Thursday, 31 March 2022

MBS Staycation

 

MBS hotel stay -- can see the big balcony

Had MBS staycation for several times.  This time is the first time I get a big balcony like that shown in the photograph above.  Watch the video of the whole room here.  It was so nice.  Not only was it spacious, they even have sofa for you to sit at the balcony.  There was also a side table for you to put drinks and food.  Staying at MBS, you also can book slots for the swimming pool, gym and spa.  It was very useful time spent over there.  The most fun time spend there was going to the casino!

Food Court at MBS - Singapore Fried Noodle

Yesterday being Wednesday, the food court was not crowded.  This is the second time I going to buy Soft shell crab fried hokkien noodle.  It is expensive and cost $18, but it was good.  The soft shell crab was very crispy.  They packed the soft-shell crab separately as shown below in the paper box.  I asked the stallholder to put in 2 scoop of chilli.  Then I add in 5 small lime!  It was nice with more lime.  The noodle tasted spicy and a bit sour and saltiness from the crab.  

Soft-shell crab fried hokkien noodle

Jackpot in the casino showing a winning

It was very fun in the casino.  I played Jackpot and blackjack at the casino.  I would like to go casino again.   


Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Bird Nest

  

The Sunbird's nest was seen in my corridor garden

When I was in Primary one, I read in the Chinese Textbook about bird nest on the tree.  After school, I looked up on trees to spot bird nest.  Until when I was a teenage, and even older, I never even seen any bird nest on trees. It was until I was 'reborn' and I started to see more birds, more miracles in life.  I also get to see different types of bird nests in real life.  

Last Friday, Isaac came home and he was so excitedly told me that there was a bird nest again!  I quickly went to see.  Indeed there was a bird nest, almost completed by the sunbirds.  A few days ago, there was not any bird nest yet!  How amazing the birds are.  They can build their nest within days only. 

 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”           ~ John 2:19

Last year, we kept looking at the bird nest, so anxious to see the eggs and babies.  In the end, we caused the birds to lost their eggs.  This time we must give them more privacy, more space, to keep their eggs and to see their little babies in time soon.  




Curry Leaves Plant

 

Curry leaves plant viewed from the top

Closer view of the curry leaves plant showing the fruits (ripe and unripe)

Photograph of the whole curry leaves plant taken from the side view

Last Friday when I was delivering food at one of the block in Woodlands, I found a curry leaves plant that was full of fruits.  It was such a young small plant but the fruits are plentiful.  At my house, my curry leaves plant is taller than me.  It had flowered and beared fruits once.  So the sight of this fruits does not amazed me, but it was the size of the plant.  The size of the plant did not matter.  It was the 'age' of the plant that matters.  

The flowers of the curry leaves plants are white.  The fruits of the curry leaves plant are a bit reddish green when unripe.  Ripe curry leaves fruits are purplish black in colour.  We use curry leaves to add flavour to curry dishes, such as curry chicken.  We also use curry leaves to cook curry leaves prawn with garlic and chilli (a very nice dish which my mother can cook very well).  

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Big Fat Cat

 

The spectacular view from 29th storey of Blk 180C, Marsiling Heights

So I went Blk 180C three times today.  First time, I went to 29th storey and I took the above view.  As the lift went up, my ears were blocked and I had to swallow saliva and at the same time, lower my lower jaw.  There were 3 lifts serving the whole block of flat.  At the time when I was there, one of the lift was not working, under servicing.  Luckily two other lifts were working.  

There was one time where I need to go nine floor of a woodlands HDB flat -- those old types of flat, where there were only one lift to go up to the specific floor.  I could not go up to the 9th floor because the lift was under servicing!  Luckily, when I called the customer, he came downstairs to take from me the food.  It was a young teenager and he ran downstairs to come take from me.   Still another instance of lift breakdown, also in those old types of flat, I called up the customer and asked them how can I go up to their house.  It was so troublesome to go to her house, having to take the other lift and then to walk along some corridor and then take the stairs to her house.  

Cannot imagine how bad it must be if the lifts were spoilt for these high-rise flats.  So on the second trip to the high floor again, this time I saw a big fat cat.  I thought that it belongs to somebody.  I saw a woman feeding him something.  Then I went up to deliver the food.  When I came back, the big fat cat was still beside my bicycle.  This time I had a closer look of him.   I was so amazed at how fat the cat was.  First time I see such fat cat, really is big fat cat.  

Big Fat Cat beside my bicycle

On my third time to the flat again, this time I got a tip from the customer.  In fact, he was even standing at the door, waiting for me.  When I pass him the food, he gave me $2 and even tell me to ride safe -- another kind soul encountered.

