Passion Art's 'THE HEart OF TAMPINES'

• 5 weekends and different art forms.Right in the heart of Tampines.Well I am referring to Passion Art's 'THE HEart OF TAMPINES' event that ran thru the month of March and April."Everyone,Everywhere,Everyday" is the catchy slogan for the Passion Arts month 2013.I was lucky enough to enjoy 4 weekends of arts thanks to the organizers. Arshi eagerly looked forward to all these events.There were lot of events throughout and I choose that are near my house and that suits Arshi's timings. Remember, She is in P1 now.But she too needs some break and as Arshi loves these events, I thought, it would be a perfect break from her routine for a month.I came thru this event through Facebook and thru pamphlets.

We started with "The Chair" .I attended the 30 th march 2013 ,3.00 pm -show at Black Box@Tampines Primary School.It's a play showcasing Peranakan Culture.I was only aware of the them before and this play created more awareness of the culture and how they came about to Singapore,what is their origin and all.I had already been to Peranakan Museum before.But after this play I had the urge to go back again and learn more about their culture.A very touching story of generations using a single chair.I also got to understand how Singapore has evolved over the past century.I was skeptical if Arshi could understand anything as she was not exposed to these type of plays before.She had been watching the kids show all these while.She was able to grab the essence after-all. I loved the acting by the cast. Kuddos to them.Some photos I took during the event.

Well that was for our 1 st week.A great start isn't.The 2nd week too we had some time for enjoying music.It's Arshi's favourite of all.Despite being busy going to DBS Arts Centre to see Goldilocks and the three bears,We headed to Tampines West CC for a workshop on hand-bells conducted by MOB.We were introduced to the instrument and even got to play the hand-bell. We also got to use hand-chimes. I was amused by the sound pattern.Myself and Arshi got to play 2 songs.The first one being "old mcdonald"

famous with kids and the other being Rasa Sayang.I had heard of this many times before and if I am not wrong,had remembered hearing this one during the Chair play too.I didn't take many pictures as my hands were too busy.So a snap from the facebook page of Passion Art's 'THE HEart OF TAMPINES'.

We are trying the hand-bells. Though it appears to be simple, it is indeed difficult  to play the instrument and I missed out many beats here and there.Was just wondering how the professionals handle the instrument. Handling the instrument itself is an art.We were instructed not to touch the hand-bell with our bare hands.

Arshi being interviewed by the media.So bold before camera.Loving it......

3 rd week I had to miss out.I had a  deep desire to attend Tampines Central CC's events.But as Arshi's school had given us set of tickets for their community play "Bridging Communities"  dramas put together by the teachers,pupils and parents of TPS, I had  to skip the CC's events.As that Sunday was Tamil New Year, we were busy going to temple.It's after all his blessings that make us survive.I got to see the photos thru their Facebook page. Arshi would have surely enjoyed herself.

4 th week , I took Arshi to Tampines East CC for My Arts Memories.Though it was raining, we managed to go there for  a fun filled afternoon. Arshi tried her hands on the shrink art and bead work.She took photo there at the photo booth wearing some props. So some more photos for my collage on my living room. 

The keychain she made during the workshop.It is dangling in her school bag  now.The photos We took during the event.

The kids were treated with free flow of candy floss, ice-cream and balloons.Which child won't like such places?A great afternoon for the little girl who braved the rain.

enjoying her candy floss while waiting for her turn to get balloons.I loved the shape of the candy floss.They were of flower shape.Failed to capture the candy floss separately.Very creative candy floss.Arshi loved them and finished the whole by herself.That says how yummy it would be.

getting ready to be  go back  home after a fun filled afternoon.

The final week was the closing celebrations held near Tampines MRT and that was were Arshi enjoyed a lot.As we had plans to make it  to Drama nite(Annual event of Tamil Play by the children) at Senbaga Vinaygar temple for the evening we managed  a have our afternoon fun at the Arts Village.Though I had planned  for less than 1 hour, we happened to be in the Passion Arts Village for more than 1 1/2 hrs.

She got to make her own badge with her name in it.She even made a  personalized key-chain with her name (here too).

