SHHK Family Day 2009

Yesterday, we spent about 4 hours at the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Family Day 2009 held at the Singapore Expo. CP was with us.

As WY and his 文化艺术团 troupe had been scheduled to perform at the event, the teachers arranged for transport from TP to the Expo. So, WY arrived at the venue with his 文化艺术团 friends. We managed to catch him for a photo but the grumpy boy was looking so glum that I think it's better not to share the photo here.

Once we were inside the hall, we proceeded to collect our goodie bags. Oh boy, they were so heavy! But fortunately, they were no longer backpacks (which was what was given out at the previous SHHK Family Day).

After that, R went with WF for his 'longkang' fishing while CP and I looked around, lugging the 5 bags with us. Initially, we felt a little 'lost' because we didn't know where to start from. Then, CP caught sight of the stall with a gigantic 'Provision Shop' (杂货店) decor!

So, we joined the snaking queue and collected some 'old-fashioned' titbits like preserved olives (橄榄), 三渣饼, 'Marie' biscuits and 'satay fish sticks'! These titbits certainly brought back some memories.... Believe it or not, they even offered the 'Ken-Ken' brand of cuttlefish! Also, check out the Milo tin on the pulley behind the shopkeeper!



As we moved off from the 'Provision Shop', we were offered some 'tikam' games, too. CP collected one token whilst I managed to tikam 10 of them!

Then, as we shoved some of the goodies into the bags, CP and I went on to try games at the other stalls. We tried out some 'simpler' games and won for ourselves some more tokens. We also tried our hands at some of the special stalls which were focussed on learning about the Hokkien culture and specialties. Even at these stalls, we managed to win some tokens.



The hall was not exactly crowded that day, so whilst we moved from stall to stall and area to area, we spotted R and WF, and WY and his friends, at the various stalls, too. Everyone seemed to be having fun one way or another! WF couldn't miss his favourite (yes, still favourite!) train ride. The older boys sure looked hard at how WF had aimed at the Catapult station!



There were some other games which looked familiar - Hopscotch! And Pick-Up-Sticks! (using canes, leh!) And also some other dice-throwing game on the floor. And many others, which I didn't photograph anyway.



As we approached 6pm, CP and I started to feel a little tired. And hungry. And thirsty. So we decided to exchange our tokens (we had a total of 81 at that point in time) for the small gifts (mainly food such as Meiji biscuits and a can of Coke because all of those for 60 or 90 tokens - see 1st 2 photos - had already been snapped up).



Then, we proceeded to redeem our food coupons. R and WF also joined us. We had steamed yam cakes, fried rice and some soya bean milk. We rested our feet and arms at the table. CP went about taking some photos of the food area.



Later, we went closer to the stage because WY's perfomance was about to start. He and his troupe performed a dance; a smaller group of the members also performed a 快板comedy. But the video clips are too big a file, so cannot upload here. This is a picture of part of WY's group (he wasn't in this photo).

In the meantime, WF located his friends and started to play with them, running around and laughing heartily. CP and I sat and watched the rest of the concert while R and WY (who had re-joined us) checked out the stalls for redemption of the remaining coupns and tokens etc. I also gave R our tickets to check if any of them had been picked in the lucky draw.

R was gone for a long time. When he returned, he shoved to us an envelope which read '67th Prize'!! So, we had won $50 worth of NTUC vouchers! Not bad, hor?

The concert went on for some time and then concluded with the lucky draw for the top 10 prizes. Then, with the conclusion of the lucky draw, we also bade some fellow-文化艺术团-parents goodbye and left the hall, feeling tired but happy nevertheless.

Good Friday 2009

At the end of our previous outing with the family of WF's 文化艺术团 classmate, Andrew, 2+ months back, we had arranged to go on a picnic at the Marina Barrage on Good Friday because 1) the children will have no lessons (school or enrichment) that day and 2) we all love the Marina Barrage - for its space and its views.

And so, for many weeks, WY and WF had been counting down to Good Friday. R and I discussed and we felt that a picnic, by itself, may seem a little 'dull' for the energetic little ones. So, we 'brainstormed' for a while on what could keep the children occupied while the adults sipped on our drinks (Edward - Andrew's father, had said that he would bring some beautiful red wine).

