Blessing 福报

Singapore - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

新加坡 — 光明山普觉禅寺

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and today is Vesak Day.

昨天是母亲节，今天是卫塞节。

I also use my own way to eliminate karma and bring blessings to my dearest mother.

我也用自己的方式去消除业障，给亲爱的妈妈献上福报。

Get Participation Tickets 领取参加券

Singapore - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

新加坡 — 光明山普觉禅寺

In the blink of an eye, the 3-step-1-bow ceremony of Vesak Day is coming.

一转眼，卫塞节三步一拜的仪式就要到了。

Got up early just to be in front of the line and grab the ticket for the 3-step-1-bow activity.

起了个早，只为了排在队伍最前面，抢到三步一拜的参加券。

Did not expect that it would already be packed with people when I got there.

没想到当我到达那里时，那里已经挤满了人。

 I was number 500 in the queue.

我在队列中排在第 500 位。

Finally got the participation ticket!

终于领取到参加券了！

Elected PAP 当选

Singapore

新加坡

The people of Singapore elected their preferred representatives to Parliament.

新加坡人民选出了自己心仪的国会代议士。

This election is also a strong mandate for the fourth generation of leadership.

这次选举也是对第四代领导层的强有力的授权。

In this turbulent environment, we look forward to the new generation of government leading Singapore to create another miracle.

在这个动荡的环境中，我们期待新一代政府带领新加坡再创奇迹。

Vote 投票

Singapore

新加坡

Today, May 3, 2025, is Singaporeans' voting day.

今天，2025年5月3日，是新加坡人民的投票日。

In Singapore, voting is mandatory.

在新加坡，投票是强制性的。

Citizens in many neighbouring countries are not very enthusiastic about electing their governments.

许多邻国的公民对于选举政府的热情并不高。

In fact, Singaporeans are very keen on voting.

其实，新加坡人是很热衷于投票的。

Post Office 邮局

Thailand - Bangkok (Bangrak District)

泰国 — 曼谷（挽叻区）

Few people would go to the post office when travelling abroad, right?

出国旅游的时候应该没多少人会去邮局吧？

There are too many extra things to take back, so sending some back is better.

太多多余的东西要带回去，不如寄一些回去。

When I arrived at the post office, I was shocked by the chandelier in the lobby.

当我到达邮局时，我被大厅里的吊灯震惊了。

The lobby is very spacious, and I heard that there were many more counters in its heyday than there are now.

大堂很宽敞，听说鼎盛时期柜台比现在多得多。

Their packaging staff are very professional.

他们的包装部人员可专业了。

They packed the items neatly in the boxes I brought for free from the supermarket.

把我从超市免费带来的盒子把东西装得妥妥的。

Let me tell you a secret here: there are membership discounts when sending items through the Thailand Post Office.

这里偷偷的告诉大家，原来在泰国邮局寄东西还有会员优惠。

Cares 关怀

Singapore - Nee Soon

新加坡 — 义顺

What can one dollar buy in today's world?

当今世界一元能买些什么？

In Singapore, the government can turn one dollar into twenty dollars worth of daily necessities for each household.

在新加坡，政府就能为每户家庭把一元变二十元价值的日用品。

Foreigners often mock Singaporeans for being protected like babies under a parental government.

外国人常常嘲笑新加坡人在父母般的政府之下受到像婴儿一样的保护。

Looking around, which countries’ governments really worry about their citizens?

环顾四周，哪些国家的政府真正扰心自己的国民？

The people are blessed to have such a people-loving government.

有这样一个热爱人民的政府，人民是有福的。

National Service 国民服役

Singapore - Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

新加坡 — 卫生科学局

Another ten weeks passed.

又过了十个星期。

It is time to fulfil our national responsibility.

又是尽国民责任的时候。

Typically, blood donation is done every three months, but you can donate again from the tenth week onwards.

一般捐血是每三个月，但在第十个星期起就能再捐血。

The condition is that the donor's haemoglobin level (male) must be 15.0 g/dl.

条件是捐血者的血红蛋白水平（男性）为 15.0 克/分升。

If it has been over three months since your last donation, your haemoglobin level needs only to be at least 13.0 g/dl (male) and 12.5 g/dl (female).

只要离上次捐血超过了三个月，血红蛋白水平（男性）至少需要达到 13.0 克/分升，（女性）12.5 克/分升。

God Bless Myanmar & Bangkok 天佑缅甸和曼谷

Myanmar & Bangkok

缅甸和曼谷

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025.

2025 年 3 月 28 日，缅甸发生 7.7 级地震。

A 6.4 magnitude aftershock hit the same area minutes later.

