AH MENG'S FUNERAL TOMORROW
In all probability we will be going to the zoo tomorrow morning for Ah Meng's wake and funeral. Ann and Noel are going, as for me I will probably skip the combined service at SIS tomorrow to go down. I have known Ah Meng for over 30 years. In fact I could say my whole life. From a little kid running around the zoo in the 70's until today. Admittedly I did not get to interact with her all that much especially in the latter years. But still there was a part of everyone who knew her that died along with her yesterday. She was a cultural and tourist icon to many. But to those tat knew her she was more like that pesky auntie in the family. The one who you knew was always there and you thought was kinda cranky, but you put up with because of her status in the family. My most vivid memory of Ah Meng was how she once bit my mum on the leg during a photo session. It was round about that time that she was up in the trees at MacRitchie for a couple of days. She was prone to bouts of jealousy when her keepers got 'too close' to other females in her presence. And like most women, she bore grudges and never forgives those that crossed her path or stepped on her gnarly toes. But it remains that she was respected and grudgingly admired for her dedication to making Singapore Zoo more than just a zoo. Ironically, she gave SZG a human face, and came to encapsulate all that was good, and bad about the Zoo. That in itself is a topic for another post.
She will be missed that is for sure. There will never be another Ah Meng.

DETOXIFYING
After reading about Kenny Sia's detox adventure, I am reminded how I myself had planned to do the same a while back. The tummy that my ever-so-sensitive wife likes to point out is probably due to this. Will do so. Then I will feel better I hope.
The health benefits include: improves health, energy, resistance to disease, mental state, digestion, as well as aiding in weight loss(source:Wikipedia).

BREAKFAST
On a similar note I am thinking of having breakfast in the mornings at work. 'Experts' say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I have hardly had breakfast in years. Mainly due to the rush to get to work in the mornings that leaves me little or no time to stop for anything. Of course one way around this is to wake up earlier. But a fool and his pillow are never parted. And at work there is so much to be done that I am too preoccupied to grab a bite. I plan to maybe have a light meal once I get to work. Maybe cornflakes with milk or the like. Curry puffs and other such kuehs are also worth considering. One of my favourite places to go when time allows is to go to Farmart at Sungei Tengah in the mornings for a tea and a small meal. So perhaps I can work that into some sort of routine if my work obligations allow me to. But in Singapore you never have to go far to get to your food.

JOGGING
We are planning to jog regularly. Noel has this bet with his camp mates to lose weight and get fit, otherwise he will be jogging around the camp in a red thong. As for me regular exercise is always a good thing all round. I been concentrating mostly on upper body work outs, namely press-ups and weights training the last few weeks. Had to stop due to some back injury a couple of days back, but now seems the worst is over and I can resume my training. But have to be careful not to over stretch my back though. I have a history of back problems over the years, probably due in no small part to over training, lack of warm-ups and improper techniques.

VALENTINE'S DAY
V-day is a few days away and I have to get cracking how to spend it with my dear wife. We been wanting to go to Dempsey Road and Rochester Park. Sunset Way is also an option. Fort Canning, Clarke Quay? But if history has taught me anything, less is often more. My most memorable valentine's day dinners have not been all that expensive or extravagant. Still some ways to go before I have to make a decision on where to celebrate.

ANNIVERSARIES
Then shortly after, we celebrate 3 years together, on the 19th. Another day, another celebration! In between it is our 6th month celebration on the 16th since we got 'married'. So we can probably explore several of the above dining ideas over these 3 dates (14th,16th & 19th). Also have a couple of gift ideas for Agnes.