ma vie trouvée

A view from my window... Singapore for the week!

 

Enjoying the city......

Great Friends.  Great Food.  Great View.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Chinese New Year!

 

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái

2-8-2016

“wishing you a prosperous new year”

 

 

This year is the year of the monkey.  According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon (me), Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.  You are a monkey if you were born in:  1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, or this year, 2016.

Monkeys are said to be smart, clever and intelligent, especially in their career and wealth. They are lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile.  Their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper and a tendency to look down upon others.

Lucky Numbers: 1, 7, 8

Lucky Colors: white, gold, blue

Lucky Flowers: chrysanthemum, alliums

 

 

 

 

I decorated the traditional pussy willow tree again this year.  If you want to learn more about this tradition, visit my post from last year.  It was very hard to find the pussy willow branches here in the US and I ended up ordering them on-line from a store in New York.  I was a little disappointed as I was expecting them to be as large and as beautiful as they were in Singapore.  I really should be happy that I was able to find any!

 

 

 

 

 

I am sending a special wish to all my Singaporean friends - Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái!!!  I wish I were there to celebrate and eat all the yummy delicacies of the season, especially the pea cookies!!

Happy 50th Birthday Singapore and Farewell!!!

 

Happy Birthday Singapore!

and

Farewell!

 

 

 

Singapore's Golden Jubilee

 

 

 

Happy National Day!

 

 

 

Today, August 9^th, marks Singapore’s 50th Birthday as a nation, and Singaporeans are celebrating BIG!!  The president declared August 7 a public holiday making it a four-day weekend. All over the city there are red and white decorations, carnivals, concerts, fireworks, special T-shirts, even a sardine can with a wish! 

I wanted to share a few of the photos I captured over the last few days of the celebrations....

 

 

 

We went to the practice sessions for the air show.  The highlight was the formation of 20 planes in the shape of a "50".

 

 

 

A little history on Singapore...

 

On 9 August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia to become an independent and sovereign state.

 

 

 

In less than 50 years, this small country went from third-world to first, and has become one of the richest nations in the world.  Amazingly, 1 in 6 Singaporeans are millionaires and 90 percent own their own home.

 

 

 

Much of Singapore’s success can be attributed its first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who just passed away in March of this year.   So sad he did not live to see the 50^th celebration.

 

 

 

 

Mr Lee made a promise to Singaporeans, he said: "We are going to be a multi-racial nation in Singapore. We will set an example. This is not a Malay nation; this is not a Chinese nation; this is not an Indian nation. Everyone will have his place, equal: language, culture, religion."  Singapore truly is a multi-racial country.

 

 

 

I posted these facts about Singapore on the blog when we first moved here and thought it would be fun to share again – with a few comments (in red) after living here for almost four years.

 

 

 

1)  Singapore is a city and a country.  It is made up of one main island and 63 small islands (most are uninhabited).

 

 

 

 

2)  The country is 240 sq miles.  Slightly smaller than New York City, over five million people live here.  Apart from Monaco, it is the most densely populated country in the world.

 

 

 

 

3)  It is a very prosperous country with only 2% unemployment. 

 

 

 

 

4)  It is 85 miles north of the Equator - this means it is hot hot hot.  I confirm.... it is HOT.  It took me over two years to adjust, but I did!

 

 

 

 

5)  It has a tropical rain forest climate with no distinct season.  It rains almost everyday.  The temperatures ranges from 83 to 90 degrees with the average humidity around 84% - which means hot hot hot. 

This is true, it does rain almost every day around 3:00.

 

 

 

6)  English is one of the four official languages along with Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.  English is also considered the first language. 

It is very easy to live in Singapore as most people do speak English.  The sign below is in Bahasa.  Majulah Singapura means "Onward Singapore" which was later adopted as their national anthem. 

 

 

 

The "little" red dot on the back of the bus was one of the themes for the 50th celebration.  The logo celebrates the Singaporean spirit – signifying that their dreams are not limited by the physical size of the "little" island nation.

 

 

 

 

7)  There is a 12-hour time difference between Singapore and the US.  They do not practice daylight savings so it is 13 hours in the winter.

 

 

 

 

8)  They drive on the right hand side (opposite of the US!).  All cars must be  less than 10 years old and are removed or destroyed when they reach 10 years. 

But even more interesting  -  you need to buy a coupon to drive a car in Singapore - they auction for around $70,000.  This does NOT include the price of the car or insurance.  The coupon also has a 10-year expiration.

