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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Happy Dragon Year!

衷心祝福大家好!

Best wishes to you and your family,

May all of you have a
Happy and Healthy Dragon Year!

May a Prosperous Lunar New Year be with you!
Smile with Peace of mind all year through, and
Enjoy this Chinese New Year in all the 384 days!

不论在何方,
晚上笑一笑,睡个美满觉。 

早晨笑一笑,全天有情调,
工作之余,笑一笑,满堂欢喜又热闹,
心烦之时,笑一笑,一切烦恼全忘掉

笑口常开,新年快乐!

何舒敏 谨贺
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Dexterine Ho Soo Miang
welcome to my other blogs:
email:
dexterine@yahoo.com

*************************************************
INNOvative HANDS-ON

             INNOvative minds-on!
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Monday, January 16, 2012

January 16: US federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

-- Martin Luther King Jr.
"At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement."

-- Provided by NobelPrize.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
"This federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader is observed on the third Monday in January. In 2012, the holiday falls on Jan. 16. Related sites: MLK Day.gov | Wikipedia Article on MLK Day."

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Source of above information: http://www.refdesk.com/ dated 16 Jan 2012

绝句《清明》妙趣横生的版本

晚唐著名诗人杜牧有一首脍炙人口的绝句《清明》,诗云:“清明时节雨纷纷,路上行人欲断魂。借问酒家何处有,牧童遥指杏花村。”杜牧绝对想不到,在他之后,会有许许多多形形色色而妙趣横生的《清明》出现!
有人将《清明》改为三言诗:
“清明节,雨纷纷。路上人,欲断魂。问酒家,何处有?牧童指,杏花村。”
也有人改为四言诗的:
“清明时节,行人断魂。酒家何处?指杏花村。”
清代有位文人,觉得《清明》诗不够精炼,他认为,“雨纷纷”自然在清明时节;“行人”必然在路上;第三句是问句,“借问”就成多余;“牧童”只是被问者,无关大要。因此主张将每句头两个字删除,遂成一首五言绝句:
时节雨纷纷,行人欲断魂。酒家何处有?遥指杏花村。
传说,在 1078 年清明这天,大文豪苏轼登云龙山放鹤亭拜见张山人,吟诵了这首诗。恰巧张山人兴致很高,知苏轼才华横溢,便有意一试,要求苏轼将该诗变其形,而不失其意。苏轼欣然答应,便脱口而出:
清明时节雨,纷纷路上行人,欲断魂。借问酒家何处?有牧童,遥指杏花村。
仅变几处标点,竟成了一首绝妙小令。
有人改成为《南乡子》:
“清明时节,雨落纷纷。断魂人借问,酒家何处有?牧童遥指,不远杏花村。”也有创新精神。
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《清明》繁体英文版本
Traditional ChineseSimplified ChinesepinyinEnglish translation
清明時節雨紛紛清明时节雨纷纷qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn
Drizzling rain always falls during Qing Ming days.
路上行人欲斷魂路上行人欲断魂lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún
It's like the mourners' heart tearing sadly on their ways.
借問酒家何處有借问酒家何处有jiè wèn jiǔ jiā hé chù yǒu
Where can a winehouse be found to diverse one's deep sorrow?
牧童遙指杏花村牧童遥指杏花村mù tóng yáo zhǐ xìng huā cūn
A little cowherd pointed to the Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village, a distance away!
Source of information:
Tomb-sweeping day 2010, Qingming Festival / Ching Ming Festival
http://cq.people.com.cn/cqqs_bbs/201042/201042204916a190.htm

With translation revised by Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Opening ceremony of “Stories Behind Singapore Streets” Exhibition

I received the following invitation some weeks back and attended the opening event today:




If you visit the webpage at http://www.nlb.gov.sg/Corporate.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Corporate_portal_page_announcements&newsLocation=NL you will get some information on “Stories Behind Singapore Streets” Exhibition 12 January ­– 29 June 2012, 10.00 am – 9.00 pm Promenades, Levels 7 & 8, National Library Building:


"Street names not only help us navigate our way around Singapore... they also yield interesting information about our country’s history, geography, politics, heritage and culture. Much of Singapore’s history is reflected through the names of places and streets that we see every day. Join us as we take you on a journey through Singapore’s changing landscape and discover the stories behind some of the names of Singapore’s streets. Check out Go Library for more related programmes. "


Channel New Asia at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1176102/1/.html has the following details:


"SINGAPORE: An exhibition showcasing the origins of local street names and Singapore's street naming conventions has been launched.


The "Stories Behind Singapore Streets" at the National Library also highlights stories about people, their lives and achievements, and roles they played in making Singapore what it is today.


The National Library says the exhibition aims to create a greater awareness of Singapore's early history, journey through nation building and unique multicultural heritage.