几分钟后，一场 6.4 级余震袭击了同一地区。

According to news reports, at least 144 people were killed and more than 700 injured in Myanmar.

据新闻报道，缅甸至少有144人死亡，700多人受伤。

The collapse of a high-rise building under construction in Bangkok has killed at least 9 people and left 117 missing.

曼谷一座在建造中高楼倒塌，导致至少 9 人死，117人失联。

In response to a humanitarian request from Myanmar, the Singapore Civil Defence Force has deployed 80 members to participate in search and rescue and disaster relief operations.

新加坡民防部队应缅甸人道救援请求，派出 80 名队员参与搜救与灾害援助工作。

God bless Myanmar and Bangkok.

天佑缅甸和曼谷。

Claustrophobia 幽闭恐惧症

Singapore

新加坡

Recently, I needed to undergo a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination.

最近，我需要接受核磁共振检查。

I had previously had a Computed Tomography (CT) scan, so I thought the MRI would be the same.

我以前做过 CT 扫描，所以我认为 MRI 也会一样。

When I lay on the mechanical table, the medical staff secured me, and the machine began to move me in.

当我躺上机械台，医护人员把我的头固定好后，机器开始把我移进去。

OMG, how come the top of the machine was almost touching my eyes!

我的天啊，怎么眼前几乎贴着机器的顶！

My breathing started to quicken, and my heartbeat accelerated...

呼吸开始急促，心跳加速。。。

My claustrophobia kicked in.

我的幽闭恐惧症开始发作。

No, I was suffocating!

不行啦，快窒息啦！

I quickly called the medical staff to move me out of the "hole".

赶紧叫医护人员把我从“洞”里移出来。

The medical staff suggested that I try again with a sleep mask.

医护人员建议我戴上眼罩再试一次。

Put on the sleep mask, head secure, and move again.

戴上眼罩，固定好头部，再次移动。

Even though I could not see it, I still could not control my phobia.

虽然看不到，但还是没办法克制恐惧症。

Once again, got to call for a stop!

再一次的喊停！

I found this picture of an MRI machine on the internet.

我在网上找到了这张核磁共振成像机器的图片。

It shows a small dog undergoing an MRI examination.

照片显示一只小狗正在接受核磁共振检查。

Look how small the hole is; there is not much room left, even for a smaller dog!

看看这个洞有多小，即使对于体型较小的狗来说也剩下没多少空间！

Gathering 聚会

Singapore

新加坡

Gathering is a luxury in today's society.

聚会在现今社会是个奢侈的事。

Why such a comment?

此话怎么说呢？

The reason is that everyone is busy!

因为大家都很忙啊！

Apart from the New Year gathering, the only other times relatives get together are at weddings or funerals.

亲戚间除了在新年聚会外，其余的大概就只剩下在婚宴或丧礼上再相聚。

Life is really unpredictable.

人生真的很无常。

The relatives I just met at the wedding banquet suddenly bid "goodbye" to everyone shortly after.

婚宴上刚见过的亲戚，没过多久就突然跟大家“告别”了。

Is the gathering at a funeral to commemorate the deceased or to provide a reason for relatives to get together?

丧礼上的聚会到底是缅怀逝者，或是让亲戚间有个理由大家来相聚？

What is the meaning of gathering?

聚会的意义到底是什么？

Thought-provoking.

耐人寻味。

Blessed People 有福人

Singapore

新加坡

The total expenditure for Singapore's Budget 2025 is estimated at S$143.1 billion.

新加坡 2025 年的总预算支出预计为 1431 亿新元。

Singaporeans will receive assistance almost every month since April.

新加坡人从四月开始几乎每个月都会获得援助。

While the world is worried about an uncertain future, the Singapore government can move forward hand in hand with every Singaporean.

正当全世界在为不确定的未来担忧时，新加坡政府却能做到和每一个新加坡人携手前进。

Singaporeans are truly blessed people.

新加坡人真的是有福之人。

Happy 12th Birthday 12岁生日快乐

Singapore

新加坡

North-South-Dong-Xi is TWELVE years old.

Never expect North-South-Dong-Xi abilities to last so long.

Twelve years have passed just like this!

From monolingualism at first to bilingualism later, writing ability was also tested.

Do you have a favourite article from the past twelve years?

I will insist on continuing to write until my ideas are exhausted.

