A Little Peep-Peep While Waiting for CEO Mama
This wasn't exactly a planned outing. CEO Mama was in the A&E department at Woodlands Hospital, and naturally, Aunty was worried.
But sitting around worrying wouldn't make the clock move any faster. So, while waiting, Aunty decided to take a little walk around the hospital to clear her mind.
Aunty: “Mama, you take care in there, okay?”
Feet: “Err… where are we going now?”
Eyes: “Never mind lah, just peep peep around first!”
Don't misunderstand hor! Aunty wasn't enjoying herself while Mama was unwell. Sometimes, a little wandering helps keep those worrying thoughts from running wild.
And as usual, Aunty's curious eyes started spotting things along the way…
First Stop — Rescue My Tummy!
Before any peep-peep adventure, Aunty had one urgent matter to settle — FOOD!
From the moment Mama fell ill until the ambulance arrived, I hadn't eaten or even had a sip of water. By then, I was feeling a little giddy.
Tummy: “Hello! Anybody remember me?”
Aunty: “Aiyoh, sorry lah! Too worried about Mama!”
Tummy: “Then feed me first! Later who is going to look after her?”
So, first things first. Aunty needed something to eat and drink before continuing the long wait. After all, I had to take care of myself too, so I could be there for Mama.
An Invitation Too Tempting to Ignore!
Most of the food court stalls were still getting ready for the day, but Kaffe & Toast was already looking very inviting.
Signboard: “This way to the best part of your day!”
Tummy: “Aunty! Did you hear that? BEST part!”
Aunty: “Okay lah, okay lah! No need to shout!”
With all those tempting food pictures greeting me, perhaps this was just the place to settle my hungry tummy before my little hospital exploration.
Breakfast Mission — What Shall I Eat?
With two self-ordering kiosks in front of me, it was time to decide what to have for breakfast.
Tummy: “Anything lah! Just feed me!”
Eyes: “Wait, wait! Let me look at the menu first!”
Aunty: “Aiyoh, you two cooperate a bit can or not?”
Decisions, decisions! So many tempting choices, but first I had to figure out what would satisfy my hungry tummy.
Decisions, Decisions!
Toast? Eggs? Noodles? Everything looked so tempting, especially on an empty stomach!
Tummy: “NOODLES! Something filling, please!”
Eyes: “But the toast looks good too!”
Aunty: “Aiyoh! Shall I just toss a coin?”
With so many choices staring at me from the walls, even ordering breakfast had become a little adventure of its own.
Lucky Number 13 — A Little Wish for Mama
Order placed! My collection buzzer was number 13.
Some people consider 13 unlucky, but not Aunty. To my ears, it sounded like the Cantonese words 实生 — surely live.
Buzzer: “Number 13! Unlucky, they say!”
Aunty: “Who says? To me, you're bringing good wishes!”
Buzzer: “Then I'll buzz extra happily for you!”
I'm not particularly superstitious. But with Mama in A&E, I quietly took this little number as a hopeful sign, wishing her good health and a speedy recovery.
A Restaurant All to Myself!
While my breakfast was being prepared, I took a little look around.
Aunty: “Hello? Anybody else coming for breakfast?”
Tables: “Not yet lah! You're our VIP this morning!”
Aunty: “Wah! Whole place reserved for me ah?”
It was still early, and I was the only customer at that moment. The restaurant was bright, clean and wonderfully quiet — a welcome little pause after a rather worrying morning.
A Little Exercise for My Neck!
Neck: “Up, down, up, down! Aunty, what are you looking for?”
Aunty: “Aiyah, look at those lovely hanging lights!”
Neck: “Can admire them without making me do gymnastics or not?”
Those shiny, copper-coloured pendant lights caught my eye. Even a simple breakfast stop had something pretty to admire while I waited for my food.
Neck: “Enough sightseeing! Can we look straight ahead now?”
Fuel Up, Aunty!
Finally, my chicken ball boat noodle soup arrived, accompanied by a comforting cup of hot Milo.
Tummy: “AT LAST! I thought you'd forgotten me!”
Aunty: “Eat full full first. We have a long day ahead.”
Noodles: “Then hurry up! We're ready for duty!”
