Phase 2 - Starting 19th June 2020

Phase 2 - What you need to know (Pic source: Mothership.sg)

C'est enfin là!!! It is finally here.... Phase 2 (safe transition) has been started since yesterday in Singapore. You can find more information about what we can and cannot do during this period from the attached pictures (above and below).

First of all, yes, more people are allowed to meet and go outside together in a group, also to visit household (max. 5 people). One-metre safe distancing measure is a must anytime anywhere you go, both between individuals and groups. 

Wearing mask remains compulsory for this period of time as the opening up does not necessarily mean that the country has been free from Corona virus. It is mostly done due to the economy reason only (shop close --> no job --> no income --> higher employment rate --> higher crime rate/ depression/ suicide, etc.)

What can we do in Phase 2 (Pic source: Mothership.sg)

The most exciting part of the Phase 2 that most people was waiting for was that the retail shops and F&B outlets could reopen for shopping and even dining-in (takeaway and delivery are still recommended though). Bubble tea shops were allowed to open too!!! :)

This excitement could even be seen starting from 19th June midnight, where group of people immediately gathered at the prata joint or neighborhood coffee shops together with friends and/ or family members and had their late supper. 

Me too, excited to dine-in at coffee shop :P

Everyone from any ages was exciting and missing even just to sit down at the coffee shops. The feelings were indescribable, especially for Singaporeans. Sitting down and smoking (in smoking seating area), sipping the local brewed coffee or tea during daytime, drinking their favorite beer (ordering in bucket) with group of friends at nighttime, chilling out, eating delicious local dishes, and feeling the breeze or cool wind (especially in rainy season like now) were definitely parts of most Singaporean's way of living. Simple things in life that most of us took it for granted.

Many gathered at restaurants and bars too starting Friday night despite the liquor sales and consumption have to cease at 10.30 pm, plus live music, television and video screenings will not be allowed in all F&B outlets. Nightspot at Holland Village was very crowded and spotted with many long queue to enter the F&B establishments.

Long queue at Waterway Point to enter the mall at about 2 pm - 19th June 2020

Shopping mall had more visitors too starting yesterday, as more retail shops had been opened. Scanning bar-code or Identification Card to trace your visit plus body temperature check are still a must activity before entering the shops and malls.

The additional part is the limitation capacity for the number of people that are allowed to be roaming inside the mall. That is why you can expect long queue outside the mall and even some popular shops, e.g. Daiso, ZARA, IKEA, Popular Bookshop, etc. 

Queue to enter Daiso inside Waterway Point at 12.30 pm - 19th June 2020

If you need to go down to mall to buy your necessary items, please avoid the peak period (weekends and after school over). Otherwise you make sure you have enough energy for queuing (to enter and even to pay what you buy). It might take longer than you expected.

What we cannot do in Phase 2 (Pic source: Mothership.sg)

The above activities are still not allowed to do now as it shows opportunities for large clusters to form in community. So, many people can still continue watching their favorite movies and drama online, singing karaoke, praying, and listening religious teachings from home. 

The phase 2 may carry on for months and we have to learn to be patience until the phase 3 (the final phase) or the new normal begins. 

Let us be grateful that we have been blessed with everything that we have now (be it health, food, place to stay, etc.) and stay vigilant towards what exists around us. Be considerate to people whom we stay with and meet up with and take responsible of our own health being. May the above bless us always!!! :)

I am my everything

Yes, I am (IG: rimareyka.writes)

Well, it sounds selfish, isn't it? 

I asked hubby last night, "What is your everything in life?"

He immediately said, "My family."

Then I told him, "No, you have to answer, 'I am my everything.'"

He was puzzled, pondered, and then replied, "But that sounds very selfish."

His face still showed his disagreement with what I said earlier and seemed he still could not digest it well.

Well, I didn't blame him. Many people would also think the same and put everything else above, i.e. boyfriend/ girlfriend, family, career, money, etc., except themselves, as the most important thing in their lives. 

Don't misunderstand though. I reached the realization upon it after watching the Korean drama - Avengers Social Club. 

Avengers Social Club (Pic source: Google.com)

One of the members, the richest lady (the one sat in the middle at the above picture), had been living her life in accordance to her family's plans and fulfilled their wishes like a puppet, which included marrying a husband she never loved for over 10 years.

Her husband had secretly converted her inheritance properties to fall under his names and taken control of it for his own benefits. He even took in his illegitimate son (from previous fling), whom he found out only 18 years later, to live together at the house, as he would be the perfect bait to continue and inherit the father's future inheritance (in Korea they usually regard their son to get the main inheritance instead of daughter).

She too, was illegitimate daughter in the family. Her elder sister from different mother never wanted to be called 'sister' by her and always made her life difficult. 

