postcards from singapore

Sunday, January 1, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 1st is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and the upcoming one as well. I've made my goals - FIVE to be exact. Here's to a great 2012!

Monday, October 17, 2011

theemithi : hindu fire walking festival

theemithi is an event where hindu devotees follow in the footsteps of their goddess draupadi, who proved her innocence by walking barefoot on burning coals.

it was at the sri mariamman temple in chinatown.

there were lots of beautiful jewel-toned outfits. i waited and watched the procession into the temple by this sweet woman.

then took my shoes off and went in the back entrance

navigated my way through all of this

found a tiny spot with a birds-eye view and saw a little bit of smoke from the main fire.

then went home because i couldn't see any of the event. i remember some friends went the year before really late at night, so decide to go back at 1am. the festival was still going full-force, even that late. i got a much better view! :)

men waiting their turn at the door to the temple. music rang through the air the entire time.

sleep, worshiping and ceremonies.

when the coals started to turn "cool"...

...men with rakes would come in and toasty it on up.

a fisheye view

cooling goat's milk at the end of the fire pit

lots of different approaches. slow and calm.

quick as you can.

there were people to help - just in case. a woman i talked to said that they stopped allowing women to walk on the fire pit because too many fainted during the process. interestingly enough, she was waiting for the end of the procession, to see if they would let her attempt it.

yellow powdered tumeric covered the temple grounds. it stained my feet for days.

my favorite photo of the night which is technically horrible, but i just loved his expression.

this experience leaves me in awe with how devout these people are to their religion. it is inspiring to help me examine my own beliefs and how to become more devout myself. i'm loving this singapore life!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

pre-theemithi ritual

i went to the hindu temple a few days before theemithi to get some information. there are all kinds of rituals going on days before the main event. i don't know why, but when i went, the devotees were rolling on the wet ground in a circle around the temple.

singapore smells a little suspect sometimes, but whenever i go to little india or am around hindu events, i always catch a wiff of sweet-smelling jasmine.

on my way back to the car park, i passed by the buddha tooth relic temple and snapped this shot on a gorgeous sunny day.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

pink ribbon walk

we got there late and it was crowded!! luckily, my boys stuck with me.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

potty training

it's time. it's been time for a long time.

last week i stayed put and started the thing i've been putting off for a long while. the carpet is rolled up and the clorox wipes are placed in strategic areas all around the house. operation potty training has begun.

this kid is a champ. and a crack up. check that face out. he's got a million of them.

my favorite part of this whole ordeal is after he goes shi shi in the potty he puts the little seat cover on, then says, "i have a surprise for you!" he lifts the cover and says, "TA DA!"

it is interesting, but right before a huge mess, i feel overwhelming love for this little child. i can tell that my Heavenly Father is giving me those little power boosts so that i'll be able to keep my cool.