Wednesday 29 August 2012

Such a small world!

Amazing how the onset of holidays can make you feel better isn't it.  It is so nice to say 'on holidays next week..........'  What makes it feel even better is that on Friday we signed new 2 yr contracts so we are here for at least 3 yrs. More holidays to enjoy! Eric is being promoted to Annex Head which is essentially manager of a branch, interestingly it is the Punggol branch where  Wayne and Pauline Ash (ex-Butterworth) work. It means it will take him a little longer to get to work but it is on the same line and just one connection onto the light rail. The position means more money but no extra hrs and since he is good at the HR role it will work well we think. We have known about it for some time and can now tell you, as the contracts are signed, but we are still not telling anyone here. 

It is Teacher's Day here this week. The Company took us out for lunch ($12 per head) to start the week yesterday and some of the students brought gifts. Here is what my Primary 4 class did for me. You probably can't read it but they got to the room early and wrote a poem on the board, which was very complimentary. What a nice way to start the working week.



We are both over the colds and managed to join the walkers back up Bukit Timah on Monday, though it was a bit of a stretch and I didn't have much energy at the top. We keep bumping into this same group of ex-army Singaporeans at the summit and have a bit of a joke with them. One of them owns a stall in a Hawker Centre and we have been saying for weeks now that we will drop by one evening. On Tuesday night some of the walkers and a few other friends met at Yishun MRT and we walked to his stall. Funny, one of the others was worried she would have to front up to pigs entrails or chicken foot soup and there I was assuring her she would find something palatable. And then, when I looked at this stall my belly did a flip-flop at the sight of all the precooked fare. He serves each customer a plate of mee hoon noodles and then you add your selection from a choice of florescent pink sausage, battered prawn crackers, fish balls, squid balls, spring rolls......and a whole lot of other things I have no idea what they are made from, but all deep fried and who knows how many hours ago? I have always avoided these stalls but was obliged to participate last night or he would have lost face.   I guess it wasn't that bad as this morning I feel fine, perhaps my gut is now happily well oiled! Probably palm oil too. After all 8 of us ate he wouldn't accept any money from us to pay for our meal! How embarrassing. Eric snuck off and bought him some Heineken to compensate. 


I was talking to one of the friends who joined the group and somehow Healesville came into the conversation' she asked if I knew Dr Willox, turns out his son was the best man at her wedding. Not that I knew him as he didn't go to HHS but to know of Dr Willox! On the way home in the train we went right up the front to where you would normally have a driver's cabin, but in these computer controlled trains there is no such thing.  I took this shot as we were approaching a station where the doors of the carriages always lines up perfectly with the doors on the platform. (But its not really worth inserting is it?)


On Sunday after work drinks there was talk around the table of the Dempsey Hill precinct as a good place to go dining. Since we haven't been there yet and we have hardly left the house in the last 2 weeks we decided to go exploring on Monday evening.  Dempsey Hill is located across from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, but not on the MRT side, so we had to take a bus. It was originally a nutmeg plantation and later became Tanglin Barracks, the headquarters of the Far East British Forces. Later it became the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence; the first place young Singaporean men would go to front up for the compulsory National Service (which is still in place). During the early 1990s the headquarters for the military moved, and the facilities left were eventually leased out to the private sector. The first to move in were teak furniture and carpet wholesalers. After a number of makeovers its apparently now a flourishing lifestyle and entertainment enclave nestled in a rustic and quaint setting. We didn't get to appreciate much of that though as it was already dark when we arrived. We started off at a microbrewery for pre-dinner drinks, the beer was good and the menu looked tempting but unfortunately Mon night is karaoke night and the standard was terrible so we quickly moved on. The choices were prolific but we eventually settled for Oktober Restaurant which boasts a German inspired menu though we ate Australian beef stew and lamb tenderloin. My it was nice, I can't remember when I last had a red meat meal. Eric got chatting to the waitress and it turns out she has a relative who is manager of the McDonalds store in Katherine.  How often would she serve people who had lived in Katherine? And what a culture shock Katherine would be for her relative!





The other thing we did on the weekend was track down a t-shirt printing company, as the trekkers for Nepal have decided we should have a team shirt. Eric and I found ourselves in a very industrial neighbourhood, quite unlike anything else we have seen so far, and eventually found the workshop on the 7th floor of a building which probably houses something like 150 different businesses. Once we found the right building amongst all the others it was easier. If you think that was difficult, getting the group to decide on a fabric, style and colour for the shirts looks like being even more of a challenge.  As for the logo, Eric and I have decided to just do it and they can wear it! Speaking of trekking we have one of Eric's Hash House Harrier mates coming to stay for a few nights, he has just been canoeing in the Arctic Circle and hiking for 12 days from sweden to Norway. Should have some interesting experiences to share.