 

 

 

 

Last night we went to see the Super-Tree 50th celebration light show at Gardens By The Bay.  It was so pretty.

 

 

 

9)  It is one of the cleanest cities in the world and you can be arrested for spitting, littering, or chewing gum!

 

 

 

10)  The crime rate is super low - making it one of the safest cities in the world. 

True.  I see woman leave their purses on the hawker stand tables to secure the table while they go to buy their food.  And the sign below is real... I am not sure if it was a child cheating on a test, a man cheating in checkers, or a man cheating on his wife... but cheating is a crime!

 

 

11)  Singapore is a foodie's dream.  It has been referred to as the food capital of the world with a mix of so many cultures and cuisines {yeah}. 

This is so true and part of what we have come to LOVE about Singapore.  We have a list a mile long of favorite foods we have come to love here but on the top are:

Roti prata - an Indian inspired round pancake, often eaten with mutton or fish curry. 

 

 

and XLBs (xou long bao) soup dumplings - little pillow of heaven.  You bite into it and the soup bursts into your mouth.

 

 

12)  It has one of the best health care systems in the world and the best water. 

The doctors are excellent here.  You can get an appointment fast with top-rated doctors and the doctors spend quality time with you.  They seem to really want to get to know you and help you.  We will miss this.

 

 

 

13)  It is one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live.  Our basic 3-bedroom apartment sells for $2.5million USD.  Our friend's embassy-provided apartment sells for $6million USD.  

 

From a 2015 report - Singapore is the world's most expensive city, according to an index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit.  It comes in ahead of Paris, Oslo, Zurich and London.

 

 

 

 

14)  They say Christmas is spectacular - guess I will be able to confirm this!

Confirmed!  The decorations are more spectacular than in the US.  A bit unusual given most Singaporeans do not celebrate Christmas!  The photo below was from last night at Garden's By The Bay.

 

 

 

15)  Did I mention Singapore is hot hot hot   :  )  YES YES YES.  But there is something to be said about having a wardrobe you can wear 365 days a year and NEVER having to stop and think... do I need to carry a coat today?!  

 

 

 

Farewell Singapore....

When we board that plane on Thursday to head back to the United States I will cry.  Thank you Singapore!  We have come to love this wonderful island that we have called home for the last four years.  We have a made so many wonderful friends - Singaporeans, expats from other countries, and some folks from our own backyard at the US embassy!  We will miss all of you and we hope that our paths will one day cross again. 

Until we meet again.....

 

 

 

 

Pink for cousin Maria

 

 

 

My cousin had to have a double mastectomy two weeks ago.  The GREAT news is she is doing really well and was back to work on Monday.  This is pretty remarkable, to be back to work so soon.  I think it is attributed to her extremely positive attitude throughout this entire ordeal.

I felt bad that I was not there with her when she was going through all her appointments, tests, and the surgery.  This is when living abroad is hard.

I wanted to do something special for her so she knew I was thinking about her... I made her a bracelet and earrings.

 

 

I also made her thank you cards to send to everyone who was so supportive and helpful to her during this very stressful time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had so much fun making these.  It reminded me of paper dolls, which I loved playing with when I was young.

 

 

 

Don't forget to have your annual mammogram! 

Cousin Maria's was ONLY detected thanks to the mammogram.  It was too small and too deep for her to have found during a monthly self-exam or for a doctor to have found from a physical exam.  I have mine scheduled this Friday!!!  

 

Oriental Pied-Hornbill

 

We were eating lunch the other day and a large bird flew by the window and caught my eye.  I jumped up to look and there was this amazing tropical black and white bird.  We had never seen one before.  As we grabbed the camera, eight or so of them flew into the trees directly outside our window.  

 

 

 

 

The birds were grabbing big red berries from the trees and going on their way.  They were there for less than 10 minutes.

 

 

 

 

I googled it and they are Oriental pied-hornbills.  They were almost extinct in Singapore, but thanks to the Singapore Hornbill Project, their numbers have increased over the years.

The hornbill's trademark is its large, long bill.   The adult birds have a casque (a knob on top of the bill).  The male's casque is larger than the females and it has less black marks.   

 

 

 

Hornbills primarily eat fruit, but they will eat insects and small animals including reptiles, birds and mammals.  The Oriental pied-hornbill plays an important role in the health of the rain forest as it disperses seeds that are too big for smaller birds to eat.

Their numbers are still small in Singapore, but are growing.  It was really cool to see this unique bird in our own back yard!

