WHEN IN IRELAND...

Found this hilarious link to "signs" you're in Ireland and simply had to share.... Art

CLICK N HELP (warning: slightly serious post ahead)

An appeal arrived in my inbox this morning asking for people to visit the The Breast Cancer Site to click on a little box, to "donate" a mammogram to an underpriveleged woman. The chain letter claimed that the site wasn't meeting their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. Being the sceptic that I am, after visiting the site to verify if it was for real, I checked around for whether there was any truth to the claim. And, well, more yes than no. No, the site is not having trouble meeting its daily quota. But yes, The Breast Cancer Site is very much real, and yes, if you click on the "donate a mammogram" button, they actually do go towards providing free mammograms to needy women in Mississippi, Puerto Rico, New York and LA, many of whom live in the inner city, earn low incomes and are homeless. And, yes, their corporate sponsors/advertisers do use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising. So while they haven't reach any point of desperation, they welcome more clicks towards the cause, because they do help. Perhaps it might be happening to women far away, and maybe we need to do more in our own backyards to help women here, but hey, when its this simple to make a difference... After all, it only takes a minute, and it costs you nothing. Why not? Art

BACK TO LIFE....

Been awhile since we've blogged just random thoughts - we've been kinda doing mainly backlogged photoblogging these days... Can't help it, been going nuts with the new camera... But we're back. Woke up a wee bit fragile after the shennanigans at Matt's BBQ last night, which was held in honour of the important occasion that is better known as "being able to secure a pit". Heh. Actually, it was because Simon Wilcox - former colleague of all of ours - was in town, so Matt did the honours. It was a laugh and a half. Dionne churned out some great eats. Tah Nee (jap chap from earlier posts) showed up in his Jap-o clogs, bearing teriyaki and sake... Pete made chicken masala and mash, and Sharm made us all proud with her first ever spud salad, which turned out really yum. There was heaps more from everyone else but I'm getting hungry just talking about it so will shut up before I end up demanding supper right this very minute. There was a fair bit of damage done though... We had to call it a night a remotely decent hour, not a bad thing, really, coz Huge Cow (alias Hugh) was getting in from HK. Twas great to see him again - especially for Pete, since the last time the two were together was when Mr Chow flew in for just one night to give us a bottle of champers and have a bit of a laugh the night before the wedding. We were blown away. His boss back then was a bit of a cow and so he couldn't get in for any of the main events.... But he could make it in for just that night. Fab chap. Eight hours of travel for one night of damage (and you could see it in Pete's eyes as I lovingly accepted him as my husband!! Actually I accepted him as my "wife" thanks to the Justice of Peace... But that's a story I don't really wanna recount). Anyways, it called for a big ole catch up session on the Perch. Big ole headache this morning. Ah well, you pay the price. He'll be here for a bit this time, which is nice. And his other half's flying in on the weekend, so that's something to look forward to. Trivia for the day: We stumbled on this uber weird (yet mildly entertaining) site: Blogthings for stuff you can chuck on your blog... Today's entertainment: Pete n Me decided to find out our Hawaiin names... And .... *drumroll* Pete's: Your Hawaiian Name is: Mamo Meka & Art's: Your Hawaiian Name is: Alana Nalani What's" your Hawaiian Name? Sounds almost Sindhi... Alana Nalani Williams?? Hmm.... Might stick to Art.

WILLIAMS' IN LEGOLAND!!!!!!!!

In a beautiful gesture yesterday (and in a move completely unrelated to certain forms that need filling), the wonderful Mr Williams took us to our absolute favourite Japanese restaurant for a wonderful meal... just because he loves me.... *Swoon* But tis a big secret what it is and where it is because if I have to fight with family - or anyone else - for reservations, I will be very very cross.... haha.... So I guess if you wanna try our sumiyaki-from-heaven-with-movie-star-chef joint, you're just gonna have to take us!! muahahahaha.... Anyways, as we were leaving, we got lost in the Legoland the inside of this really old building has become and the Man simply could not resist.... So this is our very best hint to the very best Japanese joint we know.... HAI!!!

HAPPY 21st PETE!! (er, again)

