French Movie Posters at National Design Centre

Every time I'm on my way to Raffles City shopping mall, I always pass by National Design Centre which is located near Bugis MRT station. I like the artistic French cinema posters currently on display at National Design Centre level 1. The exhibition is 120 Years of Cinema and is on display from 15 April to 15 May this year. Maybe one day, I buy one of those artistic posters and decorate my living room or bedroom. 

 I like this primary colour combination.

 

Yummy Noodles at Tampines Coffee Shop

At Tampines coffee shop at Blk 826, there are several noodle stalls that sell really delicious noodle. One noodle stall that I like is Merchant Road Minced Pork Noodle that sells fish ball noodles and their signature minced pork noodle. The springy minced pork noodles is doused with delicious and tasty sauce. I don't really like minced pork so I always ask them to replace with pork ball. I know some people find it weird. But I just prefer pork ball to minced pork. Another noodle stall I like is Face Ban Mian that sells really delicious ban mian dry with their awesome spicy sauce. But it is expensive at $4.50 for a small bowl of noodle.  

Where?
826 Tampines Street 81
Singapore 520826

How to get there?

At Tampines bus interchange, take bus 291 to Tampines street 83.

Alight at the stop when you past by Tampines St 83.

 Pork ball noodles ($3.50) at Merchant Road Minced Pork Noodle stall. Really yummy!

 Fish ball noodle and fish cake noodle. Yeah we are typical Teochew and love fish ball noodles!

 Ban Mian noodle at Face Ban Mian ($4.50)

 Ban Mian noodles comes with soup and egg.

TulipMania at Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome

Did you know that tulips first originated from Central Asia and there are so many varieties of tulips besides the ubiquitous tulips bulbs? This year TulipMania setting in Gardens by the Bay, flower dome is set like the ancient Otterman empire (today Turkey) instead of the usual windmills decoration inspired from Holland.

Last weekend, my friend who is like my elder sister and I went to flower dome to admire beautiful tulip flowers. I've never been to Holland so this is a good alternative for me to see so many tulip varieties. There are currently 75 known tulip species. From now till 22 May, you can admire different tulip species at Flower Dome. Well, if you are going with your girlfriend, you can buy her tulip flowers in the shop outside Flower Dome. 

TulipMania at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay

Nearest MRT station: BayFront MRT station (About 10 to 15 minutes walk to Flower Dome)

Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2016 - Sun, 22 May 2016

Time: 9am to 9pm.

Wow! So many lovely flowers!

 I love these artistic looking flowers.

Bright red Tulipa "Makarsha"

Cheery pink with jagged petals Tulipa 'Canasta'. This is a really unique tulip. 

Sea of tulips in flower dome.

If you feel sad, just see bright colourful flowers and it will sure cheer you up!

Tulipa 'Foxtrot'

You can also view some cherry blossoms.

Our Defence Forces Keep Singapore Safe

I attended the first Basic Military Training (BMT) Graduation with my parents at Marina Bay Platform in 2010. My youngest brother was the first batch to graduate at Marina Bay Platform. It was a tiring day for my youngest brother as he had to match 24km from Changi Coast Road to Marina Bay platform starting at about 7pm till morning. Many parents, siblings and girlfriends awaited at the Marina Bay Platform for the recruits to arrive. 

I was glad to witness my youngest brother graduation in this beautiful landscape with the stunning Marina Bay Sand as the backdrop. Weather was good too and it was the first time the nation can witness BMT graduation at such an iconic place. 

In Singapore,all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents have to serve two years of compulsory national service. Once they reach 18 years old or complete their tertiary education (polytechnic/Institute Technical Education) or Junior college education, they have to serve the nation. Bearing in mind Singapore has no natural resource and with unfriendly neighbors surrounding us and who have no qualms to threaten to cut off water supply or dismiss us as little red dot, it is important we have the capability to protect ourselves. Don't forget the British deserted us when Japanese invaded Singapore in 1942, leaving Singapore residents to fend for themselves resulting in 50000 Chinese sacrifices in Sook Ching exercise. 

From Wikipedia
National Service in Singapore, (commonly known as NS), is a statutory requirement^[1] for all male Singaporean citizens and second-generation permanent residents to undergo a period of compulsory service in the uniformed services. Depending on physical and medical fitness, they serve a two-year period as Full Time National Service  (NSFs), either in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). A 2-month reduction in full-time National Service is given for pre-enlistees who are able to pass their National Physical Fitness Award(NAPFA) at the silver or gold standard.^[2]

BMT Graduation At Marina Bay( From Mindef website)

The Basic Military Training (BMT) graduation parade is a major milestone for all recruits. It is the culmination of weeks of intensive and rigorous military training, signifying the transformation of raw recruits into fighting soldiers. Traditionally, such parades are held in camps. In a stark departure from this, 3,200 recruits from 13 companies of the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) will graduate on 2 October with the Singapore skyline as a backdrop. For the first time ever, the BMT graduation parade will be held on the floating platform at the Marina Bay.

Besides experiencing a new venue, this batch of graduating recruits will also claim another first. Their final challenge before graduating,  the iconic 24-kilometre route march will not be through the jungles of Pulau Tekong. Instead, the recruits will march from the SAF Ferry Terminal in Changi Coast Road, and along the eastern coastline before ending at Marina Bay. The route is lined with historic sites like Changi Beach where numerous Singaporeans perished during World War Two. 

COL Simon Lim, Commander BMTC explained the new approach, “Our intent to shift the parade from Pualu Tekong to the mainland at Marina Bay is to deliver to our recruits and parents a positive and memorable experience. As part of their defining moment, these recruits will march 24 kilometres tirelessly across half the island to reach the very heart of our city. Enroute they will be walking pass many of our Singapore's famous landmarks and be in touch with Singaporeans, reinforcing their purpose for defending this country and our way of life.”

First published on 17 May 2013

The first BMT graduation in 2010 at Marina Bay Platform.

Young BMT recruits marching in! I was proud of my brother.

End of the graduation

One of my favourite local songs. Really catchy melody. You can learn Singlish.

Breakfast at Soup Spoon Union

I had a hearty western breakfast at Soup spoon union recently. I like their cappuccino  but not really impressed with their tasteless scrambled egg. If they include cheese to the scrambled egg and add hash brown, it will be a perfect breakfast. For this breakfast set, the price is about $23.

Double Boiled Milk with Almond and Walnut at Honeymoon Dessert

Every time I'm at Honeymoon Dessert shop at Ion Orchard,I always indulge in my favourite double boiled milk which is silky smooth with crunchy almond flakes and chopped walnuts. Yes, every time I have 2 bowls. Sometimes I have it every week or when I'm busy, every month. Hmm, feel like eating this after looking at the photo of my favourite Chinese dessert.

My favourite double boiled milk with almond and walnut

Short Respite from Hot Weather

Finally, yesterday we enjoyed a short respite from sunny hot weather. Yesterday it rained and temperature was 26 degree Celsius. If only temperature is around 20 degree celsius every day.

Outside City Hall MRT station