Sunday 31 December 2023

123123

Singapore

新加坡

Time flies, today is December 31, 23 (12/31/23) the last day of 2023.

时间飞逝,今天是12月31日23年(12/31/23)2023年的最后一天。

A year goes by so fast!

一年就这样匆匆的过去了!

It feels like nothing has been done and a year has passed quietly.

感觉什么都还没做,一年就这样悄然过去了。


Summarise what have been done this year?

总结这一年做了什么?

Did not travel anywhere except Johor Bahru.

除了新山以外没有去任何地方旅行。

Got COVID-19 again out of nowhere.

莫名其妙的再次得冠病。

Attended the two and a half day course using SkillsFuture Credit.

使用未来技能培训补助金参加了为期两天半的课程。

Attended two weddings and two funerals.

参加了两场的婚礼和两场葬礼。

Did a comprehensive medical examination and all indicators were up to standard.

做了全面体检,各项指标均达标。

The greatest blessing for the entire year is that my whole family is in pink of health.

一整年最大的福气就是全家人身体健康。

Hope to achieve a better goal in 2024.

希望2024年能够实现更好的目标。

Sunday 24 December 2023

A Wisp Of Smoke 一缕青烟

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火葬场及骨灰安置所

On Christmas Eve, attend a relative's funeral.

在平安夜这一天,参加亲戚的葬礼。


The elders I met when I was a child have gradually aged as I have grown up.

小时候见到的长辈,也因为自己长大而渐渐老去。

Because everyone is "busy", everyone naturally pushes "see you" to "next time".

因为“忙”,大家都理所当然的把“再见”推给“下一次”。

"Next time" sometimes means "forever" that will never come!

“下一次”有时意味着不会到来的“永远”!


Ironically, modern "busy people" often only get to see their relatives once on such occasions.

讽刺的是,现代的“大忙人”通常也只能在这种场合见到亲人一次面。

Life is like a subtraction problem, if you see it once, you will lose it once.

人生就像一道减法题,见一次就少一次。

Do not wait until the other person has turned into a wisp of smoke when you meet.

莫等见面时,对方已成一缕青烟。

Friday 22 December 2023

Thanks Tai Sui 谢太岁

Singapore - Sembawang God Of Wealth Temple

新加坡 — 三巴旺财神庙

Today is the last day to Thank Tai Sui for this year.

今天是今年谢太岁的最后一天。


Worshiping Tai Sui is performed at the beginning of the year to pray for peace in the coming year.

拜太岁在年初进行,为的是祈求来年平安。

At the end of the year, it is natural to thank Tai Sui and the heavens.

至年末自然也要谢太岁答谢诸天。


Thanks Tai Sui - as the name suggests, it means thanking Tai Sui God for his protection throughout the year.

谢太岁——顾名思义就是感谢太岁神一年的护佑。

Being able to spend this year safely and smoothly is inseparable from the blessings of the heavens. 

这一年能够平安顺利的度过,离不开诸天的福佑,举办谢太岁法会以感谢值年太岁星君及本命星君一年的神恩护持。


Thanks Tai Sui is also called Returning Tai Sui.

谢太岁又称还太岁。

Repaying God for His kindness at the end of the year also embodies the spirit of gratitude of the Chinese nature.

年底酬谢神恩也体现了华族知恩、感恩的精神。

Wednesday 13 December 2023

Decline To Visit 谢绝拜访

Singapore - River Wonders

新加坡 — 河川生态园

Today is the last day to see SBP (Singapore-Born Panda) Le Le.

今天是看SBP(新加坡出生的熊猫)叻叻的最后一天。

In the days to come, the public will only see Le Le's parents, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

往后的日子,公众也只能看到叻叻的父母凯凯和嘉嘉了。


Le Le will return to China on January 16, 2024.

叻叻将于2024年1月16日送返中国。

After returning to China, Le Le will participate in the giant panda breeding programme.

回到中国之后,叻叻将参与大熊猫繁殖计划。


Le Le will begin his four-and-a-half-week quarantine before departing for China.

叻叻在启程前往中国之前,将开始为期四个半周的隔离。

During this period, public is declined to visit Le Le.