As I tucked into my breakfast, I reminded myself that I needed to stay strong and alert. Mama was still in A&E, and I didn't know what the next few hours would bring. Whatever happened, I wanted to be ready for her.
Fire Up Those Noodles!
No chilli paste? Never mind lah! Chilli flakes will do!
Aunty: “Hello, where's my chilli paste?”
Chilli Flakes: “Excuse me! We can be fiery too, hor!”
Tummy: “OI! I asked for breakfast, not a fire drill!”
A little extra kick to wake up my taste buds. After all, Aunty needed plenty of energy for the day ahead!
Tummy: “First you starve me, then you set me on fire?!”
Kopi Gao Gao — A Toast to Good Health!
After my fiery noodles, time for a comforting cup of kopi gao gao!
Kopi: “Aunty, need some extra energy?”
Aunty: “Yes, please! Today I need all the strength I can get!”
Kopi: “Then cheers! To good health!”
I raised my cup for a little toast — wishing CEO Mama good health, and everyone else too.
Nothing fancy. Just a simple cup of kopi and a heartfelt wish.
Tummy Satisfied, Eyes on Duty!
Breakfast settled, kopi finished. Time for Aunty's curious eyes to take over!
Tummy: “My job is done. Your turn!”
Eyes: “Roger! Let's see what treasures we can find!”
And I didn't have to wander far before something colourful caught my attention…
While looking for a little distraction from my worries, I stumbled upon a Yip Yew Chong mural! What a lovely surprise!”
And look at the details! The provision shop, coffee shop, neighbours chatting, laundry hanging outside the flats… then suddenly we're transported to kampung houses, coconut trees and a treehouse!
Aiyoh, this isn't just a wall. It's a whole neighbourhood waiting to tell its stories!
A Whole Neighbourhood on One Wall!
Wah! What a lovely surprise at Woodlands Hospital's South Event Plaza — a long, colourful mural by Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong, whose Chinatown murals I had admired before.
Aunty: “Hello! Fancy meeting you here!”
Mural: “Aunty, come closer! Got plenty for you to see!”
Aunty: “Aiyoh! From HDB flats to kampung houses… where shall I start?”
From familiar neighbourhood shops and coffee-shop gatherings to wooden houses and coconut trees, the mural was filled with scenes of everyday life.
For a little while, my worries took a back seat as I wandered through the memories painted on this wall.
A Tree with Plenty of Stories
Aunty: “Wah, Mr Tree! You're taller than the building!”
Tree: “Of course lah! I have plenty of stories to tell!”
That magnificent tree stretches across the mural, with birds flying overhead, neighbours chatting and a colourful kite nearby. Even the fruit stall looks ready for business!
Looking at that treehouse reminded me of my childhood. I climbed trees too, although I was warned not to climb the really tall ones. Those were the days when a tree could become our little playground!
Kampung Life — Durian Party!
Aunty: “Wah! Durian feast! Got one for me?”
Durian Seller: “Come, Aunty! Plenty to share!”
Aunty: “But first, can I climb that treehouse?”
Twinkle, Twinkle… Runaway Stars!
Aunty: “Hello, Mr Piano! I can play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, you know!”
Piano: “Really? Shall we begin?”
Stars: “NOOO! Back to the Milky Way! We need our milk!”
A piano stood quietly beside the colourful mural, perhaps waiting for its next performance. Better leave the playing to someone else, though. Aunty wouldn't want to frighten all the stars away!
Art Jam Benches — Too Pretty to Sit On?
Aunty: “Wah! Even the benches here are wearing colourful outfits!”
Bench: “Of course! Who says furniture must be boring?”
Aunty: “Aiyoh, you're so pretty, I almost don't dare sit on you!”
These colourful Art Jam Benches brightened up the South Event Plaza. Their designs were adapted from artworks co-created with persons with disabilities, while reclaimed wood was used to make the benches. A lovely combination of creativity and sustainability!
More Surprises Ahead!
Who would have thought a hospital visit could turn into such an unexpected art discovery? But Aunty's wandering feet weren't finished yet!
More little surprises await in Part 2. Come along!
Woodlands Hospital Part 2 — From Runaway Butterflies to Little Picassos!
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