国庆 National Day

每年的8月9日，是新加坡的国庆日。

租屋走廊围墙外一般上会挂上国旗，连河道的围栏，人行道的两旁也不能避免。

每年的国庆表演，都会来一场大型的烟花秀；据说今年的比较逊色。

往来好几年我都可以从住家的阳台远眺夜间的烟花表演，已经见怪不怪，不再去“追捧”。 （毕竟国庆前几周都会有烟花表演彩排，偶尔会因为被烟花表演的轰隆声吸引而走到阳台去观赏几回。）

除了国庆庆典及烟花表演, 最让人兴奋的莫过于四天的长假。据说新柔长堤也因为这长假而堵车（这也是见怪不怪的现象了）。

Singapore's National Day falls on 9th August.

There will be National Day Parade, followed by firework display.

In the month of August, Singapore flags are put up everywhere - in housing estates, along the road/exercise paths etc.

When we were staying in CCK, we used to drive our car to Benjamin Shears Bridge, to catch a glimpse of firework display around 8pm. Inevitably, there would be traffic police along the bridge, guiding cars away!

Since we moved to our new place of residents in Old Airport area, we could easily catch a glimpse of the firework display from our balcony. Hence, firework is not a novelty anymore.

雾霾 Haze

 

感觉上雾霾已经开始铺天盖地的慢慢侵蚀周遭的环境 （前方的高楼大厦，有点模糊）。在逐渐加剧的尔尼诺现象的双向打击下，还有即将到来的农历七月烧金银纸的惯例，看来那阴霾的气象会变本加厉。

The high rise building in the Central Business District (CBD) in front seemed to be shrouded with a layer of haze.

Looks like haze is approaching. This year, many countries are hit by El Nino heat waves - fatalities have been reported in South Korea. People in Europe are buying air- conditioning devices to cool down their homes.

With the approaching Lunar Ghost month (7th month), where many people will be burning joss sticks/papers to provide offering to their ancestors, the haze will most likely get worse before it gets better. This will be tough for people with respiratory problems/sensitive airways.

财富喷泉 Fountain of Wealth

财富喷泉，据说曾经在1998入选为吉尼斯世界纪录最大喷泉。让我印象最深的是它也被誉名为财气极旺的聚宝地带，绕着它走一圈，能把一切好运财气都聚收起来。

晚上在鲜艳夺目的七彩灯光照耀，一闪一闪的，虽说金光闪闪，但灯光照射不到之处，有点阴暗，若不是人多，倒有点阴森的感觉。

白天在阳光的照耀下，那从金黄色的青铜圆环的各个角落喷出清澈的泉水，所呈现的景象，犹如刚出浴的素颜佳人，另有一番滋味。

The iconic Fountain of Wealth, located in Suntec City, was a favourite spot in Singapore for "sampling" of ambience of wealth. However, after the arrival of Marina Bay with its iconic Rain Oculus, it kind of lost its shine.

分界线 Partition

区区一条橡胶带，便把河水的湍流分割成上下游两端。

上游水面荡漾，波光粼粼；下流则出奇的平淡，丝毫没有波动的痕迹。

皆是同一性质的事项，一旦受到外来的约束，呈现的风度景象，就会有所改变，绝然不同。就好比社会风气，往往需要法律的介入，才能稳定下来。

是湍流澎拜，朝气勃勃, 富有挑战的环境比较好，还是平淡无奇，安安稳稳的环境比较强，也许要看当局者的年龄及经历而定。

A simple partition, can create an entirely different atmosphere/environment.

Chaos cannot be controlled. But effort must be in place to keep chaos under control.

Choppy water that is full of adventure or deadpan water without any excitement - which is a better place to stay? I think as one mellowed with age, a calm place without much surprises is most likely a preferred place to stay.

瓶瓶罐罐 Bottles of drinks

冰箱里摆满了各色各类的饮料瓶罐，在灯光的照射下，显得鲜艳夺目。所幸这些都是非酒精饮料。啤酒饮料都摆在另一架有暗蓝色灯光打亮的冰箱里，似乎避嫌（以防未成年者犯法误购）。

Bottles of various sizes and colours are on display in a fridge. The lights that shine on them added another layer of excitement. 

Fortunately, these are mainly non-alcoholic drinks - alcoholic drinks were kept in a different fridge, lest the underage individuals inadvertently bought the wrong beverages.

包袱/背包 Baggage

每个人都有自己的包袱。那包袱有多沉重，也只有当局者清。

原以为生活条件不错者，应该不会有包袱。其实并不然。君不见即使是以车代步者也有包袱！

It seems that all human beings have their own baggage. The baggage comes in different forms and weight. It may be invincible, and only the person carrying the baggage knows its weight!

Even those who are well to do are not spared...

浮世绘壁画？Reflection

在遛狗的时候，经过即将完工的公寓，好几次看到该公园棕褐色的落地窗面，呈现出对面的树木倒影，咋看之下，蛮有日本浮世绘壁画的味道。

好几次有拿出手机，抓拍此场景的冲动；但都因为当时正用手机听音乐，还牵着毛孩，不便暂停音乐再调开拍照运用模式，便按兵不动，没有抓拍。

但是，最终还是熬不过内心的渴望，捕抓了那场景。

Chanced upon a reflection on window panels of soon to be completed condominium when I was walking our dog along the riverbank. It reminded me of Japanese style wall painting. Paused the music that was playing on my handphone. Turned on the photo app - and snapped a photo of the reflection.