It's Christmas Eve

Let's take a stroll down this charming row of Tudor houses at Tudor Court along Tanglin Road. Soaking in the sights of festive lights & gallivanting down Orchard Road. It is Christmas time & this is the best part of town to be in. It'll be dark soon & there is something special about this place. You'll get to experience a wonderful tropical winter. So get ready                    * 

    

All is calm, all is bright.

What a bright time, it's the right time to rock the night away.

Soon we be rockin around the Christmas tree.

Have a happy holiday

Snowing and blowing bushels of fun,

now the jingle hop has begun

      

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

A Jewel In The Night

Hello . . . it's been quite awhile. I was planning on sharing with you photos from

Orchard Road to spread the Christmas cheer. It is a long stretch of road to cover

and when I am there. I ended up at some stores looking for gifts. However I am

going to show you what I have found on my Facebook. Check out this Mansion at

Macalister Road in Penang. An English mansion honours Sir Norman Macalister, one

of the first British Governors of Penang (1808 -1810). This project is carrried out
by Ministry of Design from Singapore. This boutique hotel is being transformed

into utilitarian comforts of modern living. Say no more, see for yourself at these

links below. I get very excited about it and I wish I am right there to see it.

Will definitely be on my list to check it out if I am ever there again to visit

my aunties.

http://www.macalistermansion.com/album.html

http://www.macalistermansion.com/livingroom.html

  

Wouldn't mind ending up here after a bout of X'mas shopping !

Thanksgiving And Be Grateful

Hello there . . . here is one trip which I undertook earlier this month which I will gladly share with you. It was very short and meaningful trip to Batam. Batam is an island located south of Singapore and is part of Indonesia. All it takes is one hour ferry ride to get there. Some like to go there for the weekend to do some shopping, eating and massages are cheap. This is the second time I am going there. I count it a privilege for me to have gone along to witness God's love through fellow church members who are so fervent in serving the Lord by selflessly going out to touch lives through giving and sharing. Kudos to the ladies involved in the organizing and planing for this outreach.

Our itinerary was scheduled by a Pastor over there; to visit a home for unwed mothers, a small orphanage for girls, children from the church living in the poorer part of town, all in one day and lastly to attend a home cell group at night. The following morning was to attend Sunday church service to share two testimonies from our brothers and be involved in the children's ministry. Very exciting for one who has never been on such a trip before. Won't I be tired with all these non-stop activities all in one day, I wondered.
  

Prior to this trip, my leader, Angeline had this random thought about puppets but haven't got an inkling of where to get them or how to incorporate them into our outreach. What was about to happen, is no coincidence. After the service on the following Sunday, on entering the church office, Angeline saw Anna looking at puppets which she had ordered from the States. Guess Anna must have thought of bringing more cheer to the children on her next mission trip by introducing puppets. Her trip is much later than ours. Bet you, Angeline's heart must have leapt when she saw those puppets and wished to borrow them. Anna was hesitant at first but later allowed us to take two. You see, God is so amazing. He wasted no time in putting those puppets to good use. Everything just moved along the way He wanted. Christine brought the puppets home. When her daughter saw how cute the puppets were, Christine asked her whether she could come up with something for the puppets. She effortlessly produced the script in no time and showed it to her Mom and Dad. She is only ten.

Our young puppeteers - Jaelle & Ryann.  Well Done !!
     

Jaelle and Ryann put on the skit five times throughout this whole trip. Must be refreshing for the children. After this, we would bring out materials for some craft work. In the meanwhile, another team were busy blowing balloons and making balloon sculptures to be handed out to the children. So meet another team behind the scene.

 

We were blessed with good weather. The sky was overcast so it wasn't that hot.

The children were already in the small hut waiting patiently for us to arrive.

   

Shalom To Everyone

Getting Ready For Craft Work

Transforming Lives - turning them into prince & princess

Other children were peeking through the window


Handing Out Gifts & Balloons

Hope We Brought Joy To Them That Day

Youngest group in our mission trip.  No complaints, eager to help and enjoying every moment of it.

    

It was truly an amazing trip. We were well taken care of. Group dynamics were great and I enjoyed the camaraderie of our group members. We should appreciate what we already have and count our blessings. The trip has certainly made us realize how blessed we really are, especially with God by our side all the time. He will see to our needs irregardless of who we are. He will make a way when there seem no way. He sends people to cheer you up when you are down which I totally relate to that. So we in turn should show our concern and touch somebody. You never know how your little act of kindness will mean a lot to someone else in times of need. Be blessed and have a wonderful week.

