It was a sunny Monday morning as I went off with my new camera Olympus Stylus XZ 2, one of those models that is slightly bigger than a compact but with some versatility of a DSLR. My old Fujifilm compact died on me and to repair it was not worth it. That’s the way it is these days.
I went to the old neighbourhood where I lived for 17 years: the neighbourhood where I raised all my children. It was an apartment at Block 264, #09-13 a pre-fabricated four-roomer. This place bore fond memories for me. As I walked around the area images, sounds, memories filled my mind. I parked at St Mary of the Angels. I think it is the most beautiful church in Singapore. I love the architecture and the feel of the place. The Catholics generally give more attention to aesthetics. Their buildings generally give a sense of the transcendance of God. The Protestants are more pragmatic in their design, more utilitarian. Here are some pictures of the church and of my old neighbourhood.
Leading to the entrance of the sanctuaryNiches and little corners for prayer and meditationLovely flowers outside the prayer chapel - my first "bokeh" using a compactInside the sanctuaryMatthew and Elaine had kindergarten here but it is now catechism classroomsMost of the dry market stalls were closed except the fruit stallsBlock 264 of Bukit Batok East Ave 4My children waited for the Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School bus hereThe back side of the apartment blockAs then, so now, the cats are everywhere - this one is beautifulThis was where I played soccer with my three kidsWhere the community center stood was once a field where SDP held their rallies and won the Gombak seat
On Thursday, I read in the TODAY free paper that Dr Aseem Malhotra a cardiologist wrote something in a respected medical journal that busts the myth of the role of saturated fat in heart disease. That is good news if you love the humble coconut that has been falsely given a life sentence for being dangerously laden with saturated fat. We have been warned unceasingly of having coconut oils in our curries, lontong, chendol and nasi lemak. Now that life sentence can be lifted, and we do not have to settle for substitutes like yoghurt or skimmed milk. Probably for a while…. until another study comes along to tell us the opposite. The words and wisdom of men shift with time and situation and place and it can be confusing to live by man’s word. God’s word however never changes, and we can confidently live by the gospel that has once and for all been delivered to us in the New Testament. With the certainty of the unchanging gospel we can live with confidence and peace. And we can be sure that it will result in the good life.
I suppose there are people who are tired of the Causeway customs and City Square gamut. That was what I felt and since I lived near the Jurong East MRT/Bus interchange, I went with my wife and some friends by bus via the Second Link to Bukit Indah’s AEON, a spacious and less crowded mall. You may want to venture there yourself and spend a day loitering and chilling out for a day. Here are the steps you need to take if you are taking the public bus:
(1) Go to Jurong East bus interchange (next to Jurong East MRT) to board the Causewaylink bus that goes via the Second Link. Double check with the bus driver that you are on the right bus. Keep your S$4 bus ticket with you.
(2) First stop is Singapore customs checkpoint at Second Link. After clearing that, go look for any Causewaylink bus and board to go to the Malaysian customs checkpoint on the other side of Second Link bridge. Show them your S$4 ticket.
(3) After you have cleared your Malaysian customs go look for any Causewaylink bus that goes to Bukit Indah shopping mall. Ask the driver to confirm as you board the bus, and show your S$4 bus ticket.
Bus stop in front of Bukit Indah (also taxi stand)
(4) You will pass by Leisure Farm bungalows and wished you had bought one long ago. You will pass by Lego Land and wished you had gone there before. Finally you find your bus right in front of the first huge building in front of the Bukit Indah AEON shopping mall. Get off, and get in. The whole journey would have taken you about an hour and a half, including customs.
Keep the bus ticket at hand – 5 Malaysian ringgit
(5) Do a tour of the shops and available food outlets and go look at the cinema to see if there is a film you are interested in and can squeeze into your day’s program. Buy your ticket and go for your lunch. Whatever you do try to leave the place by 4.30pm to avoid the traffic jams at that time.
(6) You wait at the same bus-stop you alighted in the morning. Always ask around to see if you are at the right place. Things change in Malaysia and we have no idea at all when its changed. The ticket home is Malaysian Ringgit 5. Pay the driver the exact amount and get your ticket and KEEP IT AT HAND.
(7) Malaysian customs (make sure you have no sugar, oil, rice, or that sticky something else). Look for any Causewaylink bus and head for Singapore customs. Show the driver the ticket.
Bus stand at Singapore customs
(8) Pass the Singapore customs and look for the Causewaylink bus that heads to Jurong East bus interchange. Always confirm with the driver and show him your 5 ringgit ticket. It gives you peace of mind.
The route to Bt Indah
(9) If you are Singaporean, by the time you arrive at Jurong East bus interchange, about an hour and a half later, you have already asked yourself, “Was it worth going all the way there and back? To shop, to eat, to see a movie, to chill out and take advantage of the superior Sing dollar. Was it worth it?”
If you can answer the question in the affirmative, then I trust that this step by step guide will tease you into making one of these trips, preferably on weekdays if you are an introvert, and on Saturday if you are an extrovert!
