我心中的中峇鲁

After using "中峇鲁" in Chinese text and google , I found this article today:

文章标题：我心中的中峇鲁 发表日期：2010-07-20（2010-08-05修改）


作　　者：骆宾路
2010年07月20日，星期二
2010-8-5 13:26:22   被依林编辑过


For full text of the article, visit the link:
http://sgcls.zhongwenlink.com/news_read.asp?NewsID=8700

Here are some interesting facts and history related to Tiong Bahru Estate mentioned in the article:
* 中峇鲁是英殖民政府属下改良信托局于上世纪四十年代初所建的居屋，是目前属于政府管辖下屋龄约七十年的最老的组屋区。
　　
* 二次大战前，中峇鲁区只限于中峇鲁路（即现今的大牌五十五座至威镇庙）、中保路、成保路、英云街、永发街、源全街、齐贤街、炳源街及薛华街一带，人口不是很多。二次大战之后至新加坡独立，中峇鲁区扩建至成保路右侧，今之中峇鲁巴刹及食阁一带以及中峇鲁路南面原属坟山一带，即原南洋工商补习学校对面并延至今之中峇鲁广场。

* 中峇鲁在二次世界大战期间，遭受日军空袭。中峇鲁五层楼炳源街有一个单位受炸。我家齐贤街前的草坪也落过两枚炸弹，一枚爆炸，一枚是死弹。日军蹂躏新加坡百姓三年八个月，中峇鲁也不能幸免。我们这些适龄学童都成了失学儿童。新加坡光复之后，华校复课，中峇鲁这批失学儿童都拥到南洋工商补习学校就读。

* 当年住在中峇鲁一伙小伙伴，已经走的据知有前华语话剧资深导演、演员张维明（维爵），恐怕他是住在中峇鲁区最早走的一个（一九七六年）。前《人闻月刊》创办人杨明兴（笔名鸣人）也在几年前走了。

* 曾经住在中峇鲁老区的，还有老报人傅无闷一家，夫人刘韵仙、公子傅超仁、傅超贤。他们就住在我家（齐贤街）斜对面（源全街）四楼一个单位。

* 前杨协成酱油厂老板昆仲，弟弟也是住在源全街和傅无闷一家比邻；哥哥一家是住在齐贤街和我家比邻。

* 前南洋工商补习学校龙姓美术老师也是住在源全街，龙老师的公子郁君贻年少负笈英国，是英国皇家钢琴学院的教授，二十一世纪中，曾在新加坡出任南洋艺术学院院长。龙家千金郁君谋是钢琴家。

* 此外同在中峇鲁区的玩伴，还有前国会议员政务部长庄日昆、前宏文学校校长杨先景、南大史地系第一届毕业生林肯俐、留学澳洲（不知有没有记错）著名建筑师杨树先，还有杨柳芳、杨柳青等。在南洋工商补习学校和我同班的何炯照（据说他留学英国后曾出任海港局高职）、朱智生（其父，一时记不起他的名字，是前中国银行高级职员）等。

* 住在齐贤街还有两家吴姓家庭，吴敬山和我大哥曾是中国银行同事，弟弟吴仰山，另有一个和我年龄相近的弟弟就记不起他的名字了。他的姐姐和我姐姐年龄相近，如果没有记错名字是叫吴楚燕。

* 另一家吴姓家庭有两个姐妹是前南桥女中的学生，篮球打得顶好，是校代表队主力球员，一叫吴楚文，一个好像叫吴楚珊。

* 当年我的小学（南洋工商补习学校）老师住在中峇鲁的有前南洋工商补习学校校长陈国祥、陈姓英语老师，听说现在旅居美国，今年高龄应该有八十几了。

* 余松年（已故）以及夫人马老师住在成保路。庄令昭老师（已故）住在今中峇鲁路大牌五十五座二楼一个单位。已故资深作家姚紫也曾住在中峇鲁路南后期扩建的居屋。至今仍扬名歌坛的资深女歌唱家潘秀琼也曾住在战后扩建的中峇鲁路的居屋。

* 有人说，中峇鲁是个老化了的老区。守在这里的老一辈，心中仍有很多中峇鲁说不完的、精彩的、动人的故事。不管你今日住在哪个角落，只要听到你是在中峇鲁住过的，大家会格外感到亲切。这是一个原住民缅怀的地方。

For full text of the article, visit the link:
http://sgcls.zhongwenlink.com/news_read.asp?NewsID=8700

I get very nostalgic when I read the article. I was very touched by the author as he is very detailed in recalling the names, past events and fill the lines with sentimental statements.  I wish I could do the same when I am at his age!  Reading his narration of event happened in the estate for the past 70 years is like watching a documentary on screen!  