Was saving the best for last.... So, of course the most important coincidence to Paddy's Day is Peter's Day!! Okay, okay, corney corney, but, *Leapin' Leprechaun's!!* How uncanny is it that my Irish boy happened to decide to leave the comfort zone and begin to make his grand entrance to the world on St Patrick's Day right? Am thanking my lucky stars he didn't end up Patrick Williams. It might have changed the course of history.... In any case, by the time he actually appeared, it was March 18.... Still, twas a day that went down in history.... And of course, because I am a good wife (who would like to retain my wife status), I allowed the event to pass without attempting too many embarassing photos (Pete kept the camera close). Of course, Skinny, who doesn't have to 1) be married to Pete, or 2) have to be in the same country as he does after next week, is under no such obligations and promises to pass along some of the great shots she took, and I'll be sure to accidentally post them, I promise. In any case, this year, Mr Williams turned *drumroll* 21 again (Hey, I'd like to live till my (again) 21st birthday too!). We marked it with some weird flaming drinks... which he was too smart to drink... Still twas a good laugh... Even Mr Shithead showed up to wish him. (Backgrounder: Mr Shithead is a stray in the neighbourhood who think Pete's his best friend. He keeps coming round the house - I am convinced its because he's come to believe we are tuna wholesalers since we never seem to run out. Either way, he pops around every couple of nights or so, eats, stays for a couple of hours, walks around the house like he owns it, manjas with Pete until he's carried and fed more, eats some more, messes the place up a bit, bites into a mint leaf again and realises that he still doesn't like it, wanders around a bit more, chats up a couple of walls until he realises they are ignoring him... and then whines to be let out. Once, just for a laugh, he decided to leave a souvenir (Yes, everyone else said: Eats Shoots and Leaves, too). Ah well. Of course, the sad part of this entire ritual is that about an hour after he's left, he realises that he we may still have tuna, so he sits at the door and whines and whines. By that time, we're, more often than not, already in bed and en route to sleep, so he gives up and tries again a couple of days later.) So yes, where were we? Of course, Pete's birthday... What was really kinda nice was how ad hoc everything was... We were supposed to hook up with Matt and Dionne, and then Liluland suddenly got done packing and popped over, and Sharm appeared out of nowhere... All, of course, absolutely in the mood to imbibe. Then, by sheer coincidence, Tah Nee (this Jap guy we used to know from our ACNA days - this bar we sorta found, grew to love, and then had our big engagement bash in) happens to walk by and joins us for what turns out to be the (almost) last round - wearing a kimono. Honestly, I don't remember the last time I saw someone wear a kimono socially unless it was 1) Japan 2) A Japanese restaurant 3) Some kind of cultural type affair involving ministers in Orchid-motif shirts But there was good ole Tah Nee - in his formal Japanese kimono, fan in hand and all - which he whipped out and used every couple of minutes. It was like a cultural manga moment. Turns out it's one of em things that he just does. It looked kinda funky though. Of course, the fan JUST had to make its rounds. Tah Nee's kimono-fan combo caused a real ripple through the Living Room when he walked in too - especially when it sorta threatened to jiggy off on the dance floor...... We'll leave the rest to your imagination. Needless to say, Pete enjoyed himself (not that he was in any state to admit it the next day). Love ya Boy-O... Happy Birdday... From all of us...

PADDY'S DAY!!

History-making moment: Singapore held its first ever St Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, and, of course, TeamWilliams couldn't resist heading over to check it out, decked in green, no less. It was great Guinness-fuelled fun with an Asian twist... complete with Irish jigs, dragon dances and a Malay band. How much more Singaporean can it get huh? The guy in the white hat- thingy? Yes, the Indian chap... That's St Patrick... No, we have no idea either. All up, good fun, and the kids, clearly, had a blast. Div is now thinking of trading tap dancing for the Irish jig, and Ruben wants to be in next year's parade. Doing what, exactly, is anyone's guess. Maybe he can be St Patrick.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

Very reliable sources (Pete) have just pointed out that snowflakes are a-falling in Ireland. And the situation is not much different in Britain... Even more strange given that Summer is meant to arrive in a couple of weeks - or was it 10 days? Its enough for the Mirror to ask: WHY HAS BRITAIN'S WEATHER GONE SO DAFFY? According to the Irish Examiner: IRELAND TODAY: Wintery showers and cold today. Some of the higher interior hills may have a small accumulation of snow and sleet. Highs today 3-6C. Moderate to strong northeast winds. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

COASTAL FANTASIES...

With a place this beautiful, there is little need to wax lyrical, but, that said, when has that ever stopped us... This one's Kinsale, southernmost tip of the Emerald Isle before you are spat out into the Atlantic. Even Sting, evidently, thought to buy a house there... It is touted to be one of the most beautiful places on earth (largely by the Irish, but this time, its undebatable). Headed out there early(ish) in the morning and got there just on time to see a bunch of people headed out for a fox hunt (hence the horse on the top left). The horses were absoultely gorgeous (and the hounds were absolutely noisy). But seeing them ride off into the rolling hills was completely amazing. The entrance to Charles' Fort, constructed in the 1680s in honour of King Charles. It was in use till the 1920s apparently. It overlooks Kinsale's amazing harbour. Se moi at the southernest most tip of Ireland. The cliff's at Old Head. Which I have to say is the scariest, coldest place ever. Its a rough sea wind, which craves pulling you nearer and nearer the edge of the cliff, and then just pulling you over. According to reliable sources (Pete), many have died. Which explains my conservative five foot safety buffer. Which I maintain may not have been quite enough. In any case, Kinsale's a lovely quaint little town. Loads of B&Bs, nice restaurants, pretty little pubs (The Spaniard is a must try). And of course, Murphy's!! Someday we're gonna get a house there - Art's already picked out the one (see picture of brown house below). It even has enough space for our two imaginary yachts!

