My friend Li Yan, a passionate Singaporean Chinese language educator came up with this interesting Chinese language game for secondary school students. This game is interesting and fun and I think it can inspire and motivate students to learn Chinese language. The younger generation prefer to converse in English and in time to come, the younger generation in Singapore might not be bilingual compared to earlier generations. When my young relatives speak to me in English, I replied back in Mandarin and explained so as to teach them Chinese.
My friend generously let me share the game link but the link shared from WhatsApp is not able to be shared here and the other website showed my identification number. Maybe they have encrypted the link. A wonderful educational game should be easily shared.
I had fun playing the game and also learnt a new word, 掰(bai). It is interesting to see how different combinations of Chinese characters produced new character and meaning. I need to recall the Han yu pin yin for the word which took some time. Thanks for sharing my friend!
Finally there is peace and hostages have returned back home. It must be a joyous day for their families! Peace can only be achieved through talks and not violence as it only lead to vicious cycle of revenge. May there be peace always.
Donald Trump really deserves Nobel Peace Prize! May his wish come true next year! Meanwhile Donald Trump can just make do with Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor.
Time flies. Aaron Kwok has been my idol for the past 35 years. I was 9 years old when I first heard his iconic song, 对你爱不完 or Love for you never ends. He is definitely the best singer dancer.
First published on 31 July 2022 (from 2nd paragraph onwards). Straits times should fact check and not publish false information from western media that Taiwan is not China. Officially, Taiwan is known as Taiwan Republic of China (ROC). Now I rarely buy Straits times. Politicians should be mindful and not create unnecessary conflict by retracting the One China policy that was agreed by both Taiwan ROC and China. Don't take peace for granted. I posted the following post 3 years ago.
I enjoy going to the National Palace Museum in Taipei to admire the exquisite antiques and arts. These antiques spanning from Shang dynasty to Qing dynasty were secretly transported from China to Taiwan when Chiang Kai-Shek realised that they might lose the Civil War (1927-1949) with the Chinese Communist party in China.
Chiang Kai-Shek served as the leader of the Republic of China from 1928 to 1949 in mainland China but retreated to Taiwan, officially known as the Taiwan Republic of China (ROC) and continued to serve as a leader there until his demise in 1975. He and his Kuomingtang party had always dreamed of winning the civil war and return to China. That is history. Both mainland Chinese and Taiwan leaders agreed on the One China policy.
Nancy Pelosi is making the situation worse by going to Taiwan. What is her purpose? They are already supporting the wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine, advocating democracy movement. Yet left them in tattered and leaving these countries in worse states then before. These countries are still mired in wars. They are repeating similar strategy- divide and conquer. The world needs to speak out and not keep quiet.
It is just weird that she chose to visit Taiwan during the Hungry ghost festival period, also observed by the Taiwanese Chinese.
USA greatest threat will be from within. I don't think they will enjoy peace for provoking wars around the world. I would like to share the following poem ironically by US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I brought this replica of Revolving vase with swimming fish in cobalt blue glaze in Taiwan National Palace Museum (Qianlong reign- 1736 to 1795, Qing dynasty). National Palace Museum houses these rich historical treasures spanning from Shang dynasty to Qing dynasty. These should be valued and not be secretly given away to other country.
Recently I heard this awesome performance by Zhou Shen and Angela Chang. I love how their beautiful pristine voices blended harmoniously. It's also an inclusive performance where the autistic boy played the ocarina (陶笛), a ceramic wind musical instrument confidently well. It's important that parents observe their children's strength and develop further from their interest and strength and high probability they grow up to be happy and confident. Do not force them to be what you want them to be.
Hi all, I visited Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome for the Alpine Adventure Starring Begonias recently and this is definitely my favourite theme at the flower dome as I love Switzerland and the stunning vibrant begonias!
Click here to visit my Blooming Flowers and Arts blog here. You can also watch my flower channel here. If you love flowers, travel and art, like and subscribe my channel.
Blooming Flowers, Arts and Travel channel. Like and Subscribe if you like the videos.
I don't watch Channel 8 show often but there is always exception. Channel 8 is now showing Taiwanese drama based on superstar Teresa Teng life story. I grew up listening to her songs and really love her uniquely sweet and mesmerising voice and songs. She was definitely born to sing and almost everyone in Asia knows Teresa Teng and her popular songs like the The Moon Represents My Heart.
Today Singapore is celebrating 60th years of independence. I be spending the time in Singapore watching NDP show with my family.
