Debs (2024)

01/08/2023

Monthaversary dinner. L’arome by the Sea. Great French food, Swiss chef, French/Italian sommelier, British manager. Great service and view.

Is this the honeymoon? Na…. Everyday is one.

30/07/2023

I can’t remember a time or holiday where I was content to just stay in the room/villa the whole day and just enjoy the view. Times have changed.

29/07/2023

Sunset to moonrise. Another day in Phuket.

24/07/2023

Happy crew shots…

09/07/2023

Sheba the destroyer strikes again. Found on the kitchen floor. Fortunately she only brought down one of three cakes. We knew it was her as when we found it she put her head down n looked guilty. The incorrigible dog still knew how to look cute as we were having dinner and convinced the hubs to gv her two pieces of beef. The banana cake is now a treat training tool for Rocky and Sheba.

21/05/2023

So what else did we do together in London… we had dinner w the kids and their flatmate Sarah, after a brief visit to the alma mater and where Ella bought us a drink at The Three Tuns. Pic of food at Barrafina near their school, it was late, we were hungry and forgot to tk pic of everything but the kids had to keep ordering (small plates) and the best dish was the plain looking mushrooms with the raw egg yolk in e centre. No pics of Ethan as usual. Kids gave me flowers on Mother’s day (sweet) when I turned up to clean their kitchen n cook for them. ‘Nuf said. 😂

19/05/2023

A friend told me, in London, you must have Indian cause it is the best there. Went in search of the places she recommended. Unfortunately, the queue at Dishoom (which doesn’t take reservations) was easily 30 tables or more. Apparently Harry Styles was there the day before (not sure if he had to queue). Our cabbie recommended another nearby place and we ended up at Masala Zone. Excellent value, probably the best value eating out in London we had on the trip and very excellent quality. Fishcakes, chicken, naan. Chickpeas and spinach, nut-free. Would come back and highly recommend. Sometimes you have to trust the locals and go with gut feel. Have more culinary adventures to share but all as latergrams. Am tired out cooking and grocery shopping since moving into the kids’ place two nights ago.

10/05/2023

It’s been a while. And this is supposed to be a pure holiday. Not half work, half hol. Dave left on Emirates and I am on SQ cause I booked this like way earlier to be supportive during exam preps. So much has changed since I booked this flight. SQ is constant though and I hope my children are happy and well as they prepare for their exams. Every journey now feels very different. In a very good way.

💍

02/05/2023

It’s been over a month and I am still trying to sort the “official pics”🤦🏼‍♀️. Here’s a collection of pics taken on mobiles and sent to me by the family and frens who made this day complete. Many missing from the shots but u know who you are!!! Many have asked how life is. The answer? Great! No different and it sometimes feels surreal to us. Ie we are married?

The anthem is “Butter” - BTS Album: “Butter” (2021)

“Ooh, when I look in the mirror
I'll melt your heart into two
I got that superstar glow, so
Ooh (do the boogie, like)
A side step, right-left, to my beat
High like the moon, rock with me, baby
Know that I got that heat
Let me show you 'cause talk is cheap
Side step, right-left, to my beat
Get it, let it roll

❤️

29/03/2023

28 March 2023. It was epic. Thank you all for your love and support always. More to come.

+soon

04/03/2023

So a Michelin experience for Thai food. Excellent food. Not sure the River prawn padthai was Michelin star but nice restaurant no less. Last dinner b4 we return. Spent the whole day household shopping! Jim Thompson curtains n cushions. Gifts for the 28 of March.

03/03/2023

Best omakase in a while. First lunch in BKK since 2020. Great meal and interesting company, one American couple, two young Singaporean couples, a Thai couple and us. 17 dishes later we can barely move. Liquid dinner for us.

***ic

03/02/2023

Happy new year! It has been a while since Mediacorp organised a CNY event for clients. The event was a great chance to get together. I miss the people always.

