Thursday, March 11, 2010
A lesson Learned
Today I forgot to get my files signed and was sent out of class with a number of my fellow pupils. I know that MC sent us out not just because of the files. I think it is because of our attitude and for me, it is also because she has already given me many chances. I don't know why I keep forgeting. I know it is not because I am not bordered. I am! Very Much so. I will try harder. I almost didn't dare to come in when MC said that if we cannot be sure of bring everything in future then we should not come in. This is because I know I will try my best but I honestly cannot say that I will not forget after all it is human nature to make mistake. I know from what MC wrote in her latest blog that she is worried about us and how we are going to climb our next mountain. She asked for our obedience and trust and to follow her method. I know I am usually in my own world a fair bit but the last CA is really a good wake up call. I have to take the bull by the horn and face my greatest problem.. A laid back attitude. MC, I will obey and I will trust. I am very grateful for a teacher like MC.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sungei Buloh Reserve
When Ms Chia told us that we are going on a field trip to Sungei Buloh next term, I was excited as it is not only a favourite haunt of my family but a day out of class! Yeah, imagine sunshine on my back, sound of birds and insects to delight my ear and the class room miles away. But I could do without the commando mosquitoes though. A bit of mosquitoe repellent can handle that. If that fails, then there is always good old Mopiko.
Imagine my shock, when I learned that most of my class mates have not been to this wonderful place far from the 'maddening crowd'. I had been going there since I was 4. In fact, during the Sars period it was a weekly affair for us to take a walk there as my mum wanted to avoid crowded places and at the same time educate us on the flora and fauna of the wetlands of singapore. Imagine at four years old, alphabets lessons sounded like this: A-Asplenium nidus,B-bitterns, C-coucal, D-Dillenia, E- egrets etc
I really enjoyed our 'living classroom' with the richness of mangroves and the biodiversity that it harbours. With its mangroves, mudflats, pond and secondary forest, it is a rare oasis of natural wonders and tranquility. Sungei Buloh is home to unique plants as well as a wintering ground for migratory birds. There is always something new to see and experience there. Once, as we were walking, there was a huge splash in the water beside us and as we looked there was a dark shadow swimming away. We couldn't see what it was. But as we walk a little bit more we saw a sign that said 'Beware of Crocdile'. Later my dad was talking to one of the park ranger and he said that there is a resident crocodile there! How cool is that. Also when I was started going there at four years of age, I used to think that the gargantuan monitor lizards that we come across were komodo dragons. Of course my mum corrected me, but I was secretly convinced that my eyes were not wrong as those lizards were huge aspecially when one is looking at them practically at eye level(I was pretty small at that time).
Sungei Buloh is a transcient world of land and sea where flora and fauna have evolved to endure the relentless rhythm of tides. The unique plant life there whose ability to thrive in anaerobic, high salinity, water logged mud of the intertidal realm is something to be revered.Rich flora diversity of the fresh water, mangroves, swamps and secondary forest attract a wide variety of wetland fauna like mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, moths and monitor lizards. I remember feeling very important with my binoculars, looking for resident birds like herons, bitterns, coucals, sunbirds and kingfishers. The best time for walks there are from september to march when you can see migratory birds like egrets, sandpipers and plovers.
What I really want to see there are the wild otters. So far they have eluded me. It is so thrilling to know that Singapore despite being an urban jungle has wild animals other than cats, dogs and rats. However, recently, there are some disturbing news of a pack of wild dogs taking up residence there and terrorizing the fauna there. I guess 'terrorists' are fashionable now as there seem to be human as well as animals ones. It seemed these dogs were abandoned dogs that banded together for survival and living off the reserve. While my heart bleeds for them and I wish we could help them in some way, I sincerely hope we do not meet them on our school field trip. It seems that these animals have been causing great discomfort to visitors to the park.
