Are you a Woodlander? Save the need to travel when you have a neighbourhood shopping centre right at your doorstep!
The Evilbean makes a trip down to Woodlands North Plaza and scouts out the Top 5 things you can do there:
Why pay higher elsewhere when Woodlanders have the CHEAPEST STORE IN SINGAPORE right at your doorstep?!
Those packets of Kettle chips are only $3.25 here OMG. It is also a treasure trove of snacks, biscuits and chocolates inside this store, all at the lowest price. How can anyone maintain their sanity in here?
I almost went crazy trying to stop myself from buying all the tidbits in here!
2. Take a walk in the Wet Market
There aren't much wet markets left in Singapore. In fact, it might be a dying trade that our next generation would probably not get to see.
Take a walk in the wet market at Woodlands North Plaza. Breathe in the sights and sounds. Capture a few photos. Immerse in the experience!
When I was there, I saw a shop selling goods and products that we used to see a lot back in the days; snacks and toys that we seldom get to see in modern grocery shops these days. It was a trip down the memory lane for me... when we could get packets of candies for 10 cents and blowing liquid plastic balloons with your friends was so much fun.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143200463126699774/
Especially when their balloons deflate suddenly and you see their frantic faces and flailing hands trying to find out where the "hole" is. 
You would know what I am talking about if you have played with those liquid plastic balloons before!
Of course, eating. How can any list not include EATING as one of the best activities?
I was immediately drawn to this stall as I really love pig trotters, 'bak kut teh' and meatball soup.
A photo posted by Joey Ching How (@evilbean) on
Firm, bouncy meatballs swimming in a pool of soup that is sweet, sour (from the preserved vegetables) and with a hint of pepper - the taste was just very comforting to me!
Discover more local delights in Broadway Food Centre and Kerk's Kopitiam, both of them located at the 2nd floor of Woodlands North Plaza.
4. Take in the aroma of freshly baked breads
Do you know that not only does the aroma of freshly baked breads put us in a positive mood, it can also make us become kinder?
Yes! According to findings published in the Journal of Social Psychology, the aroma of freshly baked breads can make you a kinder person! They found that shoppers were more likely to alert a passer-by that they had dropped a belonging if, at the time, they were also passing near a bakery giving off the mouth-watering aroma.
Eight young men and women volunteers were recruited and told to stand outside either a bakery or a clothes boutique.
The volunteers pretended to be looking for something in their bags, subsequently dropping a glove, handkerchief or packet of tissues as they walked a few feet in front of a passing shopper.
The experiments – which were repeated up to 400 times – found that when the volunteers dropped the items outside the bakery, 77 per cent of passers-by stopped and helped recover the lost items and hand them back to their owner.
Outside the clothes shop, only 52 per cent of strangers helped.
You know the age-old tactic of dropping something in front of the person you like as an excuse to strike a conversation?
Now you know where is the best place. Don't say Evilbean never teach you tricks. *winks.
5. People (Kids) Watch
People watching can be fascinating, as you 'disconnect' from your current self in order to engage the world around you.
Like how the kid in this photo is looking longingly at his mum, hoping for just one more ride on the machine. The innocence and the simple desire.
You never know, you might discover interesting scenarios that you can only observe in a HDB neighbourhood mall.
And you never know, you might just discover that perfect, winning shot for the #myfavHDBmall Photo Competition which I am going to explain below!
Woodlands North Plaza
Block 883 Woodlands Street 82
Singapore 730883
Nearest MRT Station: Woodlands
Bus Service: SMRT 911
HDB Shopping Centres Celebrate Singapore's Jubilee
There are THREE activities that are held to celebrate Singapore's Jubilee:
1. Vote for your Top 50 shops
Acknowledging that retailers at the HDB Shopping Centres addresses the needs of the residents while being an important part of the community, HDB will be rewarding these neighbourly retailers for the Top 50 Favourite Shops initiative.
Starting from 1 July till 31 October 2015, shoppers can nominate and vote for their favourite shop online and stand a chance to win prizes. The Top50 shops will be rewarded with a decal and commemorative plaque for display in their shops as testament of their popularity.
For more details, visit: http://www.where2shop.sg/fi10/fi10334p.nsf/w/ShopperHDBTop50FavouriteShopsContest?OpenDocument
2. #myfavHDBmall Photo Competition
HDB Shopping Centres form an integral part of the residents’ daily lives by being a place for leisure, shopping and community bonding. This competition aims to collect these precious moments that are captured by residents at the 24 participating HDB Shopping Centres.
Residents can submit their photos online and stand a chance to win prizes worth more than $5,000. The winning entries will also be exhibited at 888 Plaza on 14 November 2015.
Contest and submission details can be found on www.where2shop.sg.
3. Enter the Book of Records - Largest SG50 Logo using stamps!
To mark the momentous year, an attempt is underway to create the largest SG50 logo made from stamps to set a new record in the Singapore Book of Records! Residents can play their part and donate their used and unused stamps for this record-breaking initiative.
To participate, residents are to “post” their stamps at the specially designed post boxes at 24 participating HDB Shopping Centres and all submissions will qualify for the Lucky Draw. A total of $2,000 cash vouchers will be up for grabs. The finished masterpiece will be unveiled with great fanfare at 888 Plaza on 14 November 2015. Shoppers can expect an evening of games, activities and snacks.
For more information, visit: http://www.where2shop.sg/fi10/fi10334p.nsf/w/ShopperSGBookofRecords?OpenDocument
So many fun activities happening RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD! Celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday with your family, friends and neighbours at your nearest HDB Shopping Centres' now!
I have multiple "Evilbean" personalities. Meet EatingEvilbean, Traevilbean, Lifebean and Rantingbean. They are all pleased to meet you.
