Travelling and Living: Locky's Top 10 Photo Shooting Places in Singapore

Photo from Top News 

For many years, the word "Singapore" shows up in local newspapers mainly when there are comparisons with Hong Kong, such as port ranking, living standard ranking, happiness ranking, GDP ranking, most-livable-place-on-world ranking.

Now, because of the incidents in Bangkok, a top-ranked Hong Kong traveller-cum-shoppers' hotspot, travel agencies are changing strategy to promote Singapore and other countries like Taiwan to make up for their loss.

Just type the word "Singapore" into the search engine in theStandard.com.hk and I found many news regarding travel. I have put a few below under resources, read up if you are interested.

Now, why would you be interested in Singapore? Many of my students told me that they found Singapore excruciatingly dull. Well, of course!!! Because if you want shopping malls, Hong Kong has. If you want variety of products and goods, Hong Kong has. If you want magnificent sea-views, mountain views or village views, Hong Kong has. If you want international food, Hong Kong has it all! Then why Singapore?

To answer why, first answer what -- what do you want to see in Singapore?

In this article, I will only talk about the places I personally remember well, so if you are looking for the new Universal Studio and casino on Sentosa Island, I'm sorry, you won't find them here.

Ready? Here we go!

From SMRT

Locky's Top 10 Photo Shooting Places in Singapore

Photo from FoodStalker

1. Merlion@ Merlion Park near Marina Bay (South of Singapore)
Harbour view? Checked! Huge statue? Checked! Good lighting? Checked! Symbolic enough to prove you have visited Singapore? Checked! A very nice little place to hang out with friends and definitely cool place to take pictures day and night.  
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Photo from thedora.com 
2. The Esplanade -- Theatres on the Bay@Marina Bay (South of Singapore)
From the Merlion Park, you can easily spot a durian-like looking structure, definitely symbolizes Singaporean's fondness of the King of Fruit. Locals call it "the Durian" or "the Big Durian" too! Great architecture and memory-storage killer both in and out.
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Photo from newworldeconomics
3. Raffles Place@Raffles Place (South of Singapore)
Named after the modern founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, located in the heart of the Central Area, it is a place to see how  modern architecture, history and art are brilliantly orchestrated. Air-spaces are maximized to provide constant flow of very fresh and clean air. Little space is wasted. Traffic is never too far away but noise is blocked off by skyscrapers, leaving the area peaceful and comfortable. Its wonderful city-planning is something that Hong Kong should really learn from.
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Photo from Living Together Blog