Beautiful Gardenia

 

Beautiful Gardenia flower close view

Gardenia flower shrub

Today I went three times to Marsiling Heights to do delivery.  On my first trip, I was captivated by the white flowers, Gardenia shrubs along the pathway.  How beautiful are the flowers.  So I decided to take the photographs of them.  

I love gardenia so much and my icon for Peace Nature is the gardenia flower.  The gardenia plants over here are well maintained.  The ones along the roadside of Woodlands MRT station are not well maintained.  The plants there were diseased and insects infested.  

So I went to 29th storey and I took a picture of the high rise view at the corridor.  It was nothing great to see actually, all the rooftop of HDB flats.  But it must be the tallest building in Woodlands, having 31 floor in total!  

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Wednesday, 23 March 2022

My Latest Pet

 

Taco sleeping soundly on the bed

Taco sleeping with me on the bed

Taco is the latest pet at home.  He is the only pet left at home.  At first, it was the children's idea to bring Taco home.  But now, it is like my pet.  I am taking care of Taco, bringing him to the vet alone too.  

Owning a pet is easy but to take good care of it is a huge responsibility.  I need to make sure he is safe under my care, otherwise I feel bad.  Yesterday at the vet, there were many pet owners with their pet at the vet.  We always see people with nice pet with them.  But at the vet, we see pet owners with ugly pet, something we don't get to see often in the media too.  I saw a woman with a bulldog, tongue dangling out of the mouth, half blind and badly diseased skin.  The woman and the dog seemed to have very good relationship.  The woman never abandon the pet despite the ugly look of the pet.  

Everyone brought their special breed of pets to the vet, mine is only a normal stray.  But a Malay couple was attracted to Taco, came close and said, "So cute".  Never mind that I have only a stray, at least I rescue him from the factory.  From a dirty hungry kitten, now a clean and ideal weight kitten.  The sibling Mochi and his mum have problems looking for food everyday.  Their living condition is very bad.  Taco was full of ticks and fleas when he came home initially.  After treatment done for him, he seldom scratch his body now.  All the fleas and ticks were gone. 


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Old Already

 

Taco at Singapore Cartons (27.2.2022), awaiting to go home

Taco (22.3.2022) in the carrier, waiting to go vet

Taco had an appointment with the vet at 4pm yesterday.  This is his first visit to the vet to get himself deworm and vaccinated. Taco was not even 1kg on the day he came to our home last month.  But yesterday, he was being weighed and his weight was 1.58kg!  He had grown so much!  Look at the photographs and you can see the difference in size.  

Yesterday I booked Gojek and the driver arrived.  He saw me with the kitten and he rejected me instantly.  Then I booked Grab.  The driver arrived, told me that they don't carry pets also.  But he said he would allow this time because "I see you so old" so he helped me.  I am so grateful that he was willing to take us.  He was a friendly and kind soul.  He told me that next time I need to call GrabPets, first time I heard of.  The last time I had Dora sent to the hospital was using Grab too.  That driver allowed us and sent us to the hospital.  So thankful to these drivers.  Last time (two to three years ago) when I sent Dora to the vet I always use Grab transport.  Nobody told me that pets were not allowed.  

After alighting me, he was still smiling, no wonder he got 5 star rating.  I will definitely give him a five stars too, and I did.  I told him too that I will give him 5 stars for helping me.  

Friendly and Kind Grab Driver

Last time when I took the cab, the driver will ask me "Are you Singaporean?" (2008).  Now I took the cab, "you are old mah" remarks I get.  When I go Giant, they also asked if I have senior citizen card.  The time I going to spend on this earth is getting shorter now.  I am left with at most 30 years to do what I want on earth, to do purposeful things on earth and then to leave this world without any regrets.  


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Friday, 11 March 2022

The New Baby

 

Picture of my hand petting Taco to sleep

Taco was so scared on the first day he arrived at our home.  We opened the carrier bag and he never moved at all.  We put food for him in the carrier bag and he did not eat either.  He will hissed if approached.  The children were scared and did not dare to touch him.  

At night, I wore a glove and carried him to sleep in a basket laid with towels.  He was sleepy and later on he fell asleep in the basket.  I put the basket beside my bed.  That night, I did not sleep well, tending to the new baby at home.  

The children feeding Taco with fish meal and milk

The next day Taco was doing rather well.  He started to eat and drink milk.  After about third time feeding of milk, Taco did not want milk anymore.  He did not like the milk that we fed.  Taco's appetite was good.  He ate a lot and we had to feed him four times a day.  


