Book of the month : JJ's Science Adventure (Heat & Light)

The JJ's Science Adventure series is written by Aurelia Tan and her team, based on Singapore's MOE Science Syllabus. It is written in as an educational comic book which is relatively easy to understand.

Little One was first introduced to JJ's Science adventure last year when we won a book "Magnet" from Mum in the making. This sparks curiosity for Little One to Science as magnets are pretty amazing items for little children like her. The story of JJ had embedded in her mind so much that when she saw the second book, "Heat & Light", she just had to get a copy.

The book "Heat & Light" continues the story from the first book" Magnets". This time the JJ embark in the journey to discover heat and light.

From the book, Little One learns more about shadows and conductors of heat. Of course, there were more but these concepts are easy to grasp as these are closely associated with her daily activities. There is even a DIY to show how to create a bigger or smaller shadow.

On this post, I would share with you what are the activity children can do with light to generate interest in the topic.

Little One loves to play with shadows. Wayang Kulit is a great activity to introduce light. One can move the puppets towards or away from the light source so as to create a bigger or smaller shadows.

Wayang Kulit is one of her favorite show. I would bring her to watch when there is one.

Or you can make your own shadow appear bigger and longer or smaller and shorter when you are near the streetlamp. If you enjoy playing with shadow like Little One, my question to you is do you know to create multiple shadows like the one below?

Playing with shadows

PS: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are our own.

Nostalgic Lanterns @ River Ang Pow

During Chinese New Year, we love to get down to Marina Bay to view lantern display when we find time. It is usually very hot during the day. Hence usually, we would go after dinner. I guess many people love to view lanterns at night as it is cooler and prettier when the lanterns are lighted up. This year,  the theme for River Ang Pow is SG50 and nostalgia. Below are a series of lanterns in River Ang Pow.

Peacocks

God of Fortune (a must for River Ang Pow)

SG50 Giant Mural Wall

Lantern of Pelican playground

Dragon playground ( The Lights up close)

Lion Dance with Singapore Sling and retro F&N glass bottle

Red Pillar Box which is no longer in use except the one outside Philatelic Museum 

Great Pine Tree with cranes => determination, wealth and power.

Merdeka Bridge and Merdeka Lion. Do you know of its history?

Kampung house , a sight that is not common in modern Singapore

Old Singapore River

The 12 zodiacs on sampan boats. This year is the year of the goat, sheep or ram, hence, featuring mountain goats on this sampan. The rest of the zodiac are further away from one another.

The entrance

Besides this lanterns, there are quite a few others lanterns on display. My personal favorite is the pine tree. There is performance every night, lantern riddles and traditional art and craft to look forward to. 

River Hong Bao (Ang Pow )

The Float @ Marina Bay

20 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039805

On display till 28th Feb 2015

Free admission

Chinese New Year Visitation

In a flash, 5 days of Chinese New Year had past. Most people would have resume their work life.

After reunion on New Year's eve, we stay awake to "shou sui" 守岁. The purpose of doing this  is that Chinese believe children who Shou Sui will increase the longevity of the parents.

During the 1st day of Chinese New Year, we would visit homes of my in-law's relatives to "bai nian" 拜年 . The first stop would be at my in-law home, after that, we would went visitations from house to house. Children and elderly would be given "ang pow" 压岁钱./ 红包(red packets with money).

We would continue visitation to other relatives on the second day. Usually, married daughters would visit their parents during this time. Hence, we would visit the home of the mother's family..Usually, by the end of the day, we would be pretty worn out with all the bustling activities that had been going on

This series of photo is the highlight of visitations.

Typically, during "Bai Nian", one would use a pair of Mandarin Oranges and say something auspicious to the other party. During this time, ang pows are given to the children or elderly.

We were visit as an extended family to other relatives' home. The visiting group will get bigger and bigger.

Yusheng (3 plates on the right), an auspicious dish in Singapore. 

Lohei ( an activity in which we would toss Yusheng in the air to signify that the coming year would be a prosperous year) in progress.

New Year goodies

Lunch at a relative's place

Home made Dinner in buffet style

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DIY Bob Hairstyle

Notice something different in Little One's hair?

Little One requested to have her haircut on eve of Chinese New Year. She had requested for a haircut a couple of times prior to this. I had thought she was not serious since she love being Elsa so much. How could it be possible that she wants her hair short? Hence, I had put it off. This time, she requested once again. I warned once again that if her hair is short, it is not possible that she could have plait like Elsa. Again, she nodded her head as per the last few times. I am sure this time she is determined. She even give me instructions how to cut it.

That was exactly how I did it. I tied her hair towards the nape of her neck and slide the elastic one inch below her nape and I snip off her hair from slightly above the elastic band. 

The result was a little lopsided with her right side longer than her left. I did a pretty quick trim but Little One was worried I would cut too short and she would become botak (bold)! 

To pacify her, I had to reassure that I was not cutting too short but she would have to cooperate with me. I also showed her a mirror for her to see her own reflection.

And the below is the end result.

This, I would be keeping as souvenir. The day she entrusted me to cut off her long hair.

Will I be doing this again? Yes, if I have the opportunity again. The next challenge for me, I bet, is to maintain that hair style.

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Reunion Dinner

Happy Lunar New Year! The last day of the Year of the Horse had just passed.

Tonight, I shall be blogging on the most important dinner for the Chinese family- the Reunion Dinner. Reunion dinner is a must for Chinese during Chinese New Year's Eve. It is a time family gets united again despite their busy schedules. It is a get - together meal for the extended family.

Although we often meet our extended family to eat together during weekends lunches, it is much of to carry on the tradition. Traditionally, our family has steamboat for dinner. It is very easy to prepare. Just get all the ingredients (basically prawn, meat, fish, vegetables ,noodles and food that you like. Nothing sour or bitter)  ready and one can easier have a sumptuous dinner.

Getting ready for  Reunion dinner!

Woohoo! Now!
Usually, we would prepare auspicious food item such as prawn which means "having a happy new year", fish and abalone for having abundance in the new year, Noodles for longevity.

Put in the raw meat to cook by using slotted ladle

All the ladles are in the soup

Adding vegetables such as spring onion to wish for cleverness

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Chinatown by Day

This year is the year of the Goat/ Sheep / Ram according to Lunar Calendar. This is taken in Asian Civilization Museum

Today's New Year Eve, if you were to go down to Chinatown today, it is very likely to be overwhelmingly crowded. Goodies are likely to be cheaper today as the vendors try to clear stock. There will also be a countdown celebration at Chinatown tonight. 

Below series of photo is taken in Chinatown last week during a weekday. As you can see, there was already quite a crowd forming.

Lanterns with wishes written in Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Traditionally, Chinese love to hang lanterns at the door way. These red lanterns are so awesome!

Firecracker was used  to scare away the ferocious beast, Nian  Hence, the tradition of burning firecrackers during Chinese New Year. However, this practice is banned in Singapore. The firecracker you see here is for decorative purpose with the words 招财进宝 (used to wish for good luck in business) inscripted

Spot the rams!

The God of Fortune

Pussy willow is  one plant that Chinese like to buy during Chinese new year for decoration. It is decorated the same way as Christmas tree. Chinese ornaments will be hanged on the branches.

The other popular plant is Plum Blossom

Chinese ornaments such as these can be hang on the plants. 

Waxed Meat and Chinese sausages. Chinese Sausages only appear on our dining table during Chinese New Year although it is available all year round.

Chinese declaration and well-wishing banner are spotted outside Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple. Similarly, a banner is spotted outside Masjid Jamae Chulia, a Tamil Muslim Mosque. I simply love the racial harmony in Singapore