Under Heavy Rain, They Said “Thank You”

On the day, it was Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral. The day was on March 29 2015 (yeah, it was just last week). This was the last day of Mr. Lee’s funeral, which will begin from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre (UCC) at the National University of Singapore. You know guys… It was heavy rainy day. Even if it was rainy day, but it did not deter Singaporeans to get out and stand along the road to pay respect and say “thank you”.

It was rainy day on Sunday morning last week ago. The rain begun at 10am, and wasn’t stopped. It looked like the sky feel the sadness as Singaporeans too. That the day, it was important day, a farewell to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. For the last time…yeah it’s the last time to say goodbye to Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He passed away on Monday (March 23, 2015) in the National University Hospital.

He was the first Singapore’s Prime Minister (1959-1999). And he was MP (Member of Parliament) until his last breath. He was the nation’s longest-serving MP. Yeah, He was MP in where I live now (Tanjong Pagar MP). His life is for Singapore. Who don’t know him?? Every single Singaporeans recognize him as the Father’s State. Few years ago, one of Singaporeans told me, Lee Kuan Yew is a good man. He brought good life for Singapore and Singaporeans. He worked hard for this country (Singapore).

At 12.30pm, on Sunday last week, my husband told me to come quick to get down on the street to join with another. He turned on TV and watched gun carriage procession, and it was making its way to Parliament House. Since it was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s last journey to the University Culture Centre at the National University of Singapore, and we weren’t able to go to the Parliament House, so to pay respect to him, we joined with another Singaporeans, down the street.

At the same time, The Singapore Navy honoured him with a ceremonial sail past in the water off the Marina Barrage. And we saw on TV, Armed forces paid tribute to Mr Lee, four ceremonial 25-pounder guns fired 21 gun salute. My husband said, Air Force flew on the air to honour Mr Lee too, formed a Missing Man formation. From our flat, we just heard air plane engine roaring.  Four RSAF Black Knights flew overhead, due to heavy rain and low clouds.

I saw many people in corridor and the street. it was so crowded, elderly, young people, even kids, they were going down on the street where Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s body on vehicle with gun carriage pass by. You can’t imagine it, it was heavy rain. Like as many people, we prepared to wear ponchos and brought umbrella. We walked through the crowds. Finally, we found a space and waited for Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s gun carriage.

We aren’t Singaporeans. But why, we joined with another Singaporeans in there… For us, Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a great man, and great father to the nation. He brought Singapore changed into a modern city and good wealth for his people. Yes, he was an architect of wealth. I watched on TV, how he fought and struggled for his country and his people. Just ask Singaporeans (especially elderly man and woman), they know all everything about Singapore in the past. What is the point for us?? He was one of the inspiring person in the world. We can learn from him, we must strive forward for a better future, become strong and do good for our country. For example, we have to study hard, never give up for our dream, and do positive things for our country, even if it is only small things.

Finally, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s gun carriage came. Shouts of “Lee Kuan Yew!” rang out. I bowed to him and say “goodbye, rest in peace Mr Lee”. And so is people around us, I saw them bow and said “thank you”. Their face looks sad. The carriage went faster, but it was more than enough to catch a glimpse of a moment of  Mr Lee Kuan Yew for the last time. And State funeral procession waited for him in the National Culture Centre at the National University of Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s State funeral was going at 2pm until 5pm. We watched it on TV. At 4.35pm, the nationwide emergency alarm sound was heard twice to honour Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Good bye Mr Lee Kuan Yew, you are great man and great father. Rest in peace…

Note :

• Photographed by Rdz (except the third and last pictures)
• Third and the last pictures from Google
• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions (Except Pictures from Google)

Hinamatsuri, The Meaning Behind The Dolls

Hinamatsuri also called Japanese Dolls Festival. If you have daughter, it’s a special day, called it Girl’s Day. As you know, girl is always loves dolls. That’s why, dolls is displayed in every single home in Japan when the time comes to celebrate this festival. Beside houses, shrines displaying it too. They are not only just dolls guys… It’s meaningful. So… these are the meanings behind the dolls…

On February 8, my friend posted some of doll pictures. At the time, I thought it was very beautiful. I asked her, about that pictures, and she told me many things. Yeah, it was on Hinamatsuri or Japanese Dolls Festival, falls annually on March 3. It’s wishes for all of girls that will grow up healthy and happy. Japanese people believed, the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirit. My friend said, the dolls are like human, and they takes bad luck from the girl. Stars to display on February and take them down immediately after festival. If leaving the dolls past March 4 will result in a late marriage for daughter.

See on these pictures that my friend made…looks beautiful, right??…. The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian period. I remember, at the time I asked to my friend?? “…is that king and queen…”… And my friend said “yes”. It’s representing Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musician in traditional court dress of the Heian period. And…platforms covered with a red carpet! Wow, kore wa subarashii desune!! I like that!

