Road signs. Reminders.

Paused.

Notice that there are so many signs on the road.
Why?
Can we survived without these signs?
Point to ponder...

No Cleaners Day... in the first place...

The town council takes pride in its implementation of the "No Cleaners Day", which has been here for a few years.

Well, let's think deeper... what has lead us to this "campaign"?
Time to reflect our effort to promote a more gracious and considerate society... and why the need to do so...

Laundry... how have our practice change?

What's common in these 3 photos are how clothes are dried in the flats.

These days, we hardly hang clothes on strings to dry. This is usually in place of a standing laundry rack. Oh yes, I do this in hotel rooms, sometimes!

This is what we see in most of the HDB flats. It has been there for many many years; and has proven to be the best way to tap on the natural resource - "solar" energy to do the job. Outdoor laundry pole holders are the must-haves.

Over time, due to safety issue, it has improvised! Additional support structure were added so that the furthest end of the pole will be supported - reducing the chance of such poles being unintentional "killer litter".

Well, I think such structure definitely provides better support for those with weaker arms (or not so strong physically) who needs to handle the heavy poles (when loaded with the clothes).

In the recent years, for the newer apartments, it comes with racks that are fixed horizontally outside the windows. Now, we can hang the clothes directly on these poles!

Notice how simple practices has just evolved over the years - as we strive for continual improvements :)

Polyclinic... where are the patients?

I recall, long long ago... the fence was not there. The polyclinic adopted an open concept where residents can just easily walk in. Nevertheless, can't recall when, but only recent years, that the fence was installed all around. Why? Is it because of security? or? ...

Well, this is a photo taken in the early hours of a weekend morning...
I recall seeing the seats were filled by patients waiting  before the clinic starts its business for the day. Now, no-one's waiting out-there... where are the patients? Hm... has the demand declined? I wonder...

QR Code to promote greater awareness...

Something drew my attention to this tree... It's been "tagged"! (with a QR code).

It's been carefully packaged, in a plastic bag before it's "nailed" on the tree trunk.
Probably for some activities. Actually, a 2nd thought, to promote general education or greater awareness, why not we could have more of these around us? I wonder....

Rainy Days - Borrow-Use-Return

It was a noble idea, to promote a more society that is homely and considerate.
Yes, I would love to have this near my home, at my workplace, too!

It was in the news - several neighbourhoods took up this initiative - I just wonder, how many strived?

Yesteray's business. Today's business.

This space at Tampines Sun Plaza Park has always been there, cement ground with a shelter.
However, many many moons ago, before the bike sharing market started to bloom about 2 years ago, I recall it was a shop filled with bicycles, where one could rent a bicycle to cycle around or to the nearby Pasir Ris town, or even Changi Village!

Now, with the bike sharing companies around, does it mean traditional bike rental shops will have to change its business model, else it will cease to exist soon...

Playgrounds: Gradually, it has evolved....

It's pretty interesting to see how playgrounds have evolved over time.

In those days when the equipment/ structures were made of wood and metal poles.
What stood out most is the sand - that would without fail, got into the feet through any little pores it could find in the shoes. I dislike that uncomfortable feel. That explained why I hardly fancy any playground, though I loved the feel when the swing brought me up the sky. Er... not the see saw, when most of the time, I was the one who held others up (at the other end).

Took a picture of this - before it disappears soon, I believe... by then, I would not see anymore sand but other rubbery materials that supposed to do the job of the sand, to soften the impact of the fall from the height.

See, the wooden planks of the swings are now replaced by a rubber ring net. Hm... supposed to give more space to hold the bottom? 

Goodbye, Label Maker

Time to say Goodbye to this label maker, that had served us for more than a decade. Thank you!

Collection of Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

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Sunflowers... I knew the painting was by Vincent Van Gogh.
I thought there was only ONE Sunflowers painting... till I visited Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum... when I was totally fascinated by the work of the Van Gogh and learnt about drafts and various versions that artists would make when they painted; and Sunflowers was one of those that came in a series! Then I learnt, from the museum website that there were 5 versions that are located in 5 different museums, and there was a virtual 'gathering' of all 5 united in one of the Facebook events. How timely! So, I thought there were FIVE Sunflowers paintings... till I visited the wikipedia website, then I learnt there were actually SEVEN of them! (not including those that featured cut-sunflowers!).

Happy that I've gathered all 7 images. Yeah!

For its background and history... I shall not talk about it here as it's more well elaborated and talked about in some websites that are specially dedicated to this art master! What I wish to... is to share my joy of gathering them under one 'page' :)

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Beauty... have you discovered it?

