literature
17) Where are my Romeo and Juliet?
Where is this building and what is it for? And what does it has to do with Love?
Yes, this is the Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM). The favorable building is located at 7 Canning Rise, Fort Canning. A place where couples tie their knots, and leaves a memorable lifetime event with their friends and families!
ROM & ROMM will be there to greet you before you enter this sacred land of lifetime happiness.
This is the place where couples in Singapore love to come and register themselves as “Love Birds”. Most did the solemnization here before their customary ceremony. While some “by appointment only” solemnization are done in religious premises or at venues at the comfort and convenience of the couples.
Before the entrance to the Registry Hall, two eye-catching sculptures welcome you with bliss of delight. The one on the left (ROM logo) with an “M” signifies the Quintessential Elements of Marriage. Everlasting Bliss and Love are represented by the fluidity and continuity of the stroke “M” which is the Registry of Marriages.
The other one on the right (ROMM logo) with the letters “T” and “U” signify “Tranquility in Unity”.
The Fort Canning Park behind and the little roundabout with a circular planter is a favorite photo shooting spot for newly weds.
Today, I am searching high…
and low….till now…
For lovebirds…
and Romeo & Juliet
54) Wall of tombstones
If you happen in Fort Canning Center, you’ll see two brick walls on both sides that fill up with tombstones.
These tombstones was salvaged from the Old Christian Cemetery which established around 1819, and it was the first burial ground for westerners in Singapore.
You’ll able to see many pioneers of Singapore in the row of Heroes.
Mr. George Coleman may be watching me at somewhere, but I can’t locate him with certain disappointment!
Paying them the highest respect and honor.
Faces of glory.
At the Northwest direction, there are a few men standing for over hundred years.
The group of 12 graves are; Wladimir Astafiew, Elliot Charles Bovill, Nelson William Cashin, William Cuppage, Hans Hermann Eschke, Arthur D. Forbes, George Thompson Hare, Chik Hassan, LDMA Hooglant, Jean Rudolph Lambert, Lee Khia Soon, and William Ronaldson.
An old rain tree is their wisdom companion.
53) Circles of rainbow on the Bridge
Welcome to Alkaff Bridge, you are strolling on a rainbow now.
The Alkaff Bridge is a pedestrian Bridge spanning across the Singapore River in length 55m, height 35m. As the name suggested, it is related to the nearby Alkaff Quay. Alkaffs is also a wealthy Arab family who settled in Singapore during the early 20th century.
One side is connected to the “River Place” condominium.
The other side is connected to “The Quayside” condominium. What a home sweet home for these estate residents!
This bridge resembles a wooden boat (Tong Kang) is a gift from a lady artist, Pacita Abad (1946-2004) who transformed it to a rainbow bridge with an artist touch of joy and vibrant colors!
She used 120 liters for white base paint after scraping the old paint away. And subsequently, using 630 liters for two coats of 6 base colors for this Art piece.
And finally, applying 2,350 circle stencils, using 46 colors painted with hands. In addition to these, the railings are also full of wonderful circles.
Imagine staying in a home next to the rainbow friend…
Or a ferryboat passing by here and there outside your doorstep, what else do you ask for…?
25) Contrasting Articles
I love you, so I wanna eat you
Some 30 thousands shark fins was laid on the roof? This is a shocking news happened in Hong Kong lately, where 30 thousands shark fins was being discovered having sunbath on the industrial building in western Hong Kong.
Conservation group Sea Shepard described this is really wrath and the scene of crime is too appalling to viewers. Based on the picture given, these 20-30 thousands shark fins are placed surreptitiously on the roof of industrial building in anticipation for Chinese New Year demand.
Fortunately, according to seafood industrial spokeman, the demand of this expensive staple in Chinese banquet has been declined progressively, this has to be related to the “no shark fins banquet” and our Eco mindset. I am glad!
I love you, so I wanna be with you
This happens in North Wales, an eight years old doggy, Terfel keep bumping into things and stuck in basket. After vet’s examination, Terfel was detected to have cataracts.
Subsequently, owner Judy Godfrey Brown lets a stray pussy cat Pwditat stays with them.
