Hari Raya Bazaar in Geylang Serai

Today 30 August is the Muslim and Malay Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday. It is a day of celebration for the Muslims as it marks the end of their one month of fasting. The Muslims in Singapore will start their Hari Raya preparations weeks before, at least a month before the festival. In Geylang Serai, a popular commercial place where the Muslims gather, the place is always filled with decorations, and shops selling festive goodies.

I was passing by Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar a week ago. Had a brief hurried walk as it was very hot under the tentage in the day and I snapped these photos.

Wishing all Muslim readers and friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!

Beautifully designed baju melayu, kurung..

Rows and rows of ladies' baju kurung.

Colourful, flowery table cloth to decorate the house.

Ready made henna prepacked cones.

Beautiful artificial flowers.

Glittering lights to liven up the house.

I love these colourful shoes from Turkey, I think.

Even ashtrays were interesting.

Not forgetting Angry Birds....

Cookies, snacks, tons of festive goodies. 

Malay women's tudung (headscarf).

The head wear for the men: songkok.

Mountains of jewellery and accessories.

Cushions!

Even sandals alone have different designs

I'm still wondering why are these popular this year? 

Ketupats as decor, beautiful!

These are ang-pow packets, so interesting and different colours.

I wonder they were having CLEARANCE sales or CLEANCE-ING sales!

I understand

Dr Tan Cheng Bock

So the President Elections is over and Dr Tony Tan becomes our new President, by merely a 0.34 % margin or 7,269 votes. I'm extremely disappointed but hey, life moves on.

Looking at Dr Tan Cheng Bock's Facebook page, throngs of people have left touching messages for him for his loss. Dr Tan said that although he has lost, he felt like he has won. "I hope this election will set Singaporeans thinking of the responsibility of choosing somebody you like, not somebody who's endorsed," said Dr Tan Cheng Bock to his supporters after the results.

Here's a little piece he sang and played, dedicated to his supporters and Singaporeans. Thank you, Sir. See you in 6 years' time.

Mr President Sir

We Singaporeans will be going to the polls again tomorrow on 27 Aug 2011. I believe this Singapore President Elections is the most exciting one so far in the history of electing a President. We see hot competition from 4 potential candidates and their surname is Tan.  

One of these Tans will become our new President tomorrow. From left to right, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Jee Say, Dr Tony Tan and Mr Tan Kin Lian.  There were so many jokes about just the surname alone.  They say for Tan Jee Say, who is from the Opposition camp, to win this election, it is "tan goo goo" (wait for a long time) or "ban ban tan" (again wait long long). 

Let's take a look at the candidates and their First Ladies... because a pair of the portraits would be hung in all the schools, government departments and institutions for the next 6 years.....

Dr & Mrs Tony Tan. He did not give me much impression except that he reminds me of the PAP government and the Minister he used to be. Also, the dirt dugged up these few days wasn't what I would like to know. But seriously, what's with using the trademark square-rimmed spectacles as his election logo? Need foresight much? 

Dr & Mrs Tan Cheng Bock. I can feel this man's sincerity and his point by point rebuttals to his competitors. I trust that he will be able to represent Singaporeans adequately and be daring enough to voice out to the government when things have gone awry.  He was the first candidate to mention about his participation in this election way before the General Elections. This shows he is committed and has done his preparations. And it helps that his wife reminds me of Mrs Wee Kim Wee. 

Mr & Mrs Tan Kin Lian. I know nuts about this man's background except that he is ex-NTUC honcho. He reminds me of my businessman uncle and better off in the corporate world making lots of bucks.  Yeah... high-5 ! 

Mr & Mrs Tan Jee Say. Kudos for his daring effort being the first potential candidate from the Opposition party to be a President-elect.  His election logo of a heart is really appropriate - the heart and pulse of the nation. The only thing is, his presence in this election reminds me too much of the recent General Elections in which the opposition fought a good fight. I prefer him to win in the GE as an Opposition MP who can check on the government rather than as the President of Singapore.

This blog post would not be complete without mentioning my 2 favourite past Presidents of Singapore - Mr Wee Kim Wee (top) and Mr Ong Teng Cheong. Both of them have passed away. I love Mr Wee who was so kind and benevolent, gentle and soft-spoken and definitely a people's President. And I salute the handsome Mr Ong for daring to speak up issues with the PAP government when he was in office. I deeply respect him even more the more that he was denied a state funeral. To me, these 2 Presidents are the perfect role model of what a Singapore President should be. I miss you both dearly, Sirs. 

I have already made my choice when I go to the polls tomorrow. I think the votes for a couple of candidates would be divided thus swinging and affecting the results. May the best Tan win.  If the wrong Tan goes into office, we can still vote him out in 6 years time, albeit $25.2 million later.....

Smurfalicious! The Smurfs come to Singapore! Adventure doesn't get any bigger.

Since young, the Smurfs has got to be one of my favourite cartoon characters. I still remember my classmates gave me a huge Smurf soft toy on my birthday then.  Now, after umpteen years, the Smurfs are back with a movie.  

I chanced upon a showcase of cute Smurfs in Bugis Junction. There is a competition to dress up your Smurf and you can vote which designs you like.  There are also a number of Smurfs done by local celebrities, as well as the radio stations and magazines. Enjoy!

Samsui Smurf!!! LOL!

Mummified Smurf? By Christopher Lee.

And his wife, Fann.

Spider Smurf.

This looks pretty normal in front, but look behind....

.... beautifully painted head !!

Is this Robin?

I personally like this Singing Smurf by Joi Chua!

This was done by Jade Seah. The look reminds me of.. "If there's something strange in your neighborhood. Who you gonna call?  Ghostbusters!"...

Papa Smurf?

Singapore Man-Smurf?

Cloudy or Angel Smurf? 

One Nation One Singapore Smurf.  Hmm... :\

This is my favourite design by one of the contestants - Mr Dizco Tinkle Smurf. 

I hope she wins.

Fengshui your door!

Saw this house number of the main gate of a private house. It is number 14, but interestingly there is a picture of a pineapple placed after the number.

I cannot help but think that it is for some auspicious reason that the pineapple is used. Traditionally,  the Chinese do not like the number "14" because in cantonese, 14 sounds like "sure to die".  The sound of the Chinese word for pineapple is close to the sound of “good luck coming your way”, so the pineapple has become a popular traditional feng shui symbol of wealth, fortune and prosperity.

The woods

A quote by my fellow musketeer....

‎"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau