Racial Harmony Week

21 July was Racial Harmony Day in Singapore. Set on the Anniversary of the 1964 Racial Riots which claimed the lives of 23 people, it is a day set aside celebrate the rich diversity of cultures that live in harmony today, promote inter-racial understanding, and remember where we came from. 
In commemoration of Racial Harmony Day, I had a self-declared racial harmony week at work, and encouraged my colleagues to be dressed in their ethnic best all week. 
I love how ethnic clothes usually come in brilliant beautiful colors. 
I am thankful for the peaceful diversity we can enjoy in Singapore. Beyond the pretty clothes, we get to enjoy a huge range of delicious food choices, celebrate each other's special festivals (Hari Raya long weekend!), and form wonderful friendships. All these make our lives so much richer.
May we always remember how far we have come and not take these things for granted.  0 comments

at 9:14 AM

Culinary Adventure In Hanoi

I'm back in the Hanoi summer again. Since i arrived in the evening, i didn't think it was worth a trip for me to head into town for dinner. So doing what every self respecting traveller would do, i walked out of my hotel and found the first local food place with a decent local crowd and no menu. (Plus points for having the owner not speak a word of English) Thankfully, a guy at the next table spoke some english and told me they served duck porridge and that it was good. So he helped me order whatever he was having and left. 5 minutes later, half a boiled duck appeared on my table with a basket of raw greens. My confused face and questions on the whereabouts of my porridge were met with equally confused faces. So i had half a boiled duck for dinner that cost me about $6+. So much for being adventurous with food options while traveling. I shall have the KFC from across the road tomorrow. 0 comments

at 10:30 PM

Life With the In-Laws

Mr Kwek and I have had the privilege of having our very own Kwek Kampong ever since we got married. And I really enjoy having our own space. So when Mr Kwek suggested we spend a week at the Kwek Parents' Kampong, I was slightly hesitant. But as a dutiful wife, I packed our luggage and embarked on the one week adventure. 

The Kwek parents don't say very much, but I have come to see that their hearts are so big that their love for their children have extended to me as well.

On the first day, they welcomed a slightly sniffing Mr Kwek and I to their home. That evening, Eu Yan Sang made a lot of money as they came home with lots of remedies.

Mom and dad Kwek also made sure they bought us breakfast and dinner everyday. So I was wonderfully fed at the Kwek Parents Kampong. Each morning, I had an apple, a bun and a packet of milo prepared for me to take along to work. And when I got back from work, dinner would be on the table. Such is the earnest and dutiful love of parents. And I was reminded of the verses "what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9-11 NKJV)

I am thankful for both the Kwek and Gan parents, from whose examples we have learnt to love. But greater still is the love of our Heavenly Father which is freely given to all of us. My prayer is that we will grow in our understanding of His love and to respond in love as well.

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at 11:49 AM