This year, all Singaporeans from 21 to 59 years old received $600.00 SG60 vouchers and above 60 years old Singapore citizens received $800.00 SG60 vouchers in July which they can use to purchase groceries and hawker food. In addition, they can also use it to buy phone or spectacles at Heartland merchants as shown here.
It's a thoughtful gift to Singaporean and to support local merchants and hawkers. Happy holidays to all Singaporeans!
Today my friend from China shared with me this awesome Chinese music 象王行 Elephant King Walk composed by 关大洲 Guan Da Zhou. I really like the inspiring melody by 关大洲. In this music video, you get to see Chinese musical instruments like erhu, pipa, dizi, drums and guzheng. Awesome performance!
The annual light festival, i Light Singapore at the Central Business District Marina Bay is available from now till 21 June 2025. This year theme is To Gather. There are some interesting and fun light arts sculptures spread around Singapore Marina Bay area.
For more information on i Light Singapore 2025, visit the website here.
Piano Walk
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Last Sunday, my elder brother treated us to Teochew food, fish head steamboat at Tian Tian Lai Famous Teochew Fish Head Steamboat, an eatery with more than 30 years history in Singapore on Father's Day.
When I was young, my father used to bring us around Singapore to have delicious fish head steamboat at hawker centre or inside some industrial building. Wow, I really enjoyed the tasty food and the fish soup.
I enjoyed the egg tofu and shrimp spicy dish and the vegetables. They are also famous for their fried crispy shrimp chicken.
Home-cooked dumpling is the best. My mum cooked delicious dumpling few weeks ago and again few days ago. I prefer dumpling cooked by my mum as there are more ingredients and little glutinous rice. This year she added red bean paste in addition to mushroom, chestnut and braised meat.
Today is Duanwu day to commemorate Qu Yuan. Let’s enjoy the dumplings.
I just visited Consumer Electronics Exhibition at Suntec City today. There are more home furnishings like clothes hanger, doors, smart home system besides electronics products like phones and laptops.
Time for me to shop for some home furniture for my new home which will be ready in about 2 or 3 years time. I plan to get solid wood table. I hope the price will not increase too much else I try to look for solid wood elsewhere.
Consumer Electronics Exhibition at Suntec City is from 22 May 2025 to 25 May 2025, this Sunday.
Happy Vesak Day! Last week, I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic temple at Chinatown to thank the Buddha and Bodhisattvas for safe trip and also to pray before Vesak Day. I was surprised to see many tourists visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic temple last weekday. It is a popular attraction. Do take note to dress appropriately. If you wear shorts or short skirt, you be offered a wrap cloth to cover.
On Vesak day, Buddhists commemorate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni Buddha. The compassionate and kind Buddha spent 49 years teaching the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold path to end samsara. Buddhism or Buddha's teaching is not about pessimism. There is a way to end suffering and that is to follow the Noble Eightfold path which helps to end rebirth.
Buddha is compassionate to all sentient beings. I try to practise too. Sometimes when I see ants on my cup (when I didn’t wash throughly), I just move it and the ants will scramble away, trying to live. Looking at the small ants, I told them to go away quickly, going back to where they came from and they really scurried off, reminding me that they value their lives too. All sentient beings want to live, so please don't hurt living beings when possible. What goes around, comes around.
At Level 3, you can explore the museum where you can find out more about the Buddha and his relics in the relic chamber. No photography is allowed in the Relic Chamber.
At Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, there is relic museum. Beautiful relics also known as Sarira that looks like pearl or crystal-like beads are commonly found in the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters.
From Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum website here
"Sariras, the Sanskrit name for relics, refers to the remains of a body part usually after cremation. In Buddhist context, sariras refers to the crystallization of solid remains of especially Buddha Sakyamuni after His cremation. Henceforth, relics are also broadly defined to include solid remains of other Buddhist practitioners, regardless of Sangha and secular disciples.
The emergence of relics signifies that the spiritual energy of Buddha or the spiritual practitioner during their lifetime is constant and serene, untainted by nature’s forces yet elevated due to persevering religious practices. Hence, this energy is converted to physical forms to what we known as relics. Relics are the essence of wisdom, the fruit of spiritual labour, which are free of lust, greed and wrath."
My colleague shared with me his Buddhist friend who practised meditation was found to have relics when his relatives collected his cremated ashes.
Venerable Chao Khun Keng explained that the mind is like a laser beam. Due to the purity of the mind, for some of the monks, their hair can turn to relics. Pure mind that doesn't have greed, hatred and delusion. Pure energy that channel go to the body.
Before enlightenment, Buddha spent 6 long years practicing asceticism and long fasting, causing his body to be weakened and he almost lost his life. While meditating one day, he heard someone playing a string instrument and came to the realisation that the Middle Path is the way for achieving the liberation of body and mind.
