Nature's Noise

Staying right next to Singapore Botanic Gardens has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. I am definitely close to nature, including all the flora and fauna. But I am also close to the "noise pollution". Every day, there is one or a whole family of red junglefowl (taking turns?!) which never fail to crow at all sort of odd hours, including late at night, early morning and throughout the day. 
It can get nerve-wrecking at times. :S

Belated Birthday Celebration

A belated Birthday present for Juliane. Took her to watch a movie of her choice. I was surprised by it, not the theme but by the choice of language the movie was in! Guess what we watched! :D My mother who is a Taiwanese would be pleased to know there is hope. 

Took Juliane to lunch at Shashlik

Must think twice next time before watching a teenage romance comedy with your teenage. Between the two of us, we used up a pack of tissue during the sob sob scenes. "Fall in Love at First Kiss", a Taiwanese remake of the Japanese manga "Itazura na Kiss" is a refreshing departure from my usual genre of movies. :)

Happy Birthday, Juliane!

Happy Birthday, Juliane! 
I hope you have an amazing day and for all your dreams to come true. I am proud of who you are and I will be at your side to support you always. Love you lots!

Random Cat Sightings 2019

This is a good month. I have sighted quite a few cats. :) Another friendly cat. 

Catch-up with UQ friend 2019

My dear friend, Clare stopped over in Singapore for a few days. It was really nice catching up with her! We have known each other since 1991 when we were undergrads in UQ and we last met each other in Brisbane in 2012. We shall endeavour to meet up sooner than every 7 years. :P 

Childhood Memories of Titbits

Random Cat Sightings 2019

Another random cat sighting. It is pretty shy and jumpy. 

Pick-me-up

A pick-me-up for the end of the week or for the start of a new week. Mango bingsu at Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Random Cat Sightings 2019

Saw this beauty at a car park by chance. Friendly. 

New Eating Place

This is one of the better pork dishes I have had and its pricing is reasonable too. Available at Gochi-So Shokudo. 

Iberico Shoulder Steak

Congrats, Marieann!

Marieann received her EAGLES (LEADERSHIP) award this morning at Moulmein-Cairnhill Edusave Awards Presentation Ceremony. I am really proud of her! 

She initially wanted to skip the ceremony because she was shy. But I insisted that she attends the ceremony as it is an acknowledgement of her achievement and skills as a leader. It is a celebration. After the ceremony, I could see that Marieann was happy to have attended it. 

Late Night Working

NIE at 1220am. Officially I am the most hardworking researcher as of today haha. 

It's actually quite peaceful, not scary. When taking the photo, there was a security guard walking in the car park area. I couldn't see because I wasn't wearing my glasses but my phone cam pick up movement. For a moment, I thought, "Finally, a ghost!" Haha. 

Starbucks CNY Piggy

Ever since I bought the CNY merchandise from Starbucks for Juliane in 2016, I kept an eye out for this year's. I managed to get most of what I wanted except for the piggy bank. 

The piggy which looks more like a rabbit

My piggy with Juliane's monkey

Starbucks cheesecake

I always enjoy the cakes from Starbucks, especially the cheesecake kind.

Week 0 of 2019

This is the first week of school but it is considered Week 0 as there are only 3 days of school this week. Most, if not all schools are testing out their time-tables to make sure there are no clashes or it is orientation week for the students. 

Happy Birthday, Marieann!

Happy Birthday, Marieann! 
You have grown into a young lady full of kindness and compassion. I won't want you any different. I wish only the best for you in life. May you overcome every problem life throws your way and may you always remain confident and comfortable with who you are. Lots of love.

Marieann wanted a cat but this is the best I could do - a plush cat as my mother is still mourning the death of our tabby who passed away in 2001. 

Happy 2019!

Happy New Year 2019! 
May this year brings us new dreams, new hopes and new achievements! 

Wishes for 2019

As 2018 draws to a close, I want to thank everyone for being a part of my life. 
Here's a photo I took which nicely represents the hopes I have for all in the new year. 

Wishing all my friends, my colleagues (past and present), my students, and my family (local and overseas) a Wonderful New Year in 2019! 

Go Your Own Way by Lisse

I recently started watching A Discovery of Witches tv series. The series is my favourite genre of supernatural mix with drama and romance. I will start reading the books once Marieann had finished reading them. This is not a new song but I heard it when watching A Discovery of Witches and it got stuck in my head. 

Go Your Own Way by Lisse (uploaded by Alexias B.)

"Go Your Own Way" Loving you Isn't the right thing to do How can I ever change things That I feel If I could Baby I'd give you my world How can I If you won't take it from me You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day You can go your own way Go your own way Tell me why Everything turned around Packing up Shacking up's all you want to do If I could Baby I'd give you my world Open up Everything's waiting for you You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day You can go your own way Go your own way You can call it Another lonely day Yeah yeah yeah... You can go your own way You can go your own way

Never Enough by Loren Allred

I only managed to watch The Greatest Showman recently. Love the song, Never Enough by Loren Allred. It's really haunting.

Never Enough by Loren Allred (uploaded by Atlantic Records)

What Animal were you in a past life?

This is interesting. Wish I have more of that confidence now! Must have used it up lol. 

You Were a Cougar

You are a great leader who has dominance without ego.
You are wickedly cunning and off the scale confident.

Autumn Leaves Colour Test

It's been a long time since I last took a blogthing quiz. 

You Are Charming and Impassioned

You encourage others to take a leap and to take action. You know it's hard to make that first step sometimes.
You are easily distracted. You prefer to multitask, and you're always adding a new task to your list.

You have a positive attitude. You try to keep a sunny disposition, even when life is getting you down.
The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. You have a lot more power over people than you might think.

Meowgical Christmas 2018

A Meowgical Christmas 2018 to all!

Lovely illustration by Seo Kim

All's Quiet ...

in the office on Christmas' Eve!

Mother's Love

My mother's love in the form of a bowl of deliciously cooked bee hoon soup with hand-made meatballs from scratch. 

Happy 冬至 (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Happy 冬至  (Winter Solstice/ Dongzhi) 2018

Research Plans

New research plans are brewing...

Mother Earth Take-out Lunch

As the NIE canteen is closed, we had to look for alternative lunch venues. Lucky us, our friend went to Mother Earth Vegetarian restaurant for lunch and helped a bunch of us to buy back take-out lunch bento! 
Even if you are not a vegetarian, I would recommend Mother Earth vegetarian restaurant. The price is reasonable and the portion is large. I had a hard time trying to finish everything in my lunch bento! Most importantly, the food is really tasty! Love ourselves and our bodies once in a while by having the healthier option of vegetarian food. :) 

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, Ma and Pa!

My parents have been married for 48 years since 1970. 

CORE Team Lunch

Lunch with the research team. A bunch of passionate researchers. My fortune to be able to work with yet another great bunch of colleagues and friends! 

CORE research team (not everyone here as some are on leave)