Tulipmania at Gardens by the Bay 2023

Tulips are finally back at Gardens by the bay, flower dome! It was last featured in October 2021. This Friday, my friend and I went to see the launch of Tulips theme at flower dome. I went back this Saturday just for the tulip dome lighting craft activity and to check the growth of the tulips.

This year, the theme is on the origin of tulips which is native to Turkey, now known as Türkiye.

It features hot air balloons over Cappadocia region in Central Antolia, Turkiye. Turkish culture, art ceramics and architecture like the Galata Tower.

I will be back to see the beautiful and colourful tulips again as some flowers haven't bloom yet. Hopefully by next week they will all bloom. 

Tulipmania event:  21 April to 21 May 2023

Nearest MRT: Bayfront and Gardens by the Bay MRT station

For more information, visit here.

First time seeing this unique crown-shaped tulips. It is known as the Crown or coronet tulips. Some examples of crown tulips include  ‘Striped Crown’, ‘Red Dress’, and ‘Yellow Crown’ tulips.

These tulips look like lilies thus they are known as lily-flowered tulips. They are identified by their slender flowers and outward-pointing petals like the red 'Pretty woman' tulips.

I like this unique looking Brisbane tulips.

About Tulips ( From Gardens by the Bay website here)

The name “Tulip” was derived from the shape of the flower that resembled the turban (dulbend or tülband) of Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, now known as Türkiye. Tulips come in a wide variety of vivid colours, with each colour signifying a different meaning.

Tulips Dome Light

I went for my first craft activity at Gardens by the Bay, Flower dome yesterday as I love tulips and wanted to bring back some tulips memento home. I only paid $13.50 for the materials as I'm Friend of the garden member. 

I made the tulips light dome at the Australian garden. It took me less than 20 minutes to complete it. It looks really mesmerising at night.

It comes with a cute paper bag.

You have to put in the tulips through the LED wire fairy light first and twist the wire to hold the tulips in place.

3 AAA batteries are also provided.

Glue and tweezers were provided at the Australian garden for visitors to do the tulips dome lighting.

I love tulips!

Impressive Performance by Hwa Chong Institution Wushu Team

I came across this wushu video by Hwa Chong Institution and decided to watch it. Wow I'm really impressed with these teenagers wushu performance! 

If I have a son, I would send him to Nanyang primary school, then to Hwa Chong to learn wushu and go through the academic rigor. I think wushu teaches the child tenacity, fortitude (自强不息) and discipline. I hope he can also learns Chinese calligraphy at Nanyang Primary too. For daughter, I hope she could go to Nanyang Girls' High School to learn wushu too so that she can defend herself. 

By the way, I have talented cousins who actually won medals in wushu competition during their secondary school days at Ngee Ann Secondary school. 

择偶条件

 

Chinese Character Mouth 口

The mouth is a very special sense organ as it provides many functions compared to other sense organs like eyes, ears and nose which has essentially a specific function like hearing for ear. 

We can use our mouth to eat, drink, sing, shout, scold and many more. I feel inspired to share this Chinese character mouth. 

Chinese characters are mostly pictogram. For example the mouth, 口 which is  shaped like the opening mouth as shown below. There is this kou 口 for every thing relating to the mouth like singing, eating and many more. It is a fun way to learn and remember. 

Painting Leaves

Done this leaves painting using watercolour this week. I think I'll work on it when I'm free. 

 

Mural Art Around Singapore River 2023

I was surprised and delighted to see many mural arts while explore Singapore River this Monday sunny afternoon. There are bright colourful painting that features Singapore history from Sang Nila Utama, Stamford Raffles, Chinese coolies and hardworking Samsui women who worked in the construction industry. Take a look at the street arts below!  

At River Valley road

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Sang Nila Utama at Coleman Bridge

Chinese coolie and Stamford Raffles

Samsui women contributed to Singapore building construction industry.

Mural art at Elgin bridge

Chinese New Year Celebrations 2023

This year is the first Chinese New Year celebration after covid restrictions. Finally, we can celebrate without those stringent covid measures in Singapore. 

It has been raining the past few days and I have been staying at home. 

Recently my aunties and cousins visited us and for the first time I played card games with my young cousins. 

I still receive hongbaos aka the red packets since I'm still single. For the past few years, I have been keeping the red packets and not spend it.  Hopefully by next year, I be married to my Mr Right. For the first time, my 4th uncle wished me luck in starting a family. Felt kinda stress. I can't just marry anybody. I must marry someone I love and respect. 

Last year I achieved my goal of going for the first date. This year my goal is to find and date someone I'm going to marry. Anyway, my parents who have been happily married for 45 years this year, only dated for less than a year. 

If there is chemistry and love with him, I'll just marry in less than a year of dating and I will ask the person if he intends to marry me first before dating because I'm not so young already and can't afford to waste time especially if there is plan for baby. Anyway it also depends on fate (随缘） if I have baby as I'm not so young. 

Hopefully this year I can achieve my goals of dating my Mr Right and reach healthy weight.

Hongbaos by my parents, 6th aunt and 4th uncle. This is the year of Rabbit based on the 12 Chinese zodiacs.

I had coffee prepared by my mum and snacks. I need to exercise to lose weight.

Breakfast on first day of Chinese New Year.

Lunch on first day of CNY on Sunday. Delicious fried bee hoon by my mum.

CNY 1st day on Sunday. Black sesame seed tangyuan dessert and coffee prepared by my mum.

Typical Teochew family will eat this fish during Chinese Lunar New Year.

2nd day of CNY on Monday. Fried noodles cooked by my mum.