You'll Be Loved

HamsterVille before recent adoption in Nov 2007

My PDA beeped with a new message received yesterday.

No... please let it not be from work!

Phew! Alright, not from work.

It was from an unknown cell phone number with a text message that read "I saw your ad. Do you still have hamsters for adoption?"

Darn it! I should have stopped the pet adoption advert I put up in Pet Lovers' Corner website already! With the numerous adoptions we have gone through, we were left with 20 hammies in HamsterVille.

Bear, the big and lovable hammie

There is a part of me that wished to keep all 20 since we have been with our hammies for more than a year already, except for May... she was the last one born in May this year before we were successful in preventing completely separated the two genders from breeding.

Then again, taking care of so many in 10 homes took quite an effort when the fortnightly time came to clean the 10 households. It had been quite an elaborate house chore.

"Yes, but no babies left. All r adults above 1 yr old. White-Winter breed lifespan is 2 yrs. Still interested?" was my message back... hoping for "no thanks then" reply.

"OK. Adoption free? How many can adopt?" was the reply instead. Sigh...

I told Wifey about the request. Her face lighted-up and was quick to answer "Great! As many as they want!"

My heart sank.

I was hoping she would be as reluctant as me to give anymore away... being attached to the hammies after all this time. Yes, we have talked about this. It is the sane thing to do and reclaim our lives back. After all, we have been giving them away to only pet lovers.

I have to learn to let go.

"K. Come by my home to choose with my wife..." I replied. The rest is history once the 4 cages left our home the same late afternoon.

Home of Mr. & Mrs. Smith

A 16 year old girl, Esther and her friend came over, chose and we bid goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in one cage, Mr. and Mrs. Thames in another, and Buttons and Bear in 2 separate cages.

"Thk u. Be assured we will take care of the hamsters." was the text message on my PDA 10 minutes after they left our home.

Goodbye hammies!

You all will be taken care of properly, we know it. You all will be alright...

Marina Bay Colours

The Celebrations Continue

Little India Deepavali Light-up 2007 along Serangoon Road

Today marks the end of Syawal. Hari Raya Eidulfitri is now over after a month of festive celebrations by Muslims around the world.

Within this 700 sq km island of Singapore life where 4 million people call it home, Chinese being the predominant race here making up 75% of the population, while native Malays... ancestors from the then mainland Malaysia, make up about 15%.

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Light-up 2007 along Sims Avenue

Indians being the third major race making up about 6% while other races complete the multi-racial mix we have living here today.

With the many races, so too are the cultures each ethnic people bring and religions they practice... and much needed public holidays!

Chinatown Mid-Autumn Light-up 2007

The Chinese has 2 days for Chinese New Year early this year and 1 day for Vesak Day.

The Malays have 2 days... one for Hari Raya Eidulfitri that was on 12 October 2007 and has just ended its celebration, while another is Hari Raya Eidul-Adha which will be on 20 December. Yes!

Christmas Light-up 2006 along Orchard Road

Christmas is another major public holiday... a very neutral day and is celebrated by practically everyone.

Simply because the whole island becomes a shopping haven for gifts and great bargains for seasonal shopping tourists as far as Indonesia and Mauritius. I guess it has become so much commercialized than anything but a religious event in the eyes of a non-Christian, like me.

Little India Deepavali Light-up 2007 along Serangoon Road

Deepavali is celebrated by Indians who are mostly Hindus.

While the rest of Singaporeans get a public holiday last Thursday, 8 November... most took leave off work on Friday for a 4-day long weekend, Indians in Singapore celebrate their most important religious event as with the people in India where the legend came from.

Deepavali is an Indian word for "row of lights." Earthen oil lamps placed in a row at their homes on this day to guide the descended spirits of their ancestors to the next word.

Legend has it that an oppressive ruler, Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna symbolizing triumph of good over evil, lightness over darkness, thus the celebrations of lights, of bright new beginnings.

Little India Deepavali Bazaar in Serangoon Road

Hindus in Singapore woulds celebrate it by going to the temple for blessings, giving offerings of sweet meats to and placing lavender garlands on the altar in their homes. It is also known to be a good time to buy new items for the home as some Indians from other Indian precincts regard this day as their new year.

Indian businesses too will celebrate it by opening on the day to let Lord Krishna visit and bless their business for a profitable year to come.

If I am not mistaken, Hindus in neighboring Malaysia would bathe themselves in oil, blessed from the temple or their home altar... another variation of celebrations coming from a certain part if the vast India.

The most popular spot for Indians in Singapore is definitely Little India in Serangoon Road.

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Light-up 2007 along Changi Road

Like the Malays have Geylang Serai and Kampung Glam to congregate for purchases at the Raya Bazaars, Indians have their treats with the stretch of road in Little India lit with multicolored lights and ethnic Indian decorations to get the festive shopping that much uplifting.

An atmospheric feast as well for other natives here and tourists alike to enjoy.

Chinatown shops with lanterns & mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival 2007

Born and growing up here, this is just the tip of the iceberg... in a tropical setting, melting in the pot of varied cultures, deep in traditions and religious practices that I myself have yet to uncover and understand a little more, given time... as we live harmoniously together.

Harmony amongst various races and religions is a luxury.

It has to be nurtured, respected and requires effort to not be taken for granted because it is delicate and sensitive as it is beautiful.

Happy Deepavali

Wishing all my Hindu friends
A Very Happy Deepavali
The Brightest Of Celebrations
To Life