Hwa Chong Institution Open House

On weekends, I normally sleep late till around 8 or 9am. However, last Saturday, I woke up early at around 6.40 am to visit Hwa Chong Institution Open House. I have always wanted to explore this beautiful campus with the iconic clock tower and statue of Mr Tan Kah Kee, a generous philanthropist who was the founder of Chinese High School, now known as Hwa Chong Institution. I managed to watch the awesome Wushu performance by the students. I also went for guided tour conducted by the students. I like this school for their bilingual and bicultural education and contribution to society. Really thankful to the staff at my organisation who shared with me about the open house. 

I took the opportunity to explore the art gallery where there are some pretty interesting art work. Kudos to the students!

Did you know that the clock tower at Hwa Chong Institution is a gazetted national monument in Singapore? It was used by both the British and Japanese during world war 2 due to its strategic location. Also their military band will play live national anthem and school song during morning assembly at the stadium.

A really good introduction on what is Hwa Chong Spirit is shared by the current Hwa Chong Institution Principal Pang Choon How. I learnt something new on I-Ching, the ancient Book of Changes.

"Firstly, it is the undaunted spirit of strength, resilience and tenacity, as espoused in the school value of “自强不息”. Guided by the continual quest for excellence and continual self-improvement, it is manifested by an innate entrepreneurial dare and the determination to persevere and never give up. Indeed, “自强不息” has its roots from the ancient Book of Changes or I-Ching (《易经》), and describes a philosophy of life derived from the Qian (乾) hexagram, depicting the ceaseless evolution of nature and flow of the universe. (天行健，君子以自强不息。)

Secondly, it is the enduring spirit of community and service to others, as expressed in the school value of WIN-WIN or “己立立人，己达达人”. Guided by a deep sense of humility and gratitude to others who have nurtured or developed us (饮水思源)，it is to consciously seek a virtuous and meaningful cause larger than oneself, with an innate understanding that the greatest self-worth that one can achieve is the selfless and wholehearted contribution to the greater “I” (大我), by bestowing self-worth and success to others and the community. I-Ching also offers a similar worldview as captured in the Kun (坤) hexagram which depicts how nature nurtures life and supports growth. (地势坤，君子以厚德载物。)

Together, “己立立人，己达达人” and “自强不息” complement each other and form the Yin and Yang of a balanced disposition and character. It also describes how the cultivation of one’s heart and mind should not cease at the personal mastery level, but should be extended to an active contribution towards the betterment of society and humanity, including the family, nation and the global community (修身、齐家、治国、平天下)."

The clock tower.

Statue of Mr Tan Kah Kee. I alighted at Tan Kah Kee MRT station and walked for about 3 minutes to Hwa Chong Institution

Beautiful morning at HCI stadium

Tan Kah Kee MRT station is just next to Hwa Chong Institution

Went to watch the awesome wushu performance by students!

You can explore their various CCA and join in the game (only for potential students).

I also explored HCI art gallery!

Was that Justice Bao from the Song dynasty?

Robotics

Fun Science experiment on banana DNA.

HCI students as tour guides

Tan Kah Kee MRT station

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.