Final week of the Year

On Saturday it was great to welcome Michael back...I even cooked for him. Something I haven't done a lot of since I have been here. He had returned in time to come along for drinks at Penny Black, where our intake had experienced our first drinks in Singapore nearly 2 years ago. Unfortunately a number of our group could not attend due to other commitments so there were only 8 of the original 13 there. After their happy hour ended some of us headed over to Sque bar where Michael was welcomed with open arms...he had been missed!

Monday saw a relatively large group turn up for the last walk of the year, except for the trekkers, from Bishan to Angmo Kio. As we walked through Bishan Park we passed an advertisment being made and the young woman in the blue singlet was on her way to tell me "no Photos".

After the walk it was home for a clean up and a short Nana nap before we headed over to Holland Village for the Punggol staff dinner. It had taken a good deal of research to find a suitable venue as we had to have vegetarian, halal, less than $50 and sell alcohol (usually not available in conjunction with halal). Thanks to Eric the venue fitted all the criteia as well as providing delicious food. We are losing 3 staff members from Punggol Branch as they move on to the next chapters of their lives.

In their wisdom someone had organised a boys night out on Tuesday so Libby and I decided we weren't going to sit at home. We were joined by Bev, Jo and Kym and we revisited the places I had been last week..ie Kinkis, Lau Pasat and Level 33.

The last working week of our year began on Wednesday, at about the same time as I began to fight a head cold! I thought I had beaten it but it wouldn't go away and 2 nights out over the weekend saw me at the doctors on Monday collecting medications.On Saturday night a small group gathered at Wine Mansions in Chinatown to celebrate Peter's time with MAE and to demonstrate our appreciation for his support and friendship over the years. It was a great night with many funny stories but it did mean there were a few sore heads, and throats, for our last day at work. Someone, who shall remain nameless, but did not have to work, finally dragged himself out of bed at 4pm!

On Sunday it was a gathering at Sque Bar to celebrate the end of term and to farewell some of the large number of colleagues who are leaving our shores. By 8.30 I was flagging and we called it quits early.

We are now packed and ready for our morning flight, so my next post should be from Morocco

 

 

 

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Countdown Time

This week began and ended with a some walks with MAE colleagues. On Thursday it was off to the Chinese Gardens so Peter, Libby and Eric could get in some stairs practice for their upcoming assault on Everest Base Camp. Much to their collective disappointment there was a sign on the locked door which caused a change of plans! We had to resort to climbing the much smaller twin Pagodas and try to stay out of each others way. 
I spent Friday helping Kathy put her bed together...we are becoming quite the experts with the 'Ikea allen key." After work on Friday I joined Libby, Eric and Richard at Kovan for dinner. On the bus on the way home I got chatting to a woman who turned out to live in the same condo, and I remarked how we got such a great breeze. She looked at me with a horrified look on her face and replied, "We never open the windows!"
The weekend went by with some absences at work but we got through with great teamwork as usual.









On Sunday night Eric and I traveled over to Holland Village for end of week drinks with colleagues at the Wala Bar. It was a good night and a chance to see people who work some distance from us.
It has been a Good news, Bad news, kind of week! The good news was that June has recovered enough from her recent stint in hospital to join us for our Monday walk, from Bukit Gombok to Jurong, and despite the humidity we all managed to finish it.

On Monday night I went to the movies and saw the worst Hugh Grant movie ever made... Rewrite. Kathy and Helen were both staying over and when I got home Kathy was in a happy state having been to her branch end-of-year function. A drink( or 2) were consumed over a couple of hands of euchre and suddenly it was 2am. 

Tuesday therefore got off to a slow start although I did manage a trip to Ikea before meeting up with Robert and Maria in town. Our night began with drinks at Kinkies, followed by dinner at Lau Pasat and rounded off with a nightcap at Level 33, a bar with great views over Marina Bay. 

Drinks at Kinkis

View from Level 33 Bar

At Wednesdays staff meeting the bombshell was dropped that Peter was finishing with MAE at the end of the year. This was very upsetting news especially the way he has been treated after 13 years with the company...it was all too familiar to me!

Fortunately I was able to join Libby Eric and Peter for a walk from Kent Ridge to Harbourfront on Thursday morning and I was pleased to see that Peter was in good spirits, having had a couple of weeks to get used to the idea. He will be sorely missed at MAE but as he hopes to stay in Singapore we won't have to start missing him yet.

Tiered Plaza area 

We followed our usual walk with a few little detours that took us to a couple of new scenic spots. At Mt Faber we found an area below the lookout which has a series of murals depicting the History of Singapore. A very interesting spot.

Wedding Bells

On Thursday night I was very touched to receive some flowers and chocolates from the mum of one of my students who was withdrawing to have some one-to-one tuition. He is an unusual boy and she was very thankful for my patience with him!

