Money 马昵

Singapore - Chinatown

新加坡 — 牛车水

This year is the Year of the Horse, and a golden horse appeared in Chinatown!

今年是马年，牛车水就出现了一匹黄金马！

The majority of Singapore's Chinese population originated from Fujian.

新加坡的华人人口祖籍大部分来自福建。

In the Fujian dialect, the word "year" is pronounced as "ni".

在福建话中，“年”的发音是“昵”。

In Thai, "come here" is read as "mani", which sounds similar to the English word "money".

在泰语中，“过来”读作“mani”，发音与英语单词“钱”相似。

Wishing all readers of this article a prosperous and auspicious Year of the Horse!

祝愿所有阅读本文的读者马年吉祥如意，万事如意！

"Mani Money" - "Come here, Money"

“马昵、马昵” — “钱，过来”

Little Chinese New Year's Eve 小年夜

Singapore - Chinatown

新加坡 — 牛车水

Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year's Eve, which is also known as "Little Chinese New Year's Eve".

今天是"小年夜"，也就是除夕前夜。

The origin of the "Little Chinese New Year's Eve" can be traced back to the "Kitchen God Festival".

“小年夜”的定义源自“祭灶节”。

The "Kitchen God Festival" is a traditional folk custom among Chinese people in northern and parts of southern China, where they worship the "Kitchen God" (Zao Wang Ye).

“祭灶节”是中国北方与部分南方地区的华人传统民俗中祭祀“灶神”（灶王爷）的节日。

Beginning in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, the local community no longer regarded the "Kitchen God Festival" as the Little New Year; instead, they called New Year's Eve "Big Chinese New Year's Eve" and the night before it "Little Chinese New Year's Eve".

元末明初开始，当地不再以“祭灶节”为小年，而是将除夕夜称为“大年夜”，其前一夜则称为“小年夜”。

The customs of the "Little Chinese New Year's Eve" in Jiangnan have greatly influenced the Min-speaking regions with close trading connections.

江南“小年夜”的习俗对与其贸易往来密切的闽语地区产生了很大影响。

To this day, most parts of Fujian and Taiwan still observe the eve of the Chinese New Year as the Little New Year.

时至今日，福建和台湾的大部分地区仍然以除夕前夜为小年。

Happy 13th Birthday 13岁生日快乐

Singapore

新加坡

Today, North-South-Dong-Xi is THIRTEEN years old.

North-South-Dong-Xi is a teenager now.

The Chinese Zodiac has completed a cycle.

Wonder if North-South-Dong-Xi will enter its rebellious phase?

Hopefully, North-South-Dong-Xi can continue writing through the rebellious and menopausal phases.

Must repeat this crucial phrase every year, hoping that North-South-Dong-Xi has years to keep everyone company.

~*Happy 13th Birthday North-South-Dong-Xi*~

今天，《North-South-东-西》十三岁了！

《North-South-东-西》是个青少年了。

十二生肖过了一轮。

不知《North-South-东-西》会否进入叛逆期？

但愿《North-South-东-西》能从叛逆期一直写到更年期。

每年都要重复这句很重要的话，希望在未来的时间里《North-South-东-西》可以一直陪伴大家。

～＊《North-South-东-西》13岁生日快乐＊～

Friday 13 号星期五

Singapore

新加坡

Friday the 13th is regarded as an unlucky day in Western superstition.

在西方迷信中，13号星期五被认为是不吉利的日子。

There will be three Friday the 13ths in 2026.

2026年将有三个13号星期五。

They are in February, March, and November.

它们分别在二月、三月和十一月。

There can be at most three Fridays the 13th in a year.

一年中最多只能有三个13号星期五。

Today, Friday, February 13, 2026, might be someone's lucky day!

今天，2026年2月13日，星期五，可能是某人的幸运日！

Huishan Ancient Town 惠山古镇

China - Wuxi

中国 — 无锡

Visiting some ancient towns is a vital part of the itinerary when travelling in China.

在中国旅行时，游览一些古镇是必不可少的行程安排。

Many so-called ancient towns have been renovated and are no longer that ancient.

许多所谓的古镇都经过了翻新，不再那么古老了。

Red 红彤彤

Singapore - Bugis, Chinatown

新加坡 — 武吉士、牛车水

The Chinese New Year is less than a week away.

农历新年还有不到一周就要到了。

Crowds can be seen at every Chinese New Year market.

到处的年货市场都可以看到熙熙攘攘的人群。

There are Chinese New Year decorations.

有新年装饰品。

Everything is red.

一切都是红彤彤的。

Waited for a long time before getting this photo without any obstruction from customers.

等了很久才拍到这张没有顾客遮挡的照片。

Rows of large red lanterns hang high outside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

佛牙寺外一排排的大红灯笼高高挂。

It's That Time Again 又到了这个时候

Singapore - Yishun, Chinatown, Bugis

新加坡 — 义顺、牛车水、武吉士

It is that time of year again, and everyone is busy preparing for the Chinese New Year.

又到了这个时候，大家开始忙着办农历新年货。

Various preserved meats, such as sausages, duck, pork, and Jinhua ham, are essential for many Chinese people during the Chinese New Year.

各种腊味如腊肠、腊鸭、腊肉、金华火腿等都是很多华人过农历年的必需品。

Regardless of the economic climate, people still need to buy goodies to entertain guests during the Chinese New Year.

无论经济形势如何，人们在农历新年期间仍然需要购买各种食品来招待客人。

May the upcoming new year bring peace and prosperity to the nation and a thriving economy.

愿新的一年给国家带来和平与繁荣，经济蓬勃发展。