Quick Change
“A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.”
― Marcel Proust, The Guermantes Way
Loving Husband and I were driving past this street corner on 1 Jan 2022 when this scene caught our eyes.
It is not uncommon for Christmas decorations in Singapore to swiftly change from Christmas to Chinese New Year, particularly when the latter holiday happens earlier in the year. This year, it falls on 1 Feb; I guess that’s pretty soon, but this poor tree didn’t even make it the full 12 days of Christmas.
Running down Orchard Road yesterday told a different story – this is the street (apart from Chinatown) which would have been brightly decorated for the occasion. But there was nothing save a couple of small nods to the season. Sign of the times.
From top left, clockwise: 1) looks like Coca Cola is putting up something in front of Wisma Atria, 2) as we approached Voco Hotel, we thought it was leftover Christmas trim around the pillar – but apparently it is for Chinese New Year, 3) small decorated pussy willows at the entrance of Ion Mall
🎄🧨🎄🧨🎄🧨
Inspired by Manja at Embarassment of Riches’ This day in my Blogging History segment at the end of each of her posts: I look back at my old posts from around this day; to chuckle in reminiscence and to gape at some of the things which caught my attention then.
- 13 Jan 2021: Travel Photo, 10 (weird & wonderful image from Japan)
- 19 Jan 2020: The Changing Seasons, Dec 2019 (funny & entertaining sculpture found in KL)
- 8 Jan 2019: The Changing Seasons, Dec 2018 (feasting in London)
- 11 Jan 2018: No time for fear (recovering from trauma)
- 13 Jan 2017: And the sun rises (greeting the morning in London)
🎄🧨🎄🧨🎄🧨
This post is my contribution to One Word Sunday: Weather hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent
Touring My Backyard 
Oh, this strange time of our lives!
Never ever imagined to experience life like this, when even the most joyful of moments are all locked up in the restrictions.
My city is also back into the restriction mode as positivity rate is alarmingly high these days. Staying cautious we all are.
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That is a memory of Orchard road I have – lots of lights in the trees in the evening and a huge illuminated slightly silly snowman around Christmastime.
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Even Christmas decorations on Orchard Road were somewhat subdued this year; I well understand but it worries how badly businesses must be hurting.
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So poignant to see the Christmas tree decorations come down. Perhaps more Chinese New Year trimmings will emerge over the coming weeks.
Our tree still brightens our house. The Feast of the Epiphany, yes. Can I justify keeping the lights up to Ash Wednesday?
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I once kept my tree up all year round … so I would certainly say, go for it!
We make a note of the lack of Chinese New Year decorations out of concern for the businesses which must be hurting because of the pandemic; it really is very worrying and sad to see smaller shops close.
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Fun sights! A little disappointing about China Town. Maybe it will pick up? I’m sure you’ll let us know. 🙂
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I drove past the main Chinatown strip the other day and the lanterns were up. We will run there once Chinese New Year begins (we have 15 days of celebration) as it will be significantly less crowded then. Will report then.
Orchard Road is the main shopping thoroughfare and was, in the past, always brightly decorated for this celebration – I guess it really is the sign of the times.
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So sorry there are fewer decorations. I’ll bet once this whole mess is over the decorations will up with renewed fervor and gusto!
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I’ve seen some images of Chinatown – they’ve decorated very liberally there! I’m actually not fussed about the street decorations – I am thinking of the many businesses hurting from this pandemic.
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Ah, the businesses. Yes, of course. 😦
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The Proust quote is true. I like your photos to go with. No one decorates for Chinese New Year around here, no surprise– so it’s fun to see your pics.
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I am glad to provide you with an alternative landscape to what you see in your home!
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Yeah, another blogging history to chuckle and to gape! 🙂 Thank you for the mention and for doing this!
If you have a look, you’ll see that your second and third link are the same. I had a look and found the correct link for the third post:
https://purplepumpernickelblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/the-changing-seasons-december-2018/
I’m glad I searched it out because the selection of food in this post is astounding!!
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ooooooo, thank you for finding this error! and for visiting my old post! and for the encouraging words!
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No big celebration of Chinese NY in SG this year?
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Not in public spaces. Or in homes either – we are still restricted to 5 visitors a day in our homes. Do you celebrate in any way?
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I love your opening quote. So true!
Our weather of late has been nothing short of weird. Huge snowstorm last week (very unusual for here) and now another Atmospheric River!
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In Maine, all the Christmas decorations usually come down around the first of January, both in public spaces and in homes.
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Ah! You don’t wait till Epiphany?
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Goodness! All these unexpected & unusual storms & weather systems must wreak havoc! Keep safe, Donna!
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Quick change indeed. Thanks for sharing. I am vicariously joining your runs.
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Thank you for coming along!
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