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

~*Happy 12th Birthday North-South-Dong-Xi*~

《North-South-东-西》十二岁了！

没想到《North-South-东-西》的能力能持续这么久。

十二个年头就这样的过了！

从最初的单语到后来的双语，写作的能力也受到了考验。

过去十二年来你最喜欢的文章有吗？

我会坚持继续写，写到江郎才尽。

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》12岁生日快乐＊～

Turned Stone Into Gold 点石成金

Singapore - Singapore Pools

新加坡 — 新加坡博彩公司

Today is the Yuanxiao Festival and the last day of the Chinese New Year.

今天是元宵节，也是华人新年的最后一天。

Where did the person who successfully turned stone into gold that day get his money?

那天成功点石成金的人到哪领钱呢？

If the winning prize exceeds SGD 20,000, the winner must go to Singapore Pools at Middle Road to claim the prize.

如果中奖奖金超过两万新币，中奖者就必须到弥陀路的新加坡博彩公司领奖。

Winners must bring their ID cards or passports to show who they are to receive the prize.

中奖者必须携带身份证或护照以证明其获奖者身份。

Submit your winning ticket stub and ID card, and the counter staff will issue you the winning document.

提交中奖票根和身份证，柜台工作人员将为您发放中奖证件。

 Wait for the cheque to be issued.

等待支票发出。

Thaipusam 大宝森节

Singapore - Orchard Road

新加坡 — 乌节路

Today is the fourteenth day of the first lunar month and the Hindu festival Thaipusam.

今天是正月十四，也是兴都教的大宝森节。

Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம்) is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil people.

大宝森节（淡米尔语：தைப்பூசம்）是淡米尔人所庆祝的一个兴都教节日。

Thaipusam celebrates the birthday of Murugan, the eldest son of Shiva and Parvati, the God of War.

大宝森节是庆祝湿婆和雪山女神的长子战神穆鲁干的生日。

Some devotees carry Kavadi shackles in procession to thank or pray to Murugan.

为感谢或祈求穆鲁干，一些信徒会背起卡瓦第枷锁游行。

The female penitent usually carries a copper pot called Pal Kavadi on her head, which contains blessed milk.

女性忏悔者通常是用头顶着一只被称作瓢卡瓦第的铜罐，里面装有经过祈福的牛奶。

Son-In-Law Egg 女婿的蛋

Thailand - Bangkok

泰国 — 曼谷

Today is the eleventh day of the first lunar month, traditionally called "inviting son-in-law".

今天是正月十一，传统上称为“请子婿”。

There is a traditional dish in Thailand called "son-in-law eggs" ไข่ลูกเขย (kai look keuy).

在泰国刚好就有一道传统菜叫 “女婿的蛋” ไข่ลูกเขย (凯路葵)。

It is a delicious and unique dish that you must try at least once in your life!

这是一道美味又独特的菜肴，您一生中至少必须尝试一次！

Medium-boiled eggs (preferably duck eggs) are deep-fried in hot oil so they develop a browned, chewy skin that gives the eggs a distinct texture.

半熟的蛋（最好是鸭蛋）在热油中油炸，因此它们会形成棕色的耐嚼外皮，使鸡蛋具有独特的质地。

Then, a sweet-and-sour tamarind sauce drizzles over it and is topped with crispy fried shallots and garlic chips.

然后淋上糖醋罗望子酱，上面撒上酥脆的炸青葱和蒜片。

"Son-in-law eggs" is one of the most popular dishes for kids in Thailand.

“女婿的蛋” 是泰国孩子们最喜欢的菜肴之一。

Get Rich Day 发财日

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the tenth day of the Chinese New Year, the "earth day", also known as the stone's birthday.

今天是大年初十，是“地日”，即石头的生日。

You can see a lot of people queuing up these few days.

这几天可以看到很多人排队。

Adult men and women can be seen queuing up everywhere.

到处都能看到成年男女排队。

Even under the scorching sun, everyone lined up willingly.

即使烈日炎炎，大家也心甘情愿地排队。

The goal is to turn stone into gold tonight and become a multi-millionaire.

目标是今晚能点石成金，成为千万富翁。

The Jade Emperor’s Birthday 玉皇大帝诞

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, the birthday of the Jade Emperor.

今天是大年初九，玉皇大帝诞。

Hokkien people in Singapore usually worship the Jade Emperor on this day.

新加坡的福建人通常会在这天拜玉皇大帝。

During the Ming Dynasty, during one of the Chinese New Year, Japanese pirates were killing people and robbing people along the coast of Fujian.

在明朝时期，有一年农历新年，倭寇在福建沿海一带，杀人抢夺。

Seeing that the Japanese pirates were about to catch up, the villagers hid in the sugarcane plantation ahead, successfully avoiding the pirates and escaping the gate of hell.