It also traces the history of Singapore through the street naming conventions from the pre-colonial era to modern day Singapore.


More than 100 street names are featured, such as during the 14th and 15th century, pre-Raffles Singapore, the Raffles Town Plan and the post-colonial period after Singapore's independence in 1965.


The different categories of street names, such as descriptive street names, those dedicated to prominent people, streets named after local personalities and street names reflecting the imprint of British colonialism, are featured.


For instance, the Raffles Town Plan, one of the key exhibits, depicts the urban plan of Singapore according to Sir Stamford Raffles' instructions.


The exhibition displays maps, photographs and old street signs from the National Library's donor collections and materials from supporting partners.


Highlights include the National Library's legal documents and maps from the Koh Seow Chuan collection, PictureSG1's photographs of street scenes of early Singapore from the Lee Kip Lin collection, and a video on ten unusual street names such as Kay Poh Road, Rotan Lane and One Tree Hill.


To reach out to more Singaporeans, three roving exhibitions will be held at the Woodlands Regional Library, Marine Parade Public Library and Jurong West Public Library, from June 30 to September 30, 2012.


In addition, the National Library will also organise a talk on street names, learning journeys, a guided tour of the exhibition and the Curator's Walk which covers Toponymics, the study of street and place names in January and February 2012.


National Library Board's CEO Elaine Ng said: "I hope that Singaporeans will enjoy learning about history and heritage through the evolution of our street names. We are also conducting guided tours of the exhibition for students and community groups, and learning journeys to areas such as Chinatown and the Civic District over the next few months."


Admission to the "Stories Behind Singapore Streets" exhibition is free. It is located at the Promenade, Levels 7 and 8 of the National Library Building and will run for six months from January 11 to June 29, 2012, from 10am to 9pm daily, except on public holidays. - CNA/fa"


Source of information:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1176102/1/.html


Personally, I am very much impressed by the way this exhibition is designed.  The contents are well-categorised and the use of life-size street name plates allows viewers to navigate and learn about the stories behind them with ease.
Some of the old streets' photograph was displayed side-by-side with the present one showing the changes of the landscape. The group of new photographs of the street scene were retaken at the same spot by Mr Char Lee.  I like his work as it is a great job done with lots of patience!  Many viewers were delighted when they are able to match, recall and retrieve their own memory with the help of these visual aids .

I like the multi-tier layout with the three dimensional and built-in structure used throughout the whole exhibition.  It helps viewers to navigate in and out of their memory lane.  We have the sense of walking around the "Streets" in this small "Town-like" landscape! 


I think this exhibition definitely created an impact in many a viewers' mind!


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Here are some of the photos we took to mark the day: 


*Photo with some of the Singapore memory agents and Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs




Standing from left to right:
Mrs Elaine Ng, Ms, Ms S Zahra Aljunied, Ms Belinda Tan, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Mr James Seah, Mr Philip Chew, Mr T C Lai, Mr Lam Chun See and Mr Yeo Hong Eng.
First row from left to right:
Ms Ngian Lek Choh, Dexterine Ho and Mr Peter Chan


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* Photos taken at the exhibition hall

This article is revised on 16 Jan 2012 with the group photo added from Facebook, courtesy of Belinda Tan.

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

清明*古典詩

The following is extracted from 清明 - 维基百科 at http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B8%85%E6%98%8E 

清明
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清明農曆二十四節氣之一。每年4月5日前后太阳到达黄经15°时开始;《月令七十二候集解》:“三月节……物至此时,皆以洁齐而清明矣。”故清明節總是在公曆4月4日4月5日4月6日三天中的一天。

由於清明節是根據節氣而定的,故清明是少數與西曆大致吻合的中國傳統節日。


二十四节气
春季立春 雨水 惊蛰 春分 清明 谷雨
夏季立夏 小满 芒种 夏至 小暑 大暑
秋季立秋 处暑 白露 秋分 寒露 霜降
冬季立冬 小雪 大雪 冬至 小寒 大寒


清明節的起源,據傳始於古代帝王將相「墓祭」之禮,後來民間亦相倣傚,於此日祭祖掃墓,歷代沿襲而成為華族一種固定的風俗。

在清明之日進行祭祖、掃墓郊遊的習俗,逐漸演變為華人以掃墓、祭拜等形式紀念祖先的一個傳統節日,在仲春與暮春之交,一般為冬至之後106天,寒食節的後一天。掃墓活動在節前後可延續十天左右。

