Ghana Memories

Beautiful Christmas Eve in Singapore time, and almost in Abu Dhabi. :)
I couldn't really sleep on the plane. And this afternoon, I just slept, waking up to find Kenji snuggled at my feet. 💗
The day has passed... The night has come, and as I sit down in the still of the night, I thank God for the Ghana travels.

I have returned from a one-week trip. We talked about it some time in August, and it actually materialized. I wasn't quite sure if I should make the trip, as really, I felt quite tired with so many trips (and it was just NYC 2.5 weeks ago).
But looking back, I am glad I did Ghana.

The Ghana landscape that greeted me when I first landed - a smattering of very busy traffic and the locals selling all sorts of wares weaving in and out of traffic (all sorts - toilet paper, books, peanuts, clocks, clothes, toys, food and drinks...), the sand and the dust, the noise, the plantains and the chips.


Thankful - that I could stay at Sabina's place and got to experience a very local way of living, with prepared meals, with fufus and bankus and tilapias and very thick sandwiches.
Her place is beautiful -big and with a helpers' quarters, quite a contrast from the streets surrounding it. Even though there was electricity and water supply cuts, I just love the whole warm and hospitable experience. I so enjoyed waking up at 5+ am, sitting at the balcony, doing devotions, watching the school children and the goats strolling just below. And watching Liverpool together and eating together.

The contrast. Sabina's house and the surroundings.

I learnt about the very very sad slave trade - how the whole slave trade was fueled by the Trans-Atlantic exchange between Africa, Europe and the Americas, and how it started in Elmina (one of the slave dungeons and castles we visited) where actually, the Africans sold their own people, and where the church was involved in it too. Above the slave dungeons sat the church and the governors - it is very hard to imagine the kinds of torture and slavery. It is really hard to understand how deep and dark the human mind can get to. Reminds me of Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, and Steve is just reading this book - we discussed alot earlier during dinner.

The dungeons at Cape Coast and Elmina. At Cape Coast, 1000 men and 300 women were holed up at any one time and there was no way out. Those who survived were sent to places like Portugal, Britain, France and the Americas in slave ships.


The governors lived in these much nicer buildings built on top of the dungeons. This is a random candid shot of the R family - I didn't know I captured them in this picture too.


And the coastal fishing region now - picture taken at the place where the slave ships would take the surviving slaves to their destination.

And, I found MacRitchie at Kukum, their nature park. We took a hike and canopy walk. It was a great way to spend the morning. There was a school excursion outing too. I love the times spent just walking in nature, and also spending time with Robert's family and Nana. They are just really lovely folks.




I've also heard so much about the African church and got to experience a service for myself. Boy oh boy - there was so much singing and dancing. There were 9 separate "lessons" of bible verses and with each lesson, there was singing and dancing, and then finally, the sermon. I felt the church service was like physical exercise and later we learnt that this was a special service because it is building up for Christmas. And... they called all of us out to the front to pray for us too, and sang a Happy Birthday song for us (Happy Birthday because it was our first time at their church, and hence, the birthday for us at the church).

What exuberance and celebration inside the decrepit building.  I learnt that 70% of Ghanaians are Christians and that church is big business here.

I enjoyed the deserted Bojo beach too. We took a small boat ride to the beach. The gals spent their afternoon in the waters while we adults chilled and talked about life while eating tilapias in the sand. Kinda chillax afternoon. The beach was really quite quiet, and there was a Chinese-looking couple doing their wedding shot. :)

I enjoyed the laid-back and non-rushed time basking in some sun, letting time slow down, watching the waters and the waves.

And with such coincidence, I got connected at the last minute to ESG colleague Ian in Ghana through ESG Dubai. He's been living in Ghana for 6 years, and we met at the most modern mall in our vicinity and had coffee. It was nice. I never thought I would meet a Singaporean here. He said there are 4 Singaporeans living in Ghana and he's one of them. :))


Certainly, this trip started with me wanting to see Sabina and her clinic. And I saw it for myself. Their healthcare, their midwives, their nurses and the staff. It was like a journey back in time. I also visited Sabina's father and had tea in the grand-daddy's house. :-D It was there that I met beautiful Nana, who told me that cooking is the way to the African's man's heart.


