One of my favorite surprises in the garden this year is the borage. These prickly herb plants look like weeds as they self-seed and show up as volunteers all over the garden, but when the flowers bloom, it makes all the difference. I don’t know if you can do anything with the prickly leaves but I love putting the blue flowers in iced drinks. They just look really pretty in a lemonade. As you can see, I have some harvesting to do.

Today’s bits:

I wanted to visit Sapa, Vietnam this time when I was home in Singapore but things got busy and I took other trips. I would really like to go, especially since I have a good guide to take me around. In the meantime, I would like to read this beautiful book by Luke Nguyen.

With all the decluttering, I am now setting up a new office space in the house. I am leaning towards these acrylic organizers.

I always like that plain yeast or buttermilk donut. Maybe I should try this recipe out?

It’s been 5 years since I’ve been back to the San Juans, maybe this summer will be a good time to spend some time around those parts. Here’s a good guide from Sunset. [I miss the magazine, I did not renew my subscription when I was away in Singapore, time to renew it, I think!]

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Lately, it’s been about transitions for me. I can’t quite say that I like it but with change comes a lot of new chances for good things to happen. I think that’s how I cope, mostly.

Soon it’s goodbye to Singapore, for a while. I’ve been grateful for the time here. I never thought that I would get this opportunity but I’ve been blessed.

There are stories to tell, pictures to share and plans to make but for now, I wanted to be thankful.

“Not in his goals but in his transitions is man great.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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I’m back. *sheepish*

K and I visited San Diego in the middle of May for a very fun girlfriend vacation. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown and walked all over the place. I think we did the tourist thing but since we haven’t visited SD, it was a great introduction. The weather was mostly sunny but there was some grey (according to the locals). Hailing from Seattle, I can attest that SD grey is nowhere near ours. With that being said, in recent weeks, Seattle has been sparkling from all the sunshine we have been getting. Mike and I are loving it but K is just enamored. Who wouldn’t be?

There were many sights to see but one of my favorites was Balboa Park. The architecture reminded me so much of Spain, where I left my heart last year. One mention of the country will have me swooning. The Conservatory of Flowers was my favorite spot. Look at how the orchids are blooming and how the filtered light accentuates their loveliness.

Outside, the water lilies float quietly on the sparkling pools.

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We arrived a couple of days ago – it has been lovely! The detailed architecture of the buildings are a feast for the eyes and the balconies with all sorts of plant containers catch my attention everywhere we go. The food has been glorious, the wines delicious and I have not had this much coffee in a while. Café con leche (espresso with milk) for happy jet-lagged me!

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When asked what I wanted to eat for my birthday last week, I immediately said “Chili crabs”. My mum makes the best chili crabs and I’d be a fool to pass up a chance to have her make it for me. I was not greedy and only wanted crabs but somehow the menu grew and became an 8-course meal. A lucky number indeed!

There was chili crab, curry crab, cereal prawns (thanks to C who sent cereal seasoning from SG), stir fried yu choy, black bean mussels, seared scallops, tofu fish cake and 饅頭 (man tou/steamed buns).

My sis in law baked me a delicious blueberry birthday cake. It was perfect chiffon cake, impeccably frosted and decorated.

I definitely counted my blessings and look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

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I wanted to share this gorgeous view outside my window this evening, just as the sun started to set. I heart SF and to be here in December sets my heart a flutter.

This is especially for my dear friends, C and A, whom I dare say, love the city even more than I do. I wish you were here!

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We decided to take a quick trip before Mike starts his full year of clinical rotations. Up to B.C. we headed and found ourselves enjoying delicious Shanghai Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao 小籠包), strolling the lovely campus of UBC and standing in awe of these huge totem poles created by the First Nations.

The visit to the Museum of Anthropology helped me learn more about the first peoples who inhabited the Pacific Northwest and their culture.

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Summer sunsets are spectacular.

I typically never notice how quickly the sun sets each day but at the beach, it seems more obvious as you watch the golden orb we lovingly call “Bob” disappear under the horizon.

Here is the last sunset we witnessed at the beach before we returned home.

It was so good to see Mike’s folks after a couple of years of missing the trip to the beach. They never fail to make me feel loved like a part of their family. I’m so grateful for them.

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I admit that I’m a sucker for nostalgia but in recalling my past, I can almost understand who I’ve become today.Love this picture of my brother and me. I think we were outside our kindergarten and one of us was graduating. I also adore the dress that my mum had sewn for me – lace and soft cotton.

If you look carefully, I have a sty in my right eye. Ow. But I still looked happy there, no?

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I thought it would be appropriate that I posted an after-dinner picture as we have finally “eaten” all we could in Singapore and returned to Seattle.

Jet-lagged, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Here’s to a happy and wonderful one for everyone!

Friends and loved ones in SG, we promise not to stay away so long the next time.

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