06/12/2022

Latergram. Last but not least, the birthday lunch at Bistro du Sommelier’s Rillette bar. We had the whole place to ourselves cause the restaurant we booked gave away our table!! And the rest of the weekend madness. It is finally beginning to look like Christmas. Ella is back today. Happy.

05/12/2022

So these plants were thriving at one stage and then had near death incidents but resurrected after some attention. The Gloriosum is doing fabulously after its third repot, the Everfresh tree has some fresh green leaves, the red, white and green caladium had been down to a stump with no leaves but look at it now. (Last pic) the third pic is of the variegated monstera peru variegata from , one of the first plants I bought from Fendi! The lesson is, don’t give up hope. A little care, attention and TLC can really turn things around. Here’s to all caregivers, all who love and live. Take the cue from nature.

lovers

30/11/2022

It’s been an Epic November. Almost all birthday celebrations done. I am truly grateful for all of you, family and friends who made so much effort and have been with me through thick and thin. Grateful for the love and friendship always and looking forward to another exciting year filled with love and adventures. Anthem: “Happy” - Pharrell Williams (2013)

“It might seem crazy what I am 'bout to say
Sunshine, she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don't care, baby by the way
Huh (Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
(Because I'm happy)
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do.”

13/11/2022

Latergram. Dinner at Fismuler on the first night in Barcelona. Huge open concept, noisy and bustling and the food was amazing. Our seating was at 8pm. I got super pi**ed off cause I felt they were rushing us and I literally told two waiters three times to slow down. Last straw was when I got presented the bill at 915pm when I hadnt asked for it (nor had I ordered my post meal coffee). Told the waiter off. He basically said our seating was only till 930pm (I hadnt realised) so I told him it was only 915pm and I had never ever been handed a bill before I had asked for it at a restaurant before. And it was only 915pm. (Ella at this point giving me the “mummy dont be a Karen look”. ). He said “Fair enough.” Anyway. At the end of the night the waiter apologised sincerely and all forgiven. To me though, the restaurant had made the ultimate sin of making me feel unwelcome. I must say tho that the food was the best we had in Barcelona and most of the waiters were nice. Not sure if I would return. 🤔. Thoughts anyone?

?

10/11/2022

Sheba the grand-dog gets to have loads of fun at new places when I am away!

🐾

-dog
🐾

09/11/2022

Ok so our first stop in Barcelona to get a cuppa for Ella near the BnB we are staying at is this super old school bar/ cafe. Ahem. The lady at the bar is Chinese and as we walked in, likely her two sons, were studying. Universal Asian
Immigrant syndrome? 😂.

celona

09/11/2022

So what I really was in London for, was not to be a tourist, (swipe) but to attend my virgin, in person Council meeting of the IISS, at Arundle House. I also attended the annual dinner, where Florence Parly, the former French Minister of thr Armed Forces, spoke eloquently on the need for Europeans to take charge of their defence. In between nearly a full day of meetings and dinner, I found time for a brisk walk to Soho, a spot of shopping and a drink at 10 cases (I had two glasses). Since the Shangri-La dialogue in June, I’ve been reminded of the important work which Institutes and think tanks do, to promote peace and security in the world. While I did feel a bit like a fish out of water then, the muscle memory has kicked in, particularly after the lecture by the Australian FM in Singapore, the wonderful meeting I had with The Director- General and CE of the IISS,John Chipman and this, my first Council meeting. So privileged to have met fellow members, Institute staff and learnt about their work. Always humbled by the experience and insight of everyone in the room, gathered by John. Serious matters discussed today, on research themes for the year in an increasingly dangerous world. We all should be concerned as matters of foreign policy and diplomacy, while not as interesting as a tiktok video, may have far more impact on our lives and those of our children and grandchildren to come.

2nd pic shows John@dinner, Australia Hoise, Aldwych.

of substance

07/11/2022

Reunion at Duck and Waffle in The city of London. Cold, dreary and drizzly day but happy. The food was hmmm interesting and enroute some pics if iconic landmarks. Oh the kids are celebrating my bday way early!

