The Niece Goes to Primary School

My 6-year old niece is officially a primary one student. Days before the year ended we staged a mini uniform dress up. See the little brat's messy/sweaty hair, over-sized blouse and skirt... reminds me of that cold, dark January morning decades ago when I was a brand new primary school kiddo myself! I was nervous and timid. I think she'll cope better. She's going to attend school at her brother's alma mater where he did pretty well. Measuring up to her sibling is one, most importantly I hope she'll be enjoying herself over the next six years!

Snowstorm Sunday

Am sitting by the window in my hotel room so I can see the view - not much of it except dark sky and vague distant lights beyond the massive snow shower. Since arriving at 10am this morning at -9 degrees celcius it's been snowing non-stop and heavier. By now the roads below and some of the vehicles are entirely covered in freezing whiteness. The whole place looks like it got heavy sugar icing! It's reported that Beijing will be at its coldest in 40 years, tomorrow.

Decending into the capital's airport we couldn't see a thing. Captain joked that we've arrived in north pole. Then there was a very slow and careful taxi on the vast icy ground (I don't know how they could make out the runway!) onto the stand.

The all-new, gigantic terminal didn't feel heated. As if that wasn't bad enough, we were stranded between the shuttle train service that takes us to the other end of the terminal due to several technical hiccups. And the coach that usually takes us to the hotel in 30 minutes took 70 minutes on the slippery roads.

I've never seen Beijing like this. Never met snow so fierce and wind so merciless. But I think about the crew going Toronto on his next flight, I feel a little less bitter.

Furry Mittens. Sometimes Dirty, Mostly White.

Next This year, Saffi - when you're seven years old - I hope to be celebrating the new year with you!

Fried Bee Hoon

For once this dish didn't fall and crumble into short broken bits of rice sticks in my hands. With Wendy's help, it became a delicious, wholesome lunch... though we think we can do with more double the amount of canned pork belly next time, for that nostalgic taste.

We realised after devouring our creation, the fried shallot toppings were way pass its expiry date.

You Can't See Me

I found Saffi sitting on my bed one afternoon looking at the direction of my wardrobe and turned to see Oscar sitting in it.

He pretended not to see me.

Saffi is 6!

While most times just being totally cat-like and snoozy, other times Saffi likes to imitate people.

I realised that years ago when she used to get out of bed with me in the morning when the alarm goes off, she'd sit on the bathroom rug right behind me grooming, while I brush my teeth. Only she didn't have to go to work.

Sometimes wide awake and idling, she watches tellie with me and she likes to watch close to the set like she's short-sighted.

She sits across the table or alongside me when I'm having dinner, though most of the time refusing the offer of food. Just sitting there to be part of it.

Whenever I iron or tidy the clothes she makes attempts to help. But such enthusiasm don't last and sleep would take over.

When prepping my face at the mirror, often I catch her watching from the reflection.

She stares in disbelief when I use the hair-dryer and wonders why I allow myself to suffer under the hot-air monster jet.

Some stormy nights she would snuggle up close and lean against me. She'd even get herself under the duvet for safety.

She goes to the door when someone comes home, and hangs around in the kitchen when we cook. As if she's giving a hand.

She's a funny friend. On 14th December she's officially 6 years old. Happy Birthday Saffi, and keep doing what you do best!

Second Time Snowy

Arriving at London Heathrow yesterday morning was a little painful. Not after an hour's delay on ground which saw the aircraft departing at midnight in Singapore, not because I hardly rested through an oddly busy 13 hours' flight, and neither was it because after we made our way from terminal 3 to 5 that we had to wait an hour at the belt to get our baggages. But it was cold outside. Colder when you're tired.

At 6.30am local time, as I stood waiting at the bus stop I couldn't help but miss the woollen scarf and leather gloves I left at home.

When I looked out of the window at 10pm last night, it was snowing heavily and everything was mono-toned. A little scary, but kinda pretty that way:



This was taken at 6am this morning, when morning's just broken.