After work on Thursday night I went to Kovan to have dinner with friends who had agreed to help me fill in time before I caught my 1.45am flight to Sydney. Peter passed on the terrific news that our colleague June was leaving hospital on Friday and the doctors were optimistic that the likelihood of further occurrences were minimal. Great news to finish my working week! My flight was quite comfortable as I had 2 seats to myself and Michael was waiting for me at the airport.
As I flew over Sydney I reflected on the contrast between the aerial view over Sydney and Singapore...how clear the sky was and blobs of purple everywhere with the jacarandas in full bloom.

There are some things you don't even realise you miss!

We were in Sydney for the wedding of Michael's niece, Erin and it was like a fairytale...the weather was perfect and the setting idyllic. We also celebrated Michael's birthday on the same day with Richard giving him a card wishing him a happy 60th!!!

I managed to get in a bit of shopping...no trouble finding things that fit in Australia and we couldn't help but compare the service in Australia with Singapore...it is soooo much better in Australia. Another thing that stood out was the enormous size of meal portions...not surprising there is talk of an obesity epidemic.

On Monday it was back to the airport for my return flight on which I had the entire central row to myself, 4 seats. I offerred to share with a young man who looked particularly uncomfortable crammed in with 2 old people but I still had plenty of room.

After a good sleep-in it was up for a swim and then Kathy and I spent the afternoon putting bookshelves together before heading off to see "Girl Gone"...very interesting movie but she was one scary girl!

PTMs, Annual Dinner and Melbourne Cup!!!

This week saw all Morris Allen branches conducting Parent Teacher Meetings. Mine were all very favourable with all my ongoing students returning to my classes next year, so I must be doing something right. Some of the more memorable quotes from parents were;
"I am concerned about my son's character as all he wants to do is play." child aged 5!

Another from the parent of a child with limited English, "worried that he doesn't want to read his books to himself" also aged 5.

On Thursday night Kathy's daughter Tarsh was in town so they both stayed over and the night turned in to a much later night than anticipated!
After work on Saturday night the "Bollywood Dance Troupe"met at Kovan for a final practice before Monday nights Annual Dinner and then sojourned over the road to Bliss for dinner.

On Sunday night Punggol staff had drinks/dinner at Firenze on the Riverfront. As we walked past our local Community club there was an Indian Celebration taking place with a picture competition on display. The pictures are made from coloured sand and are temporary but spectacular.

Monday's walk was from Bishan to Ang Mo Kio and was just the 4 of us as the other's were all getting themselves ready for tonight's annual dinner! June is still in hospital but improving every time I see her which is good news. After the walk it was time to get the toenails decorated for the dinner.

The dinner was a fun night although watching the 'waiters' measure out our glass of wine was hilarious...2 large nips and 1 small nip using a spirit measure...for every glass. People appeared to enjoy our dance and after the evening ended a group of us visited June in the ICU and performed for her...and all the nurses too! It also gave Peter and Renee the opportunity to present her with her watch for 5 years service.

Rio Girls 2015

Bollywood Dance Troupe.

with Libby

Family Shot!

visiting June

Punggol Staff

A small group of us followed up our Annual Dinner with an early start to attend a Melbourne Cup function at the Boomerang Bar...starting at 9.30 with champagne! Luckily we didnt have to work for another day. It was a great morning and two of us scored wins, Libby had the 3rd placegetter in a sweep and Jo appeared in the 'fashions on the Field'event and people loved her 'frog' hat.

You can tell our 'goodies'bag had sunglasses amongst other things!

After such a busy weekend it was almost a relief to return to work for our second week of PTM's although it was only a short week for me.

Another busy week

After Michael's early morning departure for Australia I went on a shopping expedition with Kathy with the aim of buying our Bollywood outfits for the Annual Dinner. It was into Mustafa's and after much trying on etc we both came away "Bollywood"ready.
On Friday morning I travelled in to Kampong Glam to meet up with Maria and mum for a spot of lunch before heading to work.
Peter organised a dinner at a restaurant in Lorong Chuan for Saturday night...a revisit to where we had celebrated Libby's birthday earlier in the year.I had a pleasant, sensible night with a great group of friends.

Saturday night at La Pizzaiolla?

After work on Sunday night Robert and Maria brought mum over to Bliss for dinner and a chance to say hello to some colleagues she had met on a previous visit. It also gave her an opportunity to see the area where Robert and Maria will be next year, as they are relocating to Kovan branch. They will also be moving house but that is still ahead of them at this point.
Monday morning's walk was something I had been keen to do all year as it was West Coast Park to Haw Par Villa, a place I had been told had to be visited at least once...people seemed to be reluctant to elaborate! I made it in plenty of time but unfortunately one of our group suddenly took ill at our meeting spot and had to be taken home in a taxi.  After an initial diagnosis of a 'virus',  a second visit saw June sent to hospital with bleeding on the brain. She was very unwell but is now on the mend and all our thoughts are with her.

