Above the Equator

  Every morning, I wake up to a view that feels like a living painting, filling me with a calm and joy I didn’t expect. From my balcony, I have a sweeping look at the city, where urban life meets the open sky and sea. Rooftops and greenery blend together in a scene that’s both lively and peaceful. I never thought a cityscape could be this beautiful, but here it is, right in front of me, every day. With my morning coffee in hand, I step out and let my gaze wander. Sunlight washes over the rooftops, glints off the high-rises, and casts a warm glow over everything. The sky, dotted with soft clouds, stretches endlessly, adding depth to the horizon. It’s a reminder of the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities within it. Standing here, it all feels comforting and grounding—a daily ritual that resets my mind and prepares me for the day.

  East Coast Park (ECP). This photo was taken by my elder daughter using her iPhone SE. ECP is where my family can find natural beauty, recreational activities, and a serene environment. I love watching those big ships waiting to come into the Singapore port. Sometimes, you can see magical lights and shadows just like this.

2024 was the first time I spent the Chinese New Year in Singapore, probably even the first time outside of China. Xinye and I, with two lovely daughters, spent a quiet holiday here in Katong, Singapore, going nowhere else. My only social event was to visit my colleague's church on a sunny Sunday. Although my colleague invited my wife and daughters also, I declined because I knew this would be torture for them. Xara and Rebecca are 11 and 7. They are very opinionated. Both of them have been staunch atheists from a very young age. I feel proud of them. I only have to complain that most Chinese restaurants remain closed during the Chinese New Year. On the other hand, compared with those in mainland China that would close for about one week or longer, Singapore Chinese restaurants only close for the first three or four days of the lunar new year. Also, in Singapore, I can choose an Indian restaurant. I have to admit that I love prata. Today is the fifth day of the new year. Traditional...

Mommy is finally coming! She'll be arriving late at night on Monday. I can't wait to see her! 2023 has 14 days left; maybe we still have time to plan a vacation trip to Thailand or Indonesia. I can also join this time. Even though I'm busy, I think I can work anywhere with the Internet.

We hadn’t visited the famous Night Safari in the first six months after we arrived in Singapore. Last night, we finally did it. We aren’t disappointed. It was an enjoyable experience and took us four hours, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. We walked through all four trails, had Hainan chicken rice and Char Kway Teow, and took the tram as our last program. I cannot remember when I last walked on a dim outdoor track, opening my eyes wide and trying to find animals hiding in the shadows or swimming in the water. When we arrived home and went to bed, it was already midnight. It is worth remembering that Rebecca tried curry for the first time in the Mystical Bar. She said she loved it. That’s true. This morning, Rebecca and I went to eat prata again, and she ate a lot of curry this time!