Photo from Earth Documentary
4. Lau Pa Sat@ near Raffles Place (South of Singapore)
Not far away from the Central Area, you find Telok Ayer Market, or most commonly known as Lau Pa Sat, a food court that was once a market, a jetty and a wooden building. Now, it has become a symbol of food court culture in Singapore. If you haven't visited this place, you can't say you know Singapore. The food there wasn't great when I was studying in Singapore, but what I really like, is the interior design of this place, absolutely Victorian! Just look at the design of those poles in the above picture! So detailed! So elegant! I love the dome part the most, look at how all those steel bars forms the shape of the roof! Looks like a wicker hat, doesn't it?
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Photo from About.com
5. Suntec City Mall@City Hall (South of Singapore)
Well, we have lots of shopping mall in Hong Kong too, but it is the fountain that makes this one special -- The Fountain of Wealth. You can definitely get some great pictures here!
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Photo from Gee!Bee@flickr
6. Bugis Junction@Bugis (South of Singapore)
Oooh! This is my favourite street in Singapore. You know how hot it is there, but this fully air-conditioned glass covered shopping street is smoke-free and environmental friendly, as it makes use of the natural sunlight. And the best part is, it has combined culture and shopping together! Conservation and business co-exist!!! Hong Kong, have you learnt anything?
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Photo from Keropokman's Singapore Daily Photo
7. Clarke Quay@ Clarke Quay (South of Singapore)
Now if you think Bugis Junction is the only place that Singaporean government shows her thoughts, Clarke Quay has to be the best example of huge success in turning stone into gold. Conservations make money! Yeah, a whole lot! This riverside quay is not only packed with history, but also pubs and bistros, visitors come pouring in every single day and it is already great just to watch these people dine. Unbelievable atmosphere! You call it romantic, it is romantic. You call it warm and friendly, you got it! I have never dined there, because of the price, but my friends loved a pub called "Hooters" there, or maybe they just love those girls there.
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Photo from Asia in Asia
8. East Coast Park@Changi to Tanjong Rhu (East of Singapore)
A quiet side of Singapore is the East side, a 20km long beach with no particularly smooth sand, but lots of freedom and lots of fun. I like this place because you can see blue sky, green coconut trees (be very careful), the sea, the skaters, the secondary students building team-spirits and the kids running and dashing in and out of the water. What I don't like is the sight of cargo ships almost everywhere you look. Well... you can't have the cake and eat it, right? There are lots of seafood restaurants too. Never tried any though.
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Photo from telegraph.co.uk
9. Little India@Little Indian (South of Singapore)
Okay, you might not like the smell, but like I always say, we smell too, so do not discriminate. What's better than visiting "two countries" when you only pay a ticket to go to one? Little India is definitely a place to get a feeling of Indian culture and grab souvenirs for your friends. Singapore isn't always about crispy pork, you know?
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Photo from Virtual Tourist
10. Sentosa@Sentosa (South of Singapore)
Well, coming last on the top 10, is usually a place that comes first in another person's list. Why do I put it last? Because I didn't enjoy it there much. You won't if you do not stay in the hotel on this island. Why not? Because you will be afraid to get sand into your shoes, and to run around and get all sweaty and have to wait till you get back to the hotel to shower. I used many "and"s, so you can feel how frustrated I am with this place. Still, it is a place you must visit, fame or not fame. I guess time has changed now. You get a lot play and gamble to do here. So, before I visit Sentosa again, it 

Other places you might consider: Orchard Road, Jurong Bird Park, Chinese Garden, Chinatown.

Next Entry:
Locky's Top 10 Food in Singapore


Vocabulary:
excruciatingly -- (adv) extremely boring or embarrassing, extremely painful
orchestrate -- (vb) [T often passive] to arrange or write a piece of music so that it can be played by an orchestra, used as a metaphors here.
jetty -- (n) [C] a wooden or stone structure which is built in the water at the edge of a sea or lake and is used by people getting on and off boats
dome -- (n) [C] a rounded roof on a building or a room, or a building with such a roof
bistro -- (n) [C] a small informal restaurant or bar, especially in France or in a French style
hooters -- (plural n) US Slang  a woman's breasts. This sense is considered offensive.




Resources:
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=36&art_id=96991&sid=27749672&con_type=1&d_str=20100416&sear_year=2010

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=97136&sid=27788272&con_type=1&d_str=20100420&sear_year=2010

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=36&art_id=97293&sid=27832933&con_type=1&d_str=20100423&sear_year=2010


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlion_Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esplanade_-_Theatres_on_the_Bay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffles_place
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lau_Pa_Sat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntec_City_Mall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Wealth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugis_Junction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Quay

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boat_Quay

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentosa

http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/03/proverb-you-cant-have-your-cake-and-eat.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/excruciating
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/orchestrate_1#orchestrate_1__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/dome
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bistro#bistro__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/hooter_3#hooter_3__3

Vocabulary: Chinese Names with English Meanings

Photo from Chinesehour Blog

Have you ever wondered that learning English vocabulary can be easy? How easy? You may be carrying one of them with you all the time, printed on your ID card. What I mean is, from your own surname! Believe it or not, some Chinese surnames do have actual meanings.

I have selected a few more common ones, some are Cantonese and others Mandarin. If you happen to have more updates, let me know! I will add them in.