Love yourself first, and it is not selfish (Pic source: Google.com)

At the end, after doing much efforts with the help of Avengers Social Club members, she managed to revenge to his greedy husband, and also divorce with him. She also made the deal with her 'sister', asking her sister to support her in removing her hubby's General Manager position from the company (to make him powerless and penniless). In return, she had to give her sister, her part of company's share, and it left her with no power in the family's business. 

Her sister was wondering why she was willing to do that as usually the share was worth power and wealth in society and life. 

She answered calmly, "For you, this company is everything in your life. But for me, I am my everything in life."

You deserved it all (Pic source: Google.com)

She finally gained her freedom to live the life she wanted, with no pressure, no forcing, not being puppet of someone else's plans, and for her, it was something much more valuable than the value of company's share that she had given up. 

Afterwards, she left house and travelled to every places she wanted to go, lived the life she wanted to live, and be happy :)

Rainbow on the Last Day of CCB in Singapore

Rainbow on the last day of CCB

Today - 1st of June 2020 - is the last day of the implementation of Coronavirus Circuit Breaker or CCB in Singapore. It does not mean that Coronavirus has gone from Singapore. It is still here and today's cases are still numbering so high, at 408, but no new community infection is recorded (it is the first time after more than 3 months - what a good news!). And tomorrow, we are going to enter to the new phase, called Phase 1 (as mentioned in earlier post and you can find more details there).

Rainbow comes after the rain (Rainbow in Singapore 1st June 2020)

In this post I just want to share my excitement with the rainbow photos that were taken this evening from my house's balcony, the first time I saw since I have moved here for more than 8 years (perhaps it happened so many times before but I was not around or did not notice though, hahaha..).

Thank you for appearing today <3<3<3

Nevertheless, I still believe that rainbow symbolizes the good luck, providing us with new hopes and motivation, wherever it is. The weather in Singapore for the next few days is going to be cloudy and rain, which means we have more chance to find the rainbow as well. Hehehe... *finger crossed. 

Hope these pictures can brighten your days despite many of us will still take precautions by staying at home more and only go out when necessary to prevent further unexpected Coronavirus spreading in the country.

It is all temporary (be it good or bad) (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

Remember that it is not over yet. We still have to stay vigilant and always remember to treasure our health, as we have already known that the health is the greatest wealth that human beings can ever get and let us treasure this gift of life by treating our body and mind the best we can. 

May all sentient beings be happy and healthy, free from suffering and the cause of suffering, life full of peace and joy. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu.

Dear Diary - Updates of Coronavirus Outbreak

Dear Diary...

Today is 30th May 2020. It is the 54th day of the Coronavirus Circuit Breaker in Singapore. The CCB is going to end soon and will be replaced by Phase 1 - Safe Re-opening starting June 2nd, 2020.

Fyi, there were 611 new Covid-19 cases yesterday taking the country's total number of infection to 33,860. Among 611, only 3 Singaporean and/or Permanent Resident were affected. The rest was mostly the foreign workers (mainly from India and Bangladesh with some Chinese), where the outbreak happened mostly in their dormitories. 

The daily figures are still extremely high and scary. However, most of them have been quarantined, tested, treated, and recovering. This will still take some time until it decreases. 

Phase 1 - Re-opening (Pic source: reach.gov.sg)

The above will be what the Phase 1 activities look like.

The Straits Times said, "More businesses allowed to resume on June 2 but most people to continue working from home.

And types of businesses that will open includes: manufacturing and production facilities in the semiconductor, medical technology and aerospace sectors, as well as wholesale trade and finance companies.

Retail shops and dining in are still not allowed.

Some limited consumer services can resume from June 2. For instance, hairdressers and barbers can offer all hairdressing services.

Motor vehicle servicing, air-con servicing and basic pet services are also on the list, among others.

School bookshops and retail shops selling school uniforms can also resume business in order to support the reopening of schools.

All other retail outlets must remain closed until further notice apart from those that have already been given approval to operate."

Phase 2 and 3 (Pics source: reach.gov.sg)

The above will be what phase 2 and 3 looks like. Phase 2 starting date will be announced somewhere in mid-June, after examining the situation of the Covid-19 cases in Singapore. 

Phase 1, 2, and 3 summary (Pic source: straitstimes.com)

The above picture will summarise the 3 phases altogether. 

Today it will be the last weekend of the CCB. Tbh, I prefer the quiet Singapore like today. And I also heard many others who commented the same. The quiet MRT, bus, road, and so on.

Simple happiness (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

I also enjoy staying at home doing things I love doing, such as: ritual breakfast/ brunch (prepare whatever I love eating on the breakfast tray), quiet reading moments (no renovation hacking noises from neighbourhood), special home cooked dinner dish for the families (love to see their satisfaction faces and smiles), watching dramas or movies on TV, and so on.

But at the same time, I also miss meeting my friends: coffee times, Mala dinner with beer, home cooked dinner together at home, drinking and chatting at pub, and so on. The balance of both lives will be great!!! 

And after all this over, I will have to think to embark to new journey of life. Let see what life and fate will bring me to, but I am exciting and positive that it will happen for good. 

