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Rain tree shading you from the rain


rain tree 07

Rain tree is one of the common species in Singapore.  By tilting your head anytime, any days, you see a giant smiling at you warm-heartedly.

rain tree 01

Albizia saman or samanea saman is the scientific name of a rain tree.  The name of this tree arises from its behaviors, as the leaves will be closed up in the evening and in rainy weather.  Therefore, it also has a Malay name Pukul Lima meaning 5 o’clock tree.

 rain tree 02

The trees located next to Evans Lodge are magnificently huge and wide with lavishly grown weeds creeping all over its body and branches.

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So much so it has became part of the tree’s body; no one can split them up, as they must grow as a whole.

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A bird nest fern also belongs to part of the community.

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Not one or two, they just live together simply to shade us from rain and sun.

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How fragile life can be!



dengue fever 04

Lately, dengue has made its way to our little country.  Hence, the authority concerned, National Environment Agency (NEA) launched a “Do the Mozzie Wipeout” campaign to educate the public on dengue at the same time to prevent dengue from spreading.

NEA advised every household to do the following 5-step mozzie wipeout regularly:

1)     Change water in vases on alternate days.

2)     Remove water from flowerpot plate on alternate days.

3)     Turn over all pails and water storage containers.

4)     Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use.

5)     Clear blockages and put BTI insecticide in roof gutters monthly.

Also, there are 3 color codes symbolizing number of cases happening in each town.  Color ranges from the gentle case (green) to (yellow) that represent cases less than 10, until the highest level (red) that is 10 cases and above.  The color banners are hanged along the street sides to alert residents to stay vigilant and do the mozzie check regularly.

By courtesy of youthhealth.asiaone.com

By courtesy of youthhealth.asiaone.com

So far, more than 3,100 persons have been infected.  Fortunately, no deaths were reported.  But the message still bring across how fragile life can be?  We are nothing under the sting of a tiny mosquito.  Let’s take heart, our frail body can never hit the high of our ego.


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Singapore Sport Hub is opening soon!



IMG_3192

Happen to pass by the new up and coming Singapore Sport Hub.  It’s still under construction and will be completed by April 2014.  It is built on the original site of the National Stadium that was demolished in 2010.

Artist impression

Artist impression

stadium 03

Artist impression

The cutting edge design comes with integrated sports, entertainment and lifestyle businesses for everyone in Singapore.  It focuses on integrated program on the premier land & water sports center.

With a 55,000 capacity, the retractable roof offers comfort and shady zone for supportive spectators.  Indoor Aquatic Centre comes complete with leisure facilities, expandable to 6,000-capacity for specific events that meets world-class tournament.  Scores of commercial spaces cater for F&B and shopping needs.  Located next to Stadium MRT station, it is just stops away from Changi Airport MRT station.  It comes hassle-free for sports enthusiast from all over the world touching down for tournament.

Completion is expected to be less than a year from now, can’t wait to see it open and happen!


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‘Shiok’ Singapore


Singapore Tourist Board made this short film to promote tourism in Singapore.  The word ‘Shiok’ literally means wonderful or fantastic.  It’s a broadly used local expression on something that you feel good or enjoyable about.

 Example, drinking a cool, icy drink on a hot weather can be ‘shiok’.

 A return from a wonderful trip is ‘shiok’.

 Taking steamboat in cold season can be ‘shiok’

 Having a nice cup of coffee in the morning can be ‘shiok’.

 For me, walking in the rain is ‘shiok’.

 So, what is your definition about ‘shiok’?


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A Bucida tree will never turn you down



bucida tree 03

I got to know Bucida molineti tree since the day I shifted here some 12 years ago.  At that time, it was a man with the height of his childhood.  But then, he’s as tall as a four storey apartment now, and I’m sure he is holding an important role in decorates our neighborhood landscapes.

bucida tree 02

Attracted by this lovely tree, right from the sleek silhouette to the elegant exterior it portrays.  The tiny arms and the leafy evergreens express himself in a refine and delicate manner.

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Leafs are gently small compared to the size of the body.  By saying that, he seems like standing on a moderate path, offering the blue sky to us and at the same time shading us from the cheerful bright sun.

bucida tree 01

I like walking on pavements shaded with these trees, under their widely open arms.  Sometimes, the dropping leaves may accidentally got stuck on my glasses, but the kiss of it is so light and soft that I felt like it’s the teardrops of the tree.

bucida tree 06

Taking a second look at it, does it strike a chord on you?  Yes, it looks like an upside down Christmas tree.  So the next time you bump into one, ask him “where have all the Christmas trees gone?”  I believe his answer will never turn you down.


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They are not lonely at all



choa chu kang cemetery 01

Today is the last day of Qing Ming festival. According to Chinese believes, Qing Ming duration stretch over 20 days that is before and after 10 days of the actual Festive season.

The Choa Chu Kang Cemetery is the biggest cemetery in Singapore, located at west side of the island that takes approximately an hour to reach from my home.