新加坡華人至今仍按照傳統儀式掃墓,多半為閩南儀式。每逢清明時節,新加坡華人多會舉家出行,親戚朋友相邀同往,坐滿一、兩輛小貨車浩浩蕩蕩去掃墓,大多先祭祀土地神。然後在親人墓前擺上酒食、果品和鮮花,燃起香燭,壓上墓紙,再將紙錢焚化,磕頭行禮,最後當場將酒食、肉、果喫完回家,一般會准備五牲祭拜祖先,當中少不了螃蟹等。祭拜完畢便當場剝蛤吃,然後把蛤殼丟在墳前,表示子孫已來掃過墓。
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清明*古典詩

.杜牧《清明》

古典詩晚唐著名诗人杜牧有一首脍炙人口的绝句《清明》

诗云:“清明时节雨纷纷,路上行人欲断魂。借问酒家何处有,牧童谣指杏花村。”

此說始於《千家詩》。但《樊川文集》未見,此詩是否真出於杜牧之手,有待商榷


.高菊卿《清明》
南北山頭多墓田,清明祭掃各紛然。紙灰飛作白蝴蝶,淚血染成紅杜鵑。
日落狐狸眠塚上,夜歸兒女笑燈前。人生有酒須當醉,一滴何曾到九泉。
賞析:

高菊卿為宋代詩人。在這首詩中,作者開篇即為我們描繪出了一幅愁雲慘淡的清明祭掃場面:荒郊野外,墓塚累累,紙灰飛揚,泣愁陣陣,草木為之含悲,表現出清明節的特定氛圍。

第三聯寫得非常妙,通過“狐狸眠塚上”與“兒女笑燈前”形象的對比,一掃前面的陰霾之氣,墓地荒塚的孤寂和家庭夜晚的熱鬧景象的反差,讓人心里為之一動,感到清明的祭掃是那樣的虛偽。

正因此,作者在結尾寫道“人生有酒須當醉,一滴何曾到九泉”。作者也正是看到了現實世界人情的淡漠,才發出了及時行樂的感嘆。


北宋.黃庭堅《清明》
佳節清明桃李笑,野田荒塚只生愁。雷驚天地龍蛇蟄,雨足郊原草木柔。
人乞祭余驕妾婦,士甘焚死不公侯。賢愚千載知誰是,滿眼蓬蒿共一坵。
賞析:

這是黃庭堅因得罪權貴蔡京而被貶宜州(今廣西宜山)時所作的一首詩。詩的開頭,描繪出春天萬木萌發,春雷動地,桃李爭豔的熱鬧景象,同時也點出清明時節人們祭掃荒壟,愁雲黯淡的場面。

但接著詩人筆鋒一轉,以“人乞祭餘驕妾婦,士甘焚死不公侯”一句,化用《莊子•齊人有一妻一妾》中的典故和介子推甘願燒死也不願為官的典故,在對兩種不同人的人生追求的對比中,表現出作者雖遭遇挫折而志節不改的高尚人格。

詩中表達了作者高尚的人生追求和價值取向,結尾雖然說無論賢愚,最終還是化為荒塚一丘,歸於虛無,但我們細加推敲,就不難發現,作者在詩中並非是傾吐不平,而是在表明自己不願卑躬屈膝,奴顏媚骨地換取相應地位與富貴的高潔情懷。
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Source of information:
清明 - 维基百科 at http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B8%85%E6%98%8E

Saturday, January 07, 2012

LAS New Year Bash 2012

The new LAS Council and the Programmes and Social Committee 2011/2012 organised the New Year Bash 2012 today to celebrate the dawn of the new year!

Many librarians attended the "New Year Bash" following the advised dress code "Anything that says Happy New Year", so it looked very much like a rehearsal for a CNY (Chinese New Year) gathering!
With a low price of  $10, a super special rate just for LAS members, all of us enjoyed a feast that we would not forget with the delicious food and fruits prepared by the Halal Kitchen of Rendezvous Hotel.

Besides the new year festivities that accompany the ushering in of 2012, LAS members who attended this event also witnessed something special, i.e., the LAS awards to fellow librarians in recognition of their commitment to and passion for the profession.

And here is the list:

1. Lifetime Contribution Award – Mr Chan Thye Seng
2. Professional Service Award – Ms Ngian Lek Choh (National Library Board)
3. Outstanding Newcomer Award – Mr Aaron Tay Chee Hsien (NUS Libraries)
4. Library School Scholarship - Mr Cheng Eng Aun (NUS Libraries)
5. Special Librarian Passion Award – Ms Charlotte Gill (Li Ka Shing Library)


I took the opportunity to congratulate them on their dedication to the profession and cheered them on with fellow LAS members!

Programme:
Date:    Sat 7 Jan 2012
Venue: Rendezvous Hotel, Level 2, Straits Ballroom
Time:   9.30am-1.00pm
  • 09.30 am Registration
  • 10.00 am Opening and the LAS Awards
  • 11.00 pm Brunch/Networking/New Year Activities
  • 12.45 pm End of programme
What left an impression in my mind is Mr Aaron Tay's humorous speech which he delivered after receiving the "Outstanding Newcomer Award". 