Bong (n) [C]

• a musical noise made especially by a large clock

Boon (n) [C usually singular]

• something that is very helpful and improves the quality of life 
• Boon companion

• [C usually singular literary] a very close friend

Chin (n) [C]

• the part of a person's face below their mouth

Chow (n) [U old-fashioned Slang]

• food; something to eat

Ho

• gung-ho (adj informal)
• extremely enthusiastic about doing something, especially going to war
• heigh-ho (exclamation)
• used to express the fact that you cannot change a situation so you must accept it
• ho-hum 
• (exclamation) an expression used when someone is bored, or when they accept that something unpleasant cannot be stopped from happening
• (adj) boring or ordinary

Ching (n)

• ching / ka-ching
• (exclamation) used for talking about large amounts of money and wanting a lot of money

Lam (n)

• on the lam [US]
• to be escaping, especially from the police

Law (n)

• go to law
• When someone goes to law about something, they ask a court to decide if it was done legally.

Lee (n)

• [S] the side of hill, wall, etc. that provides shelter from the wind
• the lees
• the substance which is left at the bottom of a container of liquid, especially in a bottle of wine

Lo

• (exclamation, old use) look
• lo and behold (humorous)
• something that you say when you tell someone about something surprising that happened

Loo (n) [C]

• UK informal toilet

Ma (n)

• (informal, old-fashioned) a mother
• (mainly) US a title for an old woman

Ping (vb) [I]

• to make a short sharp sound
• (message) to send an email or text message
• US for "pink" (= an engine noise)

Pun (vb [I], n [C])

• to make a pun
• a humorous use of a word or phrase which has several meanings (eg. jerk) or which sounds like another word (eg: red / read) .

Sham

• (vb [I] or [T] disapproving) to pretend
• [C usually singular disapproving] something which is not what it seems to be and is intended to deceive people, or someone who pretends to be something they are not

Sin

• (vb) [I] to break a religious or moral law

Tang (n) [S]

• a strong sharp taste or smell

Tong

• Tongs (plural n) a device used for picking up objects, consisting of two long pieces joined at one end and pressed together at the other end in order to hold an object between them

Photo from FoodUtensils.com

Wan (adj literary)

• (of a person's face) more pale than usual and tired-looking

Woo (vb [T])

• to try to persuade someone to support you or to use your business
• (old-fashioned) If a man woos a woman, he gives her a lot of attention in an attempt to persuade her to marry him

Yam (n, [C] or [U])

• a potato-like root from a tropical climbing plant that can be eaten, or the plant it grows from
• US a sweet potato

Photo from zoebakes.com

Enjoy learning English-cum-Chinese surnames!


Resources:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bong
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=boon&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=chin&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=chow
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=ho&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/ka-ching

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=lam&x=0&y=0

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=law&x=0&y=0

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lee

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=lo&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=toilet

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/ma_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=ping&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pun_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pun_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=sham&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=sin&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tang
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=tongs
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/wan_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/woo
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=yam&x=0&y=0
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cum

Usage: Modals Anatomy -- Part 4 (May & Might)

Grammar time again! This time, we will move on to another pair of modal verbs, May & Might.


Before we start, let's bear in mind that the use of Might is more polite and more formal, as we have discussed in previous entries on distancing.


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May and Might are very similar to each other as they both suggest the chances that something will happen, or is happening. Might is used when the situation is less certain and less possible:

Expressing possibilities:

1. We may go camping this Sunday.
2. She might go Egypt this summer, but it all depends on her cash.
3. She may not be at home.
4. He might not be with her. 

Asking for permission:

1. May I watch TV now?
2. Might I be allowed to meet your daughter? (More formal)
3. I wonder if I might be allowed to meet your daughter. (More formal, indirect use)

Giving and refusing permission: (May only)

1. A: May I watch TV now?             B: No, you may not.
2. You may not go into the conference room without a smart card.
3. You may leave now.

Express wishes and hopes: (May only)

1. May you and your family live happily ever after!
2. May he rest in peace. (Prayer for a dead person)
3. Let's hope that the orphans may receive love from their new families!

Talk about something definitely true (may / might ...but):

1. You may be smarter than me, but I work 10 times harder than you.
2. The cat might look cute now, but she won't be so cute when she starts making scratches on your deluxe sofa.

Modal Perfect:

He may / might have done
He may not / might not have done


Possibilities in the past:

1. Sam called, he said he is still on his way. He didn't say what happened. I guess he might have got caught up in something.

