199. YOU CALL THIS ART?!

I thought I signed up for painting classes - I'm not sure what it was but it seemed more like a focus group picking our brains (or what's left of it) on Covid and preparations for the 2nd, even a 3rd phase. Some art & craft came into the picture but I suspect that was a distraction to keep us occupied in between the theory and paperwork. I'm past all this and I showed it, not showing much interest in the paperwork and passing up half-hearted attempts.

When I walked in the first day, I asked, where are the easels? Couldn't imagine painting on a flat surface unless it's rice paper...

Acrylic pouring is simple to produce nice pieces of artwork or to give wood, glass or anything plastic a fresh new look...like the chair below...

From this reusable bag I'm required to create something else out of it - since I wasn't enthusiastic about this whole 'painting' class, I came out with something quick and easy - by stitching a cut portion of another bag, turning that into 3 pocket compartments for small things, trimming it with lace to hide the school's name. Stitching it on by hand added to my misery...

A remnant of a cut bag was turned into this pouch, using fabric pen, I drew the fishy design on the pocket as I don't have fabric remnants. Twine was plaited to form the strap which can be used as a crossbody pouch for face masks, pens, tissue packs, even a mobile if the back was reinforced...

Tried hard to appear studious - it helps to be bespectacled...

I'm glad they asked to paint a tree as I could do one in 10 minutes!

lazy short-cut work - the other ladies spent so much time at home on it losing sleep over it - I'll likely fail the assessment, if I 'win' anything, it will be for short-cuts - but I wrote my suggestions for Covid phase 2, which is what the authorities want, to begin with...I suspect...

In the area of Creative and Lateral thinking and a right brainer, I think I'm doing ok - as I'm such a recalcitrant and non-conformist...!

S - substitute

C - combine

A - adapt

M - modify

P - put to another use

E - eliminate

R - reverse

Am told the assessments will all go to the Workfare people

I like this neighbourhood, coming here gave me a chance to explore the surroundings...

Being so close to the port, the early Chinese migrants set up such clan associations, which acted as their clubhouse and provided the support network for the weaker workers amongst them...

The Goethe Institute is a newer kid on the block, attracted here no doubt by the character of the place...as always, spiral staircases make me go soft in the knees

The Straits Clan - for members only, likely snooty but I'm happy to report Singapore isn't like that any more - I've been inside private clubs and the staff are pleasant and polite, members don't look down on those who don't dress fancy, at least not openly - I like that about Singapore - a few rare occasions there was snobbish behaviour towards members' helpers but after unfavourable publicity in the press, this doesn't happen anymore...helpers are allowed on the premises with handicapped/wheelchair members

Interesting neighbourhood...

Tan Kah Kee Foundation - a well known name that's associated with philanthropy

I've checked it out already! Thanks for the walkabout Tanjung Pagar/Neil Road!

198. NORTHERN SINGAPORE - SEMBAWANG

Checked out this Northern region of Singapore by joining a hiking group. It's certainly quiet in these parts, deserted in some areas - what a refreshing change! There are some old areas in between residential homes, with much wooded areas around - it's a nice estate - for those who like quiet with less people in the public spaces. It could be because there was morning rain but no matter, it's certainly quieter than my estate...

Nobody else along this footpath!

Just across the narrow Straits of Johor is the Malaysian state of Johor

The British had a naval base here till their withdrawal leaving behind nice colonial style houses, taken over by the SG Government - below, a battleship playground...

The beach, if it can be called that - just across the narrow Straits is a Malaysian Johor port 

Beaulieu House...in front of it the Beaulieu Jetty...this was a holiday home of a Jewish businessman till the British Forces bought it as part of the Naval Base property...

Muddy paths - after the morning shower - took these shortcuts to the waterfront...

Wild flowers are getting rare on the roadsides - most of the attractive blooms are hybrids, they look good but are as good as 'dead' - you won't see insects on them. Those here are wild specimens I've not come across for an extremely long time. It's heartbreaking to have so much greenery without any insect/worm/bird life - it's just not natural.

I've written to NParks on this. And because there's no food for birds, they don't come here to nest so you don't see nests in trees, no  insect nests among leaves, no ants, no caterpillars, no bees - no life - it's dead, sanitised, sterile... residents are poorer for it...When I saw a handful of little butterflies and 2 dragonflies, I was actually excited!

One can spend an hour or more at our beautiful Botanic Gardens or in any of our public parks, without spotting any life. It's only in the 'outback' you may come across a handful. I'm just thankful I get to commune with them on my travels...

In India, there was an occasion when I walked along a leafy path and found myself in the company of crows and squirrels. The latter were full of curiosity, they scampered around my feet checking me out - they have lived peacefully where the locals respect them, don't hurt them, don't eat them, so the little critters are pure and innocent, not fearing a human when one crosses their path. The noisy crows remained on their perch, Indian crows are large, but they left me alone - crows are known to attack people and can see 'aura' - in another time they have been known to be associated with 'dark forces' 

Quaint village Sembawang mosque - I get to see these in Indonesia and some small towns in Malaysia

Another 1 1/2 hours walk to get here - my feet 'gave up the ghost' half way through so will save this hotspring for another time...