Quirky Panache Of A Villa

 

This is one of the widely photographed house in Little India in Singapore. Built in the 1900's, this was the residence of Tan Teng Niah who was an owner of a few confectionery factories. This is one at 37 Kerbau Road is one of the last surviving Chinese villas in Little India. Restored and conserved, is being leased out.
  

Being in this part of town, Little India is dotted with Hindu temples, eateries and shops selling saris, Indian spices, flower garlands, vegetables. It is Singapore's foremost Indian enclave. The building's flamboyant useage of colours conveys Indians preferences for bold and bright colours.
  

 I had to go down to check out this building. Lo and Behold, it completely blow my mind. This is so unlike other Heritage Houses. I wonder whether its could keep this exterior for long. Earlier this year in March, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has set new colour guidelines for conserved buildings. It is looking at pastel shades of pink, blue and green. Too bland, right? Specially in a place like this where its richness derived from the Indian culture and heritage.

  

Matching colourful tables & chairs completes the carnival-like atmosphere

    

Close Up of the windows

  

Neighbouring House

Bye for now. Do you like the look of these houses ? ? ?  Doesn't the excuberance of the

place make you want to break out into a dance like some Bollywood movie. Feast your

eyes on more colourful buildings and dancing in the clip below. Colours excude live.

Look at more colours today.

Chhan  Ke  Mohalla

Or visit a Bazaar : 

http://life-little-treasures.blogspot.sg/2013/11/deepavali-bazaar.html

  *;*   Cheerios   *;*

Mid-Autumn Festival

  

Mid-Autumn Festival this year happen to fall on the last weekend of September, that was Sunday. Prior to this weekend, last weekend Singapore held the F1 night race. September was such a happening month. (Our way of saying that so much of activities going on) This year is so uncanny, based on Chinese calendar. My mum's death anniversary falls on the same day as my wedding anniversary. My mum spent her last Mid-Autumn Festival and departed the next day 10 years ago.

My mum was pious believer of whatever deity she worship. She was a stickler for all the festivals and would duly carried out the rituals that was expected of each festival. On certain occasions she would prepare food as offerings. She would get me to help. There are many festivals to observe in the Chinese calendar. As for the Mid-Autumn Festival it is customary for parents to buy their child a lantern. As the night approaches, a table laid with fruits and mooncakes and urn would be set up out in the backyard to celebrate the occassion. Whenever a festival comes around, it is hard not to think about her. What she did then is greatly appreciated now because I missed those times and not to mention the food.
  

       

So this evening after paying our respects to her at the columbarium. My family headed down to The Central @ Clarke Quay for dinner, as this place is alive with Mid-Autumn festivities. Unwittingly we are back here again and to the same restaurant. My mum would occasionally takeout curries from here for our dinner. The food here is wonderfully scrumptious. I had to recommend this place to my husband on one of those early dates as he has never try it before. Now he would bring his business associates and our kids. It serves Korma Chicken, Beef Rendang, Mutton Curry, Sambal Squid, Sambal Prawns, Fried Mackerel with Sambal which are the main draw. Real yummy I must say.

This eatery has been around for more than eight decades. It started off from a small coffee shop in the 1930s named as Hock Loke Kee catering to British soldiers' palate. In those days, it was a popular chillout haunt for them. From the 1930s to 1950s, it was dishing out western food, until the troops from Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom gradually pulled out. An array of western Sumatran dishes called 'Nasi Padang' were introduced to the locals. By now I am sure some of you would have guess which restaurant I am referring to. It is none other than the 'Rendezvous Restaurant'.

Singapore's Famous Authentic Nasi Padang since the 50's

Located at Clarke Quay Central
    

 Since I bring you so far back in time, let's sit back to watch what was like back then.

Wanderlust Back In Time

When Singapore was a British Colony

     G00d~Bye.  Enjoy . .

Kampong Glam

     Whoopee . . . the weekend is here ! ! Time for another update. I headed straight to Kampong Glam as promised . . to this Malay Heritage Centre. Admission is free for this

month because it is reopened early this month by our Prime Minister after a makeover.