Highly recommended for reading!

Dexterine Ho

Tiong Bahru: Article in Chinese found via Google's Cache

I just run a google search on Tiong Bahru and found the following Chinese article:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TuWW_4RtT3oJ:big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html+%22tiong+poh+road%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg&lr=lang_zh-TW

中峇魯，拐個彎就是一道風景

This is Google's cache of http://big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 27 Aug 2010 00:05:34 GMT. The current page could have changed in the meantime.

中峇魯，拐個彎就是一道風景

[原創]作者：佳寶 日期：2008-6-12
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TuWW_4RtT3oJ:big5.17u.com/blog/article/153971.html+%22tiong+poh+road%22&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=sg&lr=lang_zh-TW

中峇魯是繁忙市區的一片清涼之地，空氣彌散著一種悠閑的味道

　　沒有到過中峇魯，你很難想像繁忙的城市裏還有這麼一片清涼之地。它範圍不大，小小的住宅區裏都是戰前的舊式組屋，空氣裏彌散著一種悠閑的味道，偶爾會看到有人走過，但多數時候看到的只是趴在墻角的懶洋洋的貓。

　　一個地方的氣質跟歷史的厚度有關。

　　中峇魯發展於1936年，是英殖民政府在新加坡興建的第一批公共住屋，經歷了戰火，仍然完整地保存下來。2003年，政府宣佈中峇魯為保留區，它與眾不同的建築外觀，它的一磚一瓦，將永久成為我們歷史遺產的一部分。

　　中峇魯是繁忙市區的一片清涼之地，空氣彌散著一種悠閑的味道。

　　看到、聽到、嗅到生活

　　老區的房子，連一樓都住滿了一戶戶的人家，黃昏時分從他們的門前走過，生活，可以看到、聽到、嗅到。中峇魯從很久以前就是一個令人垂涎的地方，咖啡店、菜館、餐廳、煮炒店，加起來超過15家，鎮中心的巴剎與熟食中心遠近馳名，翻新以後，很不幸的變得格格不入，反而成了區內最煞風景的地方。

螺旋形樓梯是中峇魯戰前祖屋的一大特色

　　每一條街都是一部人物史

　　中峇魯一帶都是蜿蜒的小路，轉一個彎就是一道風景。

　　從中峇魯路轉進忠坡路（Tiong Poh Road），包括英雲街（Eng Hoon Street）、林烈街（Lim Liak Street）、成保路（Seng Poh Road）、成保巷（Seng Poh Lane）、永發街（Eng Watt Street）、齊賢街（Chay Yan Street）、永錫街（Yong Siak Street）、茂源臺（Moh Guan Terrace）、源全街（Guan Chuan Street）、有進街（Eu Chin Street）、金榜路（Kim Pong Road），都構成中峇魯的命脈。

　　根據《南洋年鑒》和《南洋歷史》記載，這些路名都是為紀念19世紀華社名人而取的。如金榜路是為紀念大慈善家劉金榜，有進街是為紀念義安公司的主要創始人佘有進，忠坡路是為紀念福建籍富商邱忠坡，齊賢街則是紀念陳篤生的孫子陳齊賢。他是新馬橡膠業的開路先鋒，最早把樹膠作為園丘式經營。每一條街都是一部人物史。

　　在中峇魯，還有百年老廟、古早的咖啡店、50年不變的雜貨店和當鋪、傷痕纍纍的防空壕，以及郁達夫在《星洲日報》擔任副刊編輯時，曾經住過的房子。

　　今年底，中峇魯第53和第54座組屋將改建成酒店，屆時，可以想見，這個老區將有另一番風景。

吳玉桂是齊天宮的顧問，也是中峇魯的“地方領袖”，是中峇魯的活字典


　　找到中峇魯的“字典”

　　寫中峇魯的故事，最大收穫是認識了吳玉桂老先生。吳玉桂肖猴，今年76歲，是齊天宮的顧問，廟裏理事說：“他是第一百零一個老中峇魯，其他的搬的搬、走的走（故世），現在只剩他一個了，中峇魯的歷史你問他吧，他最清楚。”

　　吳老先生為人風趣，學養很好，問起我的父母親，都用令尊令堂。他老當益壯，但不認老，開一輛馬賽地轎車，每天還到自己的公司上班。開頭我叫他老伯，他作惱怒狀，於是我趕緊改口叫他大叔。哈哈。