Of healthcare and nurses.


Tea with Sabina's dad, who lives in one of these units in the land.


And beautiful Nana. Nana means Queen in the local Ghanaian language.


And lovely Cheyenne, the youngest girl at 9, who started giving me hugs mid-way thru the trip.


Super thankful for beautiful Sabina and her hospitality. Unglam picture, but so what. :-D


Beautiful family that I thank God for. If not for them, I wouldn't have been on this trip at all. :) God is good.

Overall, this trip was so enriching for me. I had decided to on the trip only after NYC. I was tired. Maybe I was also a little stressed out after hearing some folks talk about how it could be unsafe in Ghana... but... I am so glad I did the trip. I found that race really did matter - it matters so much that discreetly (or indiscreetly), we found conversations even among ourselves during the trip to be about race and racial prejudice. I found myself, for the first time, so aware that I was different, from all the Africans, right from being in the plane to being in Africa. I found too - that because I was the minority, when I meet an Asian person, there would be that subtle acknowledgement. Many thoughts run through my mind - God's creation has been this way - the creation of the human race made in His likeness and image, yet so different in our outward.

I enjoyed the change in the whole environment very much. Getting stuck in super heavy traffic and getting stranded at a gas station one time without knowing when the next bus would be to take us back .... and at the same time, enjoying a hard-boiled egg. This kind of travel experience is very different from the likes of bustling cities like Tokyo and NYC. Without the conveniences and comfort, we can still be very happy and thankful. From my point of view, it seems that many of them are living in poverty, but as our vehicles bring us through the crowded streets of this coastal town, I still see them living life, doing business as usual, hear the radio blasting with loud music, see them sing and dance.

It's been a long write...
As the clock starts ticking, I know Christmas eve is round the corner. It is the best time of the year. Whether or not there are differences in mankind, there is still love, peace, hope and joy. In the darkest of all seasons, the love of Christ enters. :) This is why we can still celebrate mankind, we can still hold on to a hope of a better future. The greatest of all is love.

Shirako Madness 白子中毒

I was introduced to this milky milt stuff about 2 plus years ago, and have fallen crazy in love with it. It is basically a japanese delicacy that is available during the winter season. According to Wikipedia and online sources, shirako is basically.... fish sperm.

And... they are so delicious.
I first tasted it at Nobuya, and have returned almost every winter season to the place, to eat it. So this trip, I thought I must have it before I returned to AD again.

We ordered 8 portions (for 3 people)... and this was my second trip back.
In my first visit, we had 4 (for 2 people), and would have ordered more but sadly, they ran out of it.


The milky slightly-powderish and super flavourful shirako melts, and dissolves in the mouth. The explosion of the taste, together with that sublime ponzu sauce, creates that wonderful feeling of heaven. Once you bite into it, it kinda just overwhelms the whole tongue, and you can't really decide if you are going to chew it, or swallow it. Hahaaaa, it is such a nice food - I can't and dunno how to describe it further. You have to try it for yourself. Basically, it is just .... awesomeness. 

So we ate away - at this tucked-away, inconspicuous, but very popular joint at Fortune Centre. The owner of this place has an attitude - he packs a punch if you visit his joint and does not drink - he basically sends you away and might even tell you off. We've had, in the past, endured such treatment unto ourselves, but... seriously, all is forgiven, in the name of culture appreciation and.... Shirako.


So we even took a picture with him last night. He was... funny and looked a bit shy.
But oh my, I love how his head was held high in the picture. To be honest, my assessment is that the food is good, the prices are reasonable, and if you must go, go! And go during the winter season to try shirako, and please do call for reservations first. They are always pretty fully-booked.


幸せなああああああああ。

It's been a while

This morning, I woke up to such a loud clap of thunder that I felt startled; I could hear the winds as well as the windows and door rattle. 3+ weeks have passed by already, and again, this cycle of counting my blessings and preparing for AD will start very soon.

It's funny... just this one month alone, I could just thank God for so many things.

