nature
18) My three fragrant friends better than my perfume
This Laksa leaf (polygonum odoratum) is one of the strong flavored among herb-plant species. Traditionally, it is a must to enhance laksa with it. Topping with this leaf makes this Singapore/Malaysia curry soup more wonderfully complete! Local delight “cereal crab” comes with these amazing leaves upgrade your taste bud to another level.
This is another popular fragrant herb, popularly found in Vietnamese spring rolls, salads and their local cuisine. In Thailand, most of their cuisine can’t do away with this well-liked fragrant plant, it is eaten raw or with spicy dips.
This is Lemon grass (cymbopogon citratus). When we mention about Thai curry or soups, we have to tag him along as well. The slender leaves with hairy and sharp edges, gives off a refreshing lemony fragrance one can’t forget. Lower parts of the stems are more commonly used in cooking or making drinks. It is commonly used in Vietnamese salads and spring rolls too.
This is Mugwort (artemisia vulgaris), commonly used in Japan/Korea for their festive rice cake. It gives the rice a greenish green. Aromatic mugwort are used as a cheaper alternative for tobacco too. It was used as a magical agent, protecting traveler against evil spirits and harmful animals in the Middle Ages. It is also an insect repellent, repelling insects like moth.
For some, these herbs are better than their perfume!
28) I beg I’ll never forget each day
I got a blush in ginger red
Breezing followers and green hand shake
Making their own bliss all the way
Coming here for my date
Hundreds of gratitude
Thousands of praises each day
I beg I’ll never forget a single day
Sending out wishes to each individual face
Never will I be late for their grace
I got a job at my own pond edge
Showery lotus with uncountable faith
Sending my smile all the way
Coming for my set free day
Hundreds of fans
Thousands of mates
I beg I’ll never forget each day
Showing up my way to each individual face
I’ll make sure I’ll always made your day
I got my blue inside a bamboo cage
Plenty of freedom beyond outside stage
Laughing for fun all the way
Coming for my singing day
Hundreds of dollars
Thousands of days
I beg I’ll never forget each day
Singing out my songs to each individual face
I’ll make sure I’ll never wake up late
26) Song Of Pasir Ris Park
I’m launching a runway to fly
To open up my eyes
Without any yearly resolutions
They asked me why
The sun is lovely bright
People warm and not shy
Whispering wind calling once
Whispering wind calling twice
I said I got to go
I got a flight
I’m looking for a Park where I can write
Write-up about the sky
Without any yearly resolutions
They ask me why
The tree is enchanting
Stroller warm and polite
Whispering wind calling once
Whispering wind calling twice
I said I got to go
I’ll be back for my Pasir Ris Park ride
I’m searching for a coconut tree to climb
Reach up my next higher tide
Without any yearly resolutions
They asked me why
The sky is bluish calm
Moon is gentle white
Whispering wind calling once
Whispering wind calling twice
I said I got to go
I have got another coconut tree to hike
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!
49) Last day of the year in the Gardens
This Gazebo sitting next to the Swan Lake, designed in Victorian style with cast iron material. It was originally built in 18th century at Grange Road. It was later on been re-erected in 1969 and relocated to the entrance of Botanic Gardens. Finally, in 2010 it was shifted next to the Swan Lake.
I wish this would be his final home, as to get a favorite ground like this is not as easy as you could choose. Memories, surroundings and atmosphere are considerations.
What is it like sitting on this timber bench, well washed by weather? Well, while enjoying watching the lonely swan surfing from one end to the other; waving at the surfing boat passing by; or even meeting a new friend could be a valuable insight for some.
The Gazebo with a dark gray body, exudes the calm and tranquility of the landscape even more.
Only one single swan is onboard today, I see that the others are all out for their party preparations or are they somewhere reciting their incantations for a better new year ahead…?
Come close to Frederick Chopin and his lover seated near the Symphony Lake, a few hundreds meters away from the Swan Lake. While Chopin is engaged in his keys and notes, his lover looks on. Symphony Lake is filled with emptiness now, but with the looming notes of Chopin, a brand new year awaits her. Shall we ask Frederick for some inspiration?
And I am sitting next to the lotus, good enough for my companion to comfort me, on the last day of 2012! Cheers!
48) Would you like to have a new curtain for 2013?
