few minutes late for the briefing by his press secretary. Then-boss was a little annoyed with us. Young officers with no respect. Oops.

For the actual event, I recalled we did manage to catch a glimpse of the man from afar. The perks of being a civil servant, especially an IO, is that you get to be part of major events and see politicians in action. (The down side is the culture of reverence mixed with fear. That and the endless levels of 'for approval please'. A separate story for another day.)

My tribute: 

"Dear MM Lee, you are a scary man for those who have worked in the ministry. But also dearly loved, deeply respected, and now... sorely missed."

I feel somewhat proud of having served in the civil service for five years - it felt like I have contributed to the country as part of his team, shameless as it sounded. I know (or I hope) this sense of stewardship and mission is what drives some of my friends, who are still in the civil service. The country needs brilliant people with good hearts.

Rest in peace, MM Lee. 

Doodle moodle

Doodling on a piece of receipt while waiting for Mr. Jang to finish his errand at the bank. I recalled feeling peaceful while painting my deck chair and table in the States. Want to keep up with this habit of drawing and random painting.

The point is not in the product. It's the process. 

(Art friend is nowhere near Jo-Ann or Michaels but it's the closest we have here in Singapore!)

Valentine's Day at East Coast

So here's what married couples do on Valentine's Day: picnic at East Coast. Sandwich, banana muffins, cold cuts, good old bites from Old Chang Kee.  

The smell of BBQ in a distance. And oh, the sound of waves. 

Too bad we forgot to take our tent from Mom's place. Otherwise, it will be cool to set up shop here, like what some couples and families are doing.

There's even a guy with a hammock. 

Yep. I'm glad there are still outdoor spaces like this in Singapore. More green, less concrete, please. For future's sake.

Grandma's 90th birthday celebration

Flew back to Hong Kong over the weekend to attend Grandma's 90th birthday celebration. She is such a darling, learning how to FaceTime and Skype even at a ripe, old age. Where does she find the energy?

I hope that if I have the good fortune to live till 90 years old, I would be as happy and healthy as Grandma. 

A new normal

So it has been about two months since we've moved back from the States. A week since I've started work.

It's funny how life is 'back to normal', yet you know that you are looking at things very differently now.

For one, having a life outside work is so much more important to me now. I managed to cook dinner after work, go for a short exercise, sleep before midnight (my aim is before 11pm) since starting my new job. Working towards leaving at 6.15pm made me want to do things extra efficiently.

I also talk more to Mr. Jang. The best years of our marriage is in Foster City. And that is because we communicate so much; we talk about everything. That, and of course, the shared experiences of exploring new places. 

I am still missing the weather like crazy. But God has been kind. He gave us really cool weather - cold, by Singapore's standard. 

I also managed to take Foster out for grocery shopping before I start work. I was perspiring like mad by the time I arrived at NTUC, but it felt good riding on this sweetie. The last time I rode on her was to Wendy's house at the Plaza, when we had our housewives' brunch. 

Such awesome memories. 

The only arrangement I haven't settled on is how to see Almonn more regularly. It's almost impossible to get to Sis' place on weekdays, and it's hard to match our schedules on weekends. So far, I only managed to see him a few times, and brought him out once. I do hope to spend more time with my little buddy. He's the sweetest.