Use in Second Conditionals:

1. If she hadn't been wasting all her time trying to find her 200% Mr Right, she might have got married ages ago.

Homework:
Try to explain the meanings of the following sentences in details, you can make your predictions as you wish:
(Leave comments for me to check)

1. Jane: Look! That's him! Isn't he handsome? I kinda like him.       Peter: He might be stupid.
2. Jane: May I slap you in the face?                Peter: No, you may not. What's so good about him?
3. Jane: He might become the next best Japanese pop singer!
4. Peter: He might? I thought you have ALWAYS worshipped certainties.
5. Jane: What? I can't fancy a guy who is cute and talented?!      Peter: You may......
6. Jane: Then?       Peter: I'm just, you know, he may be cute now, but not in another 5 years.
7. Jane: What may your reason be now, grumpy?            
8. Peter: Well, his face looks real stiff to me, he might have injected a litre of two of those Botox things into his face, so his face will turn into Ironman's mask in 5 years.
9. Jane: You are just jealous!!!

Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/03/usage-modals-anatomy-part-3-shall.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/11/usage-polite-or-impolite-past-vs.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/11/usage-polite-or-impolite-past-vs_11.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/11/usage-polite-or-impolite-past-vs_13.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/catch_10#catch_10__3

Practical English Usage Third Ed. -- Michael Swan

Fashion: Handbags / Purses & Other Bags

As student "C" has requested a page on handbags, which I almost knew nothing about except they are called handbags in American English and Purses in British English, here are my findings.

Clutch (bag)
a small flat bag without a handle, carried by women, especially on formal occasions. [1] "Clutch" is a verb which is to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry or pain. So, should we expect a lot of cash or a lot of secrets inside? 

Satchel
a rectangular leather bag with a long strap, used especially in the past by children for carrying books to school.[2] The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. [3]

Tote Bag
a large handheld bag or purse that is used to carry things, such as books, beach wear, or everyday items. The term tote, meaning "to carry" can be traced back to the 17th century but was not used to describe bags until 1900.[4]

Duffel Bag / Duffle Bag
A duffel bag (or duffle bag, kit bag, gym bag) is a large cylindrical bag made of cloth (or other fabric) with a drawstring closure at the top. It is often used to carry luggage or sports equipment by people who travel in the outdoors. [5]

Traditional military duffel bag

modern sport duffel bag

Messenger Bag
worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Messenger bags are often used by bicycle messengers, though they are increasingly becoming an urban fashion icon. Some types of messenger bags are called carryalls.[6]

Sling Bag
Similar to messenger bag, but smaller.[7]

Doggy Bag
a small bag that a restaurant provides so that you can take home any food you have not finished.

Jiffy Bag
a thick envelope for protecting objects that are easily damaged when they are sent through the post[9]

Man Bag (informal)

a bag that a man uses for carrying his money, keys, mobile phone, etc [10]

Shoulder Bag

a bag that hangs on a strap from the shoulder, especially one used for carrying small personal things [11], basically, it is a general term for any bags you need to carry with your shoulder.

Sponge Bag (UK)

a small waterproof bag used for carrying your toothbrush, facecloth, soap, etc. when you are travelling [12]

String Bag 

a shopping bag which is made of pieces of string tied together with spaces between each piece[13]

Suit Bag (UK) / Garment Bag (US)

a long flat bag which is carried folded in half, in which a suit (= jacket and trousers)can be kept while travelling [14]

Toilet Bag

a bag in which you put things for keeping yourself clean and tidy, especially when you are travelling [15]

Cool(er) Bag

a bag made of a thick insulating material that keeps food and drink cold when you are travelling [16]

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purse#Variations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handbags
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/clutch_1

[1] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/clutch-bag
[2] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/satchel
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satchel_(bag)
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tote_bag
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffle_bag
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger_bag
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sling_bag
[8] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/doggy-bag
[9] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/jiffy-bag
[10] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/man-bag
[11] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/shoulder-bag
[12] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sponge-bag
[13] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/string-bag
[14] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/suit-bag
[15] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/toilet-bag
[16] http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/cool-bag