#Myneighbourismypilot - we celebrated Herman's birthday the day before we left for Singapore, and then realised that he was going to be captaining the same flight back to Singapore (or rather, he would be conducting assessment validation checks on the 2 younger pilots flying the plane back). So Herman and Lily have moved out of Rihan and I would miss my tai tai friend jioing me for soups and wine. :)


We got a chance to get into the cockpit. I looked at all the controls, all the sticks, press-buttons... really felt that this is an engineering marvel. I had thought the cockpit would have been slightly bigger, but it was actually pretty cramped. 3 big men inside the cockpit - I suppose perhaps the air there would get a little musty?


Work was superb as usual - it's always so so wonderful to catch up with colleagues, to have actual f2f discussions. There were just so many areas to be thankful for - the random catch ups, the makan (ahem, and drinks), the fintech event, the scribbling and making sense of work and things, the LinkedIn partnership event, the Accenture project, the team discussions. All these - make up work. But it is also the getting up in the morning, albeit tired because I am a sleepyhead, but the feeling of - I am going to start my day again! - that perks me up. I can never be more thankful that I've got a superb team - a wonderful boss and an awesome colleague.


Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, in town - and we work with LinkedIn towards SG's Labour Market Intelligence dashboard.


At the FinTech event, Min OYK talked about why fintechs should consider starting up and innovating in Singapore - just 3 key points. Obviously, the last point is about how we treasure talent and skills.


We also had an experience with 2 other colleagues who were tagged to FO for about 6 weeks (basically to join in some of our discussions and meetings - all to understand what different divisions are doing). Thought this is a pretty cool initiative, as it allows for colleagues to get a flavour of what other divisions and teams are doing.

AND BKK
Amidst all, we managed a BKK trip. This must be one of the best trips this year (but hor, every trip seems like the best trip. :-D)
But it was really really good for me. I basically - did nothing. We were so so familiar with BKK that the trip was one with such ease. We slept till we felt like waking up, ate when we felt like eating, walked when we felt like... etc.

On the evening of the second day, Steve was tired, so we headed back to the hotel and rested. He slept, but I wasn't that tired... so I decided I would go to the poolside lounge. It was so nice! Did some reflections, watched the sun set, had some nice champagne... and watched Yanxi. (Luckily, 我还没有中毒）。But it was just the "nothing" 2 hours plus that made that day so special. :)) Really nice to just sit by the pool and have time slow down a bit.



Also, we met his ex-manager, who is now a seconded staff to ICAO - the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a specialized agency of the UN. I am really intrigued by his work - alot about airspace, security, routes, and ultimately, protecting Singapore's rights, airspace and safety. Cos to me, the world is just too big - there are just too many different parts and facets to this big big world. Superb superb "learning" on BKK holiday trip. :-D


And of course, my mummy. Spent a really full good day with her - really good one! Including bringing her over to Lips and Daph's place for a nap - and she was so happy. I am happy she is happy. This trip, I could see her feeling so much better; her countenance is so much brighter. :-D and she laughs so much more. I am very happy. :)

Sunshine mum this trip - it's funny how she always likes my things. She would say - oh, your blouse very nice, your shoes very nice, your cap very nice. Even the orangey cushion that ZH gave to me - she said - oh it's very nice and may I have it? :-D haha, the things she says are very nice - are really normal things and simple things.

Then, of course there are the weekly runs that keep my week in check - basically, I try to hit MacRitchie as much as I can, even if just for a short 5km run. The monkey business, the young students canoeing, the same spot I like to cool down, the running thru' the board walk and trails - very very very therapeutic to my soul.

Singapore and its many beautiful trails. 💗


:-0 what kinda monkey business?

I did a run with Daphne - she said if she can run 3 times this week, we would do shirako. Regardless, we must shirako. :-D

I have rattled on enough for now. I've titled this - It's been a while - as the last entry was a month back. These small small little things penned down - would help me recount and remember God's goodness in my life. One day, I would reminisce and see His footprints in my life's journey.

Feeling a little like a tourist

This week, Steve and I spent some nice times with Ernest and Winnie. It was very good fellowship and apart from the dinner conversations, we took some time out to have tea at the Etihad Observatory Tower. 

While I have been here for coming to 2 years, I felt that we haven't really explored much of this country and its other emirates, or the neighouring countries. We talked about going to Al Ain Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain zoo, do a trip up north to Ras Al Khaimah, or visit Muscat, Oman, etc, but every time we have some breaks in between, we always ventured out elsewhere. 