"Cultivation is like playing a musical string instrument. The string will snap if it is too tight, or not make any sound if it is too loose. Indulgence in sensual pleasure or extreme penance are attachments. The Middle Path is the way for achieving the liberation of body and mind."
After attaining enlightenment after 7 days of deep meditation, Buddha had compassionately taught sentients being the Four Noble Truths. Buddha reminded us to think and investigate his and others' teaching before accepting it.
The Four Noble Truths are
1) The truth of suffering. Like it or not, both rich and poor go through suffering. The suffering of old age, not getting what you want, separation, sickness.
2) The truth of the cause of suffering (craving, anger and delusion)
3) The truth of the end of suffering. (There is a way to end suffering)
4) The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold paths.
The Noble Eightfold paths which helps to develop Sila (ethical conduct), samadhi (mental discipline or meditation) and panna (wisdom) 戒定慧 are as follows
1) Right Thought (be aware of your thinking with good intention. Eliminate greed, anger and delusion)
2) Right View (understanding of cause and effect, 12 links of dependent origination)
3) Right Speech (Refrain from lying, gossip, idle, harsh speech. If one has nothing helpful to say, be silent) Hmm, this is something I might need to work on it but hey I'm just stating the truth and my intention is to warn people.
4) Right action (moral, honorable and peaceful conduct). Hmm sometimes I'm quite mischievous.
5) Right livelihood (Honest living, Refrain from making a living that harm others like selling weapons, intoxicating drinks, and toxins) This is why I don't support people making use of Buddhism to make money especially in places like night clubs that sell alcohol. Buddha warned his disciples not to drink alcohol as it might cause them to be careless in their action and thus create bad karma. If that dj wants to perform, don't wear monk robe as real monks and strict Buddhists don't drink alcohol. Not drinking alcohol is one of the five precepts for lay Buddhists.
6) Right effort (prevent unwholesome state of mind)
7) Right mindfulness (be aware and mindful of one's thoughts and feelings
8) Right concentration (meditation)
On Vesak Day, this is the day for me to remember Buddha's teaching and to remind me to be mindful. There were some days when I was not mindful and I reacted.
I like this story about how Buddha interacted with an angry man and was not affected by his insulting words.
In this story, as Buddha was walking in a village, a very angry man insulted the Buddha and said that he had no right to teach others. Buddha was calm and serene as usual and he asked the man, “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?”
The young man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.”
The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your anger. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy. All you have done is hurt yourself.”
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is located in Chinatown. It is just next to Maxwell MRT station.
Monks and lay Buddhist practitioners chanting at the main hall in the morning.
You can read more about Dendrobium Buddha Tooth orchid here.
At the roof garden.
Sariras, relics (image from Google)
Chao Khun Keng explaining about relics 1:29:00. The monk when they meditate, they focus on the body. The mind is like a laser beam They use the mindfulness to scan the body. Due to the purity of the mind, the body can turn to relics. Due to the pure mind, the mind that does not have greed, hatred and delusion. It has the pure energy to channel into the body and clean up the body, it can also use pure energy to cure the sickness. In a way, meditation can enhance your health.
Finally found another double-boiled milk dessert in Singapore Chinatown this year. I don't drink milk but I love double-boiled milk dessert. I miss the double-boiled milk with crunchy walnut and almond from Honeymoon dessert after they left Singapore in around 2022.
I do hope this dessert shop in Chinatown will continue to operate as good double-boiled milk dessert is rare in Singapore. Now I don't blog much about food as many eateries don't stay for long in Singapore due to high rental costs.
I'm back to Singapore yesterday after spending a month in China as a female solo traveller, to be specific, 25 days at Wudangshan and 5 days in Shanghai. This is my first solo travel to China and I'm glad I made many wonderful friends there while enjoying the beautiful view of vast mountains while learning Taichi. I like the peaceful, quietness and energy at Wudangshan.
There is no direct flight to Wudangshan from Singapore, so I chose to fly to Shanghai and spend a few days exploring the financial city in China. Shanghai is a safe cosmopolitan city which is very similar to Singapore but things are much more affordable there and people are generally really friendly, soft-spoken and helpful. They are different from the rude and loud personality depicted by the media.
During my stay in Wudangshan, my friends appreciated my help in translating for them. During this trip, I appreciate the bilingual policy in Singapore. We can use our knowledge to make the world a better place. With both Mandarin and English proficiency, I felt happy to help to explain and ensure clear communication to help prevent conflict and misunderstanding. Let's use our knowledge and language proficiency to make the world a better and harmonious place.