在这期间,公众是谢绝拜访叻叻的。


Under the giant panda leasing agreements, cubs born abroad are generally returned to China when they turn two.

根据大熊猫租借协议,在外国出生的幼崽通常会在两岁时被送回中国。

Hope that Le Le will flourish in China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and bring glory to the country.

希望叻叻在中国的成都大熊猫繁育研究基地开枝散叶,为国争光。

Monday 11 December 2023

Monovalent Vaccine 单价疫苗

Singapore

新加坡

My sixth dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

我的第六剂冠病疫苗。


This time I got the updated version of the monovalent vaccine.

这次打的是更新版的单价疫苗。


After getting the queue number, proceed to the registration counter.

拿了排队号码后,前往登记处。


They set up a "small" air-conditioned room for registration and vaccination.

他们搭建了一个“小”空调房,用于登记和疫苗接种。


I had Moderna / Spikevax monovalent vaccine.

我打了莫德纳 / 史派威士单价疫苗。


After the vaccination, there would be a fifteen minutes observation period.

接种疫苗后,有十五分钟的观察期。

Grateful to the government for providing free vaccines.

感激政府免费提供疫苗。

Monday 20 November 2023

Fine Nation 美好国家

Singapore

新加坡

Recently, a Chinese nation lady made a big fuss in the hospital; as a result, the relevant authorities dug out more records of her unspeakable stench.

近日,有个小龙女大闹医院;于是有关部门挖出她更多不可告人的恶臭纪录。

She probably forgot that she was staying in a FINE country.

她大概忘了自己居住在一个罚款国度。


Most people's first impression of Singapore is that it is a fine nation.

大多数人对新加坡的第一印象,都会认同新加坡是个美好国家。

You can see the FINEness, the moment you are at the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station.

当你在地铁站的那一刻,你就能看到它的“美好”(罚款)。


Perhaps to many foreigners, Singapore seems to be fined for everything they do.

可能对很多外国人来说,新加坡好像干什么都会被罚款。

In fact, as long as you follow the rules, Singapore is indeed a fine country.

其实,只要你循规蹈矩,新加坡确实是个美好国家。

To be honest, not many Singaporeans have actually been fined.

说实在的没多少新加坡人真正的被罚款过。


Why Singapore has gained the reputation as a FINE nation is more or less related to Michael Fay incident.

新加坡之所以会得到
罚款国家的美誉,或多或少跟迈克·事件有关。

In 1994, Singaporean authorities sentenced American teenager Michael Fay to be lashed six times with a cane for violating the Vandalism Act.

1994年,新加坡当局以违反《破坏公物法》为由,判处美国青少年迈克·鞭打六下。

67 cars were vandalised in various neighbourhoods of Singapore.

新加坡多个街区有 67 辆汽车遭到破坏。

The damage included spray painting and being pelted with eggs, and at least one had its windshield smashed.

损坏包括喷漆和被扔鸡蛋,至少一辆的挡风玻璃被砸碎。

Bill Clinton, the then-President of the United States, also called Fay's punishment "extreme" and "mistaken", and pressured the Singapore government to grant Michael Fay clemency from caning.

时任美国总统比尔·克林顿也称的处罚“极端”和“错误”,并向新加坡政府施压,要求对迈克·宽恕鞭刑

Nevertheless, the Singapore government via Ong Teng Cheong, then the country's President, announced that the number of cane strokes would be reduced from six to four out of consideration for President Clinton as it valued the good historical relations between both countries.

然而,新加坡政府通过时任总统王鼎昌宣布,出于对克林顿总统的考虑,珍视两国之间良好的历史关系,将把鞭刑的次数从六下减少到四下。

This was a sensational headline news around the world at the time, because Singapore showed that small countries are not afraid of superpowers.

这在当年可算是轰动全球的头条新闻,因为新加坡体现了小国并不畏惧超级强国。

Sunday 29 October 2023

Hit Again 再中招

Singapore

新加坡

Recently, the number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore has been on the rise again.