06/11/2022

Here we go again! Whoppee! To see the King this time and the kids of course.

06/11/2022

Been a busy few weeks! Always privileged to celebrate happy occasions with the clan. Congrats to Ben and Priscilla! May you have many children and be happy always!

22/10/2022

Always wonderful to meet frens you sometimes do a bit of work with. Happy to see everyone happy and fulfilled. Professionals through and through. Grateful to have journeyed through fire together to do great things.

22/10/2022

It is Always wonderful to catch up with old frens who you sometimes do work with. Happy to see so many happy people and always glad to catch up through the fire together!

16/10/2022

This was really the best DnD I have ever attended. 1290 pax really! 129 tables, the Muttons as hosts (their first DnD since Covid) with a super crazy them “Night of a thousand tales”, flawlessly executed, entertaining programme that was a perfect length with the Voices of Singapore Choir and the top 5 Singlife’s got talent contestants. Take a bow, the DnD committee led by Effendy and Jingwen and Daniel and all the rest. Everything was good! Even the food! For a new company, despite all our challenges, it was truly nice to come together as one on Friday night and have fun! I was Joy from Inside Out as Pixar was my table theme. Joy took pics with The Great Gatsby, Mr Incredibles, the Man in Black, James Bond and Dr Strange. Pic two is of the BCM team split into three tables, Wally and friends, Alice in Wonderland and the Pixar gang. Tk u all for being committed and fun too! Here’s to doing more great things together.

15/10/2022

Latergram. This has been a truly epic week. No time to update. Started w the CNA leadership forum, where I had time to catch up with old friends and colleagues. (Pierre joined us too!). Grateful always for the people who have journeyed with me throughout my life and happy they are doing well! There was also a behind the scenes visit to the Singapore Zoo, I finally saw Le Le, the LSE alumni dinner, the best DnD I hv ever attended, (Singlife w Aviva you rock!) and the SPCA dinner!”

04/10/2022

Epic. Historic. The six siblings got tog for the first time, and this is the best shot of all of them, with most of the pawrents and dogs facing the camera (sorry Ryan). Swipe to see the effort required to get these gangsters to sit together (video of them playing later). From left to right, Ryan w Cookie, , Ivy with Luna .luna_pom.husky April with Joey .yiyi, Christy with Oreo , Sheba with and Winter with Valerie . I wonder if they will ever accept our booking again 😂. .cafe. I had a long snd discouraging day which singing and music only lifted slightly. But the dogs redeemed the day!

🐾

01/09/2022

So it is 1 September which marks two important work anniversaries for me. 1) it is exactly a year since I started with Singlife with Aviva. 2) of more significance perhaps - it has been 30 years to the day I officially entered the workforce, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. (More on that on Linkedin or another day). So perhaps it is totally appropriate that I am spending the day in London, with the board and colleagues (swipe) after the morning walk to Hyde Park with more sights around Mayfair and sounds (saw a husky with his owner and said hi to the owner who must have thought I was mad - miss my baby Sheba).

Eternally grateful for all my leaders, bosses, colleagues who are also friends who have mentored, taught, led, fought, shared, supported, ran with, lived and loved at SBC, TCS, Mediacorp News, Wearnes, Mediacorp entertainment, Tan Chong/Subaru and now Singlife. It has been an incredible journey and I wouldn’t change a thing. I have been working for longer than some of my staff have been alive. 😂😂😂. Today’s anthem appropriately perhaps

Song: “Forever Young” - Alphaville. Album: Forever Young (1984) Sept!

“Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while
Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?
Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power, but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad man
Can you imagine when this race is won?
Turn our golden the faces into the sun
Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune
The music's played by the, the madman”.

