Crowded MRT Station- Social Distancing?

I always take public transport like SMRT and public buses to travel in Singapore as it's the most cost efficient and environmentally-friendly way. Anyway, it is also really expensive to own a car here.

I took the following photos today. This is the common sight of Singapore public transport from 5pm to about 7pm since works end at about 5pm. How do you implement social distancing when everybody want to rush home at the same time? Imagine cooping in the MRT for about 30 minutes in the crowded MRT and someone is coughing. Maybe they should place some masks at the control station for people who cough. 

At about 5.20 pm at Bishan MRT station today. 

Singapore to Close All Entertainment Venues

There is an increase of 49 new Covid-19 cases in Singapore today including 32 imported cases. 

As reported in The Straits Times today, bars, cinemas and all other entertainment outlets will be closed from Thursday (March 26) 11.59pm till April 30 due to rising imported cases to the country.

Click here to read more.

Geng Zi Year 庚子年: A Challenging Year

This year for Chinese astrology, it is known as Geng Zi 庚子年 or Metal Rat. Rat on earthly branch symbolises water. Thus imagine the image of metal over vast sea, its a really erratic year. Yes I love metaphysic. During a year break in 2017, I read about bazi and Ziweidoushu from Bazi books, Bazi /ZWDS websites and forums. At least I predicted that my brother would get married in 2019. But I'm not an expert. Some charts are easier to read and some requires more expertise. Just needs to understand some tricks to understand the trends. Our Chinese ancestor had this systematic system to observe the planetary movement and pattern to come up with a set of prediction. Those who are good fengshui master command top dollars. 

Today about 350 000 people are infected with coronavirus and it is only March. There are now more than 15000 deaths due to this invisible virus. For the latest update on coronavirus data, click here .

Today I'm really sad that Taiwanese dancer Liu Zhen passed on yesterday. I pray that his husband Xin Long who loves her deeply will overcome his sorrow and he will stay strong for their 4 years old daughter. Its really rare to see a man who really love and care for his wife and treat her like a princess throughout their marriage. 

Life is unpredictable. Enjoy the moment. Bloom like this flower albeit momentary.

Teochew Tradition Popiah at Ngee Ann City 潮州传统薄饼

If you love Teochew Traditional Popiah, I highly recommend the stall at Ngee Ann City near Orchard Road MRT. It is slightly expensive in Orchard Road costing $3.40 per roll.  I brought some home and my mum love it. The popiah is filled with stir-fried turnips, lettuce, beancurd, chopped peanut, garlic and egg.

Yumin Primary School - My Former School

I spent several years at Yumin Primary School during my primary school education till 1993. I had a great Principal Mr Tan who gave all Primary 6 students Mathematics revision early in the morning in the school hall before school assembly. I also had a wonderful Primary 5 to 6 Form teacher Mr Sng who gave us Mathematics remedial lesson after school. I am eternally grateful to them. 

I remember I saw my former principal Mr Tan at a bookshop and I went up to say thank you to him. I also visited my Primary 6 form teacher to thank him for his help. They have since retired and I hope they are well. 

Till now, I can still sing the School song as I spent about 6 years singing the school song every morning in school. The song will always be in my heart. The following is from Yumin Primary School website here.

HISTORY 

Yumin Primary School has her roots in two Chinese village schools, 'Yook Kiau' and 'Ping Min', in 

the old Tampines area from 1940 to 1974. The two schools merged in 1975 and was renamed 'Yook Min Primary School'. It was relocated to the present site in 1985 and renamed Yumin Primary School'. In 2003, the school was upgraded under PRIME programme.

Currently the school has an enrolment of 1283 pupils of different ethnic groups. The school offers Chinese and Malay languages as mother tongue languages for pupils.

CREST

The gear is an essential component in a machine. It keeps rotating until the product has been completed. Then it will turn again yet and yet again to manufacture new products.
Thus, the gear with an open book illustrates the endless search for knowledge with perseverance and determination.

SONG

Click here to listen to school song

We are one big family, we will strive for our country,

With the education we receive from a school that's heavenly.

We will study hard for sure, with the will to go forward,

With this book to show the way

We'll make and take the highest grade.

We are proud, we are proud, we are proud, we are proud,

We are proud of Yumin Primary School, a school that helps us all.

Our School will be our pride, it's a pride that's only right,

This is one thing we will dearly hold and will hold with all our might.

We will study hard for sure, with the will to go forward,

With this book to show the way

We'll make and take the highest grade.

We are proud, we are proud, we are proud, we are proud,

We are proud of Yumin Primary School, a school that helps us all.

Will There Be Workplace Closure in Singapore?

There are now a total of 432 coronavirus infected cases and 2 deaths in Singapore as reported in the Straits Times today. 140 people have recovered. I feel sad for the deceased family and it reminds me that life is unpredictable. 人生无常。

The Singapore government is now implementing social distancing to reduce the spread of coronavirus in Singapore. However I have a question. How are they going to implement social distancing in public transport during peak hours? I'm wondering if they understand the situation in Singapore public transport during peak hours when many employees are going to work and going home. Have they thought about the impact of crowded air-conditioned confined space in buses and SMRT? I still notice passengers coughing in public buses without wearing masks. Contact tracing is fast becoming impractical with more coronavirus cases. By the way can someone tell me where to buy masks? I went to Watson stores and they told me there is no stock. 

This Tuesday when I took Taxi with my mother, the taxi driver was coughing and not wearing mask. I hope taxi companies here will educate their drivers to rest at home and not drive when they are coughing. Or if they insist on driving, at least wear a mask when they are coughing. They should implement consequences for irresponsible taxi drivers who put their passengers' lives at risk. 