　　看著一棟棟房子建起來又看著它們拆除

　　吳大叔在中峇魯出世、長大，父親是齊天宮的乩童，一家人就住在齊天宮樓上。他指著英雲路上的老房子說：“我看著它們一棟棟建起來，現在又看著它們一棟棟的拆除重建。”吳大叔一直住在中峇魯，間中有段時間搬到烏節一帶，不久又搬回老地方，現住在金殿路，跟我算是街坊。大叔是中峇魯的“地方領袖”，擔任中峇魯聯絡所主席有30年之久，現在還是聯絡所的顧問。

　　他看盡中峇魯的變遷，在情感上，一輩子與中峇魯有著千絲萬縷的關系。他說：“中峇魯以前都是有錢人住的地方，生活起碼要在中等以上才有資格住進來。這裡住了很多文人，也有很多人在這裡包二奶。”

　　齊天宮斜對面是忠坡路，吳大叔說：“郁達夫當年就住在忠坡路的一個單位。”後來我回報館查資料，發現記載的是第65座組屋三樓24號。大叔還說，中國大畫家劉海粟也住過中峇魯。

        訪問第二天早上，約了吳大叔拍照，他知道我想到防空壕看看，慷慨的充當我的車夫，用他的馬賽地把我載到茂源臺。

　　茂源臺的老房子俗稱五層樓，建成一個馬蹄形，樓房後面是停車場，廢棄已久的防空壕就在樓房後面的底層，面對停車場，大門深鎖，並不是我原先所以為的什麽秘密通道。要不是吳大叔帶路，我恐怕找上一天都找不到。

　　大叔說，這是英國人設計的老房子，建得銅墻鐵壁，堅硬非常，釘子釘不進，大戰期間炸彈下來，也只是打穿一個小洞，底層拿來做防空壕最合適不過。大叔曾經帶電視臺的攝影隊到裏面拍攝，被蚊子叮得全身又紅又腫，他問：“你想進去嗎？可以跟市鎮會申請，讓他們給你開門。”我想到他的慘痛經歷，當然不敢輕舉妄動。

Here are the links with the same article:

http://cbbs.chinadaily.com.cn/viewthread.php?tid=4221&extra=page%3D34
Wtih "稿件来源：联合早报"
This link have some photos included, yet with some typo errors and irrelevant text added!

http://www.chinabaike.com/article/316/tour/2007/20071024609409.html

Fort Canning Park with LAS members

Just went for a heritage guided walk of Fort Canning Park, conducted by NParks board, on 17 Sep 2010, Friday (3 pm – 5.30 pm).

This guided walk is organised by LAS (Library Association of Singapore) and our guide is Ms Lee Wei Ling from National Park.  (Ms Lee is in her Twenty, and her full name is the same as the daughter of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. She said it makes her and her name hard to forget for most Singaporean.)

We are pleased to have a nice and cold walk in the afternoon as the heavy rain in the morning wash the heat away.  We are so fortunate to have a good day for this outdoor activity.

We enjoyed hearing many good tips on plants, some legends and interest story about Fort Canning from Ms Lee.  Ms Lee was surprised to note that what she thought as something uncommon or not easy to guess are well answered by the group members.  I think the Fort Canning is the Library of plants and LAS have a lot of good Librarians who love and know plants very well.

I enjoyed the afternoon walk with a group of knowledgeable Librarians.

As the walk were limited to 30 participants, and on a first-come, first-served basis, I am glad that I had signed up on 18 Aug and get myself registered!

About the walk

It is a leisurely stroll back into time to rediscover Fort Canning and its rich heritage within this verdant oasis in the heart of the city.

"Standing serenely amidst the bustling sprawl of the city, Fort Canning Park has plenty to be discovered and much to behold."

The walk let us find out about the many historical layers of this hill which is irrefutably intertwined with the history of Singapore. 

Being an old resident of Tan Tye Alley (A small lane no longer existed in Singapore street directory after mid 1970), the hill is my childhood play ground and it is nice to revisit it once in a while.

Tan Tye Alley which was a small lane adjacent to Tan Tye Place, it was just opposite Fort Canning Hill.  During my childhood time, our family was a tenant living on the third story of a unit (The address was 4A, Tan Tye Alley).

We used to enjoy watching fireworks showering down in front of us when we lay down to watch the show at our small open air roof-top balcony cum garden after dinner.  No firework can be watched as close and look as beautiful when I compare it with what was imprinted in my memory!

Tan Tye Alley (Some 3 storey units with the address No. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc and a big Ware House) is now part of Liang Court (Chinese: 亮阁) at Clarke Quay, near Singapore River. 