眼见倭寇就要追上，乡民匆匆躲入前方蔗林，顺利避过倭寇，逃过鬼门关。

The villagers believed that the Jade Emperor had protected them from the disaster, so they began to worship the Jade Emperor in the early morning of the ninth day of the Chinese New Year every year to thank the Jade Emperor for saving their lives.

乡民认为是天公保佑他们逃过灾难，于是每年大年初九凌晨便开始祭拜天公，答谢救命之恩。

On the day the Fujian people worship the Jade Emperor, sugarcane is indispensable. 

福建人在拜天公当日，少不了甘蔗。

This means they never forget the kindness of the sugarcane plantation they hid, which saved their lives.

代表不忘蔗林藏身救命之恩。

Red Envelop 红包

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, also known as the "Grain Day Festival".

今天是大年初八，也被称为“谷日节”。

In traditional farming culture, this day is regarded as the birthday of millet (grain) and is a symbol of agriculture and grain harvest.

传统农耕文化中，这一天被视为谷子（五谷）的生日，是农业与五谷丰收的象征。

A good harvest means the content inside the red envelopes will be more significant.

丰收意味着红包里的内容会更有意义。

Today’s red envelopes are no longer limited to red.

如今的红包不再局限于红色。

The custom of giving red envelopes in Singapore: Unmarried people (regardless of age) can receive them.

新加坡发红包的习俗：未婚者（不分年龄）都可以收。

Human Victory Festival 人胜节

Singapore - Yishun (Spring Splendor)

新加坡 — 义顺（春临义顺）

Today is the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, or "Human Day".

今天是大年初七又称“人日“。

Legend has it that this day is the birthday of humankind, that is, humans’ birthday.

传说这天是人类的诞辰日，即人的生日。

The "Human Day" record was first seen in "Zhanshu", written by Dongfang Shuo of the Western Han Dynasty.

“人日”的记载，最早见于西汉东方朔的《占书》。

The book mentions that in addition to "Human Day," there are also "six animal and five grain days."

书中提及除“人日”外，还有六畜与五谷之日。

According to folklore, Nuwa created humans on the seventh day after creating chickens, dogs, sheep, pigs, cows, horses and other animals.

民间传说女娲初创世，在造出了鸡、狗、羊、猪、牛、马等动物后，于第七天造出了人。

In the Jin Dynasty, the custom of "Human Victory" appeared when cutting ribbons in human form.

至晋朝，兴起剪彩为人形的“人胜”习俗。

In the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, "Human Day" changed to "Human Victory Festival".

南朝梁时，“人日”转变为“人胜节”。

The "Human Victory Festival" was unprecedentedly grand in the Tang Dynasty, and the emperor often entertained officials.

唐朝，“人胜节”盛况空前，皇帝常宴请群臣。

After the Song Dynasty, the "Human Victory Festival" gradually declined and was rarely mentioned in literary works.

宋朝以后，“人胜节”逐渐衰落，鲜少被文学作品提及。

The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, "Human Day," also gradually faded from public view.

大年初七“人日”也渐渐淡出公众视野。

The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, "Human Day", is an important festival in Chinese traditional customs.

大年初七“人日”是中国传统习俗中的重要节日之一。

"Human Day" has a history of at least two thousand years.

“人日”拥有至少二千年以上的历史。

The core idea of "Human Day" is to pray for people's health and social harmony.

“人日”的核心思想，即祈愿人民安康、社会和谐。

It is believed that going out to pay New Year greetings on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year is inappropriate.

民间认为初七不宜外出拜年。

There is a taboo against bathing on "Human Day" because traditional folk customs believe that water is closely related to "wealth" and "humanity".

“人日”有不洗浴的禁忌，因为传统民俗认为，水与“财气”、“人丁”息息相关。

Water symbolises wealth: bathing will "wash away" wealth.

水为财源象征：洗澡会“洗走”财运。

Bathing damages the "human body": Legend states that when Nuwa created humans, the soil solidified in seven days.

沐浴损“人丁”：传说女娲造人时，泥土需七日方能固形。

Food customs of "Human Day": seven-treasure soup, longevity noodles, and dumplings.

“人日”的饮食习俗：七宝羹、长寿面、饺子。

The Japanese eat seven-grass porridge on the "Human Day".

日本人于“人日”会吃七草粥。

"Human Day" does not do four things: do not do needlework, do not scold children, do not quarrel with others, and do not move.

“人日”四不做：不动针线、不训孩童、不与人争、不迁居动土。