To top it off we got an email from Mum explaining how she has discovered her neighbours taught at MAE here in 2003, they knew the Crisps and would know Peter who is the Principal here now. Such a small world. 

Monday 20 August 2012

From our sick bed

First there was one, but by the end of the week both of us had succumbed to the local flu. The staff at Kovan have been sorely depleted this week which means calling in relieving teachers. If they are unavailable, and you are lucky enough to be on deck, you pick-up double classes. Lucky indeed! Even the photocopier broke down in sympathy and can't be fixed until after the long weekend being celebrated here for Hari Raya Puasa. It's the most prominent Muslim festival in the Islamic calendar and celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fasting in Islam means abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and indulging in any form of behaviour that serves to nullify the fast. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and perform religious duties, such as reading the Quran. In Singapore, like Chinese New Year, the whole community is encouraged to enjoy the festivities; a time of forgiveness and for strengthening the bonds amongst family and friends. For the past month we've noticed that the HDB across the road offers community breakfast on the void deck from 4:30am and after sunset some of the streets are brightly lit with stalls displaying of all sorts of Halal culinary specialties that go on sale for the breaking of fast. Hari Raya is Malay for "grand day of rejoicing" and, according to the reports we get from children in our classes, families come together and eat all day long. I'm sure plenty of other types of indulgences take place as well, but perhaps not in front of the children.

 the 'ketupat' or rice cake

Since it falls on a Monday we don't get an extra day off but its not all bad, there are only 2 weeks to go to the end of term. The upside of being sick now is that we should be fighting fit by the time we fly to Sri Lanka.
According to the Islamic Hijrah (lunar) calendar, Hari Raya Puasa falls on the first day of the 10th month of Syawal. and therefore the dates on which it falls varies each year.  According to the Chinese (lunisolar) calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival is on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month, another changeable date. So this week we also saw the Chinese Taoist Community paying homage to the deceased who are believed to visit the living at this time, since the 'Gates of the Hell' are opened and the souls of the dead are freed to roam the earth. The Chinese people in Singapore celebrate the Hungry Ghosts Festival to seek blessings of the dead and ensure that the spirits do not disturb them. Food offerings are prolific and the skies are full of ash from the burning of incense, joss paper and papier-mâché replicas of material items like clothes, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors. These are burnt in the ubiquitous rusting 44 gallon drums I've seen used as incinerators from the farm in Dixon's Creek, to backyards in Ballarat (where they served the dual purpose of keeping you warm) and more recently in the remote communities of the Top End. We've been warned not to step on or tidy up the residue - it would bring you bad luck. Apparently in the homes elaborate meals are served with empty seats for each of the deceased in the family, treating the deceased as if they are still living. It is not the same as ancestor worship in that it includes paying respect to all deceased, including the same and younger generations, rather than just older ones. I can remember in Butterworth watching the locals release little paper boats into the Malacca Strait for this festival. Each boat carried a flickering candle which was a lovely sight. I've have now learnt it signifies giving directions to the lost ghosts and spirits of the ancestors and other deities.


 When Eric was home during the day on Sunday the colouful Lion and Dragon Dancers returned to the street and performed again. He was able to snap these from the bedroom window.



With both these festivals coinciding the whole place is awash with festivity. But no walking for us this week.  We were both in need of a good sleep-in and a very restful day. I did venture out in the evening just to walk to work and double check that I had locked a door, since I was the last to leave last night and I couldn't stop worrying about it today. Maybe the Hungry Ghost of Ron is paying me a visit!

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Posh Nosh

Look how my sewing implements have grown with an outlay of $SG50



Have discovered the foot lever needs replacing though so have a serviceman arriving this afternoon to have a look. Don't think I have ever owned this range of cotton colours before and was not expecting the deal to include anything but the machine and pedal. Lots to play with in my spare time after a trip to Spotlight.

We collected this from Judie's place in Tampines on Thursday evening. Thursday was a Public Holiday for National Day which is massive here with parades and fireworks etc.  Every public building and many private ones have been draped in the Sg flag for a month in the lead-up. This is only our second public holiday where our Centre has closed, all the others keep falling on a Saturday or Sunday and the business stays open and they just pay us double.  Not exactly complaining but an extra day added to our 'weekends' would be fabulous!
We began our day-off walking a section of the NE Riverine loop which totals 26 kms of walking/cycling trails and park connectors following the waterways near Punggol in the far NE end of the island. Being close to water we were able to spot some new birds too.
 Some parts are a little too neatly contrived

 Long-tailed shrike
On the way home we ventured into an electrical store and came home with 2 tower fans which were massively discounted because of the holiday. With these we are hoping to reduce the need for running the air cons when we are home.

On Monday, despite the fact that Peter is away in NZ and Aust recruiting for 2013, the rest of the trekkers took to Bukit Timah again. It was lucky we had Eric with us to make sure we took the right paths. Perhaps I talk too much! This week we got a picture of the massive eagles' nest we first discovered a fortnight ago, but this time no birds about or calls to be heard.




