Merry Christmas!!

Hi Friends,

Ho Ho ho, Merry Christmas to you & your family. Time files and today is Christmas once more. The season for giving and sharing. Thou in the modern world with globalisation going on, all festivals are getting more commercialise. Guess this make sense so as to "witness" the increasing in GDP per capita, economy spending and what have you. Ever wonder why Christmas? Why Log cake? and why do we have stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce on our dinning table this time of the year? Here's wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!!

Please note that there will be a Post Chirstmas gathering at Rimei's house. Details as follows:- Date: 29 Dec (Saturday)Time: After Saturday Service (6pm onwards)Menu: Spaghetti, Pizza, Cheesecake.
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Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It refers both to the day celebrating the birth; as well as to the season which that day inaugurates, and which concludes with the Feast of the Epiphany (Twelfth Day of Christmas). The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth. Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians.

Bûche de Noël ("Yule Log") is a traditional dessert served during the Christmas holidays in France and Quebec. As the name indicates, the cake is generally prepared, presenter and garnished so as to look like a log ready for the fire. Bûches are often served with a portion of one end of the cake cut off and set on top of the cake to resemble chopped off branch andbark like texture is often produced in the buttercream for further realism.

A Yule log, is a large log which is burned in the hearth as a part of traditional Yule or Christmas celebrations in some cultures.
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Upcoming Events ~ Note*

Hi all,

guess some of us are feeling moody..just like the weather, rainy & dark.. guess this kind of weather adds a feel of the "coldness in the air" and maybe, just maybe that it is this same element that sets the mood rite to feel the warmness when one hand a gift of thought and concern over to you.

As the Boar is going to sleep for another 12 years, seems like the quiet Rat is making its way up to the table for oil..

But before that, how could we forgot about the joy of togetherness in making Rice Dumpling in ginger soup and the laughter that we always crack during gathering. All these is a form of our customs before the joy of seeing our Fortune of Wealth kicks in..

Also as part of a good practice, we can also review and plan new year resolutions. Also, to mark down on your 2008 calendar for SILRA Home events..=)

Some useful dates to note:

22 Dec: Winter Solace (Please arrive SILRA at 12.30pm for Rice dumpling preparations). Our dear Liyu will be our Chef of the Day

29 Dec: Volunteer Group gathering @ Rimei's house. Be there for a treat! Something special..
26 Jan: Chinese New Year Celebration @ SILRA (Event kick off at 4.30pm) - Pls volunteer your talents and assistance..Shao Rong are we going to hear your golden voice once more??
We will soon be having a committee meeting for review and planning of the events calendar. So do stay tuned and note down more dates.

Lastly, an advanced Merry Christmas to all of you!!

ESN Carnival & Concert 2007 - Elderly, Volunteers & Friends

Hi all,

How are you guys doing?? You must have heard by now that Elderly Sector Network (ESN) is organising a Carnival & Concert this year! Yes, you’ve heard them correctly – CARNIVAL & CONCERT. The carnival theme is “Elderly, Volunteers & Friends”.

The main rationale behind this event is to promote a sense of togetherness as a community of volunteers and elderly in the eldercare sector, such that we can all support one another's efforts in the services we provide for the elderly and improve, sustain these efforts for many years to come.
In addition, this will also be a form of “talent spotting” event, not exactly like Star Search with judges or facilitators. ESN committee would like to use this opportunity as a channel for showcasing the hidden talents such as singing, handicrafts and dancing from different Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWOs). This will promote active lifestyle for the residents and an opportunity for volunteers to bring back ideas of how to engage their residents with other handicraft sessions.

This event will be held on 15 Dec 2007 (Saturday) @ Yishun Junior College Hall from 2.00 to 4.30pm. (Address: 3 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768675). Programme includes not mentioning Carnival = Food = Games = Fun, elderly/volunteer performances and lucky draw.

How is SILRA involved??
- We will be manning a handicraft booth showcasing, Ah Lim’s drawing, Salt bottles made by Uncles & Aunties, Ah Kow’s rattan handicraft and tissue paper carrier sow by Aunties.

