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Cartcart’s coming to Singapore!

My dearest has just recently booked his flight to Singapore. He’ll be here around the end of December so a big chance that we’ll spend Hari Raya together!

I’m most excited! I miss him so much, that it gets so depressing, it’s unbelievable.

Now where shall I take him to look around?

There are a couple of places where I could bring him – such as the more popular destinations such as the Sentosa Island for a day of frolicking at the beach or go to the different attractions there.

We could go to the esplanade together and catch a musical concert in the halls inside or just chill out by the bay and to listen to the band playing by the sea.

Maybe even going to the zoo (though it has been years since I’ve last been there) to see all sorts of animals in an ‘open concept’ environment and the night safari after that.

Or we could go the ethnic way and visit a tea house in Chinatown, eat delicious curries and pratas and see the Sri Mariamam Temple in Little India while I drag him to Geylang Serai or Arab Street to have him fitted with a Songkok (Malay Hat), Kain Samping (Kind of like a Sarong) and Capal (Malay Sandals) and visit the Sultan Mosque

Or we could go the urban way and let him see the heart of the city while we visit city hall and walk along war memorial to the parliament house, or to the Elgin bridge as we watch the bum boats pass by the rivers of Clarke quay.

I’d like to show him the art museum, the kitchy Haw Par Villa and if he’s up to it, maybe go to the rustic charms of Pulau Ubin or to the East Coast Park.

We’ll go to the Botanic Garden to see the beautiful flora and have a little picnic while the concert plays on.

But I would be happy even doing simple things with him, like eating at a hawker center together with him and let him sample a few local favourites, going to the shopping center together with him to catch a movie (even though I believe movie tickets are horribly overpriced)

I’ll let him have a first hand experience of the public transportation here and we could compare the prices of things when we go shopping, be it for groceries at Fairprice or electrical items at Sim Lim Square or even books at the borders book store.

And then a walk along Orchard road to visit the Istana and then stroll along the streets at night time, which, by then be full of lights and decorations.

And obviously since I’m a Jurong girl, I won’t forget to let him see the beautiful lakeside park that we have here and we’ll stroll by the Chinese Gardens and sit down by the bench watch the beautiful and tranquil scene in front of us.

We could have breakfast in the Bird Park, sipping our breakfast tea while birds of a multitude of colours surround us.

And since Cartcart is such a Maths-lover, We could even go to the Science Center which is just a couple of minutes ride from here. I think he’ll like it 🙂

I’ll even let him try a taste of durian. It will be interesting I think. I’ve never heard of an European eating durians before. Have you?


I’m like da king of fruits!

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Jam Jam, Human Jam

There was a fireworks festival at the Esplanade yesterday. All through the area was a sea of people along the Marina Square shopping center all the way to the Esplanade by the bay.

Normally I would enjoy watching fireworks. But instead of staying for the fireworks display, me and my brother rushed and snaked through the throngs of people. We knew that there was going to be a huge jam once the display was over.

There we were, squeezing though people and rushing to find the carpark while the sky lighted up with red, green, blue and yellow flames. People screaming in delight and children jumping up and down and everyone pointing to the sky.

At last we found the carpark and in the maze of cars we finally found the scooter. we hopped on and went off.

Unfortunately for us, just when we left the carpark and on the road, that was when the fireworks display ended.

Suddenly the road was streamed full of pedestrians jaywalking and cutting across. Traffic was at a standstill. I was thoroughly annoyed

And there I was thinking, “Why on earth am I here in the city area on a saturday?”

Then I remembered, “Its because I needed to go to the library@Esplanade to borrow some literature videos. Other branches did not have them and I’m only free during the weekends”

Oh bother.

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The day of empowerment

Just yesterday, I was helping Vai with a powerpoint presentation that he needed help in. Vai was a classmate from Jurong Institute.

Me : What? So simple like this also you dont know?

Vai : $*&$*(&@$!

Me : Be nice. You’re at my mercy now. I can dont help you if I want to!

Vai : Ok ok … I’ll buy you pizza.

Me : Hey, I wanna tell you something shocking after this.

Vai : What? What is it? Tell me now. Please? Now I’m so curious. Is it about you? Tell me lah, wait, you’ll forget.

Me : Nope, you’ll have to wait.

During the powerpoint, Vai started to drum on the table. It was impressively fast!