These are the meaning behind the dolls, yeah…I read it before on Google … Look on my friend picture, it’s seven-tiered Hina doll set (correct Miyu-san??..). The top, first platform, there are the Emperor doll and  Empress doll. These dolls are usually placed in front of a gold screen. And I saw lampstands beside the Emperor and Empress dolls. And yeah… the Empress doll holding a fan. That looks great, I like these dolls…

The second platform, there are three court ladies. The middle lady is the seated sake bearer. Do you see that on that picture guys…. I think you can see it, right??… And how about another lady whose standing on the right and left side..?? The right lady is a long-handled sake bearer, and the left is the back up sake-bearer. And you see on that picture, between these ladies any “something” looks like a table. Yeah, it’s around table guys… What is that on the top of round table, the colour looks nice and sweet, it’s a hishimochi (sweets ) guys… Do you like sweets, huh?? I think I like sweets

The third platform, there are palace traditional musician, consist of five male. As you see on my friend’s pictures, each holds musical instrument, such as small drum, large drum, hand drum, and flute. And of course it’s including the singer who hold the fan. And see that picture once again…can you see the differences?? I saw two dolls displayed higher that another. What does that mean?? It means, they are standing, and they holds large drum, and hand drum. And so is the singer, the singer is standing and holding folding fan sensu.

Fourth platform, there are two ministers. Young minister on the right side is Udaijin, and much older minister on the left side is Sadaijin. How I know which one younger minister and older minister… That’s easy, ‘cause I saw their hair colour You see, huh??..Any others else in this platform??..Yeah there are some kind of table. That’s right!! I saw on that picture is some kind like table with a bowl on top of it, and another tables looks like sweets (hishimochi), sorry if I was wrong…

Fifth platform, as you see on picture…on the right side it’s a plant, called it a cherry blossom tree (sakon no sakura) I like this flower so much and the other side, it means left side is a mandarin orange tree (ukon no tachibana). But, I am little confused ‘cause when I read on google, the right side is a mandarin orange tree, and the left side is cherry bloosom tree. But forget it… Between these plants are three samurai as the protector of the Emperor and Empress. And these are their names that I have read from google

• Maudlin drinker nakijōgo
• Cantankerous drinker okorijōgo
• Merry drinker waraijōgo

Sixth platform, there are many kind items. As you see by these picture…But I tell you what I got by reading. This is it, smaller chothing storage box (hasamibako), sewing kit box (haribako), two hibachi, cha no yu dōgo, kyōdai (mirror stand) but I wasn’t saw this on my friend picture, nagamochi (long chest for kimono storage), tansu (chest of srawers). And the last platform, means seven platform, there are some items too. They are Jubako (stiff handle that locks them together), gokago (palanquin), goshoguruma (an ox-drawn carriage favoured by Heian nobility), hanaguruma (an ox-drawing a cart of flowers).

Note :

• Photographed by Miyu Nakai
• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions

The House of Raminten, a House of Traditional Javanese Foods

What kind of house is this??… This is special house guys… the place where you can find traditional Javanese foods in Yogyakarta-Indonesia. So, do you like traditional foods, or are you very interesting with traditional foods?? Don’t take any longer guys… If you are visiting Yogyakarta for your holiday, come and visit this house, and you’ll get crazed in there ‘Cause they serve many kind of traditional Javanese foods, and… they looks great and tasty. Honestly, I miss this place every year

When we spent our holiday in Yogyakarta last year, we visited this place. Yeah… many times we have visited Yogyakarta-Indonesia, but only that time we went to the House of Raminten. The first time we went for dinner, and the second time we went for lunch. But…I recommend you, I think it’ll be a good time to go in there for dinner. ‘Cause on night, this place looks romantic and looks cosy It’s just what I feel….

We went to Malioboro at the evening before dinner time. Took a little time to walk around. Malioboro is one of the famous places for tourists in Yogyakarta-Indonesia. Yeah…but I’m not gonna talk about Malioboro in this article (sorry…in another time maybe). We took a taxi to go there. Actually, there are many transportations in Yogyakarta city, like a bus, trishaw, andhong (traditional transportation). We just knew The House of Raminten’s address, and we’d like to take a taxi. Yeah House of Raminten that we visited in Jalan Fardinan Muridan Noto No. 7 Gondo Kusumanan, Kota Baru, Yogyakarta. I was forgot how much we paid for taxi, but it was little cheaper when you are going with another friends

When we arrived, there are two of dragons in gate. Wow!! We were shocked! Why?? it’s very crowded, many peoples! We came in to the receptionist, register our name, and got a queue number. After registering, we wait until they call our name to go inside. One tips for you guys…if you are visiting this place, don’t come in a big group, plan max 4 person. Why?? Because when you come with a big group, you’ll be “sand man”. At that time, we registered for three persons, and we were queuing for 30 minutes for our table, and 1 hour to wait our foods 

