11 & 82-Year Olds

I was speaking in jest with a guest in The Living Room just the other day about not having a job that allows me to travel the world. He shot back, "But you have the world coming through The Living Room!". That was fresh perspective I thought! I get to 'travel' the world through my guests who come from down the road to as far flung as Romania and Jamaica.

Today, it wasn't so much where they came from, but the span of ages. Our youngest visitor today was 11-year-old Matthew Supramaniam (above: seated on the right in the photo) and the oldest was Jolly Wee, who's 82 years old.

Matthew is a primary 5 student Anglo Chinese School (Junior) and was on the programme with fellow ACS(J) String Orchestra member Chester Tan who's in Primary 6. They were accompanied by senior teacher Benedict Tan. The students are possibly the first primary school students to be playing with the members of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at a concert next Thursday, 23rd July, 7.30pm at the Victoria Concert Hall. This will be for the benefit of the school's Arts Alive Fund. Chester wants to have you know that the boys are feeling excited and only 'just a little nervous' performing on stage with the professionals of the SSO. The Best Is Yet To Be! If you want to catch the young musicians in concert with the SSO, please call 6733-7911 to purchase your tickets (between $50 and $500).

If you're more attracted by Peranakan cuisine, get set to book your place at one or both of the culinary workshops conducted by Baba Chef, Jolly Wee during this year's Singapore Food Festival. Jolly together with his 22-year-old grand daughter Cheryl Wee will be conducting a dessert-making workshop, Sweets for the Sweet, next Monday afternoon, 20th July, 2.30pm - 4.30pm. If you've got a sweet tooth for Kueh Dadar, Apom Bokwa, Apom Balek and pulot Hitam, click here to sign up for the workshop listed under 'Culinary Workshops'. If your preference is to learn how to prepare Nonya Laksa, Kueh Pie Tee and Poh Piah, jolly good! There's another cooking demonstration and workshop, One Dish Meals, that you might want to attend next Wednesday morning.

There's no lack of options what you can do next week. The choice is yours whether you're 11 or eighty-two and into music or food.