Arshi choose 2 badges among a few and this showed her interest.Ya,she loves to Sing and yes, she does little bit of scribbling, though I won't call them as drawings.

her personalised keychain and badge.Both were designed(!!!!)by Arshi.

She was introduced  to scratch art for the first time.

She liked the art form so much that after coming home she added more designs to them.

She even made lollipop bouquite at a booth with the help of the kind instructor. She was proud of the bunch.

She tried her hands on stocking flower workshop too.But she couldn't get it right.But she did enjoy.

There were many other booths  too like henna making,sand art and many more.There was Batik Print booth too.

I tried my hands doing some stitching too.

We wrote our own message for the Tampines tree as well. Arshi wrote"I love Passion art".I didn't teach her what to write.She wrote that from her heart.

Many tried there hands on pottery too.At the entrance of the festive village,I saw photo trail of teh events that happened thru out and was really glad to see many people participating eagerly.I could spot even Arshi's photo.She was working on her bead work when we were at Tampines East CC.So a click of her photo with  my little girl herself....

Look how concentrated she is?Hope she does so when she studies too......(just kidding)

There were line of activities spread thru out the month in Tampines alone for varied age groups and we were able  to get glimpse of only a few.I personally liked the photography workshop by Tampines West CC, movie screening by the Tampines North CC(They screened Madagascar3-It's Arshi's fav, but we missed it),Tampines Changkat's Chinese Cultural faceMask painting and Mobile theater workshop.If I had time , maybe we would have covered these and more events too.Imagine what would be  the amount of Arts related events spread thru out the Island for the Passion Arts Month 2013.

Such events make us bond  with the community easily and I have made many friends too from such events.It's almost 6 years since I have come to Singapore and my bond with this beautiful country is growing because of such programs and initiative taken by the Government.Many time some staff and volunteers do greet me when they see me in such events and I take it as  a compliment.Such events introduced IAEC to me and now I too am  a volunteer with my nearby CC's  IAEC. I have made lot of  friends during this and it does help my confidence when we interact with them and help in organizing events.As Arshi too has accompanied  to all the programs  her love for arts is   growing.She tries to be more creative.Hoping to see more of such community arts program frequently in our neighborhood. It's surely months of planning and organizing  and love and dedication from the staffs like Joey Sim.I have seen her organised  many programs in our Tampines West CC  throughout this month and again for the closing ceremony she was very active  and the very next day she was busy as usual organizing for our CC's Tamil New Year celebrations.She is always an inspiration for me.With Many more staff too whom I have seen , I find the same level of dedication in them when they go for such grand-scale programs spread out throughout the Island nation to reach out the communities.My thanks to all the organizers for this Passion Arts from bottom of my heart .Thanks for making a memorable month for us and for many more.Thanks for bringing smiles in the face of children.Thanks for bringing creativity in us.Thanks for making us  one big community.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears in DBS Arts Centre

Actually this is a long due post.Recently I took Arshi for a play.OK.I took her on April 7.It was a Sunday.It's also her favorite play-SRT'sGoldilocks and The Three Bears.The play was at Merbau Road's DBS Arts Center. It was our first visit to the place.I loved the place.I have seen some plays before.But this one was quite unique.The set was really realistic.I could see  moving props.The set being transformed from a forest to the bear's house in a just a  few minutes.The three beds of the bears sliding in .....everything was amazing.We loved the casts.They were so natural.Till the end of the musical, we were transformed into the play.The message at the end of the play was very much appreciated  .As photographs were not allowed,we couldn't take any pictures during the show.That was a plus point too as we got  to see the play and there were no distractions. Otherwise, I would have gone mad taking a few dozens without really enjoying the show. Arshi loved the characters and the songs that came in the show.It was a fun filled morning for my little girl.Though meant for kids,I would say, I too enjoyed it to the greatest.I loved the architecture of the place as it took me to a different era.Some pictures I took of the place.

Can you spot Arshi?

The entrance

Loved the vintage sign board.

