Category Archives: Singapore Living

My Childhood: The Beach & What I Seek in Travel

Posted on September 30, 2022 by bookjunkie

As a child I didn’t have truly good memories of the beaches in Singapore. My sister and I often developed huge painful welts on our upper arms and always thought it was because we were allergic to sea water. We … Continue reading →

Posted in family, Midlife Musings, My Childhood, Singapore Living, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Childhood: Garden Stories & Jaffna Cousins

Posted on September 30, 2022 by bookjunkie

I miss our small tropical garden. Of course, as these things go, I didn’t appreciate it till it was reduced to just a tiny patch devoid of any fruit trees. I miss the Japanese roses my mum tended to in … Continue reading →

Posted in family, History, Midlife Musings, My Childhood, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Uncle A: My Grandpa at Work & Other Stories

Posted on September 29, 2022 by bookjunkie

Following my last post about one of my grandma’s specialities, fried mutton with potatoes, my uncle confirmed that it was one of his favourites too. I then asked him to tell me about what family meals were like back then. … Continue reading →

Posted in family, History, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fried Mutton with Potatoes

Posted on September 29, 2022 by bookjunkie

My mum learnt how to cook various ceylonese dishes, observing my grandma. Back then she mostly did the menial work like cutting up and grinding stuff. You could say, she was sous chef to the chef (grandma) and she started … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Culture & Society, family, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#13. Simple Joys: When they Don’t Forget My Spicy Condiments

Posted on September 28, 2022 by bookjunkie

A meal is elevated by condiments, like all kinds of chilli and sauces. I always need spice in my meals.

Posted in Food in Singapore, Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Never Been on the Singapore Flyer

Posted on September 27, 2022 by bookjunkie

Somehow when something is so near and available you feel no urgency to use it. Also I have situational claustrophobia, so when this attraction first emerged I had fear let alone a desire to try it. There were incidents of … Continue reading →

Posted in Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Typical Childhood in the 1950’s (Uncle A’s perspective), with a Preamble About Recording Stories

Posted on September 26, 2022 by bookjunkie

I’m noting down family details and it’s all these little stories and varying perspectives that may come in useful for a story about a typical Singaporean family that have their ancestral roots in Sri Lanka, specifically Jaffna. Of course no … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & Society, family, History, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Blog is a Work in Progress

Posted on September 26, 2022 by bookjunkie

It’s never the finished product, but more like a dairy entry. A diary entry that I can rework easily. I keep editing as I discover embarrassing errors (mostly due to autocorrect), and new information, especially for my biographical posts. I … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, Anxiety, Blogging & Writing, Culture & Society, family, Midlife Musings, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Typical Day in the Life of My Mum in the early 1960’s

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

She couldn’t recall exactly what time she woke up, but it was to the crowing of the neighbourhood roosters and not an alarm clock. They were extremely loud she said. She ironed her uniform the day before. Once adorned, she … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & Society, family, History, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#12. Simple Joys: Having the Option to Not Wear a Mask Indoors

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

I do it when I feel comfortable enough and usually when it’s not too crowded. But yes I so do enjoy having that freedom.

Posted in Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#11. Simple Joys: Pretty Things at ION & More Space on the higher floors

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

I managed to get some peace and eye candy even on a busy weekend. Trying to be grateful for every little thing as I believe it helps in elevating our mood. I can’t afford a thing at Valentino, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#98: Exciting, Ever Evolving Food Scene

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

I do love dry Laksa, so I was exited to spot the opening of this new dining place at Vivo. I haven’t reached 100 on my 100 Reasons to Be Happy in Singapore, but just found my number 98/100. Started … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 Reasons to be Happy in Singapore, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

#10. Simple Joys: Even Greater Ease to Check Out Library Books Using my Phone App

Posted on September 25, 2022 by bookjunkie

Love not having to queue and borrowing books by scanning the bar codes through my library App. Currently for only those books with a particular sticker, but I’m sure the efficient librarians will cover more books soon.

Posted in Joy, Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Family Ties: Aunts, Uncles & Cousins

Posted on September 24, 2022 by bookjunkie

I recently asked my uncle how he felt when his son was just born. “Were you nervous being a father now? Nervous about having to carry a baby.” He said not really, and then I realised my baby cousin (I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & Society, family, History, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ocean Liner Stories from the Past

Posted on September 24, 2022 by bookjunkie

Had a chat with both my Uncle A and Aunt S since they happened to be there at the same time. They are siblings 7.5 years apart, but the age gap seems to be negligible. Wanted to gain more insight … Continue reading →

Posted in family, History, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Atas Mall with Fresh Orchid Displays

Posted on September 23, 2022 by bookjunkie

B pointed out that the orchids at the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands are real and if they are replaced regularly must be super expensive. Me and my cousin D love coming to TWG. The outlet here looks nice but … Continue reading →

Posted in Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#9. Simple Joys: Wide Walkways & High Ceilings

Posted on September 23, 2022 by bookjunkie

Because most malls in Singapore are so cramped with narrow walkways I appreciate something like this at the ‘atas’ (Singlish for high class/ snooty) mall The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

Posted in Simple Joys, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Evolution of my Blog

Posted on September 22, 2022 by bookjunkie

When I first started out blogging actively and regularly in 2010, it was mostly superficial posts on celebs, food and touristy things. It made life exciting. Being a tourist in your own country. These are often my more cheerful posts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging & Writing, Midlife Musings, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Were there Tasks You Hated Doing as a Child?

Posted on September 22, 2022 by bookjunkie

I’m asking myself questions and often I go off on a tangent, but that’s my purpose. My method of jogging my memory before it all fades. For me, as I was not made to do any chores, it was mostly … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture & Society, Midlife Musings, Singapore Living, Trauma | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Angelina at Marina Bay Sands: Another Too Expensive Place

Posted on September 22, 2022 by bookjunkie

Staff were struggling here. We didn’t order the tiny cakes that cost at least $17 before tax and opted for a large basket of piping hot French fries instead. Pretty good but you could get much more for $13.50 at … Continue reading →

Posted in Food in Singapore, restaurant, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Din Tai Fung Marina Bay Sands for the First Time

Posted on September 22, 2022 by bookjunkie

We’ve been to the other outlets many times and actually we prefer the paradise group for Shanghainese type cuisine – Xiao Long Bao and handmade noodles. Our opinion was confirmed once again that the Paradise group’s offering is superior. Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Chinese, Food in Singapore, Singapore Living | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Peranakan Meal at Pow Sing: Satisfying but Expensive

Posted on September 22, 2022 by bookjunkie

Decided to do a food post for a change. A lunch we had this month as my partner loves Peranakan food and anything that goes with steamed rice. He is not so into bread the way I am. Actually I … Continue reading →

Posted in Peranakan, restaurant, Singapore Living | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment