The Cave of the Silken Web - a ge zai xi performed in Hokkien by Taiwan's Yi Xin Opera Troupe.
The Silken-web Fairy forces the monk to marry her. This is a light comedy about the evil Fairy of the Silken Web Cave capturing the Monk Xuanzong and the Monkey King, Sun Wu Kong, rescuing him.
There was a short romance scene between the Monk and the Empress of the Land of Women. The empress hinted that they could live a happy life together. But of course the Monk's only wish was to accomplish his mission - to get the Buddhist Scriptures and help mankind.
There was also a frivolous scene which delighted the audience. In it the Pig Zhu Ba Jie was dressed in female clothing and later he took out a big handphone from his dress.
The more strenuous fighting parts were done by the Monkey, the Evil Fairy and a few supporting male actors. To make it more realistic, in one scene the Monkey jumped up to the ceiling of the stage and flew around in circles. This was made possible by a cable attached to his body.
There was no stoppage for changes of scenes. The show just went on with stage crew pulling away a backdrop or pulling in one. There was also little change of costumes. For most performers, it was not necessary. Towards the end of the show I am not sure why the Pig dressed himself up as a cockerel.
This is one of the top stars in the troupe. She sang during the interval and went down to shake hands with the audience. Autograph session after the show ...
Waxed duck - this is something we eat only once a year, during the CNY period. We only bought the drumsticks. It is also not something you eat a lot because it is as salty as salted fish. Here is the leftover which can be kept for several days.
Eating a few pieces of this is enough to help you finish a bowl of rice.
How to cook - chop the drumsticks into small pieces, cut off as much skin and fats as possible and then steam it.
Fish soup
A friend saw me eating fish soup twice at the same stall in a hawkers' centre. He concluded that my favourite food is fish. Do you think he is right?
At that hawkers' centre, I eat chicken rice and wanton mee more than the fish soup but the friend didn't see me eating the chicken rice or the wanton mee.
Well, the wanton mee is nothing special, not one of those highly-rated. The chicken rice is ordinary, just like any chicken rice you find in a hawkers' centre. The fish soup is more popular. At peak hours you have to wait for 30 to 45 minutes.
The answer to my question - yes, I like to eat fish. But my friend's deduction method is not convincing.
By the way, I also like the waxed duck.
You know, just now I typed an f instead of a d in the above sentence. Luckily I checked before posting; otherwise you all will be shocked. Do you know that the d and f keys are just next to each other.
As we grow from childhood to youth-hood to adulthood and to parenthood, our feeling for Chinese New Year also changes. As kids we look forward to ang pows, aerated water, our favourite food and , for some of us, playing with fire-crackers. When we have children ourselves and they start growing up, we value traditions more and we hope that our children will carry on with them.
It was reported that more people fall sick during the CNY period because they overeat. Even when the CNY holiday is over, the mood lingers and food is still there and we are tempted to eat them. When we go back to our workplace, colleagues would bring goodies to share or some would go out for another feasting. It will take about one week to go back to our normal diet.
I, too, ate more during this period but not a lot more. Still, that means more salt, sugar and fats which is not good. Fortunately I didn't fall sick.
Whether you wish to have more money, good health, a good wife or husband, a pay rise or promotion, a healthy baby, good exam results, obedient pupils, to lose weight or to improve your opera and singing skills ..... may they come true.
Here is a clip of a lunar new year song with pictures of some Singapore cantonese opera artistes.One exercise for you - count the number of shengs and the number of dans in the clip, exclude the artiste in the white mask at the beginning of the clip.
Saturday evening, Chinatown was a hive of activity. The streets and shopping centres were very congested - people everywhere.
At night there was a stage show by local performers and visitors from China. And some buskers were performing on the streets. There were two groups of seniors buskers along New Bridge Road outside CK Supermarket. The performers were enjoying themselves as well as entertaining others.
Here is a clip of a woman singing a well-known oldie and a man dancing away immersed in nostalgia, oblivious of amused looks from passers-by. I think the oldie is a song by the famous actress/singer Bai Guang but I don't know its name. Anyone knows?
If you don't declare the offences you have been convicted of in your application for a job, it already gives the impression that honesty is not a value high in your list. If you have offences that you can’t remember, then state so in the form or go back and find out first.
Although we encourage companies to employ ex-convicts, I believe you have to see what type of jobs. I don't think a casino or a bank would employ someone who has been convicted for, say, cheating.
Or for example, if you need a driver for your school buses, would you hire someone who has been convicted for drink-driving or molesting children? No, right?
babies
I think if a couple do not want to have babies, they will still not produce even if the government gives them cash outright. Bringing up children is a very difficult job.
You must really love children and feel that it is a blessing to have them. Couples in this group don’t need incentives. Neither can the stress of life stops them from having babies.
So, I feel there is a limit to what the government can do. It is really up to the people themselves.
The previous post reminded me of an old book I still have. The cover is shown below. Now, don't you see the word God and you think I want to preach you religion and quickly close the blog. No, I don't preach religion..
I think if you want to spread your religion it is better to be a good example yourself and do good rather than going around trying to convert people.
Even if you are not a Christian or whether you believe in any God or no Gods, you can still make use of some of the things it says . Here is one example everyone can use:
