Project OBR - 2263 days in Afghan- an exhibit

I attended "Supporting Peace and Reconstruction in Afghanistan-SAF's 6 year mission 2007-2008" exhibition this 28 th September 28, 2013.It showed Singapore Army's project -Operation Blue Ridge-6 years -2263 days in Afghan and how they helped in the reconstruction work ranging from medical aid to building infrastructure.I was touched by the plight of the locals and how the Army from different nationals helped in rebuilding a nation.It's always easy to have war.But bringing back that country to normalcy requires huge amount of manpower and time .It's heartening to see how army helps for  war torn nations.Hope Afghan people live a peaceful life making the efforts made by Singapore Army's  a meaningful one.I met few army men who had actually been there to Afghan and heard their story.We should be thankful to these army men in uniforms who make our country a  safe one to live.

Don't think there wasn't any fun in the exhibit as we are dealing with war,peace, reconstruction etc.....There was loads of fun for kids.Some vehicles which had been used there was bought to the exhibit and kids and adults can sit in that too.Kids also got a  chance to wear Singapore Army dress and have their photo taken at the photo booth. Arshi too dressed up and  got her pic taken.Kids were also given free balloons and free tattoos and stickers.Kids always love such stuff.They also distributed some souvenirs for public for keep-sake.

I got to know  a  little bit about OBR through this exhibit.

September Holidays 2013

This September Holidays had been quite interesting for us as I would like to categorize them as :
Devotional time
Artistic time
Fun -filled family outing time

Being Devotional:
Arshi's term 3 holidasy were during the 2 nd  week of Sept.We greeted the holidays with a  devotional start.Couldn't get it?Vinayagar Chathurthi was that Monday and we prayed the almighty for prosperity.I made kozhukattai,sundal,appam,vadai,payasam as neivedhanam for Vinayagar and my hubbby did the pooja.That evening we went to Senbaga Vinayagar temple.Arshi  and ourself prayed the almighty and there was an exhibition going in in the temple about Saiva Hinduism.Arshi got  to know  a  little bit about the topic and  we too gained  many unknown facts about saiva siddhantahm in that exhibition.

Being Artistic:
Later, I took Arshi to HeART studio where she painted this beautiful painting -Tea time by Van-Gough.Isn't it lovely?

Arshi did Warli painting, a Maharashtra's  tribal painting in Tampines Regional Library along with an introduction about what was a warli painting .It was new art form for me as well.We enjoyed the session.

That week, I took Arshi to Century Square and she made a  card for mid-autumn fest using origami rabbit.

Later at the weekend,  we also painted a lantern   as Vivo city was attempting to create Singapore Book of records for the largest display of hand painted lanterns.

Family outing:
That Saturday, we went to S.E.A. Aquaruim and  had  a great time.

It was just like  a blink for the holidays to happen and end.I am happy we had great time.Looking forward for the term 4 holidays where I can look forward for more fun.

Malay Heritage Centre

One Sunday in September 2013, I was part of Bedok Public library's tour to Malay Heritage Centre. It's also my first visit to Bedok library."Fill yourself with the Arts" is a  series of programs conducted at various libraries across Singapore. This was part of Walk with us Series. I registered for the programs and took Arshi along.2 way transportation was provided free of cost.A great initiate by NLB.

Malay Heritage Center is located at Istana Kampong Glam.It is a  place I had never explored before.I got to know about Malay culture,the changing trends in Malay community,Malay community leaders and also the Malay who were reason behind building this strong nation.This Malay Heritage Centre was opened to public in the year 2005.It was built some 160 years back.They have aquaried the place after the Government had declared it as  a  conservation place.We were lucky enough to have a  guided tour of the centre where our guide explained many of our queries.The photos will speak now:

Community pioneers

First President of Singapore

Some art crafts

Zubir's Singapore's  national anthem composition

After coming from the Malay Heritage Center , I was able  to know more about the Malay culture,how they have evolved in Singapore and how their lifestyle has changed with the changing times in a  very interesting way and more importantly about their contribution to this red -dot nation.


P.S-I attended this as part of -‘Fill yourself with the Arts’, organised by NLB