3) Dinning with you and the “Kuehs”
“Kueh” is a Malay word literally means traditional biscuits or cakes.
These are the three types of Kueh I would like to dine with you.
Binka Ubi
Binka Ubi Kueh is rich in golden color, with a layer of brown-coated skin
Ingredients include Tapioca, Coconut Milk, Sugar, Salt and Water.
It tastes sweet, flavor of Tapioca enhanced by the heated exterior of coated sugar.
Kueh Lapis Sagu
This is one of the most famous among the “Kueh”. It has nine layers of Kueh laying on top of each other. It is laid layer over layer after each layer settles.
Traditionally, it comes in multi-color, red, green, blue and white. But, choice of colors is still up to the baker’s creativity!
Colors are usually red, green and blue, is up to the maker creativity.
Ingredient are Tapioca, Sago Flour, Mung Bean Flour, Rice Flour, Coconut Milk, Sugar, Water, knotted Pandan leaves and finally the coloring.
Peeling off layer by layer at the same time enjoying the fragrance sweetness of the Kuey, is one of our traditional ways of eating.
Kueh Talam
This Kueh is special in term of its simple and yet refreshing color combination, just white and green.
The green portion is make of Pandan leaves coloring, coconut milk, sugar etc. For the white portion are make of sieved rice flour together with sago flour.
This is a very delighting Malay Kueh as it appears visually in a soothing way.
4) What so special about this Orchid?
(Vanda Miss Joaquim)
Vanda Miss Joaquim, our very own Singapore national flower. A natural hybrid Orchid between Vanda terres and Vanda hookeriana.
It was first discovered in 1893, in the garden of Agnes Joaquim, an Armenian best known for breeding the hybrid orchid. Agnes Joaquim’s tombstone can be found in the grounds of the Armenian Church at Hill Street, Singapore.
The flower was selected as Singapore’s national flower in 1981.
Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen from 40 flowers, 30 Orchids out of the 40.
It stands out by its vibrant in color, hardiness as it blooms throughout the year. Thus, it reflects the spirit and quality of the Nation.
And now, Miss Joaquim is humming National Song in the sunset.
8) Boss comes 1st
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.
They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, ‘I’ll give each of you just one wish.’
‘Me first! Me first!’ says the admin clerk..
‘I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat,
without a care in the world.’ Poof! She’s gone.
‘Me next! Me next!’ says the sales rep.
‘I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse,
an endless supply of Pina Coladas, and the love of my life.’ Poof! He’s gone.
‘OK, you’re up,’ the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, ‘I want those two back in the office after lunch.’
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
18) Wind Song
I traveled all the way to you
Looking for a place to land
I am sorry for being a breeze
I have mess up your face
Stir up your BBQ flame
Overcook your lamb
But I am sure you’ll re-build your land
Gather all the strength and friends
Be a stronger, happier, tougher man
I traveled all the way to you
Looking for a place to land
I am sorry for being a wind
I have mess up your plan
Stir up your navigation
Override where you stand
But I am sure you’ll re-build your formation
Gather all the strength and friends
Be a stronger, happier, tougher man
I traveled all the way to you
Looking for a place to land
I am sorry for being a Hurricane
I have mess up your family
Stir up your garden
Over-turn your land
But I am sure you’ll re-build your home
Gather all the strength and friends
Be a stronger, happier, tougher man
32) Lady on a Hammock
I am a lady swinging on a hammock
We are sculptures and the lovely all
Come and see us, you will know us more
To the Singapore Botanic Gardens just for a walk
Enjoy the trail and the nature fall
This is a sculpture at one corner of the Botanic Gardens
This simple poem is written and dedicated to the great artist, Sydney Harpley R.A and great man Mr David Marshall who commissioned and presented this art piece in 1989.
17) Fast Song
I am a Sailfish
A silvery space shutter with tail and fins
King in the sea
Sea belongs to me
My senses are sharp, my radar can screen
I am a sub-marine in this bluish kingdom free
No one catches me up
As I am as fast as lightning, happy like a stream
I am a Falcon
A dark arrow with tail and wings
King in the air
Air belongs to me
My senses are sharp, my radar can screen
I am a flash in this kingdom free
No one catches me up
As I am as fast as lightning, happy like a twist
I am a cheetah
A roadrunner with muscles and teeth
King of the land
Land belongs to me
My senses are sharp, my radar can screen
I am a devil in this nature free
No one catches me up
As I am as fast as lightning, chasing my “deer” friend happily
I am a boss
A job provider with foods and sympathies
King of the Galaxy
Workers belong to me
My senses are sharp, my radar can screen
I am a Saint of this office free
No one catches me up
As I hope you’ll be as fast as me
Happy like one family
16) Slow Song
I am a Sloth
Slow like a tortoise, happy like a saint
Living in the tree
Grounded with a brain
Gentle, happy, lovely face
I wouldn’t go for a race
As I am living in my own way
I am a Tortoise
Slow like a snail, live like a saint
Strolling on the ground
Protected by my own shell
Gentle, happy, lovely face
I wouldn’t go for a race
As the rabbit had already lost the race
I am a snail
Slow like a worm, crawling like a saint
Chewing in the green
Singing in the rain
Gentle, happy, lovely face
I wouldn’t go for a race
As I may end up on your dining tray
I am a human being
Speed like superman, think like Spiderman
Files piling up on my desk
Water level reaching up my neck
No more gentle, happy, lovely face
I always go for a race
‘Else my boss will said to me
you are sloth like a tortoise, slow like a snail
Hiring you is a waste
11) The Lost (1)
No one ever knew what had actually happened to Ken other than himself.