Be patient (Instagram: rimareyka.writes)

I hope all of you are in good health - both physical and mental, having positive minds towards what will come next (despite some of you may lose your current job due to Covid-19), and always believe that every thing happened for good reasons!!! 

Change your focus (Pic source: google.com)

When you are tired (especially your mind), remember this: learn to stop and rest. It is okay to rest sometimes. And after recharge yourself, change the focus of your energy. Instead of fighting the old, try to build the new. This way, you will not waste your energy over nothing. 

So Diary, let me stop here and 'til next time!!! Hope by then, situation improves and gets much better. Let's hope! :)

Virtual Vesak 2564th Buddha Poornima Celebration - 7 May 2020

Happy Vesak Day 2564th BE

Happy Vesak 2564th B.E. to everyone who celebrated!!! :)

Unlike previous years, this year's Vesak Day celebration was rather different due to the Covid-19 pandemic that spread all over the world.

This year many celebrated by watching the virtual celebration, listening to dharma talk, and even taking 3 refuges and 5 precepts online. I too, was no exception. Once got up, I received the forward message as follow:

Virtual Vesak Celebration organized by IBC (Pic source: International Buddhist Consideration)

"千载难逢！VESAK LIVE from Sacred Places

2020年5月7日上午9时（新加坡时间）开始：

菩提迦耶、蓝毗尼、鹿野苑、拘尸那罗等多个圣地直播卫塞节活动，以及线上瞻仰本师释迦摩尼佛陀舍利。尊胜的法王达赖喇嘛和众僧也将致词。

YouTube直播网址: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4L9AkYfs104qBylCrAaRBQ

Vesak Day, 7th May, 9am (Singapore Time)

International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is organising Virtual Vesak- Buddha Poornima Celebration 2020 on May 7 by livestreaming ceremonies and prayers from: Bodhgaya, Lumbini, Sarnath, Kushinagar as well as Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar, Baudhanath, Swayambhunath and Namo Buddha Stupa in Nepal.

Also being arranged is first ever online exposition of Holy Buddha relics from Wasukaduwa Temple, Sri Lanka.

Video Addresses by most eminent and Supreme heads of Sangha from various countries and traditions will also be streamed as part of this virtual celebration of Vesak. We are expecting worldwide audiences joining this online celebration.

You are welcome to participate in this unique and blessed celebration of Buddha Poornima on May 7. This will be live streamed on Facebook Live, Instagram, YouTube, Zoom and also from Mandala app.

Video addresses by His Holiness Dalai Lama, H. E Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, H. E Gyankhang Rinpoche, H. E Yongzin Ling Rinpoche and many other masters from several countries.

Live online exposition of Holy Buddha Relics from Sri Lanka also part of the event."

I immediately clicked the link as time shown had already past 9am Singapore's time. And I kept watching the program until 2pm plus. 

The above video is the compilation of pictures taken from the online virtual celebration yesterday with the background of "Metta" chant, a melodious song sung by Imee Ooi - a Malaysian Buddhist composer - whose song was also featured on the virtual celebration yesterday. 

Ani Choying Drolma, a Nepalese Buddhist nun and musician, was also there singing and giving speech for all of us. Her songs, Siddharta Gautam and Tri Ratna, were played as parts of the virtual celebration. Her soothing voice was really nice to hear :)

It was such a great arrangements done by IBF by collaborating speakers mainly the Eminent Buddhist Masters from different countries and Buddhist sects, such as: H.H Khondung Ratna Vajra Sakya Rinpoche (42nd Sakya Trizin), Ajahn Brahm, 7th Sechen Rabjam Rinpoche (who is a grandson of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche), and many more, included the Jetsunma Tenzin Pelmo (the author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in India) - one of the women featured in Dakini Power (the book I am currently reading featuring 12 women, both Asians and Westerners, who have been recognized as accomplished practitioners and brilliant teachers, a source of inspiration for all Buddhist women. 

They broadcasted many sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites from India (Bodhgaya, Sarnath), Nepal (sacred Lumbini Garden), Sri Lanka (Anuradhapura), Thailand, etc. I felt so much gratitude upon watching those places, familiar scenes as I have been blessed for visiting those places in this present life. 

If only they hold such celebration every year this way, it enables everyone from all around the world to celebrate even within their own place, and received prayers and blessings from every Eminent Masters located all around the world. Their messages, spirits, and encouragement could be felt. 

I am sure this was not the only portal for celebration. Many other temples, Buddhist organisations were also arranging dharma talks virtually and many had participated in it from their home. 

Super flower moon - from home sweet home

At night we were grateful to be able to end the auspicious day by watching the beautiful bright full moon high up in the sky, blessed by its shine and lovely weather.

Thank you SB for everything. Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta - May all sentient beings be healthy and happy, free from suffering and the cause of suffering, life full of peace and joy. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu. Svathi Hothu. Nammo Buddhaya :)