Frugal Friday #8 - Singapore Discovery Cente

Right after a visit to the Army museum last week, we swung over to the Singapore Discovery Centre. Just next to it. 

As the name spells for itself, it is a place to discover the journey of Singapore, its past, future, dreams and challenges, as well as your identity and calling as a Singaporean. A beautifully embellished and well designed place that introduces our nation, providing much for Singaporeans to think about and help us prepare for future challenges. 

We entered and was cosily welcomed into the So Singapore Theatre. We watched a short video on how the Merlion sang and rapped about Singapore and what it meant to be Singaporean, the common experiences we shared and the many things we took for granted as Singaporeans. We had a good laugh over this rather amusing clip, and yes, we do have some really funny things that make us so Singaporean.

Interestingly, I also realized we didn't really talk or introduce the Merlion as our icon to the kids. It was a good moment too, to introduce this hybrid creature to them.

A journey of discovery begins...

Fireworks galore!

There were 2 levels. The upper level was more on displays with some being interactive, while the lower level was interactive with the call to participate in motion, games and quizzes.

Puzzle solving

I felt extremely refreshed and reminded of my identity as a Singaporean as I walked through the exhibits. One particular exhibit struck a chord in me.

I like this hard truth that stated, no one owes us a living. In midst of challenges, Singapore sourced for ways to self survive after becoming independent. On the individual level, we are so often pampered that a new change or slight discomfort irks us much. We often think our government, authorities and environment have a big part to play in our well-being. In reality, we forgot to work hard and smart to stay afloat and ahead. Our future is much in our own hands, not others.

That being said, we are very blessed to be birthed in a beautiful city, we call home. I do hope Js will grow to be diligent sowers of their own lives.

On the upper level, we  had a go with the On-location reporter. We chose a story we wanted to report, read it off screen, tried as much as possible to position ourselves for the camera and reported off like a trained professional. It was all so fun, until... the playback didn't work on us. Boo! We couldn't review our professionalism. It was a fun and unusual experience though.

On location reporting

We proceeded down, where Jazz had a go on the digital dance studio where she tried out the different dances of the various races in Singapore. A great way to understand and appreciate more about the beauty of each other’s cultures through dance.

Little dancer

We explored the different galleries and had multiple go on the quizzes and games. Most of which are not to Js understanding, so we gave the answers and they answered on behalf.

We sat through a game show at Harmony Circle, with questions on Singapore culture. It was a fun way to find out how much we know about our country and her diverse spread of cultures. Get surprised by the things that you didn't know!

And so they introduced Ah Du being a construction worker before turning magically into a singer. 

Recognise the man on screen? The singer ah du!

Another quizzing moment on the Enterprise Quest, where you'll find the necessary traits of an entrepreneur! Do you have what it takes to be a boss?!!

Budding entrepreneurs!

We spent about an hour and a half in this very well kept and spacious place. However, the discovery journey might be more appropriate for older kids in primary school. Grown ups find it a good place too!

Do remember to pair this visit with the Army museum since its just a short distance away. Bring along too, a cardigan as the discovery journey is rather cold.

If you have time before or after, you can also catch a movie in there. It doesn't screen as may titles and timings as the cinemas, but a good selection like Minions and Jurassic World is now showing. Comes with additional fees of course. My man thinks this is Singapore's best kept secret, but I think many would have know of its 344-seater world class theatre. Fret not if your usual cinema tickets are sold out, check out the Singapore Discovery Centre for show schedules. Slighty cheaper too! 2D movies at $7 and 3D movies at $9. Singapore stories short films are free for all Singaporeans and PR.

Outside the theatre

Have fun exploring the Singapore Discovery Centre. It's endless exploration in there! If weather feels great, you may hop on the pedal boat ride at the outdoor lake. It's $2 for 15 minutes. Quite a frugal amount too.

Have a fun frugal weekend ahead!

Singapore Discovery Centre
Address: 510 Upper Jurong Rd, Singapore 638365
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
FREE admission for Singaporeans and PRs. 


This is part 8 of the Frugal Friday series:
Frugal Friday #1 - SAM
Frugal Friday #2 - SPM
Frugal Friday #3 - Reflections at Bukit Chandu  
Frugal Friday #4 - National Museum
Frugal Friday #5 - Paranakan Museum
Frugal Friday #6 - ACM
Frugal Friday #7 - Army Museum

Frugal Friday #7 - Army Museum

It's SAF (Singapore Arm Forces) week! How about spending this weekend knowing more about the pride of our military forces?!! We marched into the Army Museum of Singapore (ARMS) to learn about the birth of our army, the making of a soldier, army operations and many others. 

The building set in the west, is a beautiful gem thoughtfully planned and designed to chronicle the experience of National Service. Its aesthetically pleasing building is also very much complemented by the serenity of a lake by the outside. 

The main entrance is interestingly designed on level 3, which brings visitors through the exhibits and exit at the lower level.

With my sleeping boy

Firstly, have some phototaking fun with 3D art.

