Saturday 31 December 2022

Three Ends 三末

Singapore

新加坡

Today is three ends - weekend, month end, year end.

今天是三末 — 周末、月末、年末。


It symbolises the end of everything, for better or worse, in 2022.

它象征着2022年一切事物的终结,无论好坏。

Time will not stop for anyone, 

时间不会为了任何人而停摆。

Be it good or bad, you know better.

好亦如此、坏亦罢,冷暖自知。

Everything will pass.

一切都会过去的。

What should be let go, just go with the drift.

该放下的,就随风而去吧。

Monday 26 December 2022

Boxing Day 节礼日

Singapore

新加坡

Boxing Day originated in Great Britain, as a holiday to give gifts to the poor.

节礼日起源于英国作为向穷人赠送礼物的节日。

Today Boxing Day is primarily known as shopping holiday.

现今的节礼日主要被称为购物假期。


In olden Singapore, Boxing Day was a public holiday for working people and students.

在旧新加坡,节礼日是工作人士和学生的公共假日。

When Boxing Day fell on a Saturday or Sunday, there was a holiday on Monday.

当节礼日落在星期六或星期日时,星期一既放假。

However, in recent years this tradition has ceased.

然而,近年来这传统已经停止。


To me Boxing Day is to open the gift box day. (Wathehaha!)

对我来说,节礼日既是开箱日。(哇的哈哈!)

This year's Boxing Day gifts to myself to unbox are iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple Ultra Watch.

今年节礼日送自己的开箱礼物的是苹果的哀凤14破脉和苹果凹凸表。

Thursday 22 December 2022

Winter Solstice 冬至

Singapore

新加坡


It is Winter Solstice again.

又是冬至节。

What is the winter solstice like for Heng Hwa people?

兴化的冬至是怎么样的呢?

Heng Hwa people believe that the winter solstice night is grander than new year's eve and winter solstice morning is grander than new year's day. 

兴化人认为冬至晚大过除夕晚,冬至早大过年初一。

I remember when I was a child, my grandmother would set up ginger and ten pairs of chopsticks every winter solstice night, and then we started making glutinous rice balls.

记得小时候,每当冬至晚祖母就会摆好姜母和十双筷子,然后我们开始搓汤圆。

Any shape when making the glutinous rice balls must be in pairs.

搓汤圆时的任何造型都要成双成对。

There is also pithy formula for making the glutinous rice balls.

搓汤圆还有口诀。

冬至搓汤圆,家中出好儿。

汤圆搓圆圆,日日挣大钱。

金鸡搓两只,手脚会利落。

狗仔搓一双,出入都平安。

银币搓两片,闲心沿路逛。

元宝搓两个,儿孙出头日。

旁边放姜母,日子过大好。

鸳鸯嘴吮嘴,荣华兼富贵。

簸箕插五春,经常做乾坤。

中间放红筷,出门大吉利。

橘子放一堆,儿孙围成团。

汤圆包花生,保佑一家添财又添丁。

P/S: Nanyang people generally call Putian people Heng Hwa people.

注:南洋人普遍称莆田人为兴化人。

Wednesday 14 December 2022

Bivalent Vaccine 二价疫苗

Singapore

新加坡

Went in today for my fifth dose (third booster jab) of vaccine.

今天去接种了我的第五剂(第三剂的追加剂)的疫苗。


This time it was the bivalent vaccine.

这次打的是二价疫苗。


I had chosen the Moderna / Spikevax bivalent vaccine.

我选择了莫德纳 / 史派威士二价疫苗。


As usual after the vaccination, there would be a fifteen-minutes observation period.

像往常一样,接种疫苗后,会有十五分钟的观察期。


As before, it was recommended to avoid strenuous activities for two weeks after vaccination.

如之前一样,接种疫苗后被建议在两周内避免剧烈运动。


Got my COVID-19 vaccination card which contained all my previous vaccination records.

获得了我的冠病疫苗接种卡,里面包含了我之前所有的疫苗接种记录。


In addition to free vaccination, there are also gifts to receive. Wathehaha!

除了有免费疫苗接种,还有赠品领取。哇的哈哈!

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Repeal Section 377A 条文废除

Singapore

新加坡

Parliament repeals of Section 377A of the Penal Code, decriminalising gay sex.

国会废除刑事法典第377A节条文,正式将男男性行为除罪化。

The bill passes with 93 votes in favour and 3 against.

该法案以93票赞成,3票反对获通过。 



Parliament endorses changes to the Constitution to protect the current definition of marriage between a man and a woman from legal challenge.

国会同时批准修改宪法以保护现行的一男一女婚姻定义免受法律挑战。

The bill passes with 85 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions.

该法案以85票赞成,2票反对及2票弃权获通过。

It marks an important milestone in Singapore's journey towards social equality.

这标志着新加坡在推行社会平等道路上的重要里程碑。

Sunday 20 November 2022

Remember To Scan 记得扫描

Singapore - Changi Airport

新加坡 — 樟宜机场


Finally home.