I hate waiting time! So what can we do??.. Yeah…we walked around, bought some box of Bakpias and ate it. Do you know Bakpia Raminten Jogja is?? Bakpia is one of traditional grilled cake, filled with green bean. Or…you can buy some Raminten merchandises, like T-shirts, mugs, caps. Or…you can leave some comment about this place But…I’d love to take some Raminten cards! I think it’s unique and nice cards. You can take these cards freely!! Yeah…it’s free guys… When you see these cards, you will see who is the person behind The House of Raminten, the place where you can find traditional Javanese foods. Every single time, when I look at these cards now, I miss this place sooo much, I miss traditional Javanese foods. It looks like a male person on these cards, but why he dress up like a Javanese women in old time??…  He is a actor on stage guys… And Raminten is his name and character on stages. You can see his show in the Mirota Batik 3rd floors by free Mirota Batik’s adrress is Jalan Jenderal Ahmad Yani No. 9 Gondomanan, Yogyakarta-Indonesia (you can find it in Malioboro).

Finally, a receptionist called one of our name! The waitress took us to our table, and our table was on second floors. The design House of Raminten is unique guys…. It looks like a traditional Javanese house, everywhere is wood and wood. I like that!! And so is their waitresses, they were wearing traditional Javanese clothes. Wow!! I were very amused. And yeah…we sit on the floor (with carpet), looks like Japanese people at the moment Yeah…this is the real Javanese people guys… But one things that I hate so much, when we ate, many people smoked around us I think it would be good if  there is any room or area for smoking, or if you come here and really want to smoke, just get outside.

Many menus in The House of Raminten guys… I can’t tell you one by one. Wow…that really…really completely traditional Javanese menus. We ordered some menus that is our favourite foods. There were nasi kucing (I don’t know what you call is in English I think it spelled like “cat rice”), clam satay, golden snail satay, penyet, fried rice, es tape ketan ijo (fermented glutinous rice), cendhol, and many others….!! But for me, something special is nasi kucing. Why?? What is that kind of foods??… Don’t tell me you have visited Yogyakarta if you never had tried this menu. This is just a tiny portion, just a handful of food, consist of small portion of rice, omelette, anchovies sambal,  and sambal (tranditional Indonesia sauce). If you are stiil hungy, don’t worry, there many kind traditional Javanese foods waiting for you And so sorry we didn’t taken a food  picture while we ate, ‘cause we were exausted and tooo hungy! But sure..when you search on Google “The House of Raminten”, the menu will show up!

How about the price?? Don’t worry, it’s cheaper more than you’ve ever thought (trust me!). You just see menu, look the price, which one you want just choose it and the waitress will write your order and they will give you the bill on your table, pay on your table, before your foods comes. When your foods comes, enjoy your time. Even if there are cheaper price, but they give us delicious food. And we miss it so much! Believe it, we will come again, and again when we are visiting Yogyakarta-Indonesia in another time.

This is my story when we were visiting The House of Raminten in Yogyakarta-Indonesia. Yogyakarta is one of my favourite city to spent my holiday. And one of my favourite place to find delicious food is The House of Raminten

Note :

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Photographed by Rdz
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions

Chinese New Year Traditions in Singapore

 

I didn’t know anything about Lunar new year before. When I was lived in my hometown in Indonesia, we were just knew it as “Chinese New Year” which is one of the celebration for Chinese people, nothing more…Until I and my husband moved to Singapore, slowly but sure…we learn about this culture in Singapore. Yeah…we learnt year by year…until now we still have to learn how it is the Lunar New Year traditions

The Chinese New Year is lunisolar, so the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the Lunar New Year. This is an important Chinese festival also known as Spring Festival in China. Chinese New Year is festival to celebrate the turn of Chinese calendar. Traditionally, the festival was to honour deities as well as ancestors.

There are many traditions in Chinese New Year guys…and I am very interesting with it. And yeah, I’ve learnt Chinese New Year traditions every year. Why, why I learn??…It’s because I live in Singapore. My neighbours are Singaporeans. As far as I know, there are three ethnics in here, Chinese, Indian, and Malay. So I must interact and communicate with my neighbour, right??…When I know their culture, I think it’s a good way to know them. So these are some traditions in Chinese New Year that I’ve known.

• Flower and Plant

Flowers and plants in Chinese New Year are like Christmas trees guys…When Christmas comes, you need Christmas trees, and of course you’ll buy many things for celebrate it, right?? So it is, flowers and plants are one of the important things for celebrate Chinese New Year. One month before Chinese New Year comes, the store nearby my house sold many flowers and plants. And so is the garden shops too…they sold many kind of flowers and plants.

