August babies

Today India celebrates her 67 th birthday-I mean Independence.I taught Arshi the importance of independence and how hard India got its Independence 67 years back by the sacrifice of many freedom fighters.Though I am staying outside India, I think our roots will always be there.Just because a woman marries she doesn't need to forget her mother and her maternal home.This is my personal opinion.I think it is good to embrace the nation we have come to survive , respect its culture and national identity and at the same time remember your roots because it's from there you have come this far.I love both Singapore as well as India.I celebrate both their national days/ Independence days.Luckily for me, both of them fall in the same month of August and Arshi's birthday too is in this month.I think many immigrants will face this problem of identity crisis.It does hurt me.They will have  a problem of deciding which nation they should love.I say embrace both nations.Support both the nations at the time of crisis.Arshi feels herself more of  a Singaporean than an Indian as I had bough   her when she was just 1 year old.She has grown in this country.I try to teach her that her roots are from India and she should never forget them.Toady as part of Independence day I made her draw Indian flag and taught her the tri-colours of the national flag.She had learnt to draw India's flag from her Hindi class.But she had coloured it the wrong way round.I felt a little bit relieved after she drew them in the right colours today.I celebrated Singapore's national day too by waving Singapore flag and wearing red and white dress.I always respect both the nations and do not hesitate to show and express my love for both these nations I love them a lot.Some people may think just because I celebrate Singapore's national day I have forgotten my Indian roots or as I am staying in Singapore, I shouldn't celebrate my motherland India's Independence day, I think they have gotten me wrong.When we are in a foreign land, try to make yourself comfortable in that place by mingling with the  locals and try to understand their culture and if possible try to adapt yourself to it and make it your home.We won't feel at home if we don't accept the place or country we live .We may move to many parts of the world and to live harmoniously is important.I think I have balanced both in a way.I love my Indian roots as well as my Singaporean way of living.It all is there in your mind.

So August means celebrations throughout the month.Hindus have many religious festivals during this month and it seems even Gods like to celebrate during this month as Lord Krishna and Ganesha have their birthdays during this month.(Sometimes they celebrate during September too based on lunar signs).It's that time of the year we look forward to seek the almighty's blessings.So I think I can call August babies as the happiest babies all year long.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY INDIA AND SINGAPORE.AND TO ARSHI TOO WHO CELEBRATES HER BIRTHDAY TOMMOROW.AND TO LORD GANESHA AND KRISHNA TOO............AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL AUGUST BABIES IN THIS WORLD.

NDP 2013

We had  a chance to watch NDP 2013 live from The Float, Marina Bay this year as a whole family during Singapore's National Day on Aug 9, 2013.Singapore celebrated it's 48 th birthday and we cheered together with the nation.All were encouraged to wear red or white dresses as that is the national color of Singapore.We too supported by wearing our own red and white dress.This year's show was spectacular filled with colours. This year's theme is :Many Stories,One Singapore.The theme really touched me as I felt everyone has a story to tell and together they form the nation.This is applicable  not only to Singapore but to other parts of the globe as well.Today marks a new beginning for me-Start of 7 th year in Singapore.I myself have many Singapore stories to tell and so does all people around me.

We started from our house well by afternoon itself  to have a  decent seating .Though the show starts live only by around 5.45 pm,we were at the float by 4.00 pm itself and were surprised to see many people queuing up.As it was for the actual day parade, there were security checks .

 We reached the Float and we were lucky enough to get a   corner seat for our family.Corner seats are always an advantage .You will know why I meant so.You can take lot of photos to bring back as souvenirs.

We had fun time there .Arshi was cheering for the crowd.We had a  chance to meet the team Singapore mascot too.There were many surprise element this year. Kachang putheh man(peanut trader) popped in between and threw peanuts to the audience. Arshi was lucky enough to get hold of a packet.

A few photos we took during the parade.Hope you love seeing them.

Fly past.Here in Singapore we don't have flag hoisting ceremony but only flag Fly-past in helicopters.

Parade in progress with President Mr.Tony Tan 

Merlion appeared in NDP for the first time

dazzling performances

everyone loved the light stick....