How we would like you to be involved?? (please revert okie..)
- B4 carnival: Handicrafts preparations do join us for our upcoming Saturdays to engage the residents to continue our Salt Bottle.
- During carnival: 1) Bringing our residents out to/fro YJC; 2) Holding the fort @ SILRA; or 3) setting up either food or game stall (Closing date for proposal: 17 Nov)

Other information that you should be aware of??
This is not a fund raising event, non-profitable, but the coupon sales earned from handicraft booths will be returned to the respective agencies.

Lastly, we are also in the midst of sourcing for sponsors to cover the costs involved.

Alternatively, if you have a great idea and its bursting or burning to share, do drop us a few liners. We look forward to hear from you soon!

Check out our photos

Harlow everyone, check out our yoga photos and the video. It really help in relaxation, try it out at home. Be careful, not to be ignored by your spouse, parents or neighbors.

Wat a week to go

Hi Folks,

whoa!! Wat a week..its so hot & humid..the weather turning again in Singapore..Gosh..breaking out in persipiration all the time..So do remember to hydrate our bodies okie..we are losing lots of fluid.. Finally, today (sunday) there's raindrop falling not on my head but on the rooftop its such a relief to hear raindrops gently tapping on the windows..

Also felt a sense of relief as there are almost 15 volunteers down at SILRA home after many weeks of low turnout..Yeah!! Thanks folks!! (heard the stone drop??) Hope we will still see more volunteers back the coming Saturday. Normal activities as usual, okie..thou its a public holiday..Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

The coming events @ SILRA / for volunteers:-

14 October (Sunday): The Beginning Volunteer Workshop @ NVPC (Organised by Elderly Sector Network)Details found: http://esnworkshops.blogspot.com/Interested parties, please drop a tinker to Rimei either rimei08@yahoo.com.sg or 8181 8716. Cost of workshop: SGD5.00 (payable on Sat or on actual day). This is for Lunch & materials cost. Thanks.

20 October (Saturday): Food Festival..Guess whats cooking in the kitchen?? Do you have a sweeth tooth?? Yes, too bad its for the residents..hold a bowl for your drooling saliva..=)

27 October (Saturday): Its food again..heard that Sashi and friends are making "Hokkien Popiah".. its a live performance so do be there to "catch" the performance and assist. More details to be followed in our next email.

That's all folks..so catch up with you all next round..

7th Mth Getai Celebration Part I

Sorry to keep all folks waiting.
This year, we had a dance performance by some of the volunteers. This dance is cheorographed by Sophia.
Let's take a peek at the rehearsal for the dance.

The rehearsal for the mass singing

"auction" item


The preparation

The Wait

The "Healthy" Dance Performance

The auction starts

New Game... Matching Game.


Look out for part II.....

Another week...

hi all..missing on our posts?? yah we are still waiting for our getai photos to be posted..keep tuning in okie..we promise once we have will upload for every1 to see...

anw time seems to pass us pretty fast..we are already into the 3rd quarter eating mooncake soon. In no time, bet we are eating our hearts out for turkey with cranberry sauce, rice dumpling balls again..so looking back for the year have we done what we had planned in the begining???

This coming saturday besides our normal activities, we will encourage our residents to do up the Salt bottles..If you are thinking why we are so into Salt Bottle..its mainly that we are encouraging them on Hand-eye movement plus this year end we are having a inter-agency carnival at Yishun JC. Its one of the way for showing our residents' talents. =)

So do join us if you are able to make it..See u @ SILRA.=)

Getai Performance

Hi folks,

are you missing out anymore fun actitivites these few weeks in SILRA..I BET you are..These few weeks we are all so busy with the preparations on the upcoming "Getai" @ SILRA. Thinking of what to buy for auction, what is the 4-characters to use for auction items, do backdrop, practise dancing..

Where were you when we needed you most...*.*

We hope that you can join the residents together this coming Saturday (25 August) for the fun-filled event which we have prepared.. Our MC for the night will be Lawrence Junior & Yueping.

Things to note:

• Please come in Blue T-shirt. No specific shade of blue, just blue.
• Arrival Time: 1.30pm.
• Also a BIG thank you to the following volunteers for their "participation" (ps: or was it being arrowed??) in advance...

