River Hongbao 2021 at Gardens by the Bay

 For the first time, River Hongbao show is held at the Gardens by the Bay instead of the Marina Bay platform. 

Unlike previous years when you could just enter the premise, this time you have to book the tickets due to social distancing measures. I managed to book ticket on last Thursday 11 am and tickets ran out very fast.

Last Friday, my friend and I went to Gardens by the Bay and we managed to see some lantern light-ups at the Supertree area. I booked the ticket for this Saturday evening. I'll post some nice photos of the event. 

Website: https://riverhongbao.sg

The gigantic God of Fortune at the Supertree, Gardens by the Bay.

At OCBC Skywalk

Spring Blossom

Another Revision to Interest Rate

I have lost count how many times OCBC has revised OCBC 360 interest rate. There will be another reduction in interest rate again starting next month. Quite disappointed with the reduction of interest rate aka my kopi money.

OCBC 360 interest rate revision 

Saw This Near My Workplace

I saw these birds near my workplace yesterday. Any idea what is this bird?

 

Favourite Snack- Walnut Cookie

My friend who is also my colleague introduced this delicious walnut cookie last year. Since then, whenever I'm at Tampines bus interchange, I will buy for my breakfast and snack. I love the buttery cookie which is filled with sweet bean paste and crunchy walnut. I will heat them as it taste better when its hot. 

My favourite snack currently.

This bakery shop is located at Tampines bus interchange, near bus 291 red line queue. 

 

Looking Forward to Chinese New Year Golden Ox

I'm looking forward to Chinese New Year (CNY) next month and I hope this year is a better year. 

This year for the first time, Chinatown bazaar is called off due to Covid-19. However from 23 January to 12 March, there will be CNY streets light-up in Chinatown. 

I'm Teochew and still single. I'm looking forward to receiving red Hong Bao from my married relatives. 😊

Chinese New Year decoration at Marina Square shopping mall.

 

Cool Windy Start to 2021

It has been raining for four days and temperature has dipped to a low 22 degrees celsius. I like the cool weather and has been staying at home just reading. 

Due to high rainfall, several parts of Singapore are flooded. 

I hope the rain will stop soon and there be bright sunny sun out soon so that my clothes and blanket can dry and smell good. 

The Straits Times: Rainfall on Saturday among highest in Singapore in past 39 years

Happy New Year 2021!

Happy New Year 2021 to all my friends, cousins and readers! I be celebrating by staying at home and watching Mayday online concert. 

This year, I managed to lose 12 kg but gained 5 kg from eating too much this month. Starting tomorrow, I must be disciplined and cut down on sweet dessert like pie-oh-my at Shake Shack. I had been eating double pie-oh-my weekly for the past few weeks.  

I also did lots of flower sketching which I planned to do and read books that I want to read. Also this is the year that I started to donate to temples. I'm happy the temple also donate the money to the communities. 

I believe next year will be a better year with the vaccine. But meanwhile do keep safe and wear mask. 

Happy and blessed New Year 2021! 

Viewing of Orion Constellation From Home Balcony

As I was looking at the sky from my balcony last weekend, I saw a bright twinkling star and three stars in a line. I recalled that my cousin had said that it is a sign of Orion constellation. So I used my Skyview app to find out more about the star constellation and indeed it is the  Orion constellation. I'm very happy that I can see star constellation from my balcony. Fortunately, there is no tall building infront of my block and I live at high floor. In the future, I hope to find a home where I can see the stars in the comfort of my home.  

Can you see the Orion constellation?

Cooking Vegetable Curry

On Christmas Day, my mum cooked vegetable and chicken curry with ready-made curry paste. My mum added lots of vegetables like carrot, brinjal or eggplant, cabbage, long beans and tomato, I love to eat lots of carrot and cabbage curry. She also added coconut milk and some spices like blue ginger, shallot and garlic for seasoning. My mum prefers to use the traditional method of pounding the spices using mortar and pestle stone pounder so I helped her with task. 

My youngest brother and his wife joined us for late lunch and they enjoyed the delicious curry. I'm happy that I learnt how to cook delicious vegetable curry. My mum is a very good cook and I think I have to start learning from her especially her signature dishes like fried beehoon and curry.  

Using the traditional mortar and pestle stone pounder to pound shallot, blue ginger, garlic.

My father brought this curry paste at Tampines wet market.

Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow is Christmas Day! I wish all my Christian and Catholic readers and friends Merry Christmas. Even though I'm a Buddhist, I also like Christmas Day as we get to see beautiful Christmas lighting at Orchard road and now in many shopping malls in residential area. In Singapore, Christmas Day is also public holiday. Tomorrow, I will just enjoy a good meal with my family at home. 

This year, Orchard road street is decked with beautiful Christmas lighting and I love this year design. 

Take care and enjoy the day!

Christmas lighting at Singapore Orchard Road.

Outside Ion Orchard

Tang Orchard 

 

Doraemon at National Museum of Singapore

This Friday I had a great day exploring Singapore and shopping! In the morning I first went to Gardens by the Bay, Flower dome, then to National Museum of Singapore to see the cute Doraemon's Time Travelling Adventure in Singapore. I also visited the Singapore History Gallery and the Story of the Forest which features dazzling visual animation by teamLab.

After taking lots of photos of the cute Doraemon, I walked to Plaza Singapura shopping mall to buy some almond shower and hair conditioner and also some facial products as there are promotions by many shops due to Black Friday sale. 

After shopping, I went to Orchard Shake Shack for dinner and then walked to Ngee Ann city Kinokuniya bookshop to read and buy some books.  Before going home,  I went to explore the beautiful Orchard road Christmas light display. 

Doraemon's Time Travelling Adventure in Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore

Story of the Forest by TeamLab at the Glass Rotunda

At Ion Orchard

A Lone Red Flower Blooms

Yesterday I was happy to see a beautiful red flower blooms just outside our home. My mother has been growing this plant for few years now and it's only recently that I notice the plant is a flowering plant. Just wondering what is the name of this plant.

Furry Chickens at Community Garden

Saw these cute fluffy chickens at Tampines community garden. I didn't know they exist! They are known as Silkie.

From google:The Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. ... In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. It is among the most docile of poultry.

The Mango tree at Tampines.