Amazing fireworks

Taking Singapore pledge.As Arshi is studying in local Singapore School, she knows Singapore pledge by heart.

off to home

We had  a great evening.We had chance to have glimpses of many MPs and ministers including Singapore's PM and President.We couldn't take pics of them as it was difficult to take photos then.It was a  special day in our life and Arshi had  a blast that day cheering for Singapore which has been her home for the past 6 years.

Happy Birthday Singapore !!!!!!

NLB's My Tree House-World's 1 st green library for kids

Who says reading isn't fun or kids fuss to read or we should behave properly when being in a  library or we shouldn't play there.If so, then bring your kids to this library I had been recently.I had taken Arshi to NLB's My Tree House-World's 1 st green library for kids.Its located at the Central Library ,National Library Building's Basement 1.This green library was opened this May 31 st 2013.I had heard of that before,but got a  chance to take Arshi only recently.I was surprised when I saw everything green-don't get me wrong-most of the materials used in the deco of the kid's library were made from recycled materials.Myself and Arshi loved the very sight of the library.It was more like  a place where kids can have fun.There was a big tree house and kids can go upstairs and study their books. Arshi loved the place.

The entrance itself looks so cool...Am sure your kid is gonna nag you if they see this picture.....

Some of the places kids love to read and play at the same time

 There were many corners where kids can actively engaged in playing which is seldom allowed in public libraries.

Arshi and other kids having fun at the tree house

 If you look carefully, you can see that the push chair Arshi is playing with and the chair that others are using are the same.A same chair can be used in two different ways-For play as well as seating purpose.I really loved that idea of converting a chair into a play swing for kids.How nice, if I had one for myself. Hmmmn........Kids have puzzle mats to play and jump with too....How lovely.Am just thinking if I can also turn to a kid and join these little ones.

am luving this place

The borrowing station is also kid friendly.Kids can borrow their own books, as the borrowing stations are built keeping in mind their size.

borrowing stations-just right for the kids to use 

 Many origami patterns were used here and there to decorate the exteriors of the library.

If you happen to be in My Tree House, do look around for these objects around there.


Do check out  for these cardboard structures  which are erected here and there around the library.They are erected in conjunction with the opening of  the Tree House.

These are just a  few things I explored there.There were game stations for kids and many more things.So maybe next time I visit the place, I should try to cover the whole place.

If you happen to be around Singapore and have a kid, then I would suggest that you take your kids to this place .They will enjoy every minute they spent there. Arshi was upset when I had to take her back.But I have promised that I would bring her back for more fun.NLB building is located at Victoria Street along Brash Basha road. You can alight at Bugis MRT too to reach this place.

Social media , Tech app and me

I had been against social media for a  long time.I am not  a tech savvy person.There are too much social medias like Facebook,Instagram,Twitter,Blogging,Viber,What's app among others.Though there are many pros and cons, I personally feel its up to you on how  these medias felicitate you.

I am in Facebook since 2010 and I have found it to be an interesting media.I got connected to most of my MBA mates through Facebook and  till date I am in touch with them.I was touched when one of my ex-student sent me  an request to add her as  a  friend. I get to know what's happening in my neighborhood, my community through Facebook by liking pages that may be  of  use to me.So all was going well till......I felt I was followed by strangers.I choose my privacy settings  to a  more closed one and I have always approved only those friends whom I know personally.So I feel, If  we play safe,Social media is a boon.Even by being cautious,I was cyber bullied recently. Couldn't even imagine if someone could bully me.I learnt an important lesson.If  your profile is public- in any social media, be it Facebook,twitter or instagram, be careful of what you post and there  may be thousands who may be following you.Never share too personal pics on social media platform.I usually share Arshi's pics through my social media platforms like Facebook and Blogger.I found that as my friend-list in my personal Facebook was increasing, I thought it would be wise, If  I start my own blog, where I will be sharing about my life only to those who were really interested..But again, I decided, I will post positive things in life, which may act as  a motivator in my down times.I always believe life is  beautiful and its to our eyes on how we see things around us.Can't believe it's almost 6 months I am still blogging .Before deciding if I could be in blogging ,I was skeptical if I could write any post or if others would love to read them.Ever since I have ventured into my new Passion "blogging", I have received many positive comments on my blogging style.It has given me  an  opportunity to express myself in a new way and at the same time it's a  sovenier of  my past -of the beautiful memories I have shared with my family over the years..Hope I will continue this for ever.


