Above the Equator

The whole family had a lovely vacation on Bintan Island between 25 and 29 December 2023. The two sisters had a great time in Bintan. They tried snorkeling and enjoyed various delicacies in the hotel. We also visited the mangrove forest and the Blue Lakes, I don’t want to be emotional and make myself touched. But 2023 is an extraordinary year. If not the whole family, at least the two kids have left tyranny and a society becoming more and more morbid and unrestful. In Singapore, the days are more predictable and safe. The elder daughter is particularly excellent. She passed the AEIS test and entered a nearly public school. This is a significant achievement for her, which will help her build confidence in the future. Wish us all the best in 2024.

Finally, Mommy arrived in Singapore tonight at Changi T4!

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!

China's recent outbreak of respiratory illness worries me. In the last few weeks, reports have come out from Northern China that hospitals have been crowded by children who have flu and pneumonia symptoms. WHO openly demanded China to publish more information. China's authority replied on Thursday, saying, “There has been no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens.” But the problem is: who will believe it?  It's not easy for the world to forget what happened four years ago when the news of the COVID-19 outbreak was covered and suppressed. No one should forget about that. This kind of thing always reminds us this is a dangerous world and you cannot trust somebody only because they represent a so-called “government.”

  Dragon (Chinese style) is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in Chinese culture. It is often depicted in art, literature, and mythology. With the advent of AI, it has become possible to create stunning digital artwork of Chinese-style dragons that are both realistic and imaginative. I feel wonder when I see a Chinese-style dragon drawn by AI. The intricate details, vibrant colors, and lifelike textures of these digital creations are truly awe-inspiring. It is amazing to think that a machine can produce such beautiful and complex artwork. But beyond the technical marvel of AI-generated art, there is something deeply human about the way we respond to it. Art has always been a way for us to express our emotions, our ideas, and our dreams. And when we see a Chinese-style dragon drawn by AI, we are reminded of the power of imagination and creativity. In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or even fearful of what the fu...

Patro’s Sports Bar and Restaurant is one of our family’s favorites. It sells Indian and Mexican foods. Google review score of 3.6, which doesn’t surprise me. This is Singapore, a well-recognized food paradise. You must be really exceptional to get a score higher than 4 here.