终于回家了。


All travellers including Singaporeans entering Singapore need to scan and submit the SG Arrival Card before clearing immigration.

所有进入新加坡的旅客,包括新加坡人,都需要在办理出入境手续前需要扫描并提交新加坡入境卡。


Singapore's efficiency remains unmatched.

新加坡的效率仍然无以伦比。


Best feeling to be back home!

回家的感觉最好!

P/S: Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated in Parliament that the declaration of the SG Arrival Card will become a permanent measure to prevent the importation of infectious diseases.

注:卫生部长王乙康在国会表示,新加坡入境卡的申报将成为以防止传染病输入的永久措施。

Tuesday 15 November 2022

Return home 回国了

Thailand - Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport)

泰国 — 曼谷(素旺那普国际机场)

After completing the important things, this Bangkok trip also comes to an end.

办完重要的事情后,这趟曼谷行也告一段落。


To sum up this journey, it can be said that after three years of epidemic, many things have changed.

总结这趟的旅程,这能说三年的疫情下来,很多事情都已经是人事已非。


The airport boarding area is still as big as ever, but the crowds are not as large.

机场的登机区还是和以往一样大,人群却没以往多。


Hope everything will be back to normal soon, see you real soon.

希望一切都能尽快的恢复正常,很快再见。

Wednesday 9 November 2022

Four-Faces-Buddha’s Birthday Grand Ceremony 四面佛圣诞盛典

Thailand - Bangkok

泰国 — 曼谷

After the opening of Thailand, make a special trip to participate in the Four-Faces-Buddha’s Birthday Grand Ceremony.

泰国开放后,专程飞去参加四面佛圣诞盛典


The long-awaited Four-Faces-Buddha’s Birthday Grand Ceremony.

期待已久的四面佛圣诞盛典。


On the evening of November 8, the staff clearing the grounds in preparation for the grand ceremony.

11月8日晚,工作人员清理场地为盛典做准备。


At five o’clock in the morning on November 9, devotees in white have lined up, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

11月9日清晨五点,全身着白的信众就已经排列整齐等待仪式开始。


The venue is full of hotel committees and famous families, and we idlers can only watch from the sidelines.

会场里都是一些酒店的理事、名门望族,我们这些闲杂人等就只能在场外围观。


After all the distinguished guests arrive, the staff allows us to enter the venue from the side of the gate (at the red railing).

等所有的贵宾到齐后,工作人员才从大门一侧(红色栏杆处)让我们进去会场。


Finally squeeze into the venue, which happens to be relatively near to the altar.

终于挤进会场,刚好还是比较靠近神坛的位置。


Roger Wu, the host of TVB 'Thai Rogered' and Thai tour guide partner Woody, who can speak fluent Cantonese, are also spotted at the scene.

现场也看到TVB《冲游泰国》主持人胡慧冲及会讲一口流利粤语的泰国导游拍档Woody.

Tuesday 8 November 2022

Go Abroad 出国

Singapore & Thailand (Bangkok) - Changi Airport & Suvarnabhumi International Airport

新加坡 和 泰国(曼谷)—  樟宜机场 及 素旺那普国际机场


After three long years, finally able to fly abroad.

漫长的三年,终于能飞出国。


Holding the once familiar boarding pass.

握着曾经熟悉的登机牌。


Waiting for the arrival of the flight in the long-awaited boarding area.

在久违的候机室等班机的到来。


After nearly two hours flight, finally reach Bangkok.

经过近两个小时的飞行,终于抵达曼谷。


Go left to Arrival Hall.

向左走到入境厅。


Back ... the tourists are back.

回来了 ... 旅客回来了。


There are still not too many tourists in the Arrival Hall.

入境厅的旅客还不算太多。


The strange thing is that although there are not many tourists, it takes about half an hour to wait for the check-in luggage.

奇怪的是,虽然旅客不多,但等候托运行李也要半个小时左右。


The period of stay has been extended from a month to 45 days.

逗留期限从一个月延长至45天。

Saturday 29 October 2022

Recycle Material 回收材料

Singapore

新加坡

In today's society, everything is about protecting the environment.

现今社会一切都与环保有关。


A pair of shoes I bought recently also hooked up with environmental protection.

最近买的一双鞋也和环保挂上了钩。


I thought the recycled material might be a bit inferior, but after trying it on, it was of no different.

原以为再循环的物资可能会有点劣质,但试穿后也没什么不同。


In fact, to put it bluntly,  regardless of new materials or recycled materials, as long as it can be used, it is a good material.

其实说白了,无论新材料或回收材料,只要能用就是好材料。

Monday 26 September 2022

Apple MacBook Air M2 苹果麦簿哀

Singapore

新加坡

I consider myself a computer idiot.

我自认是个电脑白痴。

Just because I am a computer idiot, I am hooked on to Apple products!

就因为是电脑白痴,所以就被苹果吃得死死的!