These look like photos that I will snap when I go on a holiday trip - to admire the beautiful nature at that moment. The golden shades of cloud, coloured by the morning sun!

Actually, it's any ordinary morning that I do my usual morning walk along Tampines Ave 9. But today, I just take out my phone camera to snap the photo. Below tells you where I took the photo. Actually, it's only part of the "BIG" picture, but the focus was on things I admire at that moment. 

Drawing a parallel - sometimes, we are just overwhelmed by many things around us; and often, we forget to look up and look around. Sometimes, even if we look up, we fail to notice it because our vision is already blinded or clouded by what's going on in our head already.

Slow down... look up... with a relax mind - let go what's bothering us for the time being... and probably we'll see the silver lining smiling at us :)

It's the Moon? It's the Sun?

Beautiful shades of pink > purple > blue?

What's hanging up there? It's the morning moon.
About to set... but in a beautiful pastel background - after having survived in dark for at least a quarter of the day.

Nature - the unpredictable master painter

It's a beautiful morning sky - which only lasted for less than 5 minutes.
No, it's not because someone has destroyed it, but it's an evolving piece of art work - the work of nature. It's nature.

Sometimes, we wait... wait for the better... because we believe the 'better' will come.
Yes, sometimes, the 'better' comes; and it may come in a different 'form'.
But, sometimes...

Seize the day. Seize the moment.

How beautiful!

Below is the same photograph, being enhanced to bring out a stronger 'character' of the art.
Greater intensity. Sharper edges. More piercing rays.

Which is the truer reality?
Which is the truer front? or perceived front?

Things that make us feel Singaporean

This was a post I noticed crafted last year but remained as a draft...

"Things that make us feel Singaporean" is the theme of the photo competition organised in the school. Indeed, some suggested categories are food, places, buildings - which, well, are things that we can quickly identify the "Singaporean" elements in.

Famous landmark? Hm... the Changi Airport control tower? The Esplanade? or the Singapore Flyer? oh yes, those that are commonly highlighted as "must go" places in Singapore!

Food is another popular item, definitely. This year, "Rojak" becomes something quite representative! Yes, it's a rojak society - yet, with much attention given to the details and the on-going refinement and experimentation, the Singapore Rojak has become (or should be "should become") more and more tastier each day!

So, what "elements" bring my heart closer to home?
Indeed, the fist item that cross my mind is my Singapore Passport - an official document that I would always proudly flash it at the immigration counter whenever I'm overseas. Of course, we know that our passport is high in demand!

Next thing is the National Day Song! Well, I still like the ones we learnt in primary schools! A check from the internet tells me that the first NDP song is "Stand Up for Singapore" (link)! I love its patriotic tunes! (just bear in mind, the Singaporean "patriotic" tune sounds very different from those in China"!). Read the lyrics carefully, they are simple yet meaningful. I must say that the collection of NDP songs in the 80s and 90s are representative of the progress, spirit and growth of the island country. It's all about celebration. The last one that I really like was "Home", which was especially meaningful to me when I was away from home for that one year!

There are 2 notes in the image, a $1 note which is no longer in circulation while the other is a $2 note. They represent the emphasis in two "eras" - See what's the image the $1 note bears? It's satellite, it's the orchid. What do they represent? They marked our progress! Soon, in the $2, it reminded us the importance of the only resource who have in this tiny island - the people. And education is therefore a strategic and important area that the country needs to look into, and invest in! Well, Education has been the 2nd just behind Defence in terms of the allocated budget.

Notice the POSB Bank Passbook? That's the version I had when I entered Primary school. What caught my eyes is the line at the bottom of the cover - "Guaranteed by Government"

The Play: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Just realised that I've not put up a single post in 2017!
And this is the first post since December 2016 😁

It's the first time, I think, or it's after so many years that I would have forgotten, that I watched a play - a play without any sound or music, a play that's fully conversation.

Chanced upon this play when I was 'wandering' at Sistic website - yes, it's been quite a long time I've not gone for more cultural stuff.

I've not read about this book, but the introduction of the show (in the website) came with long impressive accolades.

I did not expect myself gotten the ticket in one of those long weekends that I would drag my feet out of the house; well, after watching the show, I think my afternoon time was well-spent :)

I enjoyed the show. I enjoyed the stage effects. It's a cube with three walls filled with grids!
And of course, the performance of the cast, in particular, the core character, Christopher Boone, who has with him the Asperger syndrome. As I watch the character more closely, I started to connect his character with some youths whom I know. I guess, I am now more aware of the frustration they faced; or perhaps I now better understand why sometimes they tend to press on our hot buttons...

Something which I found very unique of this play was its conclusion, which ended with solving a Math problem!