It was till 7.00pm that Ken’s parents began to worry about his return from school. His dad call up the school and was told he left after his extracurricular activities around 3.00pm.
Where could Ken been? Usual days, he’ll be sitting in front of the TV set watching his favorite series by 7.00pm. Ken is a well-behave and smart boy at his age. Though he is still naïve, but his self-discipline and good conduct has never worry his parents.
As the sky gets darker, Ken’s parents loses their patient and decided to drive out to look for Ken.
But they are not sure where to start off. Ken’s dad drove towards the direction of his school hoping to see him there, but the school gate was locked and the vicinity was in total darkness. Then, a strong instinct led them to a park nearby Ken’s school. This is a park where Ken had fond memories of his childhood. He loves to drop by feeling the flora and fauna and look up for his playmates at times.
By this point of time, Ken’s parents were very anxious as there isn’t a clue down the path. The dim lighted, quiet park added a sense of mystery to their lost son. After a few laps walking around the cul-de-sac of the park, they were drained and was about to call the police for help. Suddenly, they saw movement in the bushes not far from the pavillion. Curiously, step-by-step in trepidation they move towards the bushes 3 metre away.
At this point of time, the weeping sound heartened Ken’s dad to poke the bushes with a vigorous rush. To their shock, they saw Ken’s trembling with both fear and shock.
“Why are you hiding here?” Ken’s dad spoke with a reproachful tone.
“I can’t find my way home” Ken spoke with a look of grievances.
“I don’t get you…?” Ken’s dad was puzzled.
“I don’t know!” Since noon after I came here, I have been trying to walk out of this park, but I just can’t find the exit.
“You can easily follow anyone here to get to the exit” Ken’s dad felt that he is silly.
“Yes I did!” Ken felt that he was wronged.
“I followed those people, but those people…”
“And what now?” Parents were tensed at this moment.
“They all walked into the bushes..”
“Oh, come on…Ken” Both parents rebuke.
“Yeah…While I followed everyone walked into the bushes, I just can’t find a way out from it tile the sunset. I was too afraid and I have hide here till rescue come to me” Ken’s dad felt something is obviously not right and they hurried off home.
In the car, dad recalled an incident…
He wanted to know the reason of Ken’s visit to the park
Ken felt hesitant to answer his dad.
His pursue with the question as he knew what had happened today is rather unusual.
Ken pick up his courage and explained that he dreamt of cousin Wei last night.
“But Wei was killed in an accident last month” Both parents repeated.
“I knew he is dead, but the dream last night was spot-on, Wei dated me to meet up at the park, he wanted to show me something, I can’t reject him as we are both so close to each other” Ken argued.
“Moreover…”
“Besides what…?” Mom asked.
“He said he won’t have a chance to see me after this meet up” Ken looked on reluctantly.
Ken’s parents stared at each other with disbelieve. Ken’s dad subconsciously tapped on the car accelerator and they sped off. Promise never to return to the park anymore.
31) What so special about this tree?
An usual tree that is unusual
This tree may look normal to us. It is a tree of tropical rainforest which require humid climate though it can withstand dry season.
It is as special as its dedication to Mr Nelson Mandela, President of Africa who visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens 15 years ago, on 5th March 1997.
This Giant Cola Tree is among one of the Tree of Fame in the gardens
The extracts from nuts of related species are used in cola drinks and food items. The cola nuts contain caffeine. Chewing cola nuts can also ease hunger pangs and was thought to be remedies for whooping cough and asthma.
This is certainly an usual tree that is very unusual.
9) Story about HWA (Handicaps Welfare Association)
A stroll to Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), located in Whampoa, Singapore is my weekly visit to my volunteer work with the association. HWA was founded in 1969, with a group of 23 philanthropists. An organization run by people with disabilities and for people with disabilities. An organization aims to promote self-help and mutual support to themselves and others.
After 43 years, HWA has 42 full time staff and they extend their contributions in rehabilitation, educational classes, welfare assistance, driving lesson for the disabled.
A wall painted art piece delighting the entrance of this caring ground.
Staffs helping member repositioning to the ground.
This picture shows a corner of the Rehabilitation Center, where some members are doing the therapy.
Today, a group of toddlers from a nearby kindergarten paid a visit to HWA center, an officer-in-charge explaining how the center operates and works and what we can do to help and contribute to the members of the center.
Architectural room providing Architectural drafting training assisting members to pick up extra skill and integration to community.
In this Art Room, you’ll discover they are more able than anyone else.
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