Tag Archives: Flowers

Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

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I haven’t been out of Singapore since I went to Chiang Mai about a month ago, and I’m getting antsy. That’s one of the problem with travelling so often, I think. I love traveling and exploring new places; staying in one place for (gasp!) four whole weekends seems like a lot.

Today was our fourth non-hazy day in a row, though it wasn’t a terribly nice day. The sun poked through the clouds every now and then, but wasn’t actually shining past about 11am. The last three days have been much nicer. Nevertheless, I had to do something new and exciting. Last weekend I went to the National Museum to see the newly renovated permanent exhibit, and today I went to Gardens by the Bay to see what I could see.

I’ve been to Gardens by the Bay only once before, which was at night on SG50. That was a very different atmosphere. Today the Gardens were calm, peaceful, and a wonderful break from the urban jungle that is Singapore. The Gardens by the Bay are connected to Marina Bay Sands, so there’s more than one “wow” factor to a visit there. I highly recommend it. A lot of people have heard of the supertrees, but I’ve linked a quick CNN article from 2012 for those who want more information. They’re as super as you can imagine.

Singapore calls itself “A City in a Garden,” and sometimes I have to agree that it’s true. However, Singapore’s industry is never far away because the island is quite small.

The shipping lanes are rather nearby the tranquil Gardens by the Bay. It reminded me of visiting Sentosa and watching oil refineries do their thing.
The shipping lanes are rather nearby the tranquil Gardens by the Bay. It reminded me of visiting Sentosa and watching oil refineries do their thing.

But then, when I turned my attention to the innards of the supertrees, I couldn’t care less about the refineries and shipping lanes. People have to make a living, after all.

P1050393 P1050394

I couldn’t resist taking a few close-ups of the foliage, either. I don’t know how good these photos are, but their subjects are pretty! There are themed gardens at Gardens by the Bay like the Indian, Chinese, and Malay gardens, as well as gardens showcasing trees, mushrooms, and fruits!

The strangest feature of Gardens by the Bay is this sculpture (people included in the photo for scale):

Giant baby sculture

Lucky for me (and for all the other curious patrons) it was accompanied by this helpful explanation:

Helpful explanation

I’m not really a fan of the sculpture, but I think the rationale for it is beautiful. At any rate, it was a lovely afternoon spent at the Gardens by the Bay. I’m sure I’ll be back – hopefully on a clearer day!

Education, On My Mind

Thank a Teacher

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A pretty rose

Friday was Teachers Day at school and I walked away with 14 roses, a purse, a mug full of candy, several cards, and a slew of “thanks for everything” and “we love you” messages on my board.

My students, adorably, wanted to know if there’s a Students Day. I had to laugh when I told them that every day is Students Day.

Teachers Day, or Teacher Appreciation Day, always makes me think about what I’ve learned and from whom. Most people have had the honor and the pleasure of teaching someone else, formally or informally, recognized or unrecognized. Teachers aren’t always the people in our classrooms; often, they’re people in the “real world” of our lives. I truly believe that each person has something to offer and something to teach. As life-long learners, which I think everyone is and should strive to be, I hope we have the capacity to seek out individual strengths and learn from them.

For example, if you can read this, you are proving that your school teachers, home teachers, and world teachers taught you the most important of skills – how to read. It took more than one person, more than one day, and more than one experience for you to read your name, read a book, read a news article, read this post.

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

Another pretty rose

New York

Room for cream?

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I’ve always taken my coffee black. I started drinking coffee in college, not because I needed the caffeine but because getting a cup of coffee was often more convenient than getting a meal. I didn’t start having coffee in the morning until my second year teaching, actually, and even then it was more for the taste. My mum used to make her coffee with a bit of milk and a bit of brown sugar, but my dad never did. Mum stopped drinking coffee when I was 14 (long story that involves a bad cup of joe on an airplane) so my dad was my role model. Nowadays, I like to think that I drink coffee for the taste, but I do find myself with a headache around noon if I skip a morning cup. Addicted? Yes, I’d say so.

This afternoon I went to Pour Coffee Parlor with a book. I ordered just a regular cup of coffee and was delighted by the presentation:

Afternoon cup of joe

Pour also has a very trendy, hip vibe. This isn’t the greatest picture (my table faced the window) but hopefully it gives you an insight into the industrial yet welcoming feel of the place. The flowers on the tables are a nice touch.

Interior of Pour

Room for cream? No, but thanks for asking!