Just a piece of advice who are using Social media:

-Is the media really of need to you.I wasn't in Twitter and Instagram before a few days.I opened mine only when  I found there was a necessity.
-Know whom you are sharing info  with and what is the information.Ignore friend request if you don't know them personally.
-Never get addicted to any social media.They are there to facilitate us and not to have any side effects of our normal life.I blog, only when I am  done with my household work and when Arshi isn't around.

As we are using social media, we are learning a new platform.We are learning something new every day.Before using Facebook,I was uploading loads of pictures on Picasa.As Facebook gained prominence, I personally felt, the usage of Picasa declined.So as new social media platforms come ,old technologies fade  off.Be prepared to learn new things as all these media are user friendly.I am not aware of  many apps and medias.But I am trying to learn those that are of need to me.If you are following my blog post since the beginning, you may notice the changes and the new technology I have incorporated in my blog like using "links between blogs" and connecting between Facebook and blog and vice versa as days pass by.

Have a great time ahead till my next blog post.

Tampines Musical and Cultural Arts Fiesta & Harmonious Celebrations @ Tampines

Last Sunday  28 July 2013, I took Arshi to the open space near Tampines MRT for Tampines Musical and Cultural Arts Fiesta.As I had already registered for the event , I received  a goody bag .There were some booths which sold traditional food items and we were given food vouchers as part of our tickets.Free tickets were given to all those who had registered before.We can use them in any stall .As most of the stalls sold Non-Veg items like Sathay,chicken rice(famous traditional food items among  Singaporeans), I choose to have Ice-cream bar and Ice Milo for myself and Arshi.

food stalls

queue for the redemption of goody bag

Arshi trying the mango flavor ice bar

a pose with Arshi

We were given picnic mat in the goody bag.So there was a picnic feel as we were enjoying the music and food.

happy families all in their smiles on a lazy Sunday evening.

The stage all ready for the entertainment

MP ringing the traditional Chinese bell to begin the event

Crowd already gathered around

SCO-Singapore Chinese Orchestra performing in the stage.They used Chinese instruments to play their pieces.They rendered music pieces from different ethnic groups and all of them were national day songs-songs that inspire a  nation.Though many  of the musical pieces were new to me , I enjoyed the music.I could see many people becoming emotional and they too sang along the music.Even Arshi was able to sing a  song and identify a  few songs.Music really binds all people  no matter what your race or language is.That's why I call Music as an universal language on its own.

I was touched when the Conductor of the day-Quek Ling Kiong(seen in the middle) ,informed that his grandma had passed away only a few hours ago.I was seeing how calm and composed he was conducting the show perfectly even when there was a personal grief in his family.My salutations for him.

with a friend

it's getting dark....but look at the audience....they are enjoying as  a family

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a funny moment with her classmate whom we spotted at the Fiesta

a happy family-my friend's family

posing with Sanju

Tampines Primary School's Junior Choir performing at the fiesta. Arshi was proud when her school came on the stage and her classmate Kean was also part of it.She was cheering for him.....

it's getting darker, but the audience are still enjoying the performance

 a Kathak performance(a north Indian dance form)

A Malay performance.I found it too lovely.All the performers were fasting ,as it is the month of Ramadan.Yet they performed with full zeal and enthusiasm.

A Peranakan fusion performance where I learnt about a little bit about lemon grass,Pandan leaves and other stuff which I usually see in the supermarket - but which I had never bought.After that performance, I feel I may buy those stuff and try in my cooking too.....

I was there in the fiesta throughout and both myself and Arshi had  a great time  there.Saw many people turned up for the event along with their family and friends.Looking forward for another community event in the near future.As National Day is nearing, I see lot of posters on community celebrations and I should plan to join in these events as  they provide an opportunity for us residents to get to know more about the place and people around you.I spotted  a few friends. What I thought to be  a normal cultural performance turned out to be  a picnic on its own way, get-together with my friends and getting to know different cultures and their art form in a  single place at the same evening that too in my very own neighborhood.