beloved bel

Update: I went to the London High Commission bright and early this morning for the memorial service and also to sign in the condolence book.  We had the Singapore High Commissioner Ms Foo speak and was very touched by the thousands of people who have come down to sign the book in the past few days.  She mentioned that the Singapore High Commission has never seen that many visitors before.  We cried and laughed together when the different eulogies were read out.  It was a very poignant moment while signing in the book for me.  I felt like I was bidding farewell to my own grandfather. Our flag at half mast All his books were placed above the fireplace below our national crest ~~~~~~~ Singaporeans are full of emotions since last Sunday.  Lee Kuan Yew our founding father passed away at the age of 91.  I really wish I were back home now, to be able to pay my last respects to this man whom I did not know personally, but gave his life building this nation. I am a bo

We celebrated two birthdays in a span of 2 weeks back in Singapore.  Let me blog them in chronological order. K and I touched down on Saturday 7th March and on the 8th March, we celebrated my dear grandma's 91st birthday.  You would already know by now she's like my mum and I love and respect the matriach of our family.  She is like the glue of the family, although it can be said that the latest contender for this title "glue of the family" is also baby Sarah.  My brother joked with me saying she has a fan club.  I soon saw the power of this fan club at grandma's birthday dinner ;). Battling jet lag, both K and I went for the dinner at Asia Grand Restaurant.  We were there celebrating grandma's 90th last year (K couldn't fly back then so he joined via Facetime for a quick call).  Lacking better ideas on venue for this year, I suggested going back since the food is good.  It was special because one year ago Sarah was in Denise's womb and it was

K went to Pular Payar years ago when he was a student and he told me he wanted to go again to snorkel.  It's a marine park and an hour ferry ride away from Langkawi island where people can dive or snorkel.  The plan was to do that on our second day there, and the third day would be spent lazing at the resort (by the pool and by the beach).  For the last morning I planned to go to the resort's spa whilst K relaxed some more by the pool. The thing you need to know about Pulau Payar is this: you need to sign up with a tour operator to get you there.  Most tour operators would tell you there are two options: beach or platform.  The price for the beach is half of the platform.  I had no idea the difference and K has forgotten these two available options but I do know that the platform as it name suggests, sits further out into the sea where supposedly the marine life is richer than the one closer to the beach.  The lunch provided at the platform is that of a buffet whereas the

For the past 6+ (almost 7) years, each trip back home is approximately 2 weeks, each time a whirlwind.  I try to meet up with as many friends as possible and spend time with my family.  Each time I plan a proper schedule and each day can be categorised into lunch and dinner slots, and who I am meeting.  Yes, it's true.  Now that I am married, I find the need to scale down on the number of people I meet up with since I need to divide up my time amongst two families and my friends.  And baby Sarah who deserves a special category of her own :).  It's a tough thing to do, but I've resorted not telling all my friends that I'm back now *sheepish look*.  Or, if I come back twice a year, I will meet no-so-close friends every other trip.  I always feel bad, and I hope all my friends understand.   For this trip, when K suggested spending 4 days in Langkawi, Malaysia, I thought my task of meet ups has upped another notch altogether.  As much as the temptation was (sun, sand a