When our family members visited Liang Court the first few times, we always felt that we are visiting our old home and like to guess which shop is at our old home location! 

Now back the the walk!  Guided by Ms Lee, we climbed the hill and visited some other interesting sites:

• Fort Gate and the nearby sites: Once the seat of Malay royalty in the 14th century and home to colonial governors in the 19th, it became a military base during the Second World War. Today, a display of ancient relics dating back to the 14th century as well as the Fort Gate, remnant of the fortress built in the 1860s, are reminders of Singapore’s rich past.

• Spice Garden: Explored the world of spices which was part of the original tract of Singapore's first botanical and experimental garden, we learn about the importance of spice back then as well as how it has integrated into our lives today.

Whether it is botanical or historical, learning about our heritage is not possible through just a walk in the park, yet, it is a good starting point for some and good revision for me today!


What to take note if you plan to walk on your own in future:

• Walk is moderately easy but will involve walking up slopes and steps so do come dressed comfortably. Sport shoes is the best!
• It is also good to bring along a bottle of drinking water, hat/cap/umbrella/poncho, sun glasses and sunblock!
• Apply insect repellent if you are likely to attract them.

Here is some good information:
Meeting point for the group: Courtyard opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre

Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut or City Hall

Nearest carpark: carpark B off Percival Road


Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points
Eligible for PDS Points:
This activity attracts 26 points under Category C – Personal Development. " Participate in any self-development or productivity course not directly related to library and information work (half day) “ 2. Reference: See para 4.6 of the PDS Guide [:http://www.las.org.sg/PDS-Guide-2008-LAS.mht ]

Source of information: Email from Programmes & Social Committee Dated 18 Aug 2010

Book as a gift

When you give someone a book, you don't give him just paper, ink, and glue. You give him the possibility of a whole new life.

-- Christopher Morley (1890-1957)

I like to give book as birthday gift for nieces and newphews, I hope it benefits them like what Christopher Morley said in the above quote!

Dexterine Ho

Simon Calder's 48 Hours in Singapore

Simon Calder, an Independent Traveller spends two eventful days in Singapore and experienced the diverse and welcoming city!
For those who are planning to have a short visit of Singapore, even if you only have 48 hours, you still can bring back great memory of Singapore.
 
As a Singaporean, I find the New Majestic Hotel interesting !

I like the interial deco of New Majestic Hotel (http://www.newmajestichotel.com/) and it would be interesting to experience the pool one day!
 
Cheers!
 
Dexterine Ho

Leadership

Leadership is no longer about your position.

It's now more about your passion for excellence and making a difference.

You can lead without a title.



-- Robin Sharma

Reason vs emotion

The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason.


-- Marya Mannes (1904-1990) American Journalist

Happiness

Man is happy only as he finds work worth doing --
and does it well.


-- E. Merrill Root (1895-1973) American Writer

The Library of Congress  (http://www.loc.gov/index.html) in Washington D.C. has over 33 million books and 12 million photographs, millions of maps, sheet music, and other manuscripts.

Its holdings make it largest library in the western world; and having been founded in 1800, it is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country.

Source of information:
The World Almanac 2010, original source
The Refdesk 2 Sept 2010, indirect reference source
The Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/index.html)

Teaching with the Internet

If you need to use Internet for teaching, "GERSH'S GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS: TEACHING WITH THE INTERNET" created by Dr. Sheila O. Gersh, City College of NY - Center for School Development may be a good site for your reference and here is the link:

http://www.schoollink.org/twin/

In the list, the following are compiled and you can just click your way to some good Internet resources like:
 
CultureQuest, ScienceQuest, Child Safe E-mail

Acrobat Reader Real Audio/Video, Skype

Projects ProjectWorksheets,  Citationmachine

NYS Learning & Teaching, Internet Curriculum ResourcesELEM sites

Sites for young children, Refdesk,  Participating in Projects Virtual Architecture

Post It Add It Conference Presentations For Administrators, CyberGuides video conf. with Japan

Tech Tips (videos),  Interesting Sites, NYS Standards

Literacy Sites, Internet Basics, Subject Matter Links

Science News, Make Your Own Rubrics, Hints for Creating Rubrics WebQuests

WebQuest Resources,  Graphic Organizers

Evaluating Web Sites, ESL Sites , Best WebQuests

Searching on the Internet, Searching strategies, More Searching Tips

Lesson Plans, Project Based Learning

Searching HANDOUT,  Searching with Google Schoolnotes, 
Blackboard Portfolios, Personal Portfolios, Multimedia resources  

Learn to Keyboard

And many more...