What happens next is that, Pwditat guides Terfel in and out of his basket and into the garden.
This amazing story breaks the law of cats and dogs hate each other! And since then, both are glue to each other and sleep together as well. A true story from North Wales, about a Guide Cat and a blind dog.
We should have more of the both on this earth! Peace!
52) Review the past with respect, gratitude and blessings at this moment of time
The Lim Bo Seng Memorial is located in Esplanade Park opposite City Hall, Padang. The Memorial in memory of this Chinese resistance war fighter whom sacrificed himself in exchange for dignity and peace.
Lim Bo Seng (24 April 1909 – 29 June 1944) was born in Fujian, China, happened to be the last year of the Qing Dynasty. He was the son of Lim Loh who was then a building constructor. Lim came to Singapore at the age of 16 and studied in Raffles Instituion under the British Colonial Government and subsequently further his studies in the University of Hong Kong.
Lim took over his father’s business when his father died in 1929. He started with two businesses in brick manufacturing and biscuit production and later ventured into building construction together with his brothers.
When second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, Lim immediately participated in anti-Japanese activities. In 1942, Lim traveled to Sumatra with other Chinese community leaders and made his way to India. He recruited and trained hundreds of secrets agents through intensive military intelligence mission from China and India. He set up the Sino-British guerrilla task force (Force 136) in mid-1942 together with Captain John Davis of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Unfortunately, Lim was captured by the Japanese at a roadblock in Gopeng around March-April 1944.
In 29 June 1944, he was tortured to death in Batu Gajah prison by the Japanese soldiers and buried behind the prison. The Chinese National Government awarded him Army Major General, 13 January 1946. Lim’s remains was brought back by his family to Singapore and buried in a hill in MacRitchie Reservoir.
In 1954, the Singapore government constructed a 3.5meter high monument in Esplanade Park to commemorate the sacrifices he made for the country.
This picture shows Mr. Lim and his member of Force 136, Mr. Tan Cheong Tee.
Flowers look upon a heroic soul.
And now, he is watching over the Marina Bay Sands, cheering for our Nation’s growth and developments.
If you happen to be in Esplanade Park, do pay a visit to this Fighting Warrior!
50) Do you need a tailor for this New Year?
Pagoda Street got its name from the temple next door – Sri Mariamman Temple. It was one of the earliest streets of Singapore and was well known for its opium-smoking dens in the early 19th century. The street turned into a coolie-trading center in later part of the century and extended its role to coolie-station and in the mid-20th century turn itself as a textile/tailoring place.
“洋服” in Chinese literally means western style clothing, you can see in the picture they were many shop fronts written in this words. According to records, it has 18 tailor shops in the 50s along this street.
At one time, two brothers whose names Chan Cheak Tin and Chan Kai Kah own 5 tailor shops in the street, and all end with the name “Cheong”. In 1972, Queen Elizabeth II visited Pagoda Street.
And now, you may be able to have a glimpse of the historic background behind these Indian’s tailor shop.
A corner in the Chinese Heritage Museum reflects the typical front portion of the tailor shop.
Does the tailoring accessories remind you of the yesteryear of black and white?
How about the pendulum weight, ruler and measuring tape?
Middle portion of the shop reveals home-based lifestyles of the tailor. Sewing machine, baby hammock, the off-colored plastic carrier, does that hark back to some old memories?
How about the metal baby tram and the bicycle? Does that recall stories to our folks or childhood?
There is no sight of any water dispenser or fridge at this corner of the pantry. Perhaps, the feather duster looks quite similar.
Picture of stars! The paper cut-outs in the middle is the original famous Kung-Fu movie, acting out by Jack Lee now.
Kitchen reflects simple and prudent lifestyle of that era.
What about the condition of the lavatories? It’ll be an experience to use it then!
Today, the sunny area here welcomes all from, all walks of life.
And now, you can easily get a chilly authentic ice cream from the roadside cart. This is how I define “blessing”.
4) Sydney is out for party throw again!
Hello! Sydney is out for party fun again!
He is not coming back till mid- night, so here I am! Another temp job filling up for this party freak!
