End of school term 2013

Its the end of school term and it also means the end of pupils' laughter, cries and all the shouting and yelling. Teachers worked so hard and they deserve this term break more than any one. For the Admin and Operations people, this is also the time for a short break spending time with family and loved ones.

It has been 2 years now working in the school environment and work life has been good in Lakeside with friendly and supportive teachers, colleagues and leaders. Looking forward to the next 2 years.

Some little notes by teachers, pupils and leaders that's motivating.

The day Nat King Cole hissed

As usual after dinner and a cold shower I was at my living room listening to my favourite music via my beloved tube amp. With a cup of warm Old Town coffee in a room lighted with warm incandescent light, Nat King Cole wouldn’t sound better.

This is the time when everyone settles down with their own things. Computer keying in the bed room, TV watching in the family room and babies snoozing in another room. Ahhhhhhhh it’s a world of “to each his own”

In the living room, ambiance was just right. The turntable turns perfectly warming up for its debut display in a week time at the Noising 2013. Suddenly Nat King Cole stopped singing instead he hissed softly as if telling that something was not right. And voila……smoke blew up from the amplifier and in no time the whole room was covered with thick smoke.

It took the attention of everyone at home. Computer keying stopped, TV watching stopped and all eyes on me……kind like…. what’s wrong? I was in a shock too and it took us quite a while to react until Yanti suggested switching off the main power to the household and that was about three minutes later.

Phew…..the amplifier was on fire and lucky everything else was ok. That was two Sundays ago, two days before Eidul Adha, the day Nat King Cole hissed.

My GDs

Aliyah & Alyssa, 2 weeks young

Sofia's 1st day to school with Yai and bye bye to mummy

having 1st lunch in school

 

1st day playing in school

 

A reward of ice cream after school

Twin for Eidul Adha

Today is the 15th day of Zulhijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar, marking the end of the year. Zulhijjah means 'Lord of the Pilgrimage'. It is during this month in which the Hajj Pilgrimage takes place and pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Makkah to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj Pilgrimage is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Eid ul-Adha, the 'Festival of the Sacrifice' is held on the tenth day. The sacred month of Zulhijjah is one of the highly blessed months. 

On the 2nd day of this blessed month, my family welcomed our newborn twin grand daughters Aliyah and Alyssa. With His blessing, mother and babies were discharged from the hospital after 3 days, in time for the "Festival of the Sacrifice" Eidul-Adha.

Aliyah, the elder. 1st hour after her birth

Alyssa, the younger. 1st hour after her birth

LPs hunting

The oldieeeee feeling continues till mid afternoon. Went down to the vinyl warehouse in the late afternoon today hunting for ..........oldie LPs of course.

Among others were 2 LPs by local Malay artist of the 70s, Sharifah Aini sings English cover version and DJ Dave with his original Malay songs.

DJ Dave......My 1st and only Malay LP.

Noising 2013

Was at the Noising 2013 yesterday at Republic Poly, the annual Audiophile DIYers meet organised by members of our local Hifi forum.

This year there were lesser participants but no doubt better equipments being built. I brought my latest turntable and the only one this year.

setting up my latest turntable built early this year

members checking out the equipment

listening session

Yes, I built this

Mid life crisis

Feeling rather 'oldieee' today, heart and soul. Was it because of someone's word slowly and surely affecting or is it because of the 3 little girls at home or perhaps the holy month of Zulhijjah?
Hahaha midlife crisis.

Anyway, am listening to music of the 60s now or is it the 70s.....songs by Ray Conniff.

The drive to Fraser's Hill

We left home yesterday morning for Fraser’s Hill at 7.30 instead of 6am. Traffic to Tuas CIQ was heavy and took us 45mins. So after all the clearance, we hit the NSE at 8.30am.

Our 1^st stop was Ayer Keroh Jejantas, for breakfast and planned to have our lunch at Fraser.

Somehow, we lost our way and have to detour and u turns few times……lol. Finally nine hours later, we arrived at our destination……..two hours behind scheduled. 

It was raining cats and dogs when we checked in at Pines Resort. Room was huge with 3 bedrooms although we only booked a 1 bedroom unit. When asked about that at the reception, we were told all units in Pines Resort have 3 bed rooms…..but we only paid for 1.

 

Today the weather was good so after breakfast we had our 1^st rounds of golf. Being the 1^st time for the ladies, we took more than 3 hours for a nine holes……that’s super long. Hahahaha.

Preparing a trip up to Fraser's Hill

Its the term 3 school holidays now and its time to tidy up my work station and updating of some filings. Will be taking a short break tomorrow driving up to Frasers Hill with wifey and Yanti. This will be my 2nd time driving up...the 1st was in 2009.

With the cool weather up in the mountain, Frasers Hill is a good place to unwind and relax. Golf.......yes we plan to have one or two rounds of golf there. This will be the 1st 'turun padang' for both wifey and Yanti after getting their PC early this year.

Uneventful

Hmmmm, no motivation to write lately. Even special occasion seems uneventful. Sign of aging?

welcoming the month of Ramadhan

We had a family gathering last week Saturday at Changi Aloha in welcoming the month of Ramadhan. This time round we had more than 50 family members attending this yearly occasion. As usual after prayer we chatted over barbeque till past midnight. It was also a special occasion for me as it was my birthday.

We checked out Sunday morning and had dinner at Swensen later with immediately family members for the special occasion.

To top up the icing, my Magnum Dynalab tuner from US came. A good birthday present indeed.

at swensen

the parcel from US

Magnum Dynalab

presents from family members

Yokohama

I am back in Singapore after 8 days in Japan. Really enjoyed the time there, especially vinyl shopping. Bought around 40 pcs of vinyl.......so heavy but worth the money and effort. Also bought some turntable accessories.

Yodobashi Yokohama

Yokohama Bay near Intercontinental Hotel

Red Brick House Yokohama

Bullet train station...From the hotel room

View from the hotel room 36th floor

Ramien museum Yokohama

In the room Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel

Yokohama Bay cruise

Hakone and Mt Fuji

Left Tokyo for Hakone last Tuesday and now in Yokohama City. It was raining for the past 3 days.
Yes 3 days X 24 hours. Even Mt Fuji was not visible.

But today's weather is good, dry and cooling. Had some time visiting Yokohama Bay,

Mt Fuji 5th station 2000m above sea level

Lake Ashi, Hakone

Hakone rope way. 1000m above sea level

Gora, small village town in Hakone

Taking the Shankensen (bullet train) to Yokohama from Odawara