#SGArmyMuseum

Over sized on her

The galleries were arranged in a way that timeline us from the past to the current soldier days. We walk through the three generations of army exhibits. Though from a different era, they are connected by the common purpose in defending Singapore. I thought it wasn't too early to pr-empt Jare that he needs to serve the nation in due time too.

Into the orientation gallery, there was a simple mock up of the bus riot situation in 1955. Js were so amused by the overturned and over sized bus.

Mock up of a flipped bus

We went on to view how the bunk looked like in the past. Jare was convinced that he needed to sleep on his own and that he needs to be really neat and clean in order not to push the floor (We meant push ups). Seriously, I can't wait to see the difference army will make on him.

Yes, sir!

We then descended down to the level 2 galleries, where you should not miss the highlight of 2 short movies scheduled. The first show featuring "Life in an Army" made me a little emotional just by thinking that my son will grow to be a man some day, and that the army needs him. If you were an army boy of the past, can you recall who you called when you had only that short moment to make one phone call? I asked my son, and for now, he gave me the assurance that he would call me. I'm marking his words here. Ha. Once a Mother, always a Mother.

The second show, which is about 10 minutes later, was much more impressive. It showcased how well trained our troop was on the battle field. There were gun firing, helicopters, chasing enemies on sea and the war stuff which our men will know. I could only identify a fierce battle. The movie was well complemented with thundering sounds, lighting and motion (wind and smoke) effects. Really impressive! It can be rather loud, so visitors with infants might want to avoid. Admire too, the brilliant set up in the Object Theatre. Spot the retired tank, artillery and helicopter!

On the same level, just outside Object Theatre, you may want to get your hands on firing with the IMT (Individual Marksmanship Trainer) shooting gallery. Great way to showcase your marksmanship. Js were too little, so we skipped that.

Don't miss too, the short movie that will be played repeatedly at, Our People gallery. A lovely and emotional clip directed by Royston Tan, about a Dad and son going through the army at a different era. Albeit with many questions, Js enjoyed the clip very much.

We also curiously investigated this wall. There were 2, one at the orientation gallery, level 3 and the other at the Atrium, Level 2. It's not made up of tiles, cement, wall paper or textured paint. They're really interesting.... 

Short clip

It's creatively made of metal sheet melted from army's SM1 tanks. The term recycle is greatly exemplified. Great memorial too!

With the many takeaways, I thought we were done with the museum. But not, till we spotted the mini obstacle course and military hardware exhibit outdoor.

Under our command, Js were sent in for a good time of physical training with Daddy. The obstacle training course was built to a good size and height for young children. We had Jare to go on it before he encounters the real stuff. A good teaser of what our soldiers are going through.

Looking real easy for now

Oh, we didn't enlist Jazz into the army. She was giving Jare her moral support. It takes a family to support the enlistment of an army boy, you know. She's definitely gonna sign on extra for smiling too widely over training.

We then ended our journey with a stroll through the display of army vehicles. Walk fast if you don't want the mozzies to bite.

It was near sunset that we stayed on till, and sunset is one of the best natural light for pictures. Its outdoor was really great for photography. Seize the golden moment!

It was with greater knowledge about the army after we booking out from the museum. A great place too for Mothers, wives and girlfriends to know more about the army lingo in our man. 

And if you're visiting the Army museum, you should swing over the the Singapore Discovery Centre just next door. We'll be sharing that next Friday!

Have a fun frugal weekend!

Army Museum of Singapore
Address: 520 Upper Jurong Road S638367
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily (Except Mondays)

Free admissions for all Singaporeans and PR. Free parking too at Singapore Discovery Centre.


This is part 7 of the Frugal Friday series:
Frugal Friday #1 - SAM
Frugal Friday #2 - SPM
Frugal Friday #3 - Reflections at Bukit Chandu  
Frugal Friday #4 - National Museum
Frugal Friday #5 - Paranakan Museum
Frugal Friday #6 - ACM

All schools are good schools?

Next week, we'll be embracing the milestone of registering Jazz for P1. For being an advantage point in phase 2A, we're pretty much cool about it. Though with a slight chance of being balloted out, I reckon it's a breezier phase than 2C.

We had very much wanted to apply in a 2B phase, but got turned down for applying to parent volunteer (PV) in a school within 2km, 2 years ago. 

I need to confess, I'm not very much close of a proximity to our 2A choice, but we aren't at 2 extreme ends of the Island too. It's not an easy decision, but I am probably not in sync with what government affirms that all schools are good schools. In my view, some schools are better.

So yeap, I've got an advantage to a school that's not too near, but looking very attractive. I know I've compromised distance, but I like the contained risk this phase gives us.

Then I will further confess, my alma mater is a girls' school. Jare will be another whole new challenge for us. We did make a little sound decision in here. Jazz doesn't do enrichment out of home, and doesn't have a strong foothold in academics. But I feel that my alma mater will give Jazz good opportunities to stretch her abilities in terms of academics and programmes.

I'm not sure if my alma mater is an elite school, but it is rather popular. I don't exactly know how parents define elite now, since MOE decided to stop announcing where top students came from.