 

 

 

 

The three-month count down

 

I've not wanted to talk about it.  It is approaching faster than I want.

On August 13, we have to move back to the United States.  We will move back to our home in Northern Virginia.  In just three months, my life will be turned upside down. 

We pack out the 20th of July.  A move across the world is enough to stress anyone out, but what I am really worried about is adjusting to living back in the United States after living abroad (Brussels and Singapore) for close to 8 years.

I have so many GREAT friends here - local Singaporeans, British Expats, and Americans.  Moving is hard.

Sigh.

So why are we moving back?  The hubby's overseas assignment has reached its cap.  We were only supposed to stay five years so the extra three were a bonus.  He has secured a great job back at the corporate office and will still be connected to international work.  But we will not travel like we do here in Asia. 

I have entered panic mode.  I feel like there is so much to see.  Even with 55 countries under my belt - I have only scratched the surface of this great big world.

We do have a few fun trips left.  This weekend we leave for a three-city trip - Seoul Korea, Jeju Island Korea, and Beijing China.  We will visit the Great Wall, which we have not seen.

Then we have trips to Tokyo and Hanoi - two favorite cities.  I want to squeeze one last trip to Bali.  But that one is still up in the air.

I am behind posting several trips:  Cambodia, Australia, Bangkok, Ninh Binh, and Sri Lanka.  I have a lot to keep me busy and hopefully keep my mind off of moving. 

My posts will be more sporadic over the next few months.  Stay tuned.....

 

Friday Finds: What's a Zeijoa?

 

 A Zeijoa is really a Feijoa...

but what is a Feijoa?

 

 

 

 

I had never heard of either, until a friend gifted us a few.  Here in Singapore, this exotic fruit is sold under the name of Zeijoa and it comes from New Zealand.  With its smooth green skin and small, oval shape, it could be mistaken as a lime.

Also known as the Pineapple Guava or Guavasteen, it is usually found in the mountains of Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.  It was named after a Brazilian botanist, Joam da Silva Feijo.  I think Zeijoa is more of a brand name used in New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

 

Either way, I enjoyed tasting this very fragrant fruit.  The flavor is hard to describe -  with hints of pineapple, strawberry, and guava.  The texture was a bit gritty like a pear.  Some articles said it also tasted like mint and lemon.

They said to eat it, cut the fruit vertically into two halves and scoop the fruit out with a spoon. The skin is not eaten raw.  Feijoa can also be cooked or baked and is used in many recipes.

They are high in vitamin C, low in calories and a great source of minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.  They are even good as an exfoliant.

 

 

 

 

I found a feijoa chicken curry recipe I am going to try tomorrow for dinner.

 

Are they selling these in the States?

Sharing over at FF.

 

 

 

 

FF: afghanistan vintage fabric

 

 

 

There are several little shops in my favorite mall in Bangkok,  Palladium World Shopping Mall (formerly the Pratunam Centre), that sells old artifacts, jewelry, beads, and fabrics from Afghanistan.

 

(front and back)

 

 

I always have to buy a few pieces that call me.  The mall recently revamped itself and my little shops have increased in price, so I did not buy as many as I usually do.

 

 

 

 

 

I also picked up a wooden stamp for my collection, from Afghanistan.

 

 

 

And for the record... I did create a collage with the fabric I bought in India a few years ago.  I have it hung in the middle of the room so there is very little natural light on the frame and it is hard to photograph with the glass - but you get the idea.  I am really happy with it.

 

 

 

 

The framer recommended the burlap background, which I think adds great texture to the piece.

 

 

 

What are you sharing today?

 

A Grand Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner

 

Chinese New Year is still going on and we are still celebrating!

It ends on March 5th, with the Lantern Festival.

 

 

 

Auspicious Food

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Chinese New Year last for 15 days and a big part of this celebration is eating!  We were lucky enough to be invited to a Chinese Singaporean's home to partake in a very special CNY dinner.  What a treat! 

*Auspicious*    Don’t you just love this word?  It means showing or suggesting that future success is likely.  What makes food Auspicious?  The symbolism is based on the pronunciation or appearance; along with the preparation, ways of serving, and how you eat it.

 

Good Fortune Fruit

Represents:  prosperity and wealth

Tangerines and oranges, and pomeloes are very popular fruits to eat during CNY.  They are round and "golden" in color, which symbolizes fullness.  We started our meal with a pomelo salad, sprinkled with oranges, dried cranberries and strawberries. Very tasty.