The Tiger Balm Gardens a.k.a. Haw Par Villa is an oriental theme park. It is famed for depicting traditional Chinese legends, in particular the unforgettable 10 Courts of Hell. It also has a large number of Chinese Morality tales displayed around the gardens.It was built by the Aw brothers, who were responsible for the creation of Tiger Balm ointment.
If you were interested in scaring the hell out of your kids this would be the place to bring them...the punishments depicted for any misdemeanor ranged from being strapped to a burning hot metal chimney to having your tongue cut out. All in little dioramas of the 10 Courts of Hell. Magically one can be restored to a new life by a magic brew of tea given to you by an old lady! An interesting morning!

walking group in west coast park (plus Libby)

Moral of this story...stay away from white bears?...but no it is about...

The Aw brother's car

After such a busy morning I met up with Mum, Robert and Maria at Smith St in Chinatown for dinner then Robert and I moved on to meet the Canaways and Carolyn for dessert at a chocolate Bar in Robinson Quay.
Mum was returning toAustralia on Tuesday night so I met them in Tampines for lunch and followed this with drinks and dinner with Libby and Eric at Shishmahal in Albert Court. We took in the Deepavali light display in Little India as we made our way back to the MRT.

Bali

Sunday night saw me leaving work very quickly to travel to Kovan where I met up with Kathy and Helen to share a taxi to the airport for our flight to Bali. Michael had collected Mum from Robert's place and we were all at the airport in plenty of time for a snack before boarding. By the time we arrived at our villa in Ubud it was 1.30am and we were all rather tired but the villa certainly gave us a boost...especially when we were introduced to our butler!

Our Bathroom, complete with goldfish in the surrounding pond

Everyone was happy with our private pool

We got off to a slow start on Monday with a splash in the pool followed by a leisurely breakfast in the cafe overlooking the pool. Then it was back for more lolling about before hailing the shuttle bus for a trip in to town for lunch. Lunch was at a very pleasant eatery called Oops before we took a leisurely stroll through the market area. It was certainly the time to go as the crowds of earlier seem to fall away around 3pm...all the day trippers have returned to their coastal possies.
Helen and Kathy came over for dinner in, served by our butler, and an evening of cards...and perhaps the consumption of some duty free purchases.

continental breakfast...pancakes filled with strawberries

On Tuesday morning we opted for breakfast in our villa, served by our morning butler. We all enjoyed the fact that when we finished eating we picked up the phone and all the mess magically disappeared!

Part of the Indonesian Breakfast 

On Tuesday afternoon we arranged a 5 hour tour that took us into the country side around Ubud where we our first stop was at the Pura Taman Ayun Temple.

Built in the 1600s by the King of Mengwi, Pura Taman Ayun survives today as a beautiful example of a royal public temple. The descendants of the Mengwi royal family still sponsor the temple, which also serves as the clan kawitan temple (a temple dedicated to the worship of the deified ancestors, in this case the previous rulers of the Mengwi royal family).

"Taman Ayun" means "beautiful garden"; a moat surrounds the temple, which gives the complex the appearance of floating on water. A landscaped front courtyard entered through an ornamental candi bentar (split front gate) adds to the temple's beauty. The inner courtyard features a number of multi-tiered meru (pagodas).

Our second stop was at a nearby Monkey Forest, one of 4 in Bali apparently, where after a short stroll past a large number of monkeys with a local guide, we were shepherded into their stalls and pressured in to  buying their products. We declined although some members of our group did end up with some purchases.
The final stop on our tour was at Tanah Lot for the sunset. Tanah Lot stands on a rock some distance from the shore, towering over the sea. 

The temple's construction was supposedly inspired by the priest Nirartha in the 15th century; after spending the night on the rock outcrop where the temple now stands, he instructed local fishermen to build a temple on that site. A multimillion-dollar restoration effort in the 1990s saved Tanah Lot from falling into the sea.

Tanah Lot

It was very pleasant to dip our feet in the ocean as we made our way over to the island on which the temple stands where we received a blessing from the resident monks. Unfortunately you cannot get in to the temple area at all so we had to be content to watch the sunset ...with the hundreds of other people who were there for the same purpose. By the time we returned to Ubud we were all feeling weary so we decided to eat in again .

Spectacular sunset 

We began Wednesday the same way as the previous 2 days, delicious breakfast and a swim. While lolling about we heard the sounds of drumming and found the celebrations were going past our front door.

We had a look at some of the other accommodation options offerred and decided it was certainly a place to consider for a special celebration with a group!
After lunch it was into the minibus for our airport transfer. 10 minutes after leaving the villa, while sitting in near stationary traffic, our driver took a call to inform us that someone, who shall remain nameless, had left their phone and house keys in the safe! So back we went, a short distance that took half an hour due to the dreadful traffic congestion in Ubud. 
After arriving back in Singapore around 8pm it was a quick call to our Real Estate agent to organise the signing of our new lease as Michael was departing for Australia at 6.15am. Another job done before our new living arrangements begin!