In her seat all set for the play.

and finally of the great  set.The play still lingers in my mind.

iremember goes to Tampines - launch event

iremember goes to Tampines is  a  Singapore Memory project to collect the memories of the residents here in Tampines.It was held on 31 march 2013,near Tampines MRT.Childhood games from the yester years were showcased and there some some games to  try out for the visitors too.After a hectic trip to temple for the annual Chandi Homam,then visit to our library, we headed towards the exhibition.There I too contributed my memories.My memories of Singapore are just 6 years but, as the saying goes on, yesterday's happenings are today's memories.I had taken my camera with me(as usual) and had pictures of some previous year's pic on them.I choose Arshi's sports meet pic as my contribution .

my contribution-Arshi's school sports day meet pic in Tampines Stadium

It was special in many ways.It was my daughter's first sports meet, where she joined with her fellow students to compete and also it was held in Tampines Stadium.The place is  important as it is this place where the new Tampines Town Hub is   going to be constructed. So our memories of the place really counts.I also recorded my memories of Tampines  in a  special booth set up  for that.There were 3 booths  and  as  we finished 3 booths we were given a  goody bag.The goody bag is a  sure reminder of the yester years for many as  they had  a wooden hand fan,rainbow spring ring,and Chinese Chess board.They had also given some traditional snacks in the goody bag.My hubby played a  traditional game and he won a  prize pack.they had some tidbits and snake and ladder game.

A staff from Tampines town hub approached us and asked me that she has seen me participating in many public events.I was very happy as I was being noticed.She further asked me if  I could be in the launch event with the minister that evening in the same place.I was overjoyed as I would be sharing the stage with MPs. We headed home. Arshi took a   short nap , and then, I took Arshi  to the exhibition again.Our photo, which I had given as soft copy was developed into a hard copy and we were eagerly looking forward for the launch event. Arshi tried a   game on her own too.She too won her prize pack.

We took photos in the booth and  were given a  sticker, which I used to spin the wheel.Arshi won a   traditional five stone pack.She was very thrilled.As I was looking at various stage games, I could really relate to my childhood games.Though ,my childhood days were spent in India, I too had played similar games but with different names.I too had played 5 stones in my childhood days, but with stones.Here , in  Singapore we use small cloth bags.It was   a learning journey  for myself  and   my  little Arshi.Soon the anticipated moment happened.We saw the MPs -Mr.Heng Swee Keat,Minister of Education,  Mr.Masagos Zulkifli,Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Mr.Mah Bow Tan,Ms.Irene Ng coming.They were  all ready  to officially launch the event.3 residents  from Tampines were chosen to represent our fellow residents and my name was called.I joined Arshi.We were personally greeted by MPs.We showed off our photo.

Exchanging  few words with the Education Minister.

Looking at the contributions made by us.

Later we dropped them in a box.Our entries were also shown in the screen there.I also wrote down my memory in a  card along with the ministers.A friend of mine  told me that we were shown in TV too.I missed out seeing it.A truly happy and special moment for me  and  Arshi.It was a  fun filled day.The little princess was rewarded with a chilled treat from McDonalds.

too busy  with her ice cream

She got her favorite choco cone ice-cream-Yummy....... for her good behavior through out the day without too much rest and fuss.Another day to remember for us- and this one for our lovely experience.

Schooling journey so far.....

Arshi's school test is going to start from tommorow. Am a  bit nervous.But I know, she will manage it some how.She has been going to her P1 for the past 3  months and is pretty much comfortable.

with her buddy during Recess-Raksha akka as she calls.Arshi already knew Raksha.So. it was ppretty easy for Arshi to adapt to a new school with a already known buddy.