[audio:vaidrumming.mp3]

Me : Hey you got to teach me how to do that

vai : It takes practise, you got to tap your fingers one by one slowly and then progress from there.

Me : How come you dont practise the tabla?

Vai : Those takes years to master and it uses all 5 fingers including the pinky. I just want to drum tables.

At length we were done with the powerpoint presentation.

Me : (jokingly) Now we’re done! Now get out! Get out of my house!

Vai : What? You toot you!

Me : So now I can tell you the surprise! (Hands him a helmet) I’m taking you home

Vai : Oh. My. Goodness! You have a bike? I’m so jealous. I’ve been trying for ages to get a motorcycle license.

We walked to the carpark and I showed him the scooter. After I started the scooter, he jumped in and the scooter was so unstable! I think I underestimated his weight and started to wobble and was not able to balance. I wasnt used to it that we nearly dropped the scooter at the junction.

But after that it was smooth sailing, I adjusted the way I was riding and Vai stopped fidgeting and rested comfortably at the back.

And luckily for me, We arrived in one piece. Vai thanked me profusely and we said our goodbyes.

Oh how I felt so empowered! A girl taking a guy home? On a motorcycle? Maybe its getting more common but at that point of time, I felt like wonderwoman 🙂

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Celebrating National Day at Shuqun Secondary School

Today we celebrate Singapore’s 41st year of independence, and I breathe a moment of respite from a day off work.

I had a rather nice day yesterday. The school where I was attached to had a celebration. It started off with a marching parade. With the colour party holding on to the flag and ready for the march in.

The colour party

Guards of honour

Marching in parade

As the band plays along

After the parade, the students were given cards which were directions to go to their respective stations. Some went to the ‘learning stations’ where the activities reflected about Singapore and her people.

Like this Henna decoration which is commonly done by the Malays and the Indians. Isn’t this gorgeous? Just look at her intricate design.

This is supposed to be Rangoli, a traditional Indian art made of coloured rice that decorates the entrance of the house.

And this is a stick game where you’re supposed to move a stick one by one without moving the other sticks. I used to play this alot as a kid 🙂

I suppose this is another version of 5 stones? A really old school game that I haven’t seen anyone play for ages.

Down below in the canteen, a whole hubhub of activities. Bazaar games by the students and well loved pasar malam (night market) wares.

These girls are selling adorable clips and paraphernalia. I couldn’t help but to buy some. Isn’t it cute? 🙂

These girls are buying custom made keyrings.

And these girls are selling Nasi Lemak. Coconut Rice! Mmm! A delight, morning, afternoon or night time!

The cotton candy almost gave me grief. I didn’t realise how sticky and how easily it melts … It almost ruined my precious camera. It made my flash stuck and wouldnt open when I pressed the button and when I saw an error message on the display, it almost gave me a heart attack.

But cotton candy are such a staple in my childhood. I’d have one every time there was a carnival or a night market going on, with pink clouds in my hands.

This lady is from the Parent Support Group and she was selling this drink called the ‘Red Ruby’. Oh my … it was heaven I tell you. It’s made of crunchy coconut, jellies of different colour, sago seeds and fresh coconut cream and it tasted like creamy nectar of the Gods.

I loved it so much that I didn’t realise till late that someone took a picture of me drinking it.

Wht r u doing?!?!

Lovely day. I loved the whole atmosphere. One could really feel the radiation of happiness and excitement exuded by others. 🙂

So what will you be doing on national day?

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Scootering : The week after

Its been a week since I’ve got my ride and life is good. I’m slowly getting used to the roads and slowly getting a little more confident in parking at public places.

First few days wasnt like that though. I kept turning to the wrong junction and then rode round and around the area wondering where the heck I was. Actually I still get lost till now, but the good thing about Singaporean roads is that there are prominent signs everywhere around the major roads that you will eventually get your bearings again.

When I arrived at my workplace with my scooter, the look of the guard, Mr Singh, was priceless! His mouth was literally agape.

Mr Singh : Marina! You’re riding?!?!

Me : Yes!

Mr Singh : When you were telling me that you were getting a bike, I thought you were joking!

Me : Heh heh heh

There were many people who were surprised that I could ride – Teachers and students alike. Even my classmates at night class were in disbelief.