After much deliberation, we decided that we will let the children have a go at kite-flying! Afterall, WY and WF have never tried to fly kites before, and it would probably be a very refreshing experience for everyone, including R and myself (since we also have never tried flying kites either).

We intitially wanted to keep it a surprise for Andrew's family. But about week before Good Friday, Andrew's mother, Anne, called to check with us what we had planned to do at the picnic. So I told her about the plan to fly kites, after which R and I went about sourcing for the kites.

Surprisingly, there are not many shops selling the easier-to-fly diamond/square kites which we used to see commonly on sale at mama-shops when we were young. Most shops, including big toy departmental stores like ToysRus, carry only the bigger and more elaborate fabric/canvas type. And of course, these are more costly, too.

But being the very resourceful persons we are (ahem, we really are!), I eventually found some 'simple' kites at a rather inconspicuous HDB shop at Chinatown. This shop carries a small range of designs but for us (novices), I decided that they would be good enough. The shopkeeper was very helpful, and after a little sales talk, I paid a total of $16 for 5+1 kites - 4 diamond/square ones (clear plastic, not paper) and 1 fabric/canvas one. They all came with strings twined onto easy-to-grip platics holders.

Later on, we checked with Anne again on the picnic menu and this was our final list: buns, watermelon, cookies and crackers (kerokpok). Our plan was that we would meet at 4:30pm at the Barrage and then after our picnic and kite-flying, we would go for dinner together.

Also, another family of WF's another 文化艺术团 classmate, Zhi'en had agreed to also join us for the picnic and kite-flying. So, the picnic was to be for 12 persons.

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On Good Friday, the skies were relatively clear in the morning. We got a surprise call from Anne, however, at almost noon. She said, "Ay, how ah? It is drizzling quite 'heavily' now at our place leh. What shall we do if it rains later at the Barrage ah?"

Andrew's family lives in the central/western part of Singapore, Ghim Moh. Anne went on to ask, "Er, how about Kallang Leisure Park? Will the children be interested, you think, in maybe ice-skating or bowling or something?"

"Erm, I don't know, actually. The skies look ok here now," I told Anne. Then I tried to reassure her that it was still a good 4 hours or so from our picnic time, so we could see how things go first.

At almost 3pm, R and I brought WY and WF out. Our plan was to go to Raffles City to pick up the cookies from Subway, then proceed to Marina Barrage. WY and WF were especially excited; they both voluntarily carried the kites and crackers (keropok) for our picnic.

We arrived at Raffles City rather early. So we roamed around a little, looking at the new shops that have sprung up since the mall underwent some upgrading 1-2 years ago. We also went to Robinsons, where I bought a UFO gadget for WY. (WY has been tsked to master the gadget and perform for us the UFO show when he's ready.)

At Robinsons, R looked outside the glass windows and saw what he said was a drizzle. Later, we went to MPH at the basement and whilst we were browsing the books, R received a call from Zhi'en's mother, Wendy, telling us that it was raining cats and dogs, so we probably have little choice but to cancel our picnic! After much conferencing over the phone amongst R, Edward and Wendy, it was finally decided that we would give the picnic a miss this time. But we would all still meet for dinner at 6pm at Suntec City.

"Oh, man...." groaned WY and WF when they heard the newest development. WY was rather upset but said in an upbeat voice, "Mum, Dad, maybe the rain will stop before 4:30pm? Perhaps we should still check out the Barrage."

WY was very persistent and it soon rubbed off us. R and I decided, ok, we'll still check out the Barrage and see if the skies would clear by then.

However, we all got a big, rude shock when the car moved out of the basement carpark - it was not raining only cats and dogs! It was more like the tornado had come - the rains were lashing mercilessly and streaks of lightning intermittenly flashed across the sky! I think visbility was about 10m, so I kept reminding R to go slow on the accelerator as we climbed the Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

Meanwhile, WF kept asking earnestly, "Where will Andrew and Zhi'en be? Are they at Marina Barrage already?"

