River Hongbao Show 2021

Last Saturday I went to Gardens by the Bay to view the River Hongbao show to explore the beautiful lanterns and just to celebrate Chinese New Year. I went for the 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm time slot after visiting the flower dome. 

In the past, River Hongbao show was held at the Marina Bay floating platform where you can see the ArtScience museum and Marina Bay Sands. This time, the festive lanterns are spread in the vast Gardens by the Bay. 

This event is now extended to 20th February, this Saturday instead of today. Last I check, tickets are all booked today.

Website: https://riverhongbao.sg

As usual, you find the God of Fortune in River Hongbao show.

Wow happy to see both my Chinese zodiac sign and western horoscope: Rooster and Pisces.

The magnificent Peacock lantern is sponsored by Kuan Im temple at Waterloo street.

ple at WaterI went to OCBC skywalk before exploring River Hongbao show at Gardens by the Bay.

View of the concert from OCBC skywalk

 

First Day of Chinese New Year

Yesterday was the first day of Chinese New Year. Only my youngest aunt and her family visited us yesterday. The other aunties and uncles called to say that they are not visiting us this year.  In Singapore, there is a cap of 8 unique visitors per household per day due to social distancing measure. In Singapore, most Chinese are celebrating Chinese New Year and other races get to enjoy the long weekend.   

I think this year I won't get to collect much Hongbao due to lesser visitors. At least I got to receive some red packets yesterday. I started to keep the hongbao a few years ago and not spend it. I heard that it's like keeping the blessing that your seniors gave you.  

Yesterday I was sneezing in the afternoon so I went to take a nap. I heard of people discouraging afternoon nap on the first day of lunar new year as it might make you lazy. Anyway I'm not bother by that statement cause by nature I'm already quite lazy and I was too sleepy after sneezing. I have sensitive nose and it look like I have at least a day of sneezing the whole day almost every week but I will be ok after sleep. It's weird but when I was doing chanting meditation, the sneezing stop. Sometimes I think someone up there is hinting that I should meditate more.   

Wishing You Blessed and Joyous Chinese New Year!

Many families will be having their annual reunion dinner tomorrow. I'm looking forward to tomorrow sumptuous dinner with my family too. This time my youngest brother will be bringing his wife to join us for tomorrow reunion dinner. 

In Singapore we have to follow strict social distancing measures due to coronavirus. There is a cap of 8 unique visitors per household per day. This year is a quieter Chinese New Year. A few aunties already called to say they will not be visiting us. I hope this year will be a better year. 

Wishing all a Joyous and Blessed Chinese New Year!

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