Imagine my shock, when I learned that most of my class mates have not been to this wonderful place far from the 'maddening crowd'. I had been going there since I was 4. In fact, during the Sars period it was a weekly affair for us to take a walk there as my mum wanted to avoid crowded places and at the same time educate us on the flora and fauna of the wetlands of singapore. Imagine at four years old, alphabets lessons sounded like this: A-Asplenium nidus,B-bitterns, C-coucal, D-Dillenia, E- egrets etc
I really enjoyed our 'living classroom' with the richness of mangroves and the biodiversity that it harbours. With its mangroves, mudflats, pond and secondary forest, it is a rare oasis of natural wonders and tranquility. Sungei Buloh is home to unique plants as well as a wintering ground for migratory birds. There is always something new to see and experience there. Once, as we were walking, there was a huge splash in the water beside us and as we looked there was a dark shadow swimming away. We couldn't see what it was. But as we walk a little bit more we saw a sign that said 'Beware of Crocdile'. Later my dad was talking to one of the park ranger and he said that there is a resident crocodile there! How cool is that. Also when I was started going there at four years of age, I used to think that the gargantuan monitor lizards that we come across were komodo dragons. Of course my mum corrected me, but I was secretly convinced that my eyes were not wrong as those lizards were huge aspecially when one is looking at them practically at eye level(I was pretty small at that time).
Sungei Buloh is a transcient world of land and sea where flora and fauna have evolved to endure the relentless rhythm of tides. The unique plant life there whose ability to thrive in anaerobic, high salinity, water logged mud of the intertidal realm is something to be revered.Rich flora diversity of the fresh water, mangroves, swamps and secondary forest attract a wide variety of wetland fauna like mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, moths and monitor lizards. I remember feeling very important with my binoculars, looking for resident birds like herons, bitterns, coucals, sunbirds and kingfishers. The best time for walks there are from september to march when you can see migratory birds like egrets, sandpipers and plovers.
What I really want to see there are the wild otters. So far they have eluded me. It is so thrilling to know that Singapore despite being an urban jungle has wild animals other than cats, dogs and rats. However, recently, there are some disturbing news of a pack of wild dogs taking up residence there and terrorizing the fauna there. I guess 'terrorists' are fashionable now as there seem to be human as well as animals ones. It seemed these dogs were abandoned dogs that banded together for survival and living off the reserve. While my heart bleeds for them and I wish we could help them in some way, I sincerely hope we do not meet them on our school field trip. It seems that these animals have been causing great discomfort to visitors to the park.
Friday, February 26, 2010
My pet cat Cactus
Three weeks ago, my pet cat Cactus went missing for frantic four days. We did all the usual things of putting 'lost cat' posters and searching around the condo but to no avail. I went to bed each night with a hollow feeling in my guts as worries about her steal my sleep. I have known her all my life as she is already 13+ years. Goodness, that is like 90+ cat years. When I was in Shanghai, she was my only companion at night in the entire second floor of our three storey apartment. So as you can we are really good pals.
Finally on the fourth evening she appeared in the playground, crippled and bleeding from behind. My heart leapt with such joy and at the same time cracked with pain(this is paradox!). To see my precious cat in such a pitiful state is really heartbreaking but I am overjoyed that she has come back...
Three smelly(because she has lost control of her urinary function) weeks and $1000+ in medical fees later she has almost recovered. This is really miraculous. I am so thankful. However in mind, I am still wondering who has catnapped my friendly cat. I believe she must have jumped down from one of the upper floors to escape hence sustaining her injuries.
Finally on the fourth evening she appeared in the playground, crippled and bleeding from behind. My heart leapt with such joy and at the same time cracked with pain(this is paradox!). To see my precious cat in such a pitiful state is really heartbreaking but I am overjoyed that she has come back...
Three smelly(because she has lost control of her urinary function) weeks and $1000+ in medical fees later she has almost recovered. This is really miraculous. I am so thankful. However in mind, I am still wondering who has catnapped my friendly cat. I believe she must have jumped down from one of the upper floors to escape hence sustaining her injuries.
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