When we arrived at the Barrage, R was able to find a parking lot close to the path leading to the main building. The storm was still very relentless and as we sat in the car waiting for the rain to subside a little before we went out, WY noted how quickly the winds were blowing the clouds westwards towards the land.

After a while, the rain did seem to ease off a little, so we quickly got out from the car and managed to get into the building relatively dry (with the help of 2 giant and one small umbrellas). WF was still asking me, "Now, where is Andrew?"

I had to tell him several times over that the picnic was off, and that we would be meeting his friends only for dinner later. Poor WF was so disappointed, he said indignantly and with his eyes reddened with disappointment, "But we are supposed to have the picnic! And our crackers!"

Fortunately, we had brought the cookies out with us and so we munched on these as we waited the rain out.

R took some photos and video clips of the currents at the crash gates at the Bridge. In the video clip, the currents look 'normal' but they were really quite 'rushy' that afternoon.



We stood around amongst the scattered groups of visitors also forced indoor by the heavy rain. Later, we decided to take a stroll through the Gallery once again. When we arrived at the hall showcasing the model barrage, WY suddenly pointed out to us excitedly, "Mum! Dad! Look! The rain has really stopped!"

After some hesitation (on my part), WY was allowed to go to fetch 2 kites from the car so that he and WF could try flying them. Then we all proceeded to the green roof.

We opened the bags holding the kites and after some fumbling tying the strings to the kites, WY and WF started on the layangs.



To everyone's surprise, WF's kite went into the air in no time! And to WY's 'relief', his also flew up into the sky and was gliding high up there soon after. R and I were quite surprised that the gentle breeze was sufficient to bring and keep the kites up!



While flying the kites, WY and WF met a couple of siblings who seemed very keen to try their hands at flying the kites, too. So WY and WF let them try the kites intermittenly. It's quite amazing how easy it seems to make acquaintances when we are having fun.

Then, later, while flying WY's kite, the boy caused the kite to be gone - it fell into the water. And was eventually washed out into the sea (because the crash gates were still flushing out the water from the reservoir). Although I tried to subtly 'console' WY about his lost kite, I was actually a little put-off by the boy's failure to apologise for the loss. After a while, they left.

R also enjoyed the kite-flying. I saw him tug gently at the remaining kite with (or was it for?) WF. WF gestured to me to join them in the field, but looking at the puddles at its edge, I just smiled and said, "No, no. I take pictures for you!"



We left after another 10 minutes or so, for Suntec City. R and I agreed as we walked towards the car - we will definitely make time for this simple pleasure again some time soon.

The boys were all very excited when they saw one another at Crystal Jade where we were to have dinner together. Dinner was a simple selection of some dishes (mainly for the children) and rice. It was rather noisy that day, so chatting amongst the adults across the big, round table took some effort. I forgot to take any pictures at this light but enjoyable meal.

After dinner, we adjourned to Swensen's for ice-cream. Since R's birthday is in April and he holds a Swensen's VIP card, we also ordered an ice-cream cake for all to share. Coincidentally, Edward's birthday is also in April, and so the cake became the celebration for these 2 April 'boys'.

WF sat with his friends and had a whale of a time 'experimenting' on the dry ice in his 'Volcano' ice-cream. WY shared a chocolate fondue set with R and I. But R hardly ate it because he was too busy taking turns with Edward to 'saw' the ice-cream cake. WF and his friends also came by intermittenly to ask for a marshmallow here and wafer there, depleting the fondue items more quickly than it would otherwise have been. Eventually, I ate only about 10% of the fondue.



We stayed on until about 9:30pm. Just before we parted ways, I gave a $1-dollar coin to each of the 3 boys (WF, Andrew and Zhi'en; Andrew's sister, Lynette didn't want any) to let them get themselves a toy each from the capsule-machines just outside Swensen's.

Edward and his wife, Anne as well as Vincent and his wife, Wendy, agreed that we will try to meet up for an outing again during the June school holidays. This time, we hope the skies will be clear and we can really have a go together at the kites.

