Strolling along JungCeylon Mall, we were introduced to an indoor shooting range. A variety of weapons ranging from handguns, rifles to automatic sub-machine guns and shotguns were available for a short 30m range. The family had a go. 
Whilst heading for work this morning, chance upon this bamboo stool that someone had discarded at the void deck. It was something that I have not seen for quite a while. Very hardy piece of invention in the good old days where it has multi-purpose uses. To be sat on, to be stood on or be used as a little side table, just like many other piece of furniture in the house. 
However, it was one of those invention where, it could be used for troddlers too. Flip it sideways and wah-lah !!! It becomes a chair for infants who had yet to be able to waddle around and its side-frame becomes a little table. Used mainly during feeding time or when the poor kid has to remain in the corner whilst mummy is doing her cooking. It was an innovation of its time. Who need WITS then !!?
LCDR Jackchai and LTJG Khamron. We have not met since. Just the annual Christmas greetings cards and occasional email update .... we remained a distance apart. Had failed twice before to meet them at Malvern. Once due to the meeting programme and the other the uncertainty for return flight owing to the volcanic ash from Iceland. Had a third try and it failed again. This time due to massive snowfall and was slightly under the weather. 
Instead, John & Helen surprised us with a trip to London, met us for lunch at Covent Garden to catch up. Helen even brought photographs that were taken when we visited them. (I didn't recognise myself). Our children were much in the conversation. Sarah, Arron and Clarissa + Anna, Katie and Andrew. Good, warm gathering on a cold London day. Simply wonderful.
Separately, met CAPT HARMUT HESSE whilst attending a short course on the ISPS Code before it came on line in July 2004. Maritime Security was lurking in the background and indirectly, Piracy & Armed Robbery issues were related to Ship and Port state of security/well being. 
It was in my participation of a MSC meeting that I was invited for dinner in London that all the "stars were aligned". After many years for friendship and occasional meet-up at various part of the world, we had lunch when Elsie joined us in London on 30 Nov 10 at a little Italian Restaurant near the IMO. It is a small small world afterall !!!
As the saying goes "Once a SCOUT, always a SCOUT". Though I have not thought much about this, it has from time to time pop up, in the most unexpected moment. Whilst wondering aimless along CROMWELL ROAD, came across a familiar logo .... the SCOUT CREST, at the side of a building. On closer examination, there was a sudden excitement that was overwhelming. Inscribed boldly above the entrance to the building was : BADEN- POWELL HOUSE. Though I have read about the existence of this place, it didn't don on me whilst strolling along CROMWELL ROAD, though the road name did ring a little bell somewhere. 
Spent the next 30-40 min exploring the building, like a building inspector. There was just the sudden excitement like I belong there and how closely we are associated .... With camera in hand, it was snap !! snap !! Always prepared for a shot of the moment.
Shoppers, both local and foreign were all happily braving the cold, to heat up the season !!! 
Maybe, should make it a point to take as many of such pic to complete the BIG TIME MONOPOLY board game. 
Of course, that's just wishful thinking. Its darn cold at the moment. Weather prediction is not so warm for the next couple of days. Already wrapped up like a dumpling when heading outdoors. (Hopefully, this will help burn some FATS !!!). So much for wanting to paint the town RED. (Paint already frozen !!! Cannot smile too. Face also frozen !!!). Once the sun sets, temperature plunged and so is the spirit to venture out.
The past 5 weeks had indeed been a rather challenging one. Started off in Tokyo having discussion with Africans + Japanese counterparts and faced an unexpected 200 odd pax forum. Back to a burning hot Singapore for a couple of days for more work related preparations and off to Shanghai on a less familiar ground meeting and concluded with some unhappy episode. Had a home run for about 3 hrs to shower/change bag and off to Jakarta for a wedding whilst son headed for Taiwan the very same morning. It was a good "Indonesian break" and had the must-have 5000 Rp/hr foot reflex. This was followed by a series of meetings/discussions back home and a rather uncooperative tummy. (Internal body system was already registering its displeasure !!!). Concluded the week in a hazy Singapore atmosphere with a "staff retreat" and it was off to the airport, that evening for Copenhagen. Final (mental) rehearsal and touch up of slides were done on the plane. On reaching the Danish City, Blackberry decided to give way. Survived the entire week without rice and oily/spicy stuff to cooperate with the tummy. Thank goodness, the Danish air-conditioning system (8-10 deg C) was excellent though the Mermaid (avoided me) and decided to have a vacation at the Shanghai Expo (My life story of avoidance, at its best !!!)