That was how small Taco was the second day he arrived at our home.

Taco was so small when he arrived at our home on 27.2.2022.  The photo above was taken the next day he was at home.  Taco drank little milk.  He prefers solid food.  

On the third day, Clara and I bathed Toca.  At the factory and also when he came home, our hand turned grey when petted him.  His nose was dirty too.  His fur felt rough before bathe.  After bathing him, his fur felt soft now and we often see bugs crawling on him.  He kept scratching himself.  

So I went to Pets' Station to buy Revolution for him.  After putting Revolution, the next day, so much ticks and fleas came out of the fur.  

Taco sleeping soundly as she was adapting very well to the home

Every day the little baby is adapting very well to the home and by the third day, he was able to sleep so soundly as shown in the picture above.  

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Taco Comes Home

 

Taco and his mum at Singapore Cartons

That was the first time I met Taco, on 26 February 2022.  On that day, we tried to find the kittens but was unsuccessful.  After a prayer, the mother cat came to call me.  She led me to the kittens!  And that was how the children and me saw the mother cat and the kittens.  

We wanted to bring home the two kittens.  There was an opportune time when I was able to capture them.  They were in the palette.  I caught hold of Taco, the ginger cat.  Then Taco meowed so loudly and fiercely that I released him.  If I did not release him at that moment, I would have brought him home on that day.  

Taco in the carrier bag

The children were sad that we went home on 26 Feb empty handed.  But fortunately on the next day we managed to bring home Taco.  It was so hard to capture the kittens.  They were able to run and hide very well.  Then the company got so many palette and they hide too deep into the palette that's why no one can catch them.  The children had to lure the cats out using food.  

We put Taco in the yellow carrier bag with roller.  But during transportation, the children put the bag on their lab and watched him while in the car.  I was sitting in the front of the car and I was not able to look at how Taco was doing.  

The car owner's sister happens to be a Catholic too.  The reason why we were taking his car was because there was no Grab or Gojek vehicles that were willing to come Gul Crescent on that day.  I kept calling for them but to no avail.  Then my mum and I walked to this colleague of her, she told him that we would pay him and he was so kind to accept the offer.  

I was sitting at the front seat of the car, and that was what I saw. 

I thought we must thank St Anthony and Mother Mary for what we had got for the day.  


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Monday, 7 March 2022

浮生六劫

浮生六劫
   

 During my primary school days, I had to sleep early so that I could wake up early at 530am. I did not manage to watch the night time TV shows, but I was able to hear the songs that was being played in the living room. One of the song that I had heard was this one above. I did not watch the show at all but maybe took a glance or two when I had to go toilet.  

I found the song very nice during my adulthood, especially so after I got to learn about the lyrics of the song.  It was such a meaningful song both the theme song (above) and the subtheme song as shown below.  

The song was a all time favourite for me.  I love the song so much that I had it for my ringtone.  Knowing just the title of the song seems to be so incomplete.  I wanted to know what is the meaning of the title and what show is it actually.  For so many years passed, finally one day I saw that someone had upload the show on YouTube.  About two weeks ago I started to watch the drama series.  Yesterday I manage to finish the last episode.  

Very grateful to ziwei kuang for uploading the drama.  But there were some episodes missing and more towards the end.  So I missed out on how Che YuTing died and also how Leslie Cheung and Chan Pang killed each other.  The ending was so exciting that I watched continuously episode after episode, missing my sleep.  The starting was rather boring and I watched like one day one or two episodes.  

 戏剧人生
   

 I searched for the English translation of  浮生六劫 and it means Six Tribulations of Floating Life or  Floating Life Six Calamities.  The English title for this drama is Gone With the Wind.  There are altogether 76 episodes.  The ending was very sad.  For example, watching Che YuTing locking himself with chains tying to the pillar of the house (to safeguard his house, refusing to sell his house, claiming that he own the house and he did not sell it).  However this did not stop the people from chasing him out of the house.  In the lower picture below, he was seen sitting outside the gate of his house, drenched with rain falling on him.  Much more of his pathetic scenes at the end if you watch the show.  


                                                          Pathetic scenes of Che YuTing


Playlist of Gone With The Wind, 浮生六劫 Episode 1-76
 

 I like the show so much that I had made a video on 戏剧人生/ dramatic life.  

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Taco and Mochi

 

 We finally saw the mother cat and her two kittens. Ah Wai uncle said that it was first time the mother cat come to look for people.  We knew that was the power of St Anthony!

   

 Clara and Isaac named the kittens. They decided that the ginger cat be called Taco and the tabby cat be called Mochi. We had name the unisex names to the kittens because we did not know the sex of the kittens.  