In my alma mater, where I spent of big part of my childhood growing up, I've been very grateful to my then teachers and principal who made memorable footprints in my life. I know decades have past, and what needs to change has to change. I only hope Jazz will enjoy the best of her school days in there.

Work hard and play hard.

Most of our friends or stories we know aren't exactly calm about enrollment. If they aren't in the 2A phase, they are probably parent volunteering in schools, with a handful who joins clan and being a community leader, and several who would buy home near a potential school. The various ways that would give them a better footing to the school they set heart in. If all schools are affirmly good schools, this trend would dissolve.

Good on those who've got an attractive alma mater close to home and even more cool for those who eye a school nearby with no balloting history. We would love to be in an attractive school that's close to home as well. But set no heart within the schools near us, other than the school which rejected our PV. I didn't anticipate that. I ran out of time and was prompted to fall on plan 2A, the almost stress free phase that will save us from luck struggles. Vying for a seat in 2B or 2C isn't exactly like lucky draw, where it's easier to stay cool for not bagging anything.

I then begin to marvel at how MOE give tips on choosing a school base on:

• Distance and
• What programme your child is interested in?

Distance - Definitely a bonus if 2A is near my home. If not, even if there's an attractive school just next to me, do I get a good chance in? Distance is a definitely a good selection criteria, but it isn't gonna give you any good chance to the popular schools near you among many others within 1km. Staying within 1km is an advantage, but still, a risk of balloting. I will say, go for it, but manage expectations. I know how some people dislike playing with chances. PV together with the advantage of staying within 1km will definitely up their chances. 

Some areas, just don't have attractive schools within 1km. And if parents were to look beyond 1km, there's only diminishing hope. It's our unique identity when we say Singaporeans shift to get a better footing into primary schools.

And of course, if you are easy and alright with ANY schools near home, whether elite, popular, neighbourhood or new, your child will definitely get a placement not too far from home. Distance should then be your highest weight in selection. 

Or how about this? Prepare your battle early! To all couples tying the knot, buy a home near your alma mater (if you like that school) or a school you would want your future kids to be in. Before you know it, you're a parent of a 6 year old. Or you might need to do this, ask your partner which school they are from before getting attached.

Programmes - Oh, you know what, I think swimming in school A is excellent and badminton in school B is outstanding, but what? No good chance of entering at all! With most, no chance of being selected as a parent volunteer and some schools are phasing out the acceptance of volunteers too (I like this move). Looking at programmes slim my options after risk assessment and only brings me to the schools not within my options.

In reality, academics is what most parents are looking out for. And most times, our child make do with the CCA options in school, rather than choosing the niche a school offers, with no chance of getting in.

It's not exactly viable to fall on these criteria if you aren't exactly bo chap about school hunting, because they might fail you. But of course, these will be most useful tips for the choices of school you've selected without strong competition.

The hard truth at our P1 enrollment is that, multiple options aren't exactly on our hand. You want, but you can't, you volunteer, but not chosen or guaranteed. I will say, one's best bet would be the 2A phase. It looks like in generations to come, this phase will stay. And of course, if your school's at Jurong and you're staying at Pasir ris, it really is a serious matter for consideration. Or perhaps, shifting is an easier decision.

Some mention, go for open houses. Yes, do visit, if you think your options are highly possible with these schools. And if you've noticed, open houses rarely includes popular schools. That's one brilliant way to help skew parents to the least popular options.

Every family has different schooling decisions, what sounds comfortable to you, may sound insane to others. After all, we know our battles best. We know our risk tolerance at the different phases of registrations. Picture yourself into the various phases (which should usually fall into 2 categories, unless your alma mater is no more around) and checklist your most comfortable decision.

A big part helps when we learn to manage expectations. After calculating your risk level, how will you handle news of being balloted out? I may be in 2A, but I'm also preparing for a 2C phase if there's any balloting. Not one that I hope to activate, but I'm trying to manage expectation.

Unfortunately, that's how our system has shaped us on school enrollment. It's inevitable stress especially when you're not really alright with settling in ANY school. When I received news of my rejected PV 2 years ago. I felt a sudden lost!

The reality of preparing and enrolling our kids into a preferred primary school would be:

1. Send your PV request into various schools. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
2. In your PV form, you need to stand out from the many submitted. Input a unique skill or talent you think the school will benefit. That's what I've belatedly learnt about.

3. Assess your child. Will he survive the stress in elite schools? We know our child best.
4. What is your expectation of your child in an elite school and mediocre school? Being an average in an elite might send him topping in a mediocre school, and vice versa.

5. Settling in a decision that gives you peace and comfort.
6. Manage expectations. Know your battles once you've assessed the risk level in each phase.

7. If the school isn't exactly nearby, set a routine to buy more sleep! I'm looking to Mummy taxi Jazz in exchange for more sleep. It's by God's grace that we still have a car. Thankful too, that Singapore is indeed a little red dot.

Best of luck to all comrades sailing on the same P1 registration boat as us. I wish that you will get a choice of your desired school. In midst of stress, remember to enjoy the process too!