2 tablespoons of maple syrup

Right after I graduated from university, I went on an extended trip to Australia. This graduation trip lasted 3 months which was the when and how I fell in love with Jester pies and Anzac biscuits. Although not as impossible to find as Jester pies, I hardly find Anzac biscuits being sold in Singapore. I am almost certain to buy one whenever I see one!

 Thus, when I saw the Anzac Biscuit Mix being sold at The Source Bulk Foods, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Lucky me was even offered a bottle (shelf life almost up) that was 50% off at the cashier! Definitely meant to be. Thankfully the instructions were simple enough. The mixture only required 3 additional ingredients of which the only item I did not have on hand was maple syrup.

 

So, I definitely can afford to buy myself some maple syrup but it is most certainly not a staple in my household and I do not wish to buy even the smallest bottle only to find it forgotten and expired months down the road. What to do??

 

Scratchbac to the rescue!! It appears to be not as well known as SG Assist and somehow I had the mistaken idea that it is only available to some estates?!?! But the objective is similar. Anyway, I finally got on it recently and I actually prefer the Telegram interface of Scratchbac compared to SG Assist app. 

This was only my second time using Scratchbac and after having no response via Olio, I was not hopeful... But I received not one but three offers to help! The very first respondent also happened to stay in the same condo as I do! So we met up the very same night with me receiving a carefully measured portion of maple syrup and her receiving some snacks from me just steps away from the comfort of our homes. 

 

I am just in awe by how technology has enabled the Chinese saying of 远亲不如近邻. Especially for someone like me who is relatively new to this estate; this is a pretty good way to connect with my new community! And I get to enjoy a batch of freshly baked Anzac biscuits... 🤤I do so love the taste! Shall be delivering a couple of them to my newfound friend in the estate too!! Thanks for scratching my back with the maple syrup!?!?!

 

Dates of Significance and Significant Days

I pay an extraordinary amount of attention to dates for some unknown reason. I remember birthdays, special days and commemorative dates quite well and often feel the need to acknowledge or celebrate such dates of significance so they can truly become significant days. 

Case in point, the birthdays of most of my close friends' are pretty deeply etched in my mind. I also notice patterns in these dates too, especially when co-related with horoscopes. Just recently, I pointed out to two of my gal pals this mysterious pattern in our birthdays.

                      24 Jan        24 01

                      14 Feb        14 02

                       4 Mar        04 03

So you can expect that I remember anniversary dates pretty well and most definitely expect my partners (current and past) to do so as well! And when any of these dates roll by, I think of that special someone and give thanks that our paths had crossed and for all the lessons gained. 

Then there are the national and international days which are so numerous and not always personally significant. But there are quite a few United Nations Observances that fall in this month of March which are pretty close to heart. 

• International Women's Day is easy to remember especially if you first learnt about it in Chinese. 三八妇女节 is also what I often use to help my Physics students memorise the speed of light. 
• Also due to my teaching background, I really enjoy having a pie on Pi Day which PM Lee also commemorated (here and here)! 
• I also particularly appreciate the existence of International Day of Happiness since happiness and joy really eluded me for a period of time. 
• Just yesterday, I found out the existence of World Wildlife Day, International Day of Forests and World Water Day which I think are not having the right level of attention to their significance in our current state of environmental crisis. 

However, the most significant day of this month has to be my wedding anniversary. A date I specifically picked to coincide with the day I first met my husband. And celebrate we did! With a relatively extravagant staycation at The Capitol Kempinski. This short getaway from home when borders are closed had been a great change of scene and a real pampering treat too!

Well, there is still one more (heartwrenching) date of significance for me coming up this month. I wonder if the tears will fall again when I think of Mr LKY.