The New Look
   

       Before it converted into a  museum, it was home to Malay royalty in Singapore. Tengku Mohammed Ali built the Istana in 1840 at Sultan Gate. This modest palatial residence was designed by colonial architect George D. Coleman. So you think Glam comes from the word glamorous, however in this case 'Glam' is the name of a particular tree that grew in this area in early Singapore.

  

     On this hazy afternoon, to think that I'm stepping into a palace is a great privilege. It is the next best thing to being in a castle. Most of the castles I have dreamed of going are all in my head. Oh, I did actually go to one and that was Cinderella's Castle. Not kidding of course. 

  

    After taking off my footwear, it felt like entering a house. The smell of fresh paint greeted me, the place doesn't look a day over 169. I climbed the wooden stairs to the second storey to where the history begins . . . .     

    The Reception

Introducing Kampong Gelam as a Port Town

Gallery dedicated to our Pioneers

  

 Kettledrum & Ceremonial Belt Buckles

Fishing as a means of livelihood in early Singapore

Fishing Nets & Baskets

Models of Boats from Sampans to Ships

 Alternative means Of Livelihood

Items used in jobs by hawkers, mason,etc

  

Shops selling carpets, clothes & batik

Hallway Gallery featuring Malay Pioneers

   Upon entering this gallery, I was surprised and happy to see two rows of cinema seats. Time to sit back, relax to see what the black and white clips were about. Snippets of old Malay movies. Then it showed the 1956 film 'Sumpah Orang Minyak' (The Curse Of The Oily Man). I finally get a glimpse of what it was about. It also brought me back to my schooldays when the whole class begged Sister Margaret, our form teacher to tell us the story about this Oily Man covered with oil roaming the streets at night. This is a number of Malay ghost myths. We sat rapt with attention listening to every word she said. One of the unforgetable moments I had enjoyed in my secondary school life.

Gamelan Ensemble

Ground floor galleries dedicated to music, arts and literature

Kuda Kepang. a tradition dance

Out at the lawn was music played by the Gamelan ensemble. This is the first time I see a Kuda Kepang performance. I noticed the dancers were riding the horses were being whipped and did not feel a thing. Later I learned that the performancers were actually in a trance. They would walk on coals, eat glass or grass.

With the re-opening of the Heritage Centre, a month long of programmes have been lined up. On a final note, I relived some old memories and discovered some nuggets of the Malay culture. I do love being in this palace because it felt very homey.

~*-*** -*~

Balik Kampung

Most Muslims celebrating Hari Raya, would have made their rounds visiting relatives and friends, feeling that kampong neighbourliness once again. However there is not much of a kampung enclave to return to except maybe to one of Singapore's last kampong (village) in Lorong Buangkok in Hougang. Set in a rural environment, a kampong home gives a feeling of simple laid back rustic life. Fruits trees and chickens running around the yard. Such houses often raised above the ground on stilts and have airy verandahs. It helps to keep the house dry, away from floods and pests. Put together with wooden planks and corrugated zinc for the roof.

Here is a small cosy room filled with love and memories. Look around you see mostly old stuff. The heirloom pieces inherited from grandparents, have become precious keepsakes. The soul of a home are your possessions. Vintages pieces are no longer a cast off. Every piece has a story to tell. Arrange in a nice vignette on your console and side tables. An old gramophone, old iron, old fan, lights, trunk, batik sarongs hang on a bamboo rack may seem like a repository of sorts. Such hand-me-downs can be repaired, restored and reused. Some new furniture nowadays come in distressed wood or recycled wood. Imperfections is charming now. Old walls that cracked and peeling with a rugged patina have suddenly become interesting. Nothing is quite complete without a comfy daybed filled with mismatched cushions to welcomes one to sit on or lounge in.

  

To experience the nostalgia, simply collect things that are vintage. Collecting fabrics, art and objects reflects a love for artisanal craftsmanship. There is a growing interest in collecting old stuff and have them arranged in a lovely collection. Juxtapose kitsch and quirky memorabilia with modern furniture to go modern retro or new nostalgia. *A note of caution here, excessive collecting will turn you into hoarder. So just get wise and use what you need is more important and put these things to good use.

Will be heading down to Kampung Glam soon.

Another piece of history to uncover.

So bye for now.
. . or . .
You can click below to visit this nice 
Malay Resort

Rustic-Kampong-Ambience