Classmate : Goodnight Marina

Me : Goodnight! (walks to scooter)

Classmate : Huh? Where are you going? Arent you going to take the bus?

Me : Nope, I’m taking the scooter

Classmate : You’re joking right!

Me : No lah. I really am taking the scooter.

Classmate : But .. But … You’re wearing a skirt!

I think there’s nothing wrong with wearing a skirt while riding. The scooter is designed in a way that there is a free area to rest your legs in front, unlike regular bikes that require you to sit with legs apart. Thats what makes a Vespa popular choice with women.

At the same time, being females on bikes, bring along unwanted attention.

I was riding along night class and there were a two men on a bike teasing about the way I ride, “Way go go sis! Go on behind the car!”, they shouted while they continued to snake along in the traffic.

Yesterday, while I was on my way home from the highway and stopping at the red light, I saw a man in a lorry, first looking in surprise and then he waved and smiled at me!

Even after parking my scooter at the commercial center, IMM, I heard cheering and whistling from the construction workers. And I looked around to see what they were cheering at. I finally found out that they were cheering for me.

So wierd.

But I’m really loving my new baby 🙂 She’s just magnificent and wonderful and stylish and smooth. Really wonderful 🙂

*smooch!*

The only negative thing about it for the moment is that I think that the fumes from the exhaust pipes are bringing my immune level down. I’ve started to sniffle, have sore throat and random migranes. Maybe its the flu season upon us again.

Not so pleasant.

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Lovely day out at the tea party

Fact:

The first time when you ride on the road, it tends to get overwhelming. Especially when you are on your own and not familliar with the road. But in time, you’ll enjoy it and feel freedom and a sense of accomplishment.

I was talking to Red online and told him the news about the scooter. Coincidentally, he owns a Vespa himself and gave me some practical advice while being on the road.

I was still under euphoria. On a whim, I said, “Lets go out on our scooters!” Surprisingly, he agreed.

I brought my brother along with me and we met up at the Taman Jurong bowling alley before riding off together.

“Hey! What do you think?”

“Ah! I’m envious”

“Aww … I’ve always wanted this one”

“I think I’ll get one in time”

“You ready to go?”

“Yes, but please go slowly, I’m not familiar with the roads yet”

Red led the way and we rode along Boon Lay way to Holland Drive and I took in the lovely and tranquil sights along the way. There was this particular area that I’m not sure of the name of the road that we passed though but it was lovely.

It was suburbia – bungalows of different types shaded with many flowering trees of many different colours. I think it was beautiful.

We reached Sixth Avenue and headed for this place called “The Tea Party”. Friendly waiters greeted us and then we looked at the menu. My gosh, there was such a wide array of teas there, it was mind boggling. We must have taken at least 15 minutes just to read and flip through the intensive menu.

I’ve never seen so many different types of teas being served. There were more varieties of tea here than even the Chinese Tea House that I visited 2 years ago.

At length, I just picked at random, a flowery rooibos tea, my brother, spicy tea and Red had this tea with an unpronounceable name.

But when the tea arrived, we were all enthralled and breathed in the beautiful flowery tea smell.

Ahhh!

Soon after, a couple arrived and came up to us. Immediately, I knew that they were Fadhli and his girlfriend Yati.

Actually this was the first time that I’d be met Fadhli in real person. All these while, I’ve been talking to him online. I first got to know him though deviantart and thought of him as a very talented artist. He did works like these, which are most impressive.

It was a comfortable meet, they were very friendly and I was a little surprised even, to see that there was no awkwardness among any of us.

We had a lively chat over tea, got baffled at the Shah Alam supernatural display, laughed over Richard Gere jokes and cracked our heads over this completely weird game called “Fact or Crap”

Me (reading a random card) : A rattlesnake can commit suicide by biting itself

Red : What kind of stupid question is this? Crap!

Fadhli : I think it’s possible. Fact

Yati : Hmm .. I’ll just tikam-tikam (choose randomly)

Bro : And I’ll go with the majority vote

Me : The answer is ‘crap’. Rattlesnakes are immune to their own venom. Please put a token in the pile.

Everyone : What the heck! Richard Gere must have used his visa card to change the answer again!

It was an evening of enjoyable fun and laughs. Too bad the evening passed by so quickly. Eventually, we had to say our goodbyes. But it was a such a pleasant day and I hope to have more pleasant days ahead. 🙂

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Check out my new wheels!