This is not a curtain, is a root!
This is the root of Cissus sicyoides, it is also commonly known as Curtain Ivy or Princess Vine. This beautiful lady carries long reddish roots that forming a dense lacy curtain.
It looks like a Mammoth from far, but I am sure she is much more gentler.
This amazing plant is not the true Ivy but is a close relative of grape family.
Traditionally, it can be used to treat rheumatism, ulcer and diabetes. To me, this is the most elegant doctor I ever met.
So would you like to have this kind of curtain for 2013?
47) Tembusu Tree Speaks You and Me
Tembusu tree is one of the popular trees you can find along the roadside of Singapore. It can grow up to 40m in height with it large and evergreen portray. This tree in the picture is located next to the footpath, which heading Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Besides being a Heritage tree, it also serve as an appreciation to The Shaw Foundation in supporting for the Garden City Fund.
This huge tree bears creamy fragrant flowers that attract moths in the evening when the party starts.
It grows small and orange berries that I believe is nothings to do with Christmas.
It can grow to a very large size on poor soil and low branches will develop when the tree left unpruned.
Let’s be strong and hardly like this guy, carry on the battlefield in 2013.
17) Whose Footprints are those?
(A) Deer
(B) Squirrel
(C) Mallard Duck
(D) Penguin
(E) Red Grouse
(F) Snow Art
Happy New Year in Advance!
Friend (24) – No Doomsday but Dawn is here / 朋友- 末日早晨
A thin layer of fog floating on the grass, just awaken. That’s the face of nature’s pure, perfect face under the escort of the Divine. No one can help not to give it a second glance…on the day after doomsday, on the morning after doomsday; a brand new morning!
一层薄薄的雾气，漂浮在刚苏醒的草地上。那是一张大自然的脸孔，单纯无瑕，在神的护航下，让人不禁多望一眼。
这玛雅传说后的第一天。
这玛雅传说后的第一个早晨。
Cool air and blue sky, accompanied by the sounds of insects hidden in the green grass, I rejoice with the miracles in my eyes and the warm in my heart.
清凉的空气与湛蓝的天空，伴着草地里的虫鸣声，我的眼睛被这一幕神迹吸引。一股喜悦在心里满满的被滋润。
Standing outside the fence, asking myself how often do I witness nature with his hazy eyes. While eveyone is busy with the myth of the Apocalypse, the new day has gradually emerge, never deceptive, never turn up late with hesitation. Giving everyone a fair day of his own.
篱笆外的我伫立片刻，试问我们这一生，有几何见证大自然睁开朦胧眼睛的样子。当大家还忙于世界末日的传说，新的一天已经在那儿慢慢耘酿，毫不虚假，毫不迟疑，每人一份公平的一天。
How far you go with the 24-hour is up to you. You can walk a distance with it and you can fly far with it. Paint this canvas of the sky with your own colours, you may obtain your own rainbow or may not even sell it for a penny.
每人一份24小时的天空，你要走多远，随你。你要飞多远，也随你！这幅天空随你用什么颜料去涂彩都行。用心画会有彩虹，没用心的当然卖不出一分钱。
I am not fearful of the end of the world, I am more apprehensive when the world lost its sight of light. Then, front with tract of the sunray, doesn’t it have enough to shoot through the doomsday? We don’t even have to debate about it!
我不怕世界末日的到来，我只关心这世界有没有曙光。但眼前这道旭日足以射穿末日的那一端，还要争论吗？
45) I lost my Christmas Tree this Christmas
I asked a mangrove tree, he presented me with a creative idea in return.
I asked a poster, which told me the story of the forest.
Asked a tortoise, which told me it is not in the water.
Asked an autumn leaf, which told me it is not far away.
Asked the fern trees, they reply “aren’t we gorgeous enough?!”
Asked the restaurant staff, they showed me the Christmas set meal.
Asked a delicate flower, she said, “I am not a tree”.
Asked a mini-waterfall, he said, “I couldn’t hear you”.
Asked a cannon ball tree, he said, you could take me as the ornaments.
Asked an antique clock, he told me time is running out.
So, so, where is my Christmas tree? Is it hidden with you somewhere?
I lost my Christmas tree….lost it in the Singapore Botanic Gardens
AddGrainOnEarth 