Its 50++ birthday celebration for our God-sister "Bee", After a Deepavali celebration, we headed to her Yishun area home to join our Godparents and the "Bee Gang" to mark the occasion. (Missed Irene who left the scene before our arrival !!!).
The "must-have" shot before Godparents departure for home.
As of 3:00am this morning, the clock was set back by an hour for daylight saving and its officially WINTER here @ Copenhagen. 
Some trees in the parks are already left with only a few leaves on its branches whilst some are still yellowish / orange in colour. 
What used to be from my jig-saw puzzle greeted visitors with its pure beauty with a cool winter breeze. 
Simply lovely !!!
Thanks to the GPS module from the iPad, managed to navigate from the airport to the hotel via train and on foot, dragging our luggages through the many "Roman Roads" along the way. (Probably the bags will be having square wheels by the end of this trip). Temperature is quite nice, about 8-10 deg C though can be quite chilling when the wind blows. 
We are staying at the Copenhagen Strand Hotel, which is just by the river. Very pleasant scene with boats and ferry streaming by. The room is right at the top floor with a small (really small) balcony, just large enough for 2 pax to stand. Great aircon system ... just open the door leading to the balcony and its instant air con (free). 
After depositing our bags at the hotel, went round looking for food. Came across these row of cafes along a large canal (like Clarke Quay area which is about a 10 min walk from the hotel). Some were celebrating "Halloween Day". Had large pumpkin carved out as lanterns. Guess there were many lunch and dinner packages for those out to celebrate but unfortunately, the many signs/posters are not in ENGLISH thus could only imagine. None-the-less, its a festive mood (not sure if its a daily thing). 
Managed to get a passer-by to take a pic for us (Thank goodness he returns the camera !!!). As its official Winter time today, there will be an additional daylight saving hour this evening (ie. Will be 7 hrs behind Singapore time instead of 6). Sunset was quite early and dinner was skipped. (Jet lag won !!! zzzzz !!!).
Paul the Octopus, the tentacled tipster who made $$$$ during the last world cup with his unerringly accurate predictions, passed away in his tank in the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany early Tuesday morning. Whilst those who had their fortune made mourned in silent, for there goes their goose that laid the golden egg, those that "bet on the wrong horse" celebrated in their own ways. Have it to your kind of taste ... BBQ, Sambal Chilli, Steamed, Sotong Ball or just plain raw. Guess, football will never be the same again !!!
Yes, after all the legal processes, we have completed the transaction and now the legal owner and in debt (again !!!). Its still on rental (and NO ARRON-JAMES, you may not take over the rental collection role !!). If tenancy is not exercised by end Nov 10, then some form of minor renovation will take place in Jan/Feb 11 before the great shift "in" to take place. In the meantime, back to the drawing board and living from luggages as many in the family are on the move from London, Tokyo, Ho Chih Min, Penon Penh to possibly Phuket. Guess we'll have to settle-in, some time !!!
The must have, BAKMI Special whenever the opportunity arise at Indonesia. After attending Jannie's wedding at Sands, Mangga Dua, had a day to ourselves before heading home on Monday. Headed to Mall Kelapa Gading (MKG) for the "cannot miss" Bakmi Special. Yummy !!
Dressed in her bubble-bee outfit ... the gathering for crabs and other goodies was part & parcel of Irene's Birthday celebration. Any reason was a good reason to eat and 2/10/2010 was no exception. Once the meal was gobbled down and the table was cleared, out came the Mango-Cake complete with 3 large candles and 16 smaller ones .... (cake shop short of the 4th large candle !!!)...... almost had to trigger the SCDF to be on standby. All-in-all, it was a great time to meet up and be merry. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIGI !!!
Under the rays of the rising sun, to the backdrop of the Singapore Skyline, recruits marched 24 km from East Coast Park from the wee hours of morning to complete their final leg of their Basic Military Training Course. The symbolic march is to foster the value of endurance & determination to reach the heart of the city reminding them of what they are defending. .
For those who had served in National Service or was a regular before, the tune of "Training to be Soldiers" brought back memories. Its one of those "oldies" that has been revived, to a more "hippy" beat.... This is their defining moment for each of the recruit passing out on this Saturday morning.
Satay, otak, crackers, hokkien mee and chicken rice, all were geared up for the big makan session for the evening.