So perhaps this week, it was just slightly that tad more touristy as Steve and I went up to the 74th level for the first time.

The Observatory at the Etihad Tower was a nice cosy place, way cosier than Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world in Dubai) in my opinion. I was at Burj Khalifa last December with the cg folks, and while the view was stunning, it was very crowded. Etihad Tower Observatory was quieter, and guests could sit down for tea and cakes. That was nice in itself, just to enjoy the scenery, have some wine and desert. We were there as dusk sets in; we saw the whole skies turned gray and then dark and then, the cityscape lit up. 

View of Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi - Wikipedia says it is a luxury 7-star hotel, and the design incorporates traditional Arabian elements. I went in there once with David and his girlfriend when they visited. The interiors were Arabic-themed, clad in hues and shades of gold. 

And the Fairmont Marina Residences due to have its opening in 2019. This looks a little like Dubai's Atlantis. Anyway, Ernest said that one could purchase the apartment; one hotel apartment would cost about 1 plus million. 

With my bestest friend (aka hubby) in the whole wide world. And I felt I so needed some drinks that evening.

And some really funny fellowship about high-low SES, Nepal and Singapore. :-D 

And me, against the setting sun. It was a nice way to spend the evening. :)

I conclude my Friday night knowing that I have to 收拾心情 again. And knowing that I will miss Kenji very much again.

It will be Hello Singapore on Monday for us, and our last trip back this year. 

Again, as the year draws to a close, there's that little wistful feel of how fast time has once again flown us by. It's not a melancholic feeling, but rather - time oh time - really, where did it go?

Beautiful Berlin Walk

The short digital dialogue in Berlin was enriching, particularly with the diverse group of participants, and I've enjoyed the interactions and discussions as they span different topics such as technology, AI, politics, geo-politics, data, ethics, etc, etc. I am grateful for all the learning as well, and I've penned my reflections on LinkedIn, but beyond work, I was grateful for the beautiful Berlin walks I had.

Certainly, we visited places such as the Berlin Wall, and the Berlin Palace of Tears. The famous Berlin Wall separated the East and West Berlin, and from Day 1 pick-up, already the lady driver was telling me about the wall. It must have been such a sad part of their history, and the West Berliners could visit the East and return to the West, but not so for the East Berliners. That's because the East Berliners would not want to return again to the East.



There's quite a lot of graffiti on the walls now. As I learnt about the history, I really tried to imagine what times were like then.

Then, there's the Palace of Tears. It is the railway station that divides East and West Berlin, and allows for only particular groups of East Berliners to cross to the West. It was called Palace of Tears because that's precisely it - tears of goodbyes as they leave families behind.


Behind us is the Palace of Tears and its iron and steel structured pavilion keeps with the architecture of the 1960s. Taken with US journalist Steven Hills as we took a walk out during a lunch break.


And the Reichstag building from the river Spree. This building houses the German Parliament.

Apart from these famous sights, I particularly enjoyed 2 aspects of Berlin - looking at the flats which the Berliners live in, as well as walk through the neighbourhood park.

I have always liked to imagine the lives of different families, and how apartments' windows are actually gateways to another world. The buildings and apartments provide a solace, a roof over the heads, and the lives of the individuals living inside through the windows make me wonder how we, in different parts of the world, live. I used to peer into the windows of the neighbours living across me in Japan, Suzurandai, and while of course, I couldn't see anything very clearly, I like to think about what the mummy is cooking; what kinds of conversations they might be having in the home; their daily routines, lives, etc. I particularly like to imagine dusk time, the close of the day.

So when I walked past the apartments in Berlin, I was quite happy to observe. There's a certain uniformity in them, and they do look pretty much like our SG flats. I even walked right up to one of these blocks, just to see if there's any way I could enter and walk around. :) Entrance to each block is only via a locked gateway.



Thought this pink one reminded me of a block of Eunos flats. :-D


And some further shots, including how there are supermarkets and shops at the first and second floors.


This was captured just to show how the plants have encircled the building. Quite a sight to behold with the different fall colours.

