Giving Thanks

Hi hi,
Am back again. This week has been most occupying and most fruitful. And I am grateful to the weather that held so that I could go outdoors. It has been most sunny for the past 10 days or so, except for one or two days of drizzle. Also, I am thankful to be born healthy so that I can roam Singapore without much effort. And of course, I am really thankful to all the helpful people whom I have met for the past 10 days or so.

Ok, what have I been up to? First, the wedding is done. It was a draining day, having to wake up at 0430hrs. Can't remember when the last time I had to be up so early was.

Second, went back to campus for 1 week of IT courses - Authorware and Flash. Flash is superb! We can do wonders with it. The problem now remains with my drawing which cannot be trusted at all. It's worse when I have to draw on a pc....

Third, went down to CAS for our service learning project. Our group conducted a Science workshop (primary school children), and 2 dance sessions so that they children (upp pri and lower sec) can perform on their Volunteers' Day. I was involved mainly with the dance. Ya, that's right, this is not a typo error. But anyone would have known that I have no dance genes in me. The Sci workshop people made a volcano and impressed the youger children with baking soda activated eruption. Seems like it is volcano everywhere I go for 2005. If only I can get to a real one before the end of of this year. ... :(

Ok, as for the dance workshop people, first, one of our brilliant groupmate choreographed a dance. Then, the lot of us took 3 afternoons, over 3 weeks to learn it. Then, we had to teach the dance to the children. Wow, they had only something like 2 x 1-hour sessions and they mastered it wonderfully and performed really well on the day. They really learnt fast. And not to mention they were really hyperactive. Had some problems getting them to co-operate. But once the music starts, all of them, as if touched by a magic wand, obediently did their steps accordingly. Wow! Music does wonders. Giving them a chance to perform does wonders too! Allowing them to be heard or seen does wonders as well.

Fourth, hee hee..., did something mainly done by teenagers. Went for a concert by MayDay amidst screaming teenagers. Oh well, I do like their songs. And it was a free tix (my young cousins were so jealous), thanks to my journalist friend. And my excuse for going, I need to be in touch with pop culture so that I can speak the teenagers' language. :P But then, even that is an excuse. :P Have been to a few concerts in my life, but mainly within the past 5 years. My frens say I am a late developer, doing stuff in the late twenties which are done by teenagers who are 16 years old. Hmmmphhh...

Ok, just one thought on the concert. Yep, it was superb, really engaging and rather funny too. And everyone was really co-operative and responsive. My, we have lots to learn from these idols. Pupils often give us problems. But when they attend concerts of their idols, they will respond accordingly and co-operate. Well, it is obvious that idolisation and education are 2 separate things. But I do see the parallels as well.

Fifth, of course went for a couple of walks by N parks again. I was at Lower Pierce reservoir on a drizzling morning. All the better. The place is less crowded. And I do love rainy days. It seems to slow everything down. And clean everything up. So, there I was, sitting on a bench, staring into space, awaiting the commencement of the walk. I might probably have continued in that state and gained enlightenment there and then, if not for the fact that I wanted to go for the walk. :P

As for the walk, we had an extremely good and well-prepared guide. He showed us the usual stuff. But he had some other props prepared. For eg, he was talking about the spikes off the big rattan trees, which were used by the Orang Asli as needles. He actually produced a couple of big ones, all of them drilled with an eye and equipped with a piece of thread going thru it. How wonderful! Thank you Johnny.

The following day, I went for the Bukit Timah Walk. It happened to be their Volunteers' meeting and lots of them were there. And the guides I have met since the start of my park visits actually recognized me. Some of them thought that I have signed up as a volunteer guide since I was so on. :P Hee... So got to explain now it's my hols, so must make good use of me time etc etc. :)

Ah, and we had an N parks staff to take us for the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve guided walk. He walked us right to the summit, something other guides did not do. In fact, we observed that the other groups weren't too far away from their starting point by the time the tour is supposed to end. And I am sure those following TS (went for his Prunus Trail walk and he ended 45min late) will end theirs late once again. TS is a great guide in instilling wholesome attitude towards nature. He has lots and lots to share, including his own world views towards nature.

Talking about the guides, everyone of them have their different personalities. Our guide, Ming, showed us the Singaporean Fern. Although it dows not attract attention like our national flower which is so beautiful, I think the fern deserves some acknowledgement too. It is not everyday that we get plants named after Singapore. The guide also tried telling us about the sounds of birds and insects we could hear there and then. I was told he specializes in frogs. He says frogs are adorable. Hmm... I certainly do agree.

So, I would like to express my thanks to N parks for their efforts and all the guides for all that they have done. :) Learnt so much from all of you. Thank you, thank you.

Then, I have been observing a few things. During the Lower Peirce walk, I met lots of parents who brought their young children along to get them acquainted with nature. That is worth commending. But then, some of them were talking like the whole world is deaf. Then, there was this kid plugged into his mp3. Sigh...

Then, I was at the airport at about 9pm a week back. Saw a couple of kids at the MacD surfing the net. They were wearing their pyjamas. Later, saw them walking with mum to wait for dad. Hmm.. What would foreign visitors think of that? First, students mugging away at the airport. Now, a pyjamas party?

Ok, got to stop before I get too critical on my own fellow country men. More, once I am back.

SW