Evening Biskwalk @ Changi Point Boardwalk

38 participants for the evening briskwalk @ Changi Point Coastal Boardwalk on 28 December 2013.  All participants completed the trail despite drizzling.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

Dong Zhi (冬至)

 

 

 

The Dong Zhi (冬至) or Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Chinese and many other East Asian nations. It is usually celebrated during the Dong zhi solar term (winter solstice) on December 22, where the sunshine is usually at its weakest and the daylight shortest.

The concept of the festival traces back to the Yin and Yang philosophy of balance and harmony. After this celebration, it is said that there will be days with longer daylight hours, also an indication of the increase of positive flow of energy. Unlike most Chinese festivals that are based on Chinese lunar calendar, Dong Zhi celebrates the winter solstice which occurs when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun and thus is based on the Gregorian (Western) solar calendar. Dong Zhi 2013 / Winter Solstice Festival 2013 / 冬至 2013 falls on Sunday, 22 December 2013.

Dongzhi  is an important festival for Singaporean Chinese. Chinese families gather during Dong Zhi to pay homage for a good year, and celebrate it by eating tang yuan, a traditional food made out of rice flour stuffed with sesame seeds or red bean paste served along a clear soup made of sugar and water and seasoned with pandan leaves and ginger. It is also a time for them to be with their families and friends and to rekindle old friendships.

Merry Christmas

 

Downtown Line 1 Opening Premiere

I am glad to be invited to Downtown Line 1 Opening Premiere on 21 December 2013, where the  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officiated the opening.

Commuters will be able to travel for free on this Downtown Line Stage 1 when its six station line opens from tomorrow, 22 December 2013 up till 1 January 2014.

 

These six stations - 4.3 km line,  along Downtown Line Stage 1 are Chinatown, Telok Ayer, Downtown, Bayfront, Promenade and Bugis.

 

Downtown Line Stage 2 which runs from Bukit Panjang along Bukit Timah Road corridor, will be ready in 2016 while the Stage 3 in the east will open in 2017. The completed Downtown Line will be 42km long.

 

 

 

 

 

Owen RC Senior Citizens Christmas cum Mass Birthday Pot Luck Party

 

Owen RC Senior Citizens Club celebrated Christmas cum Mass Birthday Pot-Luck Party   on Tuesday evening,  17 December 2013 at Owen RC Centre.