This is the only burial cemetery left in operation but this also proves that many friends will be known in this special community.

My ancestors are somewhere there, the rest are their friends, a group of long living friends!

choa chu kang cemetery 02

This Golden Shower tree is a very special friend of everybody. He is the Guard man of this senior home as well as the directional sign.

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Some, they like to wave at you and show you the colorful smile over this windy season!

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Some, they prefer stay green for lifetime on your head!

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Some like us; be a green follower!

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And some are so sweet and beautiful!

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Some are very union, putting effort to get close to each other and cheer up the environment.

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That’s why I’m glad they are not lonely at all…


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A thoughtful car parking lot



car park lot 01

Whenever we look at a car parking lot, it doesn’t appear to be unusual, but at least to me, it is unusual!

对一般人而言,这个停车位是在普通不过了。但对我而言,它有异于一般。

car park lot 02

An ordinary public car parking lot is usually made of cement, asphalt, bricks or sometimes just a layer of stones screeds.

一般的停车位用的建筑材料都离不开混凝土,沥青,砖块再不然就是铺上一层小石子。

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This parking lot featured here is made of broken strips of thin concrete slab laid out sparingly.

这个停车位是以瘦长的混凝土块以间隔的方式铺设而成。

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Nature will fill up the remaining gaps with weeds and gravels.

混凝土块之间的空间就由小石子与植物填补上。

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Imagine a little foliage living under a tyre day and night, on the road for months and years.  No passer-by realizes or knew their existence.

想象这些小植物日以继夜在车轮下生活。可曾有人留意它的存在?

car park lot 05

Are we able to feel the hands of hard work behind these thoughtful parties, who are doing a great job for our Garden City?  With intelligent ideas that combines concrete forest with nature green into a song.  A beautiful song composed by a harmony melody and an activist conductor, the orchestra just goes on and on…

你可以感受得到那幕后功臣在这花园城市里所付出的努力吗?把绿意与钢骨森林结合成一首歌曲,这首美丽的歌曲由和谐的旋律与活跃的指挥家组成,不止如此,旋律会不断地播下去,继续地播下去。。。


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A story about the three little Hornbills



By courtesy of Asisone.com

By courtesy of Asisone.com

These three lovely little Oriental Pied Hornbill were found in Pulau Ubin, an island in the north-east of Singapore.

They were discovered on 7 Jan 2013 by park rangers from the National Parks Board (NParks) on 7 Jan 2013.  The three eggs were abandoned by the mother.  The rangers decided to send it to the national bird park (Jurong Bird Park) for proper care and nurturing.

oriental pied hornbills (ST Photo)

By courtesy of ST Photo

For lesser than a month, the first infant hornbill was successfully hatched on 25 Jan, weighing 22.6g.

The second chick hatched 3 days later, on 28 Jan, weighing 21.8g and the last little one was hatched on 1 Feb, weighing 20g.

Greatly appreciate all parties involved for bringing this delighting piece of news and a life of new to us!


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Hundred sips for a day



hundred seep 01

It takes us a few mouthfuls to finish up a glass of water.  Any ideas why we need hundred sips for this easy job instead?

This has to do with our number of stomach movements.  Reason is simple.  The movement of water gushing down our system equals to the number of movement created by the stomach muscles.  So if you drink a cup of water with hundred sips, it equals to hundred times of stomach movements.  By increasing the stomach movements, our intestines and digesting system become stronger and healthier.

In fact, it will be ideal if you can stop the sipping till a burp.  The burping expels the stale and foul gas deposited in our stomach and discharge through it.  The good time to do the hundred sips are in the morning with a cup of warm water.  It warms up your body and gives a perk up of the day.

hundred seep 02

With practice, you’ll be able to feel the water gushing down into your system layers by layers.  And the water vibration into the stomach as if finding a way to seep through the root to every single organs.  Just like roots absorbing the moisture from the soil.

Its no magic trick, it’s patience and practice that we need.  What good things can do without these two elements of life!


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A Hello to QingMing



qingming 01

Long before I could recall, the day has arrived again. 

Today, I spent a trip down to Mount Vernon Sanctuary to pay respect to my ancestors on this QingMing Festival.  QingMing (also known as Tomb Sweeping Day) is a big day and a yearly day of observance to most Chinese.  It is a day to remember and pay respect to their late ancestors.  Sweeping the tomb, offering foods and joss paper accessories are common practice on QingMing.

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The sanctuary is sitting on Mount Vernon Hill.  This delighting piece of land is going to be transformed into residential developments soon.  My ancestors would have to move out from their long stay in no time.

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It’s a place I love to visit, as the lush greenery and fresh air is awesome.  The peace and calm I got from this piece of land is as good as emancipation.  The lovely surrounding for all these ancestors is going to be a past soon, though their existence will always remain in our present!

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Imagine them strolling along the road, sitting on the bench and chatting about their past.

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Enjoying the offerings from the wonderful nature.

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The tree, the fruits…

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While the rain just came on time for a happy ending…

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