He told me he take this 200th posts as serious as his final art piece.
Hope that I am doing a good job for ourselves.
I asked him, where is my Pizza?
And he kept throwing dews to me, asking me to stitch it up for you guys!
I am not going to do that, pals!
Hey, Folks! Do it yourself!
Collect it if you want to, you can make it like necklace or diamond ring!
Hurry up! Dress up for your party!
We are not alone!
This is Sydney favorite, specially dedicated to all his Followers and Award nominators!
Wow! Sydney sometime is amazing!
These are the collection of Hopes!
Heavenly tears, he said.
Surrender to the Sun!
My job is done now, I better go back to my little cottage before the police send that drunkard home!
Lastly, my 2013 resolution will be same as Sydney, as for Sydney 2013 resolution will refer 2012.
All the best! Wish me luck!
24) What’s gone wrong with us?
What’s gone wrong with you..?
You tear a person into pieces, leaving her soul unease.
Raped her by your gang wolves!
Slaughter her with no guild with blood and brazenness!
Hit her and throw her out of a moving bus!
Have you cherish the beautiful life around you..?
And do you know how lovely it is to chase each other around the coconut tree?
How entertaining Bollywood show can be?
And you did that in return, to tarnish all should have been!
For sure, she is not going to rest in peace!
It would be a joke, if they asked her to do so!
Is this a joke, if it’s going to happen to your family?
Will you still be laughing and kicking?
And what an irony!
She was offered a marriage in return to close the case!
She asked “What’s gone wrong with us?”
Before she tears off freely…with a shattered heart in agony.
In memory for the two victims gang raped by the locals in India, eventually one committed suicide and one died of serious injury in a Singapore Hospital.
My heart goes to the victims and the families. It’s very sad and disheartening to see such crimes happening over and over again.
23) Song of Boxing Day
I’m dreaming of a white musical box
Just like the ones I used to know
When the heaven door open
And babies listen
To hear sweet dreams in the bow
I’m dreaming of a white post box
With every Christmas card you write
May your days be cherished and shine
And may all
Your Christmases be fine
I’m dreaming of a white shoe’s box
Just like the ones I used to know
When your door got opened
And your toes listen
To hear my secrets in a row
I’m dreaming of a white letter’s box
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all
Your Christmases be white
2) Where is my Christmas gift?
My owner, Sydney, this is the place where he was born, a green green grass of home, a place where he spend his childhood busy catching spiders and butterflies, Merpati Road. Now with the remains of the old wall, the grass still looks green. When he left this place 23 years later, it still wave at him now and then, as if asking him to drop by now and then.
Though his house has been torn down for redevelopment many years ago, it is still a very fond memory in his heart. The trees, the wall, the green grass and the road to the playground, it’s his childhood nostalgia.
Sungei Kallang (a canal) is also full of his memories. In those days, when the tide is high, kids lure fish from the canal with their utmost attempt. A fish is so precious in those days where most families were poor. It was not until a drowning incident occurred, the fun of this young seeker would have continued.
This is a shot of a ‘meal finder’. This chap is not smart enough to spot the right place, all his seafood has been gobbled up by F&B for the preparation of Christmas parties!
This is the neighborhood park where he lives now, a crawling distance from the Sungei Punggol. A quiet and serene wetland where he got his surprises and funky inspirations! There is a Sports & Recreation Centre nearby, where you can practise your swimming skill or have water fun with your ducky toy.
This is the west side scenery from the apartment where we stay, a glance of the Bukit Timah Hill on the right, stormy clouds is a reminder of nature dear and near.
On the left, is the last Kampong in Singapore. Sometime is so amazing to wake up by the ‘Kampong fragrant” under the star!
And this is the door leading to our home sweet home, a door opening up to east meet west.
Where reindeers are all dressed up, but no where to go…
Shimmering stars all ready and awaiting for the dance and party goers..
Oops! So much about my owner…He won’t realize how much I have reviewed the little secret of his past. He is still busy waiting for his turkey, honey baked ham, log cake, Christmas gifts and party dress-up!
And now, don’t keep me waiting…where is my Christmas gift before the year past…
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