THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE LAST MINUTE DINNER DATE

It is true after all things that are planned last minute are more likely to happen. And I was meeting my old friends couple, Mr. Ismaznizam J. Azyze and Puan Hazlina Aziz [ex-coursemates of UPM TESL class of 1993], at Azo Murtabak Kampung Melayu which is near my place. It was good in a way that I didn't have to drive all the way to Puteri Harbour/Medini to meet them. 😀

The dinner session this time was shorter as they needed to get the Murtabak delivered to other people waiting at the hotel. It was time to bid farewell and hopefully I could see both of them again some other time, here or in Kuala Lumpur.

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend."
~ JOHN LEONARD ~

GARDENS BY THE BAY - PART 1

"The greatest gift of a garden is the restoration of the five senses."

~ Hanna Rion ~

the super trees

So here I was with my friend at this latest attraction in Singapore: Gardens by the Bay. There are a few sections that you could go - the two gigantic glass domes, namely Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. We just went into these two structures which cost SD$28. Other option you have will be going on the HSBC Skybridge with additional SD$5 and the open garden, I think, which should be free of charge. The other exciting things would be the supertrees that would light up at night.

a bull sculpture (sponsored by an American bank)

getting your tickets

There were a lot of people but the crowd were still bearable, except at times, the flow of people walking will be a bit congested, for example while waiting for the lift to go up the man-made hill, or going the escalator which was not working.

the entrance

waterfalls welcoming the visitors

Once you set foot into the Cloud Forest, the temperature suddenly changed. The cascading waterfalls welcome you and the effect of the sprinkling water created this mist surrounding the atmosphere, hence the name "cloud forest". There was this very big hill and on the wall, there were multicoloured plants and flowers "attached" to it, as well as the surrounding area.

close-up of the hill wall

the happy environmentalist

looking upwards

In order to go up the "hill", we had to take a lift and once we were up there, we continued walking, in and out the hill, on the aerobridge, observing and admiring not only the flora (without the fauna this time), but also how could people come up with an invention like this.

The climate of the glasshouse had enabled the plants to live well. There were the kinds that I had seen before but here they were greener and healthier.  The flowers were bigger in size and as a consequence, they looked brighter and much much more attractive.

view from the top

There was also one section in the hill people could learn more about the formation of crystal. People did not seem to be attracted to the exhibits though.

That was the general overview of the first glasshouse, the Cloud Forest. A genius work of art and technology. I don't mind living here, because when I wake up every morning, I will wonder whether I have died and gone to heaven. But I have to tell myself not to throw stones every now and then.

This is the place where one's perception of agriculture, horticulture, biotechnology, botany, architecture and all the related fields may change.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

THE 21ST DAY OF SYAWAL

At about 11:15 a.m. I went to attend a wedding invitation, then at about 2:00 p.m. there was this potluck in the school staffroom. Right after school, I went to a student's open house and tried the "Nasi Arab" and a bit of "Laksa Johor". 

After about an hour after that, I was at my colleagues' house, Mr. Hisham and Pn. Nurhafiza, as they also were welcoming friends to their house. I had to try their "Nasi Beriyani Udang" and a few curry puffs, and I had to tell myself to stop.

That is what Eid is all about here at my place, and maybe at other places as well in the country. After all the eating spree, I hope my guilt conscience for taking all the food should be enough. I am thinking of fasting for another week already. How I envy those people who can eat a lot but stay slim and have nothing to worry. *sigh*

"There is no love sincerer than the love of food."

George Bernard Shaw

from "Man and Superman"

THE FLOWER POWER

"Earth laughs in flowers."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

bougainvillae collection

After the intense heat in Ramadhan and the heavy downpour during the early few days of Syawal, the plants at home start to bear flowers, and in abundance. It is best to capture the beauty of the colourful blooms before they wilt.

Once in a while, I am feeling as if I am in the midst of the spring season, but with the heat and humidity.

"janda kaya"
translate: rich widow

the king of thorns

hibiscus

names unknown :)

I hope I can operate a nursery after I have retired. But I will have to add in more plants into my collection.

'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

 "A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money"

~ John Ruskin ~

WEDNESDAY, 15th August ~ Today was the last day of school after the Education Ministry allowed us to take extra two days of holidays which will be replaced later. The air was filled with the spirit of Eid celebration and those who would be going back to their hometowns were the people who looked more excited.

Ramadhan and Syawal are the months of charity and giving - and I went home with goodies given by colleagues, parents and students. I would like to express my gratitude to the kind-hearted individuals for all the gifts for the Eid celebration and only god will repay all your kindness, and I can't thank you enough.

A hamper from a form 2 students' (twins) mother;
"samprit" cookies from Pn. Nadzlina; 
and dried jelly from Pn. Noraliza

"rempeyek" from Pn. Zakiah; tarts from Pn. Zuerdiana;
goodies from Ms. Grace, a PIBG committee member

Cake and cookies from Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Pn. Nor'ashikin and
Ms. Amalina; chocolates from Ms. Safia and the Ng family

greeting cards from the Principal and the Chairman
of PIBG; money packets from a student's mother
and the prefects

a wrist watch from my Chinese colleagues and Mr. Narasimman

The celebration has not actually started but it is still not too early to wish everybody, the Muslims and non-Muslims alike, a joyous celebration of the Eid - "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri" and enjoy the 11-day school break while you still can.

And I have 3 days to get things ready. *sigh*

WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

In the evening of the fourth day, Mr. Solleh took me on a tour around the campus of the University of Toronto. Founded in 1827, the university has quite a number of old and Gothic-designed structures which project the antique but sturdy facade.

One similar thing that I can see from the campuses of the universities abroad, such as in Canada, Australia and the UK, the area is not confined to any fences and gates where people are free to walk in and out any time of the day. The faculty buildings do nor necessarily have to be located in the main campus area - they can be found everywhere, even in the city centre. However, they have good security to get access into the premises where one has to use his/her smart card and the building must be equipped with CCTV cameras I suppose.

I wonder, if I were to be sent to study in Canada many years back, would I be sent here? From my reading, I found that the University of Toronto is not only ranked among the first top 25 universities in the world, but is also well-known for its literary criticism and communication theory. Other achievements include (too technical for me to rephrase) "... the birthplace of insulin and stem cell research, and was the site of the first practical electron microscope, the development of multi-touch technology, the identification of Cygnus X-1 as a black hole, and the theory of NP completeness." (from Wikipedia)

And that wrapped up my educational trip abroad this time and like what Woody Allen once said, "I've never been an intellectual but I have this look".