In the afternoon MAE social club went to High Tea at The Fullerton, now a 5 star luxury hotel located right at the mouth of the Singapore River. This imposing building was opened in 1928 and housed the General Post Office, The Exchange, Singapore Club and a number of other Govt Depts. Very impressive atrium and courtyard where we dined. Haven't bothered enquiring about the cost of a room.

And they keep refreshing the cake trays as you empty them and refilling your teapots!
Wouldn't Ron have loved this!
 You probably don't recognise us, we are the same 4 trekkers as above but scrubbed up rather well for High Tea don't you think?


Tuesday 7 August 2012

Weekend in Malacca

I had found a small sewing machine on a second hand sales website and negotiated a good price for it so arranged to meet the owner on Thursday morning. He lives at Tampines but offered to meet me at Paya Lebar MRT which was very convenient for me. Only problem was, when I got there I could not find Kelvin and my sewing machine. He didn't answer his phone or respond to txt messages so I eventually returned home empty handed and bemused.  That afternoon I was at a pd session and I gave the money to a colleague who lives in Tampines in the vain hope that I might still get my bargain if she could collect from his house. That night I did get an email from him explaining that he had been a passenger in a taxi that was involved in a car accident on Wednesday and that he had spent the next 24hrs sleeping off concussion in the hospital. How's that for timing? Fortunately for me he hadn't lost his memory and he is still keen to sell so with any luck Judie will have it by next week. The best thing about the pd session was that everyone got to see how well decorated the Nursery classroom at Bishan Branch was and when we got back to Kovan the rest of the staff helped me do likewise in our classroom. Now I have 5 cute little balloon monkeys swinging across the vines that are strung criss-cross below the ceiling. It was a good team effort and there should be more of it. 



On Monday morning we caught a coach to Malacca. We were half an hour late departing (must be on Malaysian time) but  pleasantly surprised to discover the seats were like Jason  recliners. On closer inspection we found they were all a bit dodgy, luck of the draw if you got one that actually moves into a preferred position (typical Malaysian style - looks good but might not quite function as expected).  We have been in Singapore too long, have to remind ourselves the rest of Asia is not the same. 

Right by the busy Singapore docks we crossed over the Tuas Second Link Expressway into Johore, Malaysia. This bridge was built in 1998 to reduce the traffic congestion on the original Johore Causeway and takes you well west of the city of Johore Bahru. Very soon you're passing by palm oil plantations on a dual lane expressway. It is still a long journey, took 5 hrs to reach Malacca even though it is less than a 300kms journey. After checking in to the Mahkola Hotel we took to the streets on foot, after all this is a Monday and we need to keep up the walking routine.  

We followed the town walk map which took us through the cultural highlights of the town  
 Portuguese Town Square

 In Chinatown

 Year of the Dragon


 All the trishaws are decorated in this manner

 Original Stradthuys (Dutch Town Hall now Museum

And then up to the ruins of St Pauls on the hill. We found a bride and groom their having their pre-wedding photos taken. 
Still walking steps on a Monday




Stopped by Geographers Cafe for refreshment in the Jonkers St area renowned for the quirky art galleries, quaint antique shops and Nyonya food outlets.  

We finished up at Harpers Restaurant for dinner with a table overlooking the river for dinner. Sounds very romantic, and it would have been if the plastic bags hadn't been floating in the water and the buses hadn't kept disgorging tourists by the bus load at the fort  on the bank directly opposite us.  Food was good though, even if they did serve the vegetable sides for our main course with the soup. Once again we are reminded that we are, after all, in Malaysia.  

Back at our hotel we went directly to the lobby toilet, knowing it would be a pedestal rather than squattie.  We  found ourselves in the hotel bar and the only members of an audience for the group of singers who just opened their first set.  We had to sit out the whole set and pretend to be enthralled. Well how can you get up and leave? Listened to covers of Michael Bubble, Dionne Warrick, Olivia Newton John ( special for us I think) and  Dianna Ross. Thank goodness they left Celine Dionne off the list. They were actually very good but not what we were after, would rather have watched more Olympic fencing (just kidding).  How is it that if we ever get to catch some live Olympic action it is table tennis (fair enough), archery or fencing?  Not exactly  action packed.  They will probably introduce darts next,  just so I can catch that on tv. 

Next morning after an all you can eat complimentary buffet breakfast we visited the Ethnology Museum and then walked along the river where you can see they are making big efforts to improve the connections between pathways and general ambience of the area. 

It is very hot though, so before long we find ourselves in the big new Mahkola Shopping Mall bargain hunting. We now each have a suitable bag for the Nepalese porters to carry for us in December.  Both of us had some shut-eye on the trip home.