We went home on Saturday with no kittens, but we were happy we had progress -- got to know the mother cat and the kittens.  We would want to come back on Sunday to bring home the kitten.  It was arranged that we would go to the company on Sunday 9.30am.  

However, on Sunday, early in the morning, Ah Wai uncle called.  He got covid virus.  He was not able to pick mum up for work.  So my mother did not want to go work on that day.  When I broke the news to the children, Isaac was sad.  He wanted to go back to the company.  So my mum agreed to go.  And we took bus there.  However, it rained when we were taking bus 255 this time.  We had to wait for the bus to get lighter at the bus stop.

We dashed into the company when the rain was lighter.  We quickly went straight to see whether Zhi Hao got managed to capture the two kittens for us a not.  He did not manage to see the kittens.  He said he only see the mother cat in the morning.  When we had reached there, we saw the mother cat.  We brought her food this time, proper cat food.  She ate a lot.  

Soon the kittens came out.  They too was eating the food.  The two kittens appeared, sharing their food on the palette.  We quickly told Zhi Hao to help us.  Zhi Hao quickly came to help us catch the kitten.  
He captured Taco first.  I got hold of him and transfer him to the carrier.  About 5 minutes later, he caught Mochi too.  However, when trying to put him inside the carrier, he escaped.  

After that, we always looked for opportunities to capture Mochi, but in vain.  They were more cautious now and on that day, we left the place with Taco only.  

Two Kittens

 

                                            Photograph showing the mother cat with 2 kittens

I had an appointment with Project Luni on Sunday to view 2 kittens.  My mother knew about it and told me that I can have the two kittens at Singapore Cartons instead.  So on Saturday, when children have no school, we decided to take a bus to Singapore Cartons.  We took the train to Joo Koon and from there we proceed to the bus interchange to take number 255.  We finally arrived at 36, Gul Crescent.  Ah Wai uncle, wearing in green, was at the gate waving at us so that we knew when to alight the bus.  

After alighting the bus, Ah Wai uncle led us the way into the factory.  There, we began to ask where were the cat and kittens.  My mother told me that the mother cat appeared in the morning.  We arrived at about 1pm.  And at that time, we could not see the cat and the kittens at all.  We walked around the factory, searching for traces of the kittens.  

This was perhaps the third time I came to the factory.  The last time I came to the factory was perhaps in the year 2010.  When I reached the place where my mother was working, I see that it was a little different from 2010.  Ah Wai uncle also had Oscar ready in the container to show us.  We ate our lunch there before we continue to search for the cat and kittens again later.  

We had never seen the mother cat and the kittens before.  We were anxious to meet them for we did not know the size of the kittens.  Mother helped us to ask Zhi Hao.  He said he only saw the mother cat and was not able to catch the kittens for us too.  When another lady walked here, she asked her about the kittens and no one had seen them either.

We walked and walked several times round the company.  Isaac and Clara got mosquitoes bite on their legs.  I put oil for them and then continue the search again.  We were wondering, "Are we able to see them today and bring them home?"  As were were walking at the front view of the company, I told the children, "Let's pray to St Anthony to ask him for help.  Afterall he is the patron saint of Lost and Found."  But Clara said that we did not lost them.  But somehow we cannot locate them and want to find them.  So I asked Clara to search the internet for a prayer to Saint Anthony.  She found one and we started praying the prayer to Saint Anthony.

Then we walked back and sat down at my mother's workplace.  We were tired and looking at our phones.  It was about 10 to 15minutes after we prayed.  I heard a 'meow' sound.  I looked up and looked to my left.  There was a cat!!!!!  It meow again at me.  I was so surprised that the cat come looking for me and it 'talked' to me!  I quickly told the children and we followed the mother cat.  

My mother asked me to give the food to the mother cat.  So I put the food on the floor, while the children followed the mother cat.  She wanted to eat the food but was scared of us.  We stayed away at some distance so that the cat would not be scared of us.  Soon the mother cat came to smell the food and she brought back chicken, intending to give to the kittens.  

After sometime, we saw the kittens!!!  Our prayer was heard!  I told the children that it was so hard to search for the mother cat and kittens because the company was so big.  But when mother cat came to us, it was so easy.  This was all because of the prayer that we had said.  

The kittens were so cute and active -- one ginger and one tabby.  We had a satisfying time at Singapore Cartons that day.  The children fed the cat and kittens so as to gain the trust of the cats.  We did not manage to bring home any kittens on this day, but still we were happy that our prayer was heard and we got to see and fed the cats.  


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