最近,新加坡的冠病病例又有上升的趋势。


Although I had 5 dosages of vaccine prior to this, I also caught up with the trend at this juncture.

虽然在这之前我已接种了5剂疫苗,但在这节骨眼上我也赶上了潮流。

The symptoms of being hit again, except for sore throat and cough, are generally OK.

再中招的症状,除了喉咙痛、咳嗽之外,整体上都还OK

As usual, self-quarantine for 5 days then should be fine to go!

照往常的惯例,自行隔离5天后就可以走人了!

P/S: The Ministry of Health will roll out the updated COVID-19 monovalent vaccines from October 30.

注:卫生部从10月30日起推出更新版冠病单价疫苗。

Sunday 22 October 2023

Jigong The Crazy Monk 济公疯癫和尚

Malaysia - Johor (Yong Peng Tian Pao Kong)

马来西亚 — 柔佛州(永平天保宫)


Tian Pao Kong was originally an estate "temple" and officially moved to its current location in 2008.

天保宫是从当初的民宅“神庙”,到2008年正式迁入现今地址。

Over the next ten years, the council built to current state according to plan.

后来的十年间,该理事会便按计划打造成现在的规模。

Inside, there is a 68-foot-high statues of Jigong. eighteen arhats, a children's playground, and statues of gods and buddhas.

里边有尊68尺高的济公神像、十八罗汉、儿童游乐场还有一众神佛神像。


Jigong was a real person in history.

济公是历史上的真实人物

His original name was Li Xiuyuan (1148 - 1209 A.D.), born in Yongning Village, Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province.

原名李修缘(公元1148年 - 1209年)出生于浙江省天台县永宁村

He was an eminent monk in the Southern Song Dynasty and his dharma name was Daoji.

济公是南宋高僧,法名道济。

Jigong's life was full of legends.

济公的一生富传奇色彩

He helped the poor, eliminated violence and brought peace to the good, showed good and punished evil, and was deeply loved by the people.

他扶危济困、除暴安良、彰善罚恶,深受百姓爱戴。

When Jigong was born, the Seventeenth Arhat (Arhat Descending the Dragon) in the Arhat Hall of Guoqing Temple suddenly fell down, so people said that Jigong was the reincarnation of arhat.

济公诞生时正好碰上国清寺罗汉堂里的第十七尊罗汉(降龙罗汉)突然倾倒,于是人们便把济公说成是罗汉投胎。

Sunday 15 October 2023

Red Bomb 红炸弹

Singapore - Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel (Red House Seafood)

新加坡 — 国敦河畔大酒店(小红楼)


Attend my student's wedding today.

今天参加了我学生的婚礼。


Taught him and his brothers for a good ten years and his family considers me as a family friend.

教他和他的弟弟们整整十年,他家人也把我当成了家庭朋友。


From an ignorant teenager, grown up to be a man and from today onwards also a husband.

从一个懵懂的少年,长大成人,更在今天以后成为人夫婿。


Singaporean Chinese still retain the custom of serving tea to their elders at weddings.

新加坡华族还保留着在婚礼上向长辈敬茶的习俗。


I rarely attend wedding due to social anxiety.

我极少参加婚礼,因为我社恐。


I was assigned to sit at the same table as the groom's colleagues and bride's former colleagues.

我被安排与新郎的同事及新娘的前同事坐同一桌。

When asked if I was guest of the groom or the bride? 

被问到我是新郎还是新娘的嘉宾?

I answered that I was the groom's tutor, the CPUs of other guests at the same table burnt instantly! 

我回答我是新郎的补习老师,同桌其他嘉宾的CPU秒烧!

When they heard this, they all exclaimed.

他们一听,惊呼起来!

I guess they must be thinking that "tutor" is "product" of childhood, so how can anyone still keep in touch with him after all these years?

我猜想他们肯定觉得“补习老师”是孩童时期的“产物”,怎么还有人在多年后还会保持联系呢?

This should be the most gratifying thing for all teachers.

这应该是所有老师最欣慰的事。

P/S: Red bomb is a wedding invitation, those who attend the wedding banquet will give generously in red packet as a blessing gift.