OMG! LOL! OMG! BBQ!

Look everyone! My new baby! The Vespa GT200! Its what I’ve always wanted. Its not green, but I could spray paint it in a year or so.

I guess its a kind of personal birthday present for myself, after passing my 2B riding test last year.

My brother and I went to AS Phoon Motors in Changi this afternoon under the recommendation of a friend and after our test and transaction, I’m the new owner of a lovely grey-black vespa 🙂

I must say that I’m pretty much impressed by it because riding is so smooth. Its automatic, so there’s no gear on it but amazingly the pick up speed is rather fast.

Its been a while since I last rode, so when I left the motorshop with my brother behind me, I felt nervous. I forgot a few basic rules and nearly got into trouble while I was changing lanes.

But after a while, we were riding and it was there again, the feeling of the wind in my face and the coolness of the evening air. O I love it!

Of course, I dont know how it will be when my first monthly installment comes in. Hope I can still afford it 😛

But at this point of time, I’m in euphoria!

Who wants a ride? 😀

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Hungry Ghost Festival

As I walked back home from my night class, there were many people by the roadside lighting up joss sticks and burning of paper.

The hungry ghost festival is here again.

The Chinese Buddhists Taoists believe that during this month, the gates of hell opens up and the spirits of the dead goes back to earth to seek food and visit their living relatives.

There’s not much to eat in hell. Thus on this month, you will see plates of buns, cakes and fruits left by the roadside. You will also see people burning articles, like hell money, even paper version of television and shirts as they believe that these articles will materialize for their deceased loved ones.

Its was rather somber atmosphere but at the same time, eerily peaceful as the wind gently caressed my face.

Will I still be remembered when I am gone?

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Racial Harmony

Last friday, the 21st July, the school where I worked at celebrated Racial Harmony day. I saw many students and teachers decked in beautiful and colourful costumes – the Malay baju kurongs or the Indian Sherwani and Saris, and a few Chinese Cheongsams.

As I admired their lovely costumes, and smiled at the laughing and chattering students, I reflect back and visualise what happened on this same day about 40 years ago.

Though I wasnt there to witness it, I could picture it in my mind. Especially when I see a photograph, its easy for me to immerse myself in the atmosphere, and to see, to hear and even feel what was going on.

The racial riots of 1964. 36 people dead. 556 injured. Needless deaths and injuries due to the lack of understanding between different races and propagated with much hatred between the Chinese and the Malays.

The Maria Hertogh riots is another haunting event that must never be forgotten. A simple adoption between a Dutch and a Malay, to turn out with a riot with many injured and deaths.

May we hope and pray that nothing like this should ever happen for our future.

I feel Racial Harmony day should transcend from just the wearing of traditional clothes to the deeper appreciation of the freedom and liberty we have now.

But one question nags my mind. If we emphasized so much on race, does that make us racist?

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Gimme GT200!


That should have been my face in there!

The urban newspaper featured the Vespa today and I find myself drooling over the different models that was featured there. Most of the riders interviewed owned the Gran Turismo 200 (or GT200 for short)- the bike that I’ve been dreaming to own for ages.

It was love at first sight. The seductive shape of the body, the stylish grandeur, the enchanting shade of green. And it even has the powerful drive of 200cc and has minimal fuel consumption.

I had the luck to chance, the other day to notice this beautiful scooter being parked at the sidepath while walking home. I stared and gazed at it admiringly. I must have taken quite a while, because the owner returned and asked me what I was doing. We had a short chat.

Me : I was just admiring your scooter. This is my dream bike!

Man : Yes, this is a good bike, it doesnt have any gears so accelerating is very smooth!

Me : Do you think that it might be too big for a person like me? I’m worried that I might not be strong enough to handle it.

Man : If you’re nervous about that, you can go for the LX150, its lighter, and its cheaper too.

Me : Thanks for the tip. Have a good day 🙂

Man : Bye! (zooms off into the bustling traffic)

And here I am, still scooter-less after passing my riding test in October. I really really really would like a GT200. I’d be on cloud nine if I get it. It will be a dream! But at the moment, I can only gaze and drool at other people’s Vespas, wishing and moaning for one of my own.

Do you like Vespas? Do you think I’d eventually get one? And would you donate to Marina’s get-a-scooter foundation? Please? Pretty please?