Chingay 2014

Watching the Chingay Parade this year live was a pleasant surprise for me. I have always thought that it will be very packed at the standing audience area so I will do my best to avoid the crowd. My experience this year has proved me wrong.

This is the first year that I took a break from volunteering with Chingay. Sometimes I do not see the point in doing so anymore due to some bad management. I was at the Marina Bay area because I was visiting River AngBao with PF. I had wanted to catch a glimpse of the fireworks from afar. But as I walked nearer to the F1 pit for a better view, I realised that there wasn't much people and I actually made it all the way to the space right beside the last seating gallery. Though I missed the opening act, I watched almost the whole parade at the standing audience area. It was PF's first Chingay if I am not wrong. This was my first Chingay as a standing audience.

Ever since year 2009, I will try to experience the fire crackers because it is an annual thing and it's really hard to see it elsewhere. This year, I actually got the "best" experience; I got hit my the fire crackers. I went for the parade for both days, first day with PF and the second day with LeeYan and Nicholas. On both days, I got hit by the fire crackers. How cool is that?

On the first day, I was hit at the left ear. My first reaction was "OH NO!! is there something burning at my ear?!?!" I literally jumped and keep sweeping my ear just in case there is any burning parts stuck on to my hair or ear. On the second day, I was more calm when I got hit; it was on my left leg. Awesome good luck that I had yea?

I basically just watch and enjoy the parade on the first day and was more focused on photo-taking on the second day because I only brought my DSLR on the second day. I got an AngBao from one of the many CaiShenYe!! Yey!! :D

The main difference between Chingay and NDP is that there is really a lot of engagement between the performers and audiences for Chingay. Waving is a simple gesture but it can make people feel connected and create a high-spirited atmosphere.

With the experience that I had on the first day, I know where to walk actually. Though I didn't really get a good spot for my friends and me, I managed to bring them really near to the fireworks because I know where will the fireworks will be released. Many people left the area after the end of the parade for the standing audience but I moved closer to the seating gallery. It is not the end of Chingay as long as fireworks are not released. I was puzzled about this on the first day after the emcee bid us goodbye but decided to stay a little while more and I was right! Being a volunteer with Chingay for five years is not just "say say only" okay. Haha. It actually made me feel glad that I am actually bringing my friends some joy because I have knowledge in such things; this would include NDP as well.

For Chingay 2015, I will be back to F1 pit as a volunteer. This time, it will be a whole new experience for me. I am going to be a performer for the first time ever for Chingay! It is not an easy task as I have avoided being a performer for NDP for the past two parades due to the commitment that I have to give. Thank you Coach for the chance and understanding of the situation that I am in. My first official rehearsal will be in January and I will definitely put in my best effort to learn up the routine fast and put on the best show for my first Chingay Parade! Jiayous! =)

My First Flea!

I had my first flea today! It's really not easy to set up a stall and sell stuffs. The preparations before the flea, the time and effort to plan, the selection of stall, the weather, the transport... Everything got to be planned well in order to make things happen.

My partner is none other than my Auntie Peng. She has been busy making those handmade pouches while I am busy packing the items into individual packs. As there was no tables provided for us, we got to bring our own mat and all other stuffs required and place it within the given area. It was actually a little cramp.

Auntie Peng and I actually had a few quarrels during the preparations. Difference in views. Ultimately, we managed to get this through.

We were the first to choose a good spot when we reached there. It was however not really a good spot as time goes because that was the only spot that was really burning under the scorching sun. I beared with it as it's a one day event. I woke up with palpitations, chest pain and aching upper back as I slept late last night. I son feel better as time goes but I wouldn't say that I was in a perfect state for the flea. First thing that I did after I reached home was to have my lunch and have a good nap.

My first customer was Auntie Peng's regular customer. She was really helpful and I really thanked her. She bought something from us though she didn't really like the colour so that we can have a good start. I am really really thankful for what she had done. Auntie Peng was actually still placing out the goods when she made the purchase. Awesome!

My neighbour was someone who sells second hand items. I didn't really liked her team because there was an item that she took out and a big spider jumped out and onto one of the bracelet! Oh my. I didn't like the idea of her "eating" into my allocated space too. Luck. Her team actually got the best sale by the way. I was rather annoyed when one of them actually stood in front of my stall and "ley-longed" their items. I think that is rather rude of them.

After the torture under the hot sun with only a few items sold, we packed up and get ready to head home. A few of the people were quite nice. They came up to me and made comments such as "not hot ar?" or "aiyo, so poor thing, under the hot sun." etc. I see that they actually care, somehow.

As I went off to throw one of the boxes that we used to place our items, someone gave some stuffs to Auntie Peng. It was a surprise and we are really thankful for them. It was some clothings, bags and a Mr Krabi plushie and they gave us to sell it off. Wow. I didn't get to see their face because they went off before I head back to the stall to carry the packed stuffs.

Though I didn't earn a lot from this flea, I have gained new experience and it will definitely make my next flea a little easier. Those items that are not sold are now posted on my online store for sale. It do bring colours to my page and I hope that I can actually sell some of them off.

To those people who has bought from me during the flea, I thank you, from my heart.

HUAT AH! =)