注:红炸弹既是喜帖,出席婚宴者会赠送丰厚红包作为祝福礼。

Tuesday 10 October 2023

Firearms 枪械

Recently, a fourteen years old Thai boy was arrested for shooting at Siam Paragon in Bangkok.

最近,一名十四岁的泰国男孩因在曼谷暹罗百丽宫开枪被捕。

Two women, one from China and another from Myanmar, were killed at the mall.

两名妇女,一名来自中国、另一名来自缅甸在商场被射杀。


In Southeast Asia, firearm control ranges:

Cambodia, Vietnam (Total Control)

Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste (Restrictive Control)

在东南亚国家中,枪支管制范围从:

柬埔寨、越南(全面管制)

文莱、印度尼西亚、老挝、马来西亚、缅甸、菲律宾、新加坡、泰国、东帝汶(限制性管制)

In Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam gun crime can attract the death penalty.

在印度尼西亚、马来西亚、新加坡、泰国和越南,枪支犯罪可判处死刑。

Estimated rates of civilian gun possession range from 0.3 per 100,000 people in Timor-Leste, to 0.5 in Indonesia and Singapore, with a high of 15.6 in Thailand.

据估计,东帝汶每 10 万人拥有 0.3 支枪支,印度尼西亚和新加坡为 0.5 支,泰国最高为 15.6 支。

Gun death data is uncommon across Southeast Asia.

东南亚枪支死亡数据并不常见。

Gun homicides in Brunei and Singapore are practically nonexistent.

文莱和新加坡几乎不存在枪支杀人案。

Southeast Asia is a crossroads for arms smuggling and trafficking.

东南亚是武器走私和贩运的十字路口。

Thailand is seen as the region’s principal arms black market, followed by Cambodia and Vietnam.

泰国被视为该地区主要的武器黑市,其次是柬埔寨和越南。


In Singapore, to possess firearms require licence.

在新加坡,拥有枪械需要获得许可证。

The Licensing Officer may grant a licence to possess arms for a period of up to two years.

执照官员可颁发持有枪械许可证,有效期最长为两年。

At least 18 years of age at the time of application.

申请时年满 18 岁。

Applicant above 60 years of age, must submit a medical report prepared by a registered doctor (at your own expenses) stating that applicant is fit to handle firearm.

60岁以上的申请人,必须提交由注册医生准备的医疗报告(费用自理),证明申请人适合使用枪械。

Applicant must be a member of a shooting club which has been duly registered or exempted
from registration.

申请人必须是正式注册或豁免注册的射击俱乐部会员。

Firearms which will be licensed will be kept strictly in the club’s premises.

获得许可的枪械将严格存放在俱乐部场地内。

Monday 2 October 2023

Gold Medal 金牌

China - Hangzhou

中国 — 杭州


Shanti make it!

珊蒂做到了!

Shanti Pereira ended Singapore's 49-year wait for a gold medal in track and field at the Asian Games.

珊蒂·佩雷拉结束了新加坡长达49年的亚运田径金牌等待。

She crossed the line in 23.03 seconds, defeated her opponents and won the 200m gold medal.

她以23秒03率先冲线,技压群芳夺下200米金牌。

The last Singaporean track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Asian Games was Chee Swee Lee.

新加坡上一名在亚运会上夺得金牌的田径运动员是徐瑞莉。

She won the women's 400m race at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games and broke the Games record with 55.08 seconds.

她是在1974年的德黑兰亚运会女子400米项目中夺冠,并打以55秒08破大会纪录。

Friday 29 September 2023

Mooncake Festival 月饼节

Singapore

新加坡


Due to the influence of the British colonisation, most of the Chinese in Southeast Asia only know about traditional Chinese culture, festivals and customs through the memories of their ancestors.

由于受英国殖民影响,东南亚一带华人对中国传统文化、节日和习俗等的了解大多都只停留在祖辈时的记忆。


Under the influence of English education, most Chinese traditional culture, festivals and customs have very bizarre English translation.

在英文教育的影响下,大多数中国传统文化、节日和俗等的英文翻译都非常奇葩。


Mid-Autumn Festival is a more appropriate English translation of the traditional Chinese festival.