1st Visit to Marina Barrage

Last Sunday, we had a date with the family of WF's 文化艺术团 friend (classmate last year). WF's friend is called Andrew. Andrew's sister is Lynette. Their parents are Edward and Ann.

We visited the Marina Barrage. Since this was to be our 1st visit to this seeming-far place, we decided to set off early. So, we reached the place early (R had to park the car further away because the car park was already full by then) and looked around first. It was a super-hot afternoon that day.



After R re-joined us, we saw the 35-m long Marina Bridge spanning across the Marina Channel, and decided to take a walk on the Bridge. As we went onto the Bridge, suddenly, the alarm on the PA system sounded! It was so deafeningly loud that many persons on the Bridge quickly got off the Bridge!



As we continued to walk to the centre of the Bridge, we heard the announcement warning that everyone should stay clear of the Marina Channel because PUB was going to operate the Barrage and once the Crash Gates opened, there would be rapid currents. WY and I hesitated because we weren't sure if that was the reason everyone else moved off from the Bridge. We decided to 'play safe' and moved off the Bridge, too.

R continued on, however, only to turn back later to realise that we had already moved off the Bridge! He grudgingly strolled back after staying on the Bridge for a while. He asked with a big frown on his face, "Why did you all move away? I thought this is a good time to catch the Barrage in action?" He also said, "No lah! The warning is for people in the waters!"

And so, we all went back onto the Bridge and saw for ourselves, the opening of the Crash Gates and the discharge of (brownish) water from the reservoir into the (blue/green) sea.



As it was close to 5pm, we hurried back to the Reception Counter to meet up with Andrew & Family.

We were going on a guided tour of the Marina Barrage. The guide was a young man, who spoke clearly. The tour started at the Marina Bridge. We were shown the Barrage which is made up of 9 Crash Gates. Hydraulics are used for the Crash Gates which would open out to the sea whenever water from the reservoir needs to be released.

Then we proceeded to the Gallery comprising 4 sections. Most of the exhibits are so-so only. The only interesting one, I think, is the working model of the Barrage. It can simulate increased water levels in the reservoir by having 'rain' fall from the ceiling. Then there was a demonstration on how the Crash Gates would open to discharge the extra water out to the sea.



The guide also explained that at times, when the sea level is not much lower than the water level in the reservoir (and so it will not be feasible to simply open the Crash Gates to discharge the water out to sea), super-strong pumps will be used instead. Each of these super-strong pumps, which are all housed next to the Bridge, can empty an Olympic-size swimming pool in 9 seconds!

After exiting the Gallery, we were led to the Green Roof at the 3rd storey. I loved this part of the entire place, best. It had very beautiful views of the Marina Bay area and offered many photo opportunites. Several persons were also flying their kites there.



The guided tour ended at the Green Roof. By this time, the children were a little hungry and so as they munched on some biscuits and snacks that Edward and Ann and ourselves had brought along, we all rested in the shade.



After a while, we decided to go back to the Gallery to take some souvenir photos. We tried many rounds because it wasn't easy to get into a 'correct' position!



Then, we decided to check out the ground floor where some people were playing in the wading pools. All seemed to be having a great time in the hot, hot afternoon sun. Sometimes, I do wonder how is it that the parents of some very young children agree to let their young ones frolick in this type of fountain-like pools. Is it safe? Is it hygienic?



After strolling around for a while, we decided to head for dinner at the Esplanade. While walking toward the main entrance, however, WF ran and fell. It was a fall so hard that WF's jeans were torn (at the knee joint)! His arm was also scratched by the rather rough cement floor.

Luckily, the staff patrolling the common areas spotted us and directed us to the Reception Counter for first-aid help. R and Edward brought WF to wash his arm and then put the antiseptic lotion on the abrasions. According to Edward, WF was very brave and held back his tears.

Andrew invited WF to go to the Esplanade in Edward's car. WY opted to take our own car. So we all proceeded and went for dinner at Ichiban.



The food was satisfying - all the children enjoyed theirs very much. We adults also ate a lot as we chatted and joked. Everyone had such a good time that we decided to fix our next date - a picnic on Good Friday!