Why would Apple be involved?

为什么会把苹果牵扯在内呢?


My brother is a computer expert so naturally he becomes my computer consultant.

我弟是个电脑达人,所以很自然的他就理所当然的成为了我的电脑顾问。

He is also a die-hard Apple fan!

他更是个苹果的死忠铁粉!

He has almost every product from Apple!

几乎苹果的每样产品他都有!

My brother-in-law teased him that Apple stock market rose because of him.

我妹夫就调侃过他说苹果股市因他而涨。


My first Apple product is iPhone 3GS.

我的第一个苹果产品是哀凤3GS。

As a result, I started a series of “i” journeys.

结果就开启了我一系列苹果的“哀”之旅。

iMac 27”, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad, I have them all.

哀麦27寸、麦薄哀、麦簿破、哀派,我都拥有。

Since Apple products are all connected, I do not have to worry about how to bond them together.

事因苹果产品都一脉通,我无需烦恼怎么把它们粘合在一起。


My logic initially was to buy a good brand once and for all.

我最初的逻辑是买个好品牌就能一劳永逸。

When terabyte computer was still rare in the market, I already owned one.

当年市场上还很少见兆兆位元组电脑时,我已经拥有了一台。

Because I do not play computer games, I naively thought this computer would accompany me forever.

因为不玩电脑游戏,我天真的以为这台电脑能陪我天长地老。

God’s plans supersede our own, and after being with me for more than a decade, it gradually grew old and demented.

人算不如天算,陪了我十多年后,它也渐渐地年华老去兼痴呆。

Despite several major surgeries, the technician could not stand it any longer.

尽管动了几次大手术,维修员也看不下去。

He told me that my money was well spent after all these years and repeatedly persuaded me to extubate it and let it be euthanized!

他告诉我那么多年也赚回来了,就一再的劝我还是拔管让它安乐死吧!

The most irritating part is the “i” products that I bought together at the beginning died about the same time.

最气人的是,当初一起买的“哀”差不多在同样时间点寿终正寝。


Due to the epidemic, I could not go abroad, so I did not think of getting any new computer.

因为疫情不能要出国,所以也没想到要再添购新电脑。

But recently I needed computer to do my work, so I bought a new MacBook Air M2.

但最近我需要电脑来做我的工作,所以我买了一台新的麦簿哀M2。

I am getting smarter now, do not buy at the same time, must spread the risk! Wathehaha!

我现在变聪明了,不要在同一时间购买,要分散风险。哇的哈哈!

Tuesday 20 September 2022

London Bridge Is Down 伦敦桥倒塌

United Kingdom and Singapore

英国和新加坡

Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, at the age of 96, after 70 years on the throne, the longest reigning monarch in British history.

伊丽莎白女王二世于9月8日在巴尔莫雷尔城堡驾崩,享年96岁,在位70年,是英国历史上在位时间最长的君主。



The Queen’s state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday at 11am London time (6pm Singapore time Monday).

英女王国葬仪式于伦敦时间星期一上午11时(新加坡时间星期一傍晚6时)在伦敦威斯敏斯特教堂举行。



Singapore President Halimah Yacob attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

新加坡总统哈莉玛到威斯敏斯特教堂出席英女王伊丽莎白二世国葬仪式。


State flags at all government buildings in Singapore were flown at half-mast on Monday as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

为向已故英女王伊丽莎白二世致敬,新加坡所有政府建筑星期一降半旗。


Queen Elizabeth II had visited Singapore three times in 1972, 1989 and 2006.

英女王伊丽莎白二世在1972年、1989年以及2006年三度访问新加坡。


When it was a British crown colony, Singapore was under the symbolic rule of the British monarchy until the 1960s.

当它是英国的皇家殖民地时,新加坡一直处于英国君主制的象征性统治之下直到1960年代。

P/S: “London Bridge is down” this phrase refers to “Operation London Bridge”, Britain’s not-so-secret code name for the plans on what to do when Queen Elizabeth II dies.

注:“伦敦桥倒塌”这个短语指的是“伦敦桥行动”,这是英国不那么秘密的代号,用于计划在英女王伊丽莎白二世驾崩后做什么。

Tuesday 9 August 2022

Singapore’s 57th Birthday 新加坡57岁生日

Singapore

新加坡

After a long two years of restrictions due to COVID-19, Singaporeans once again came together to celebrate the National Day.

在因冠病而受到长达两年的限制之后,新加坡人再次齐聚在一起庆祝国庆日。


The past two years have not been easy.

这两年走来不易。

Fortunately, Singapore has an excellent government that has been doing everything in its power to help the people through waves of hardships.

幸运的是,新加坡有一个优秀的政府,一直竭尽全力帮助人民渡过一波又一波的难关。


Hope that the epidemic will pass soon and everyone can return to normal life.

希望疫情早日过去,大家又能恢复正常生活。

Here’s wishing Singapore a Happy 57th Birthday!

在此祝愿新加坡57岁生日快乐!