Auction MC: Chan and Chua
Backdrop Designers – Zack and Jack
Auction Items Display & our 2 Long-time purchaser - Sophia, Shuyi and Carol
Game ICs – Bee Khim, Yanting and Yean Choo
Residents' Refreshment – Rimei and Veronica
MC of the Night...

Our Fun-Filled programe:

Time Event
5:00pm Dance Performance (SILRA Volunteers)
5.05pm Song Performance (SILRA caregiver)
5.15pm Auction - Part 1
5.35pm Game Session: Matching Game
5.50pm Song Performance (Junior Lawrence)
5.55pm Line dancing (TBC: Yueping)
6.00pm Auction – Part 2
6.20pm Guitar Performance (Shaorong & Friends)
6.35pm Singing (SILRA Volunteers)
6.45pm Home Sweet Home

See you @ SILRA 1.30pm ^.^

Congrats to Siew Peng on her newborn baby

Salt Bottles-Limited Edition

Wow... Look at our enthusiastic elderly. We had very good response from the elderly on last Saturday. Thanks to Bee Kim who had called out for elderly to join us. Yeah...

Bravo to the elderly for making those colourful salt bottles. If you want to view those salt bottles, please make your way down to Silra Home on this Saturday. The elderly are waiting...

Salt Bottle Making - U Coming??

Hi all,

Last Saturday, we had a well-deserved learning experience from Lawrence on Hypertension. Hopefully, we are able to bring home those key takeways. =)

This Saturday we will be asking the residents to join us together to make salt bottle..

Yah you heard us correctly..make salt bottle...This is to promote hand-eye coordination for them..the following actions are required and we as volunteers can help to assist, join in the fun or alternatively act like "promoter" to encourage residents to participate...

As part of "promotion", we will be distributing medicated plasters for this month participants who managed to complete a bottle.

How to?? (A rough guide, IC: Shao Rong & Jack will explain -)

Logistics: Bottle, Table Salt, Colored Chalk, Plates, Paper (fold to make it act as filter) & Disposable Gloves

1) Place a small amount of salt on the plate (The amount will depend on usuage)

2) Wearing the gloves, roll a colored chalk on top of the salt to & fro. (You may encourage the residents to use palm for rolling action) Repeat for different color.

3) With the colored salt, pour it into the bottle varying with the color to form different designs. Note: the salt need to be packed firmly otherwise the design will be "distorted" upon shaking.

So are you ready for this??

On an ending note...volunteering or assistance to others is not only @ SILRA, it goes beyond to helping those who are around you within your means..

The small act of giving a balloon to a young girl next to Auntie Mui Kee whom you may not know her name. I'm sure it have brighten her day with all the big needles inserted to her body... pat on your shoulder.. (you know who lor)

Finally our Bingo Game..

Harlow folks,

Last weekend was pretty fun as we finally played Bingo. This time we use colorful Bingo cards with the 75-ball classic roller set..quite a pity not many residents have won..hee still left with the initial prizes..only left with 4 balls not open yet not many have won..

Anw for everyone benefit..there is a lot of variations of the game...(5 by 5 matrix)

1) Prize will be given for any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line formation. Ultimate goal is to cover all no. on the card.
2) Prize will be given for either one horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line formation. Ultimate goal is to cover all no. on the card.

Besides the difference in highlighted in bold, nothing much differ. Therefore means that Method 1, we will have to prepare for many prizes..please do a mental calculation..

Next week is our Food Festival, we will be having dessert soup..Red Bean with Lily Bubs. Sounds good then better be here to help serve the residents =)

See you at SILRA 2pm. =)

Another week have jus gone

Folks how are you all doing??

Another week have gone and we are starting our new week soon..also half a year have passed us just as well as we are still thinking of what we have not done. Time is precious..treasure it.

Last Saturday, we didn't managed to play Bingo as only 4 turn up for service at 2pm with another 4 joining at a much later time. This week we SHALL with our new playing card and Ginseng Tea...

In addition, please note that on 21 July we will be having our Food Festival and an sharing session about Hypertension from our dearest Lawrence. Stay tuned for more details.

