TMS Class 2/6 English Blog

My flat is directly opposite Eunos MRT Station where there is a bus interchange just like those found elsewhere except the unique Malay architecture of the building’s structure.  It has convenient footpaths paved with decorative floor tiles that lead to several shops, wet markets, a POSB bank and a large field.  This large field is used to celebrate many interesting festivals which range from festivals like National Day, Lunar New Year, Vesak Day to those that celebrate the birthdays of deities.  I particularly enjoy the Mooncake Festival that is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.  It is one of the most enjoyable festivals celebrated in our neighbourhood.  I can still remember there was one year where something interesting took place during one of the performances.

            As usual, before the commencement of the event, there was a crowd of people who had already gathered in the field at about six in the evening, preparing to enjoy themselves.  We had to pick our way carefully through the crowd who had come fully armed with baskets of food, mooncakes and lanterns.  Energized by such enthusiasm, we settled down quickly for a good seat to watch a performance.  As it was to be a performance that capitalized on natural changing light, the evening was the best time to begin the play.  The opening of the play, Chang’e and Houyi the Archer, was spectacular.  Using the colourful palette of the setting sun in the distance, the play opened with a dance sequence that was breathtaking.  We were so engrossed in the dance that when “Chang’e” and “Houyi” streamed in from around us, we were visibly stunned.  Never before had we experienced actors and actresses moving around us instead of being on a clearly-defined stage.  Just as “Houyi” was about to embrace “Chang’e”, a hilarious interruption took place when an errant child tottered forward to “Houyi” and insisted on being carried.  When “Houyi” ignored the child, the latter started bawling loudly, earning some titters from the audience.  One of the dancers quickly picked the child up and deposited him safely to his mother.  It was really funny and the audiences broke into laughter while watching the dancers trying to quell the petulant child.  When the play ended, we all rose as one body to give it a standing ovation. 

            At seven-thirty, dinner began and everyone ate leisurely, enjoying the finely sliced pieces of meat, vegetables and fishballs that were cooked in the stock.  As for dessert, we had mooncakes filled with choice nuts, spicy bits of meat, lotus seed paste and egg yolk.  After dinner, many families strolled about the field with children carrying their little lanterns.  One could see paper, plastic and silk lanterns made into myriad designs of animals and fish.  It was truly a sight to behold.  I gazed up into the heavens and looked dreamily upon the moon, which was big and bright, grateful for this heart-warming tradition that united our neighbourhood.

Doloritas Quek 2/6

The Park
The park. A place where the multitudes of my community set aside their racial, religious, and some, political differences to interact through activities. Frequent squeals of laughter could be heard from energetic children while parents prattled away with their neighbours and once in a while, managing to steal a glance or two at their children.

Every afternoon, one could routinely see the ditto group of boisterous boys playing soccer while yelling, and would always manage to cause a racket. However, they knew their time would soon be up as everyday seemed like a ticking time bomb for someone to write a letter of complaint to the Member of Parliament(MP) of the Thomson residential district.

A couple of months later, I noticed that a ‘no soccer’ signboard with its dreaded picture had been affixed prominently on a high post in the park. Ever since, without the rowdy noise, my neighbourhood grew desolate and dead-silent even early into the evening. Sometimes, even the barely audible rhythm of one’s own footsteps would frighten oneself. Even the night beheld silence like that of a graveyard. Very soon, lesser activities were taking place and when anyone walked by, unlike the usual greetings, one would walk past him unassumingly.

Then one day, I saw a man with a toolbox taking down the signboard with a wide smile brimming on his face. Very soon, the great news was spread throughout the neighbourhood like wildfire and I found out that someone had written a letter to the MP requesting a lift from the ban to revive the bustling atmosphere of the park from its sombre disposition.

Soon the group of boys was accepted as part of the community and their presence , which brought about warmth, would forever be greatly appreciated.

Barnabas Chua (21)

2/6