🙏

30/08/2022

First long haul road trip in two years. My onboard special breakfast meal was a surprise as was the sunrise on landing at Heathrow. It has been years since I have seen sunrise from this vantage. Two other things to appreciate about this flight. Best sleep ever on a long haul air journey, on account of being drugged out on cough pills, (still lingering!) and a blue sky as we drove into the city!! I do not ever remember, in all my years of living and visiting the city, of ever landing to blue skies. This must be a trip worth remembering. Someone commented to me that I haven’t posted for a while. Well it was a whirlwind work week before departure and I had to settle Sheba (training on Sunday before I left and orientating the bro to training), house guest and great pal Maria in town, son in town, multiple visits to the GP (4 ARTs in total) to try to shake this off before the trip, packing… u get the drift. It is already day 2 of the trip. More on that later.

17/08/2022

Latergram! Those of you who know, know. Those two men in the pic I have known for 30 years! And the young lady I have known very well for more than 10, though we were in the same organisation for 30 years too. That’s because the serious news and current affairs people never mingled with the fluffy (but glamourous) entertainment types in the 90s SBC days. Nor in the TCS RCS days. It was only in Mediacorp that everyone mingled with everyone. Or maybe because she was a famous star and I was a rookie reporter. 😂😂😂. Needless to say, this gathering was accidental. But so significant. We had all fought the good fight together at one stage. Sometimes even fought with each other. But it is only after leaving the place we were all so passionate about building and the art and craft of what we did, that we can now share a glass (actually 4 bottles) together. Wait. was having tea. I learnt so much from all of them. Cheers to all of you still fighting the fight. I do miss you all!

29/07/2022

So this is post full day daycare at Mutts and Mittens today. No pic there (videos later in e week) but she was so knackered in the car and at home the whole night it is AMAZING! She met up with sibling and they apparently played well, went swimming and had a good time.

21/07/2022

Cause the photos were cropped off!

18/07/2022

Truly epic birthday weekend! Xoxo. Lots of love and thank you for sharing many wonderful meals (and three cakes) and bottles of wine with us. Friendship is about sincerity and commitment and being present and Gratitude for those who share these values.

03/07/2022

Last night’s spree at the night market at Chwee Nursery. I cant even remember all of them though I am trying to ID (and what I paid haha). From top L, a Scandipus, an Epipremium Amplissimum, Anthurium Crystallinum x Magnificum, some begonia, some variegated epi, a spectacular caladium (and ex) need a better pic, and three more begonias including the Brevirimosa exotica. (The tall one) just behind a small Alocasia Silver Dragon (cause mine is really struggling). Swipe for new leaves from three of my fave existing plants.. the Philo Gloriosum Zebra, Anthurium rubriijuvenile and the Dorayaki.

29/06/2022

The post event wind down with some of my BCM team post townhall… my own wind down at Origin Bar and the serious on stage shots. Followed by the massive dinner last night in the post prior to this. Need I say more? Goodnite!

07/06/2022

Otr again! BUT, this time, the first business trip in 2 years and three mths. Back to the last destination for biz trip, but with a different company, when we flew back Fri 13 March 2020 from Manila. Surreal. Forgotten how to pack for business almost. How things have changed! But also very similar. The airport was packed and the flight full. The lounge was a welcome respite before the queuing and madness. A French bulldog walked onboard. I dont think Sheba could do it tho….

05/06/2022

May we share many more rainbows together! Sat morning rainy weather scuppered the usual walk but we decided to head for coffee at Alkaff Mansion and still managed to do 4km with many more treats! Was a wonderful morning despite the early start after a late nite though I concluded it will b some way more before I can stop work cause breakfast cost me $25!

30/05/2022

Friends, food and feasting pics again. Sat dinner at Gerald Bistro. I think I really should start the retirement income stream planning. Swipe for the food from top left. Oxtail rendang, kacang botol salad, chap chye, devil curry, chicken ngoh hiang, dry laksa. Many have dined at my tok panjang but these were really family and friends who always say nice things. How many of you will support my home dining biz if I start one?

05/05/2022

So one of today’s activities is taking solo pics on a solo holiday. Yesterday’s was about how some sunsets are just meant to be enjoyed alone with a glass (or three) of bubbly and good food. Swipe for it and the 105 stairs from the pool to my room. Natural workout on this trip. Time is what I have on my own.

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