What was suppose to be an easy task of starting the fire, turned out to be quite a challenge for some. The poor charcoal was blamed to be of low quality and was deemed to be wet. Dad had to come to the rescue to start the fire with whatever that was left behind in smoke !!!. Within 30 min, the pit was ready for the first stick of satay to be burnt !!!. Along with otak for re-heating and chicken wings .... the food was well "attacked". As in most BBQ, there will only be a person or two doing the heating up/ cooking. The rest would stay clear of the heated pit ... to enjoy the cooked food from a distance.
Friends from the school (SJC) 
... and friends from the Church (SFX) to celebrate HER DAY !!!
The place : Lamp Post #3207, along Lorong Ah Soo.
Almost immediately, she boarded the bus where the rest of the runners were already inside for their next destination @ Serangoon Junior College where they will disperse. The hungry supporters headed to the Heartland Mall for lunch at a HongKong restaurant.
Having once organised a National Day Dinner (NDD), one can appreciates the planning and organisation that had gone into making the evening's event happens. Unlike being in military service before where logistics support and manpower were readily available, organising one and managing it based on volunteers can be rather stressful. I guess thats the challenge of being in the Grassroots. Working with whatever we have, to do whatever we can. In the course of it, we make many new friends and of course get to know the likes/dislikes of individuals. 
With the birthday song and the 3 "Yum-Seng" toast to the Nation, balloons dropped and poppers were released to add to the SERANGOON celebration for the National Day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE !!!
Met at the APPLEBEES for a hearty western meal followed by the "must have" coffee at THE BLACK. Had lots of fun recalling the silly things that we have done along the way and the developments in our lives. (A "hamster" even came into the conversation on how to prolong life). On the whole, a great evening catching up !!!
Claire was not joking when she called to say .... Dad !!! "Its raining in our bathroom". Having heard of "Flooding in Orchard Road", thought it was just a figure of speech. None-the-less, rushed home to take a look. It was not only raining but it was also like an in-house sauna. The hot water system had a leak and hot water was dripping from the ceiling. The entire bathroom was all steamed up !!!. Had to quickly activated William (our contractor) for damage control. After some checks, the cause was attributed to the boiler thus it had to be replaced. Another episode in our daily life !!!
Grandma remains at the ECON Nursing home for special care. Though she opened her eyes more often, she is still unable to speak nor able to take solid food. Still on liquid diet and is fed through a tube. Being bed ridden, the bed sore is not improving and would likely need further medical attention at the hospital. She recently had a hair-cut. The care givers had to perform the hair-cutting task whilst she remains lying down. Indeed a challenge !!!
We were once again abandoned on the Sunday afternoon. Decided on Day II of food indulgence to go "foreign". This round was at a Korean Restaurant at the Amara Hotel. The usual dishes of pickles and Kim Chi started off the meal as we await the lean pork dish, the Korean pancake and the ever mouth-watering Ginseng Chicken. (Boy !!! Were the portion hugh !!!). Had to do the traditional "ta-pau" to bring the remainder home for dinner. 
Probably gained another few more KGs over the weekend. Need a treadmill to burn off some of the indulgence gained from that the two meals ... but that's another story !!!
Aaron-James has been getting all the attention since Mama & Papa bird decided to build a nest outside Aaron's room window. 3 chicks have since emerged from the nest and had been happily eying on Aaron as he sleeps, work, etc .... Mama & Papa bird has been very protective. Anyone going near the window would be rudely interrupted by the parents who flies in from goodness knows where. Guess, Aaron has lots of attractions for birds ... particularly, younger ones .... !!!
Met the rest of the Serangoon GRLs at T2. With a quick check-in, headed to the lounge where Mum had some 20 min enjoying the massage chair. After meeting Mrs Lim and the rest near the departure hall, it was the "Attendance snap-shot" at T2 before embarkation.
In a rather tight scheduled programme after the landing/custom ritual. We experienced the various modes of transportation in Ho Chi Minh. We had the bus ride, river boat ride, horse cart ride, sampan rowing and of course, on foot (plus learning the skill of crossing Vietnamese roads). "Eating", the Singaporean past-time was well emulated there too. 
An early start for a quick breakfast and off to the Binh Tay Market to grab a few boxes of coffee plus whatever goodies that we could bargain for and experience the PHO-24 Vietnamese noodles before the trip back to Singapore. Mrs Lim's parting gift was a bag of Vietnamese coffee powder and had a shot with the participating families. On the whole, not too bad for a short weekend trip.