UNCORKED - PART II OF THE WILLIAMS IRISH ESCAPE

Been meaning to put this snapshot up forever... But meet Clan Williams... This was taken during the trip-that-didn't-get-properly-blogged... (Cork, Jan2006) So its time to change that. Plus, Pete keeps reminding me that I have so very much more pictures to put up, and I honestly think Cork is really gorgeous and that everyone should visit. So consider this my plug for the Cork county tourism board. 10 Fabulous reasons for going to Cork 1) Cork welcomes everyone with open arms.... They don't care who you are, they love you anyway. So much so that after we got spat out of the plane and, still bleary eyed, stumbled across the tarmac, into the airport and obediently filed into the EU Members and Non EU Members channels for Immigration, there was not a single Immigration officer actually behind the counters. Not one. There were no Customs officers either. Just come on in! Well, welcome to Cork I say! 2) A wonderful international environment Brother Dave awaited, with a fully prepared Singaporean welcome, peppered with more "Lahs" than a musical score (translation note: "Lah" is the Singaporean equivalent of the full-stop, so a regular sentence would go: "How are you lah? Long time no see lah." Don't even ask us why. Lah.). In any case, he then got us down to Glasheen Road where Pete's Mum was waiting at the house... listening to Hindi music. And not just any music - the soundtrack to Kal Ho Na Ho. It was surreal - first encounter in Dublin: Indonesian food, first encounter in Cork: Hindi music. Add an oddly named cafe, and a niece who has a penchant for all things Indian - henna, fussy Indian dresses - and you get the picture. 3) Murphys. Cork's native stout (which I swear is nicer than Guinness but which I am not allowed to say out loud because I married an Irishman who doesnt want to upset the Guinness gods for fear that he will be cursed into forever being stuck with nothing but the stuff that passes off for Guiness here.) In any case, Dave has also introduced me to the delightful (yet apparently wimpish) practice of adding a drop of blackcurrant to stout, which I would recommend to anyone (except an Irishman, who would likely bop me on the head for defiling their life essence... But it tastes good, really (Note: Please do not try this in Singapore. Nothing, and I say nothing, is going to make the Guinness there taste any different from the way it does.). 4) A sneak peek at Irish history. The picture says it all, I think. Incidentally, the second shot is of the hospital where my lovely man was born (According to Dave, the area is trying to shut it down. There is no evidence at all proving that the two incidents are related in any way.) 5) Christmas on demand. What happens when your son and daughter-in-law can't get their act together to get to Ireland on time for Christmas? You celebrate Christmas at the end of January, complete with an oversized turkey (this one surely was on steroids), spiced beef, bacon and Christmas pudding (doused in a liberal amount of Jamesons). For good measure, you fly in all available relatives from the region... including London and Birmingham. 6) The sights (though there is no guarantee they will actually physically be opened on any given day.) We found out - the hard way - that places like Saint Finbar's Cathedral actually close for lunch. Of course, that wasn't half as bad as hiking up all those hills to the Four Faced Liar to ring the Shandon Bells to mark our anniversary, only to find out from a very very very grumpy caretaker that the bells were ""closed for cleaning". Bit of background here - the four faced liar refers to the four faces of the bell tower of Cork's St Anne's church - there are four clocks, all of which tell a different time, and all four of which are apparently wrong... hence liar. Useful though, when late for work. Pick your clock of choice. In any case, even more interestingly, the bell tower houses the Shandon Bells, which you can go up and play, even an AC/DC song if you happen to know the chords... and they'll be heard all over Cork city. That fateful day, though, all was heard all over Cork city was me yelling very loudly in frustration. That said, Pete made it up to me with a bag of hot chips from what is Cork's most famous fish n chip shop. Please note that what I am carrying in my hand is a serve of SMALL chips. It cost a euro and some. I donno what a big chips is like, but I gotta say, them Irish sure love their potatoes. 7) Quiet neighbours The stunning and amazingly peaceful cemetery near Pete's mum's. It really is beautiful. Its also home to a plot of the original IRA. 8) The things children say... Rewind to Ireland day one, when bleary eyed, we make it to the house and promptly collapse into bed for a nap. Brother Dave thinks it might be a good idea to bring the kids around, and they managed to find their way upstairs, into the room and onto the bed before our eyes were fully opened. Dave casually introduces the sleepy pile on the bed as "Pete and Arti". Luke, the sweetheart, however, didn't fully grasp which one was Pete (he was born after Pete left for Singapore), and which one was Arti. The rest of the weekend, he called Pete "Arti". 9) Fishing (For Pete, that is) I refused to brave the cold, but nothing - and I mean nothing - will stop the Williams boys from trying to fly fish -- even the seasons. Despite the freezing cold and the fact that it is completely not the right time to fish, Dave and Pete found some lake in North Cork and froze themselves silly trying to catch trout. That said, they didn't come home empty handed! 10) And finally, the fabulous craic.... especially that which comes from being with family. Slainte. Next change: Kinsale, Killarney and the gorgeous Gap of Dunloe.