中秋节是中国传统节日的更恰当的英文翻译。


Other bizarre translations include Mooncake Festival, Lantern Festival.

其他的奇葩翻译还有月饼节、灯笼节。


Chang'e is always indispensable during Mid-Autumn Festival.

中秋节总不了嫦娥。

Monday 18 September 2023

Commemorative Coins 纪念币

Singapore

新加坡


September 16, 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

2023年9月16日是已故建国总理李光耀的百岁冥诞。


The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued a statement saying that 4 million Lee Kuan Yew 100th Birthday commemorative $10 coins have been minted.

新加坡金融管理局发表文告说,已铸造400万枚李光耀百岁冥诞10元纪念币。


The Lee Kuan Yew 100th Birthday commemorative $10 coin is only available for purchase by Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

李光耀百岁冥诞10元纪念币,仅限新加坡公民和永久居民申请购买。


The commemorative coins are sold for S$10, and each person is limited to five coins.

纪念币售价为10元,每人只限五枚。


The man behind the design of the commemorative coin is local artist Eng Tze Ngan.

设计纪念币的幕后功臣是本地艺术家翁子彦。

Thursday 14 September 2023

Inauguration Ceremony 就职典礼

Singapore

新加坡

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam is officially Singapore’s Ninth President.

尚达曼宣誓就任新加坡第九任总统。


More than 200 guests dressed up to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony.

200多位嘉宾盛装出席总统就职典礼。

When President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was sworn in, he said that during his term, he would work with the government and people across the country to strengthen Singapore's multiracial culture and create a more inclusive society by supporting arts and sports activities.

尚达曼总统宣誓就职时表示。他会在任内于政府和全国人民一起加强新加坡的多元种族文化,并通过支持艺术和体育活动,来打造更包容的社会。

Wednesday 13 September 2023

Term Ends Step Down 届满卸任

Singapore

新加坡

Today, our country's eighth president, Halimah Yacob, ends her six years term.

今天,我国第八任总统哈莉玛结束了她的六年任期。


President Halimah Yacob is Singapore's first woman head of state.

哈莉玛总统是新加坡第一位女国家元首。


The president has an important responsibility of holding the "second key" to custodian the country's reserves.

总统负有保管储备金“第二把钥匙”的重任。

During the three years of the epidemic, President Halimah Yacob approved the use of a cumulative S$69 billion draw on the reserves, but the government ultimately used only about S$40 billion.

疫情三年里,哈莉玛总统总计批准动用690亿新元储备金,政府最终只用了近400亿新元。

Prime Minister Lee said: "With your support, the government was able to save lives, stabilise the economy, preserve jobs, and ensure that Singapore emerged more resilient and stronger after COVID-19."

李总理致辞中对哈莉玛说:“这让政府能够迅速、自信地应对危机,不必背负沉重债务负担和拖累子孙后代。通过妳的支持,政府得以挽救生命、稳定经济、保住工作岗位,并确保新加坡在冠病疫情后愈发坚韧和强大。”

Saturday 9 September 2023

Masjid Sultan 苏丹回教堂

Singapore - Masjid Sultan

新加坡 —  苏丹回教堂


Masjid Sultan also known as Sultan Mosque is a mosque named named after Sultan Hussain Shah.

苏丹回教堂是一座以苏丹胡赛因沙阿命名的清真寺。


It was designated a national monument by the National Heritage Board in 1975.

它于1975年被国家文物局指定为国家古迹。


The mosque was completed in 1932.

这座回教堂于1932年竣工。


It is located at 3 Muscat Street and is accessible from Bugis MRT Station or Jalan Besar MRT Station.

它位于马斯喀特街3号,可从武吉士地铁站或惹兰勿刹地铁站抵达。


There are many Muslim halal restaurants around the mosque.

回教堂周围有很多穆斯林清真餐厅。


Masjid Sultan is the fourteenth National Monument of Singapore.

苏丹回教堂是新加坡第十四座国家古迹。






In fact, there are many places worth taking pictures around the mosque.

其实回教堂四周围也有很多值得拍照的地方。