I was right. The choo choo train that was the centerpiece of the Christmas decorations is reused for Chinese New Year.
Nothing wrong with that. It's very practical to reuse a decoration. Besides a locomotive is one of the modes of transportation to balik kampung. So it is relevant. Can I also assume that this train will also stay for Hari Raya? hah...hah...
The Chinese New Year festive activities at the mall is in partnership with HSBC Bank. When I took the photos, the deco was just put in place, hence my photos were photo bombed by the workmen.
There you have it, The Starling Express.
There's the ticket booth.
Luggages packed and ready to go.
There's the train track.
There are many booths taking part in this Chinese New Year bazaar selling all sorts of things.
I would say that the decorations are quite nice.
These pink flowers are pretty much synonymous with Chinese New Year.
I like this corner with flowers and inverted umbrellas.
It looks very pretty.
I believe that gramophone was also used as a decoration in years past. I could be wrong.
This is a nice corner for yum cha.
More flowers.
These are peanut snacks.
Ah! Someone's favorite brand of bak kwa has set up a booth here too.
Chinese New Year gifts.
Mew Market. Too bad there is no year of the cat.
Well, in another 2 weeks plus, Chinese New Year will be upon us. Yet I am indifferent. No mood at all.
When I had a chat with my brother (the married one) last Saturday, he said he would be with his wife's clan for the reunion and "you guys just go ahead".
"You guys" would be me, my (unmarried) brother and our mum. Well, we see each other practically every week, so there is no need for a reunion dinner. We will go visit dad on the first day of Chinese New Year and then we will do lunch. Simple.
Good morning! It is raining heavily over at SG now. We have the same taste, I also like the inverted umbrellas and the flowers. This year I also don't have much CNY mood. Frankly speaking, since a long time ago, I already don't like the festival of Chinese New Year. Yesterday I went Changi Airport, there is no CNY decorations there, so boring.
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Oh dear, you too? My partner is also the same. He said CNY is more for children. During our childhood, we look forward to CNY - new clothes, shoes and of course ang pow! Well, those days are over! With my grandparents no longer around and my dad in poor health, the family unit is more or less not so cohesive. Most of my relatives are also overseas. So no festive cheer >.<
DeleteWhen I look at the CNY decorations at The Starling, it gives me a Shanghai feel.
ReplyDeleteOh, really? I don't know the Shanghai feel. LOL!
DeleteDid they have a stall/booth selling cats' food etc at the Mew Market?
ReplyDeleteOh, no. LOL! They sell CNY goodie, don't know why the choose the name Mew Market.
DeleteYet the way the way they arranged the locomotive decoration in between the stalls reminds me of the rainway markets in Thailand. They also "do up" and decorated the rainway tracks, so nice!
ReplyDelete*railway
DeleteI had no idea that there are railway markets!
DeleteYeah, the "railway track" is pretty.
DeleteThere is year of the cat celebrated in Vietnam when the chinese zodiac is rabbit. It might due to the two words (mao in the chinese zodiac sounds like cat word) sound similar, the Vietnamese may have accidentally written down cat, instead of rabbit, when transcribing the Chinese zodiac. So when the chinese celebrated the year of the rabbit in year 2023, only the Vietnamese celebrated the year of the cat :)
ReplyDeleteOh ya kah?! I had no idea. So I shall now remember that year of the rabbit can also be year of the cat. LOL!
DeleteIt was said that the cat did not make it on time at the Jade Emperor's selection ceremony and hence it was not chosen as one of the twelve zodiac animals. Lol!!! Must be sleeping away.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Cats sleep a lot!
DeleteJust sharing a thought. Talking about retirement, if we plan to retire at an early age, we need to work very very hard when we are young to save up for our retirement when we are not working at all when we are older. But if we plan to work as long as we can, we have an income all the time so we don't have to work that hard. Am I right? What is your ideal or choice? What say you? Hee hee.
ReplyDeleteNice question. I would go for a hybrid of the two. In my case, I used to think it would be ideal to retire early (I mean in my 50's like now) but I have come to realize that retirement may not be a good idea. I want to continue working so that I keep my brain active and alive.
DeleteThere will be new things to learn (eg change in legislation that affects my work etc) which activates the brain. So I still work hard to try to build a good buffer of savings, so that in my later years, I can just keep a smaller list of clients (less stress) and work at a more relaxed pace - earn some money enough to cover expenses (also pocket money) and at the same time keep me occupied. We must have a sense of purpose in life. Or else I may become bored and stagnant. So working till later in life is not a bad thing.
Ah, you are smart 🤓
ReplyDeleteIt is good that they reuse the decorations items
Imagine if everytime use once and throw, what a waste.
Thank you for the nice decor photos. 😻
I like to go and look at the decor. They are quite creative when reusing items so that it does not look used. For people nearby who frequent the mall regularly (like me) the deco may not seem as fresh but it's all good.
DeleteDidn't bring your dad for a meal, since it's CNY?
ReplyDeleteNo, he is bedridden so not convenient.
DeleteThis year I've decided to stay put for some "me" time while my husband & son goes back to Ipoh. Alone time means sit back, relax & chill...yay. Will be having lunch (outside) with my side of the family instead this year (my mom and my sisters & their families). Recently already had lunch with my husband's side of the family at Hakka Restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like celebrating with your own side hah..hah..hah.... A good dose of "me" time would be good for you, a chance to just lepak by yourself. Enjoy!
Delete