I think our government is buying time now. It's better to start saving money and not spend unnecessary now. This recession might last till next year if there is still no cure. If there is a spike of infected covid-19 cases especially when many Singaporeans and residents are returning to Singapore from overseas with the virus, there could be workplace closure. 

One must bear in mind, medical priority must be for Singaporeans who stay here to defend and contribute to Singapore in both good and bad times. 

Update:  Today 39 imported cases are returning residents and long-term pass holders, while six are short-term visitors. Why are they allowing short-term visitors in to Singapore? Will Singapore hospitals be able to cope with rising coronavirus infected patients? 

Saw this social distancing poster at Temasek Polytechnic library. 

Back to My Old Home at Tampines

After borrowing some books at Temasek Polytechnic library, I decided to go to Tampines Central for lunch. I took bus 518 outside Temasek Polytechnic thinking it would pass by Tampines Central MRT. It did not. I decided to alight near Yumin Primary School when I realised it be heading to Pasir Ris. 

I decided to take a look at my childhood home at Tampines Blk 207. Wow, the flat is very well-maintained even though its going to be 40 years old. I stayed here from 1981 to 1987 and spent happy days playing at Singapore iconic Dragon playground with my elder brother. 

I also went to look at the home at level 8 where I used to stay. I still remember if we went to the top level 9, we would be able to see Changi Airport tower. Alas, the view is now blocked by new flats. 

I have been staying at Tampines since I was a few months old. I hope to own a new home in Tampines and hope the government will allow Singles to buy BTO flat in mature estate like Tampines. If not, I have to buy resale flat in Tampines. 

View from level 8 at Blk 207 where I used to stay.

This used to be the iconic Dragon playground but now it's replaced by this playground made of plastics material.

I spent 6 years at Yumin Primary School. It's just a 3-minute walk from my flat at Tampines Blk 207.

The provision shop aka mama shop at my void deck area. We used to buy snacks and colourful ice sticks or ice pops here. I think there is change of owner.

Now there is automated parking system.

I used to stay at Tampines Blk 207 from 1981 to 1987. My 3rd younger brother was born in 1987 and he spent his 1 year old birthday at the new flat, aka the current flat we are staying.

Coffee shop near my home. We used to eat here.

Nature Trail at The Southern Ridges

When I saw this amazing verdant greenery in front of me, I think I fallen in love with Singapore again! I didn't expect to see such picturesque country scene in cosmopolitan concrete jungle Singapore! I thought I was in another country. 

The picturesque scene is taken during a three hours nature trail during the Southern Ridges walk, starting from Kent Ridge Park, to mount Faber park, passing though HortPark, Floral Walk, Alexandra Arch, amazing Forest Walk on elevated walkway at Telok Blangah Hill park and beautiful architecture Henderson Waves. When you are at HortPark, do collect the informative brochures for The Southern Ridges and HortPark. But I think it will be best if they provide the brochures at MRT at Kent Ridge, Labrador Park and HarbourFront as it makes it more convenient for the public. 

For the first time since 2009, I felt immense gratitude to our National Parks for their foresight in planning this conducive bridges Forest Walk that make this nature trail possible. It makes it more accessible and easy for the public to explore nature in this tiny island. 

I love nature. I really do. Nature walk is really therapeutic perhaps due to the abundance of oxygen produce by the trees. Nature is important to our well-being and I believe in the healing power of nature. Every time I go for nature, I feel so happy and blissful. Actually happiness is free really. To be at one with nature, to see animals and birds and to enjoy fresh clean air are something we take for granted. We must continue to ensure the preservation of nature. After all forest is the green lung for the earth. 

Before you go for the walk, you can download the map for the walk from National Parks Board here. Make sure you bring at least a big bottle of water, some snacks, umbrella in case it rain.

Stay tune for my next post on Labrador Park. Meanwhile, here are my previous posts on previous nature walks.

How to go there?

Depending on where you want to start the walk, you can alight at HarbourFront Mrt if you want to start from Mount Faber park or Kent Ridge MRT if you want to start from Kent Ridge Park. 

First posted on 14 June 2015

Beautiful countryside scenery in Singapore.

 So beautiful!

Lovely Singapore

 Stopping and admiring beautiful flowers in nature.

 At Reflection at Bukit Chandu, a museum remembering the soldiers who fought during World War 2 against the Japanese.

 Sharing by former minister, George Yeo

Map of Kent Ridge Park

 Look at the dark overcast sky, weather was great and cooling as long as it don't rain.

 Bright cheery flower greeting us

 Glasshouses

 Vertical Greenery 

HortPark

 Alexandra Arch is an 80m-long bridge which looks like an open leaf across Alexandra Road.

Changing LED lights start at 7pm daily.

 My cousin told me this is banana tree.

 We saw banana plant and flower.

 Embrace the nature on the Forest Walk and listen to the birds chirping, a tall bridge in the midst of secondary forest. Meanwhile I felt thankful to the construction workers and engineers who built and designed this elevated walk.

 Beautiful architecture Henderson Waves

 Green lung in Singapore

 View of Singapore public housing and busy port

View of Sentosa cable car from Mount Faber

You can download the map from the National Parks Board website here

Are These Bananas?

This Wednesday at Gardens by the bay, I saw these fruits hanging on a tree outside the Flower dome.  They look like bananas but someone told me these are not bananas. Anyone has any idea what are these fruits? Can it be eaten?

Update: They are Kapok trees