What comes into your mind?

Did my monthly ritual - to withdraw the monthly expenses (家用). 

Whenever someone asks me what's my monthly take-home, my without-much-thought response would be... I don't know, but I would be happy when I could withdraw money from the ATM whenever I need. Yup, I guess I took for granted that life has been good to me, that my savings leaves me not much worry over money matters as long as I do not desire for anything that is extravagant. 

Today, I picked up this slip, left behind by someone who just used the same machine. 

Took a closer look at the figures, I paused, and think even harder when I saw the balance. 

I had wondered, why people wanted to print the slip? Now, I think I know why...  Life has not been as easy for some people. $50 could mean a lot to this person though it could be a small fraction for others. Probably the latter would not be able to understand or empathsize... Are there really people who are living in such pathetic state?

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!