Many kind of flowers and plants sold there guys…especially red flower and yellow flower. Are they special colours to celebrate Chinese New Year?? That’s right! Red colour is important colour for Chinese people. Why?? Red colour is flamboyant and cheerful, so that means will bring blessing all year. How about yellow colour?? Yellow colour is luck symbolize and will bring good fortune.

There are not red flower and yellow flower, another colour flower they sold too. I saw pink flower, white flower, and purple flower. So any other means with these colours?? I am not sure guys…So I can’t tell you more, sorry… But As far as I know, the lucky colours in the year of Goat are purple, red, and brown.

What did they sell??… there were Chrysanthemum (red, yellow, mix colour), Flamingo flower you know as Anthurium flower (red and pink colours), Orchids (yellow, purple), Amaranthus flower (red and yellow colours), Begonia (red and pink colours), Bougainvillea (red and yellow), Hydrangea, Hyacinth (pink and purple colours), Camellia flower tree, Azalea flower, Jasmine flower. And some kind of plant that they believed will bring luck and good fortune they sell it too…like Lucky bamboo, Money plant, Pussy Willow, Pomegranate plant, especially Orange tree.

Why orange tree is special and important?? ‘cause they (Chinese people) believed, the fruits, the orange, will bring good fortune and luck. Many orange fruits, it means many fortune will come to their life all year. How about Pussy Willow plant??…Yeah, I saw it was sold in the garden shop or stores. This plant represents the coming of prosperity. And another one, Money plant, and Lucky bamboo,  yeah sure these means about good luck and good fortune.

• Red Envelopes

I know red envelopes called “ang pao”. In Mandarin called as “hongbao”. Red envelopes given by married couples / parent / the elderly  to the young non-married, or children of  the family. So, if you are unmarried junior in the family, even if you are an adult, your parent, your elderly brothers / sisters will give you red envelopes.  Do you know what it means??…Red envelopes means to transfer welfare.

Red envelopes are always contains money inside. How much is it??…Every year we got red envelopes from my husband office, and the money inside red envelopes is about $8 In another time, we got red envelopes from my neighbour. Seriously….neighbour given red envelopes?? Yeah, I got it on Chinese New Year last year. And it’s about $28. The number 8 is lucky number, means for wealth. Odd and even numbers are determined by the first digit, rather than the last. Such as thirty and fifty,  these number are appropriate for funeral cash. So don’t give this number inside the red envelopes.

• Gift Exchange

I have given some gifts for my neighbour guys…Yeah, it was before the day of Chinese New Year. On Monday this week, I have given my neighbour small gifts, there were oranges and sweets. Some other time we gave cakes for another neighbours. And yeah…my neighbour gave me back small gift too…there are cakes, and another else. Last year we did this tradition. At that time our neighbour gave us oranges, cakes. These are common gift on Chinese New Year. Another gifts are candies, biscuits, chocolates, cakes, and oranges.

• Food Traditions

Many kind of food on Chinese New Year guys…Even if it isn’t my culture or my family tradition, but I’d love to know and learn it. Sometimes I asked my neighbour, or sometimes I read, or sometimes my elder sister told me about food tradition on Chinese New Year. And these are some of menu on Chinese New Year…

1. Noodles

I think every year, my husband eat noodles in his office as traditions. It means for long life. My elder sister told me, every year, every her birthday, she eats noodles to hope long life.

2. Yu Sheng

This is special food. I saw it was sold in the stores nearby my house. it’s a symbol of happiness and will bring prosperity.

3. Chicken and Fish

These are one of food tradition on Chinese New Year guys…It’s means a symbol of happiness and luck.

4. Roasted duck

It’s means a symbol about obedience and loyalty

5. Abalone

In Singapore, abalone is eaten only during the Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year at home as the crowning ingredient in the traditional steamboat dinner. Abalone is symbolic of good fortune

6. Bamboo shoots

Bamboo shoots is a symbol of wealth.

These are some of menu tradition on Chinese New Year. Maybe there are many other menus I’ve never known. Just tell me and I’d love to learn it

• Icons

Many icons to celebrate Chinese New Year. You will see, it’s red, and red in everywhere. Stores and market will sell many icons and ornaments for Chinese New Year. One of the icons is a lantern. Yeah…it’s easy to find lanterns when Chinese New Year come. Every single house that celebrates it will hang two lanterns in their house. When they hang these lanterns, it means a hope,  hope of a good fortune will come in their house.

These are Chinese New Year traditions in Singapore. I have learnt for it every year. Even if I am not Singaporeans, but this is a good way to know Singapore the country where I live in. This is nice culture, and I’d love to learn about culture from another country. A Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year…. Gong Xi Fa Cai

Note :

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti / Acik Mdy (Except food pictures)
• Food Photographed by Hanayade
• Do not copy this article without permissions
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permissions