What I Discovered at Circle Line Discovery Open House

Having missed the two Circle Line Open House in 2009 and 2010, I told myself not to miss the next one in October 2011. This time round, the theme is Circle Line Discovery; from Caldecott to HabourFront, 12 new stations in all. The moment I got hold of the news, my mind started churning; the places outside the staton I can visit, for free; the photos I can shoot inside the station, no holds barred; and not least a meaningful way to spend the Sunday. Creative organizers and the unpredictable human nature made it all the more interesting.

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2nd Shot: Let Your Maid Carry Your Bag

When the original photo was reposted on HWZ and STOMP from Facebook, it naturally caused an uproar among Singaporeans. Opinions were divided, with some folks giving sympathy benefit of doubt to the soldier. Perhaps he hurt his back? While citizens debate on whether soldiers nowadays have become soft, the report made its rounds overseas, and behind our back; just what would foreigners think of us? I give you some examples later. On hindsight - referring to my second shot - I should have stood a few steps behind for a more perfect shot. Well, none of my second shots is perfect … yet, just like our soldiers.

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Simon Road Market is now a Condo

As I pay more attention to the surrounding, observing and trying to recall what it was like just few years ago, it is shocking just how much has changed in barely a decade. Previously, I blogged about how Forfar House and the old flats at Dawson were still standing nearly a decade ago but today replaced by new and upcoming premium housing. When I read about some commemorative bronze sculptures at the site of the old Simon Road market, I feared for the worst. Clearly the word "commemorative" does tell you something.

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What's Gone and Soon to Go at Margaret Drive

The last time I explored Margaret Drive, though only half of it, and Queenstown was one or two years back. This one year, I read much at Margaret Drive has changed and gone. When I shifted my workplace to Si Pai Por in April, I could no longer keep myself updated with the landmarks visible from the MRT, as it runs along from Redhill to Commonwealth station. On September 11, I thought it would be a good idea to finish my exploration of Margaret Drive, and at the same time document what is gone and is soon to go.

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Preserving Memories of Queenstown Through "Singapore Pie"

In the ensuing years after I left school, much has changed in the local education landscape, with a Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee formed in Feb 2004 to "conduct a comprehensive review of the teaching and learning of the Chinese Language in our schools". I'm not aware what has entered the curriculum and the textbooks, though I read some teachers are not averse to using pop songs like Jay Chou's to teach the language. On another trajectory, we find the preservation of memories and educating the younger generation about our heritage gaining momentum. In that case, allow me to make a humble suggestion, why not introduce local folk songs (xinyao) like "Singapore Pie" into the curriculum and kill two birds with one stone?

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