all ready to handle school by herself

When she began her P1 , I was the one who was very much afraid.I had loads of questions in my mind-will she be able  to wake up early?will she be able  to finish her morning breakfast in time?will she be able  to mange in her school all by her own?will she be able to carry her school bags and carry them to her class 3 levels up?will she be able to finish her lunch all by herself?and so on.But to my delight, i would say, she did manage in her new school pretty well.During the first term, she was appointed as her class librarian.that was her first step to being responsible.She has told me of her role and responsibility of  being a  librarian.I would ask her from time  to time on her role as librarian.She used  to say that, she has to arrange the books in her class library  Good job Arshi.As far her studies were concerned, she did manage well .She used to do her home works with lot of  love  and  dedication.She knew the importance of   doing them and  also the consequences of   not   doing them.I should thanks her form teacher Mrs.Wong for instilling   the love  to read in the kids. Arshi is blessed  with a  great teacher.Her form teacher used to update us  of the performance of the students and the happenings in her class through mails regularly.This was a way to get us connected with her school.They did have their spelling tests once  a week. Initially  they were given only 5 words per week.As the kids got used to the routine, the words were increased to ten words per week.The kids did manage them comfortably.To my surprise, I was always worried of her spelling,she got full marks in all her spelling test last term and even got a  certificate for that. Another pat  for my little girl.Her mother  tongue- Tamil class too was very interesting .The kids put  up  short performance before us parents by the end of term 1.All the kids were very confident.I could see the team work and co-ordination between these kids.

She also spoke about a traditional game she had learnt in he school in  front of the mic.I was really happy when she spoke that.

She also represents her school in a   Tamil singing competition that was held on Telok Blangah CC.Though she didn't win she did put up a  great performance.Am still proud of her.

But all was not that rosy with my little girl.She lost a school library book which I ha d to replace to the school librarian. Arshi learnt an important lesson from that incident.To be accountable  for the books  borrowed.After that incident, I discouraged her to borrow books   from her  school library.As usual, I make it a  practice   to borrow books    from NLB. She has lost a few stationary set too in her class.These are common when our kids enter a  new phase in their school life.We also instilled  a habit  to always be truthful what so ever is the situation.like for eg: after missing her pencil case, she tried  to hide them from us.But my hubby's  harsh(!) treatment did  pay off.After that  she is always honest.She immediately tells us of  any mistakes  she has committed. We too praise her for her deeds.

Now she is in term 2.Another good news for this term, is  she got appointed as her Class Monitress. She is really happy and  proud of her new role.As far her studies are concerned, I won't say she is an outstanding student.She is  an  average student just like her peers.She hasn't  got full marks in all her practice tests.But she does learn to be careful for her next test.As far as she enjoys being in her school, learns things,be creative I will be happy and satisfied.So far I have managed her school without tution. Hope to continue the rest of this year too by the same way.I personally feel, the kids are already under too much pressure and it is   just not  fair    to further put  pressure on them .Kids will learn by themselves .Some parents expect their kids to top in all they do .But imagine a student in a  class of 40.How can all the kids be in the top?Please set a  realistic goal for your kids.Further more, in Singapore they say, when a  child enters P3, they will be  streamlined  to different classes based on their performance in P1&2.Every parent want their wards to be in the top 2 classes.Too unrealistic.We have to keep one thing in mind-all classes are good classes and the teachers have the capability to train our kids.There would be no meaning in sending our kids to any school if  we don't have faith in the teachers,classes or the education system.I have  a faith   a  a strong faith- my child is in  safe hands and .....all the best for the rest of  her academic career.  Hope she continues  to enjoy going to school just as  she does today.Am proud  to say today she woke up early, finished her breakfast on time and got ready to go to her school as they have their early reading program for her mother tongue every Wednesday.Last week, she was  a  little late.But never mind, she learnt to get ready to her school today.Give our kids some time  to adjust. They are after-all kids.

School gate and "ee ki maatraa"

I was dropping Arshi at school today.We usually takes the secondary school gate to go and her teacher disperses the students from the primary school This is  a  ritual, we have been following ever since Arshi is going to her Primary school. Primary school is together with Secondary school sharing the same campus.But they both have different gates, one on each side of the road.Today she suddenly asked me, "as we pass thru secondary gate to school and then come back from the primary gate, the pattern does look similar to Hindi's "ee " ki matraa.Arshi has been learning Hindi nowadays(of-course with lot of tears).I stopped for   a while  and yes , she was right.The pattern does look like what she had mentioned.You never know, when kids have their creative juices flowing- even when we are late and rushing to school so early in the morning.Toady I learnt another lesson from this little girl of mine-maybe if your child feels some subjects boring, we can use some practical examples,things around us and teach them.I know Hindi ever since I started going to School.But, I could never relate any alphabet to anything around me.