Another Saturday

Hi all,

yesterday was a lazy afternoon..Everyone including the residents felt either tired or "no mood". Sigh...Such a wired feeling..wonder is it bcos of the climate warming. One of the volunteer was sharing this "As the temperature increase by 1 degree celsius, our activity level will decrease by half".

Another thing, is it bcos we had a break last week so we also loses the momentum?? Also realise that from last Saturday there is a repeat telecast of "Golden Pillow" on Channel 8, 3.30pm. All the residents seems like "hooked" onto the TV, no singing, less chit-chat...All their eyes are like glued..

Even when comes to the routine walk, not many residents was interested..only managed to get 8 residents..sigh business not good..

Oh no..WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!!!

This coming Saturday (7 July) we intend to PLAY our all time favorite BINGO to boost up all of our morale!!

In addition, do wear "Green" if possible for support for the "Live Earth Concert"

So the rest of us, please make available (from 2pm onwards) if possible to boost up the enjoyment!!

What A Retreat we had...

Phew what a weekend some of us had..abt 15 of us had jus spend abt 24 hrs "hanging" out bonded with each out in a 4-wheel drive to JB..Nah it wasnt that bad as anyone tot of..we had great fun rite???

While waiting for our Durian Uncle under a bus shelter, we played Polar Bear under the Hot Sun.. managed to guess who is the blue blooded bear and the hunter??

Finally...our Durian. This whole basket is 74 kg not to worry we didnt finish it..we only ate 50kg...Luckily our kind-hearted organiser (Karen & Jason) brought salt for us...

Cant you guys imgaine that all these faces below had just finish the 50kg durian in less than 2 hrs ago and they are still eagerly wait for their food @ Kinashi Japanese Restaurant (Jusco Shopping Centre)

Our Beautiful Ladies

Just a peep as to what we had...

Yasai Tempura & Soft Shell Crab Maki

Gintara Teriyaki Bento Set & Saba Shioyaki Bento Set

Spot the difference...

Now who looks like the Marvel Superhero?? Johnny, Ben, Silver Surfer, Susan and Reeds...

Top 10 facts about our volunteers..

10. We love our feet a lot..(cos almost all had a pair of shoes..given that a few bought 3 pairs so if avg out all have a pair in theory)

9. Our stomach is as big as universe (as we keep eating and eating and of cos eating)

8. Gals like pretty or macho boys to wash our cars.

7. Everyone maintains their image when eating durian

6. Some of us like cleanliness and like others to be too..(6 mini vaccum cleaners were bought in less than 30 mins)

5. We love the joy of sharing food and eating from a single bowl of shaven ice..or is it we dun wish to add inches to our waist??

4. We "cover" one another...on roads (via voice) as well as in bed..(its nice to be tucked in by friends..so nice)

3. We ensure "bed stalls" are set up and properly run by one another

2. Even before bed we engage one another in physical activity (please..yoga okie..dun read too much)

1. WE LOVE EACH OTHER COMPANY!!!! & we are thinking of our next retreat..will it be Cameron Highlands (via coach) or to climb Mt Kota Kinabalu, Sabah...

Before that, see you at SILRA this coming Saturday...Welcome Back!!

Our Dumpling Festival

Its bright and early that we all reach SILRA home carrying our items prepared earlier to wrap the dumplings.. yes so exciting to get our hands dirty for a good cause.

Weather was cool and breezy and soon we are done with the wrapping of dumpling with so much joy and laughter wrapped with the filling prepared by our respective volunteers. In addition, the SIA staff came down to SILRA providing a lunch treat for the residents. While waiting for the dumpling to be cooked, volunteers started to prepare for our HUMAN Jackpot (check out our youtube for the rehearsal).

In no time, we are so engrossed with the game and the residents are happy in getting the ginseng tea and subsequently the guilinggao...

Great job done for you guys who helped to wrap cos we received feedback that this year our rice dumplings is very nicely wrapped..(ps: we are not saying that prev years one is not nice..but residents felt that we have improved a lot...) A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU

Check out our photos...

THE DUMPLING....

our HUMAN JACKPOT


Please note that next week is our service break as WE ARE GOING FOR A RETREAT...for those who have signed up please check your email for more details abt the retreat on Wednesday...