One of the highlights was the walk I took in the park. Wished I had brought along my running shoes and gear. It was just beautiful. Since I have very limited time in Berlin, and I've seen the key highlights like the Berlin Wall, I thought, I'd spend the last evening in the neighbourhood park. It was so lovely to see the families taking a stroll and with their dogs, the ones playing table-tennis and basketball, the many joggers. The walk reminded me to breathe, to take in life and be thankful. Moments of reflection, introspection, thinking about this year passed, thanking God. I walked until the skies turned a reddish-blueish hue, as they grayed and became dark.


Loved how the beautiful trees flank the pathway, and how they are changing colours, with the brown leaves laying the path.


Happened to catch all 3 dogs staring at me. :-D The french bull-dog especially.


Some table-tennis and basketball action. :-D
Some outdoor fun. :-D


And kids having fun, families chilling out at the restaurant. It was actually Wed evening as I captured this, about 4.30-5pm. So I wonder... these folks no need to work?

All such lovely and beautiful snapshots. I really enjoyed this walk tremendously.

So, now that I am back in AD, I wanted to capture some of these memories. Certainly the week passed too fast. The work dialogue and panel discussion were very enriching for me. In a sense, I had to consolidate and crystallise my own thoughts, to put forth SG's case on workforce development and the Future of Work, Skills and Learning. The folks there included a mobile FinTech entrepreneur from Tanzania, a Brazil International affairs professor-cum-Maltese diplomat, a Canadian-Germany Tech-Policy analyst, a US journalist covering US and Europe. And there was much interaction with the KAS and CDU too.  There is much learning and development in the conversations.
So, I am very thankful for the week passed.

I started with writing about walks, and shall end this with some snapshots of work.
After all, I am in Berlin because of a digital dialogue.

It is the Gift of God

今日辛かったです。
How can decisions be made when it concerns matters of love, of the heart? I had a message from my sister, and I did not know how I should respond. I did not know how to love in a manner that could be appropriate too. WWJD?

So amidst all these, today was just.... not the best of all days. On top of existing IT issues that plagued me and remained unsolved, I couldn't get to work proper also because of several missing emails. And other issues cropped up throughout the day too... and I decided that tonight, I shall not dwell on them anymore. Tomorrow will better.

So this week, I got to know a new friend on Wednesday and she's a teacher here in a local school, just arrived in Abu Dhabi to teach about a month back. She shared how she dreaded going to classes and then the tears just came down. It reminded me of my BNSS days where I felt I was losing control, unable to cope with the increasing demands and pressures, wanting to be excellent in all that I do, and then, slowly, suffered from all the anxiety and stress, and succumbed to pneumonia, and had to be hospitalised. I shared with her and prayed for her. The whole expectation on oneself; those heart palpitations, the dread, the fear... it was almost insane.

I prayed Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, then 9-13 over her.
Eccl 3:1-8 is about times and seasons, and added with 9-13, the verses are just beautiful and meaningful. It speaks of how we can trust God through the times and seasons, and that as long as we've given our best, we deserve to live life well and enjoy the fruits of our labour, in the simplest ways of just enjoying our food and drink. :) It is the gift of God. I love these verses.

Eccle 3:9-13 (NKJV)
What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labour - it is the gift of God. 

How can I express this even more vividly?
As I enjoyed my work and become more exposed to different areas, I too, at the end of the day, want to eat and drink and enjoy the good of all the labour. :)

And so this week came, and will just pass by again.
This Friday night, I thank God for His provision. Truly, mini me in a mega world, but one that I know He has my back. With all the Futures Work (which really consumes a lot of my thoughts), I did eat and drink to my heart's content, and also played basketball. It was a pretty cool highlight for me.


Zahari and Narni came from Dubai for dinner together, and together with Sean and Viven, we really ate and drank.


And so, I have to work it off with a basketball game. Robert is darn good! And he knows MJ. How cool. We played 15 points, and I lost ...10-15. He is way too kind. :-p


And that mid-week random fellowship with Sim. Super thankful for her friendship and prayers. She will say I take unglam photos. And I agree, especially with this photo... but then again, that is how we are candid, and it captures that beautiful fellowship moment.

Finally, as the depths of the night creep on me again, I thank God that even when I don't have all the answers and solutions to life's issues and problems, He doesn't expect me to know how to solve them all.
In Him would be the answers and the solutions. In Him would be that rest.