The "serious-looking" award winner said he gets frustrated quite easily and when that happens, he likes to read the article "An open letter to new librarians" by Roy Tennant " http://blog.libraryjournal.com/tennantdigitallibraries/2011/02/18/an-open-letter-to-new-librarians/ 

"Deeply committed and visionary people will also tend to be frustrated and impatient. But I’m here to tell you that with dedication and patience you will not only survive, but thrive. Our profession is counting on you to do so. Only the best and the brightest are frustrated. Everyone else is bored, or unengaged, or biding their time for retirement. You are the ones we simply cannot do without."

Hence, remember that the best and most committed librarians get frustrated ... if you're frustrated, you are a good librarian.  If you're not frustrated, then you're bored, unengaged or near retirement.
After hearing that and noting it down, my friend Yvonne Yin related it to me and said, "He quoted Roy Tennant, the name you mentioned to me as a must read author for librarians some time back. Looks like Aaron thought the same!"  I was surprised that Yvonne remembered what I had said long ago.  It was something like a refreshment to my memory. 
We were pleased that Aaron, the award winner, was of "like mind" with us!  Hence, we got hold of him after the lunch and had a photo taken together.  I also invited Gene Tan, the LAS president, who won our hearts with his opening speech this morning to join us to mark the day!

From left to right: Ms Yvonne Yin, Mr Aaron Tay (Winner of Outstanding Newcomer Award), Dexterine Ho and Mr Gene Tan

I was also joyfully surprised to be selected as one of the three "Best new year dress" winners -- the other two were Ms Foo Yan Chuin and Mr Cheng Eng Aun.  We were given book vouchers from Kinokuniya Singapore and I think that is the best gift for librarians!

A big "thank you" to Ms Susan Song (See photo below) who selected me for the award and the event organiser: LAS Council the Programmes and Social Committee 2011/2012!




When we were about to leave the ballroom reception area, both Yvonne and I were excited to see Datin Patricia Lim and Ms Ngian Lek Choh on their way out, and we jumped at the chance of having our photos taken with them!  That made our day really "great" as we highly value their contributions to the world of librarianship in Singapore!  We are so pleased to had the honour of taking a photo with them and capturing the moment and keeping it for life!


From left to right: Ms Yvonne Yin Yee Ying, Dexterine Ho Soo Miang, Ms Ngian Lek Choh and Datin Patricia Lim Pui Huen.

Notes:

*Ms Yvonne Yin Yee Ying: Assistant Manager, Cataloguing, at National Institute of Education

*Mr Aaron Tay Chee Hsien: Senior Librarian at National University of Singapore Libraries

*Mr Gene Tan: Director, National Library. Office and Programme Director of Singapore Memory Project

*Ms Ngian Lek Choh: Deputy Chief Executive of NLB and Director of National Library

*Datin Patricia Lim Pui Huen: Founding Librarian of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, now an independent scholar, writing on local history.

*Ms Dexterine Ho Soo Miang, LAS WSQ Level 2 course Trainer and Assessor; Lecturer and course planner, INNO HANDS-ON. Ex-Librarian: NIE, NTU and Temasek Poly Library; Ex-Lecturer & Adjunct Lecturer: Temasek and Nanyany Poly, NIE.

Notes:
* Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points

* Eligible for PDS Points: This activity attracts 46 points under the Industry Knowledge Development (ID) category." Participate in library related talks, forums, discussion sessions and business meetings (e.g. AGM, Council & Committee meetings) organized by LAS or other libraries (provided they are open to LAS members or other librarians) "

Edited and revised on 24 Jan 2012 with advice from Ms Yvonne Yin and photos from LAS facebook album!



Dexterine Ho Soo Miang
(Revised on 12 May 2017)

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Dream, dealth and how we see things

Anais Nin has the following sayings that I like:

* And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

* Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.

* People living deeply have no fear of death.

* We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/anaisnin131904.html#ixzz1iOkDlZg3

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

生活智慧8招

1. 長相不令人討厭,如果長得不好,就讓自己有才氣;如果才氣也沒有,那就總是微笑。 
2. 氣質是關鍵。如果時尚學不好,寧願純樸。 
3. 與人握手時,可多握一會兒。真誠是寶。 
4. 自我批評總能讓人相信,自我表揚則不然。 
5. 不要向朋友借錢。 
6. 不要「逼」客人看你的家庭相簿。 
7. 不要期望所有人都喜歡你,那是不可能的,讓大多數人喜歡就是成功的表現。當然,自己要喜歡自己。 
8. 堅持在背後說別人好話,別擔心這好話傳不到當事人耳朵裡。