 

 

 

 

Yúshēng or The Tossed Salad

 Represents: Prosperity, Good Fortune, Increasing Abundance

One on the many traditions is to toss a salad into the air to bring prosperity and good luck.  Called Yúshēng, it means “raw fish” but it sounds like Yúshēng which means an increase in abundance.  This is such a fun course because everyone uses chop sticks to toss the salad in the air while shouting out good wishes for the new year.

 

Before & after photos...

 

 

 

The table was beautiful with all the red accents!  Diana set it with the china she received for her wedding.

 

 

 

 

Below is a group photo before we started the main course.   Left to right Marcus (host), me, Noel, Diana (host, attached to Marcus), D, and Daisy (attached to Noel).  Notice we are all dressed in Asian attire.  It is hard to tell, but D and I are in coordinating outfits (yep, really dorky!)

 

 

 

 

Chicken Fish Maw Abalone Soup

Represents:  Good fortune

Abalone was the star of the entire dinner - it is very delicate, is considered a luxury item, and it costs a lot!  We started the sit-down part of the meal with a bowl.  The rest of the courses were served family style.

 

 

 

 

Homemade Fried Tofu

Represents: Fulfillment of wealth and happiness

 

 I am not a big fan of tofu, but I really enjoyed this version.

 

 

 

 

Chilli Squid and Shrimp

Represents:  Liveliness, happiness, & good fortune

 

Shrimp in Chinese is "ha", which sounds like the word for laughter.

 

 

 

Spicy Sour Fish

Represents: Luck, Abundance

 

Represents: Luck, Abundance

In Chinese, "fish" sounds like 'surplus'.    It is good to have a surplus at the end of the year.  If you have managed to save something at the end of the year, then you can make more in the next year.  This was a real favorite among the crowd.  As its name says, it had a very sour taste but nicely balanced by coconut milk.

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Braised Dried Oysters with Pork

Represents: strength, wealth, abundant blessing

 

This is a very auspicious dish - Dried oysters represent good tidings and black moss symbolizes prosperity or good fortune.

 

 

 

Braised Korean Mushrooms with Mixed Vegetables

Represents:  Family harmony

The dish included lotus root, sweet pea, baby corn, Chinese cabbage and clams.  Clams are auspicious.  I really liked the lotus root - it was crunchy like celery.

 

 

 

 

Chilli Crab

 

Because the hostess loves them!

 

 

 

 

Black Pepper Crab

 

Black pepper crab and chili crab are specialties of Singapore.  You can eat them year round and most people will tell you they are a "must eat" when visiting.  They are quite expensive.  

 

 

 

 

 

White Rice

Rice, other than being served at EVERY Chinese meal, is said to bring fertility, luck, and wealth.  

 

 

 

 

Water chestnut jelly cake from Hong Kong

Serving sweets is said to make the year sweeter.  We also had homemade speculoos ice cream (made by d)... but I somehow missed taking a photo of this.  

 

 

The meals was amazing!  But I have to admit (because I am a paper person) my favorite part was the little paper boats on the table to put any of your food scraps (bones, etc).  We each had one by our plate.  Adorable!

 

 

A special Thank You to our hosts Diana and Marcus who fed us an incredible feast and allowed us to experience a true Chinese New Year's Celebration.  It is a memory that will always be special to us.

 

 

 

February 25 - Happy Birthday EVERYONE!

 

 

(traditional tins from chinese new year cookies)

 

Today is Ren Ri or Yan-Yat (Birthday of Man or Every-man's Birthday) and everyone is said to grow a year older. 

According to Chinese legend, the Goddess Nuwa created chickens on the first day, dogs on the second day, sheep on the third day, pigs on the forth day, cows on the fifth day, horses on the sixth and humans on the seventh day. 

Today is the seventh day for Chinese New Year 2015.

Traditionally on this day, families celebrate by tossing a big salad called YuSheng.  It is very colorful with many different vegetables and strips of raw fish.  The really fun part is everyone tosses the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks and calls out wishes to mark the start of a prosperous new year. The higher you toss, the merrier it will be.  Today, the toss salad is done throughout the 15 days.

 

Before the toss...

 

 

After the toss!

 

 

 

So today is your Birthday!   Happy Birthday to you!  Treat yourself to a little something special - a little present... a cupcake... a piece of cake... it is YOUR Birthday!  

 

 

  

FYI - I did eat a cupcake for breakfast!