BACK TO NATURE II

We went to the zoo on 10th the Thursday.

It has been a really long time since I've last been to the zoo. So long; I can't even remember what and how the zoo looks like.

The last time I bothered to do as such is in late January this year, when we went to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for a Biology field trip; but undeniably, it always feel good getting back in touch with Mother Nature. There is always this twinkling excitement that is residual of a fresh touch from Mother Nature. For the couple of days after the visit to the zoo, it STILL feels good. So good; that on those days, I still mentally visit the zoo in my mind.

Perhaps we went to the zoo at the wrong timing. Almost all the tigers/lions/emus/kangaroos/wallabies/you-name-it were in a lazy mood. Tigers and lions are supposed to roar resoundingly. Kangaroos and wallabies are supposed to jump and bounce around dynamically. Emus are supposed to... Well... Anything but sleeping.

I had wanted to see the ostriches; I've never seen a real live one before. What a pity that none was sighted when we visited the zoo. I've always thought that ostriches are really strangely clever-looking; especially with those disproportionally-sized small head and big eyes. Their necks have always amused me as well. I've always wondered, too, if it is actually possible to tie a knot with an ostrich's neck.

The giraffes are awesome too. You should have seen their tongue. Awesome; awesomely long.
The monkeys are wide in diversity - all of which are adorable. Their agility amuses me deeply. One of the monkeys tried to give me a "high-five" through the window plane, and ended up falling off the branches time and again. Oh, we also saw the baboons and their iconic red butts as well. Do you know that the bigger the red butt, the more dominant a male baboon is? Well, apparently so.

We saw the Giant Tortoise as well. They look sooo ancient and cranky. Tortoises of this gigantic size blew my mind away. There are two domestic tortoises at home, and my eyes nearly popped out at the sight of those giant tortoises. Anyway, just as the name implies, the giant tortoises are outrageously humongous! Their scaly limbs are shamelessly fatter than any pigs' trotters! Their gargantuan size shocked me so much that I was initially skeptical of reaching out and touching them; lest they swerve around and snap at me venomously like Jaw the shark. Eventually, after some persuasion, I did (KC: Aiya! They're so big! They won't even feel you touching them!). Using two fingers, I hesitantly stroked the shell of one of the giant tortoises momentarily. It seemed totally oblivious to my presence. It could have died and no one would be none the wiser. Feeling more brazen now, I placed three fingers on the side of the shell, and PUSH against it heavily. The obscenely fat reptile didn't even move an inch. It didn't even so much as bat an eyelid! I can't believe it! I JUST GOT DEFEATED BY A FAT, UGLY, AND ANCIENT TORTOISE!

We also visited the Rainforest Show and Splash Amphitheater. Personally, I prefer the latter to the former. The baby penguins and otters are oh-so-cute! I won't mind being up close and personal and hugging the otters. As usual, the seal is the star of the show. The seals are also one of the animals that have always intrigued me. The black, shiny, thick coat of skin. The powerful fins and flippers. The stream-lined body. The friendly demeanor. The smart lil' brain that picks up tricks easily. The small, beady eyes. The cute lil' whiskers.

We also saw the polar bears. One of the polar bears was happily basking in the limelight, proudly and elegantly swimming in and out of the waters through the see-through windows; while the rest of his/her companions were lazing around inside the land enclosure. The attention-seeker, we nicknamed him/her fondly. Anyway, the polar bear is so mightily huge! It is at least twice my height! I doubt it would be a difficult feat to squash me flat if the polar bear so chooses to. It seemed to be just like a white, massive FURBALL. The polar bear was swimming so gracefully and gently; momentarily, it seems utterly unbelievable that these harmless-looking furball of polar bears are capable of brutal aggression. If not for the glass enclosure, I would be so sorely tempted to climb in and nestle my head in one of those massive furball. But then again, I've read of a news report which involves a drunken man in China who - in a drunken stupor - climbed into a panda bear enclosure; thinking that the panda bear (named Gu Gu) looked lonely and so, wanted to give him a hug. Of course, the startled Gu Gu ended up biting the man. The man's response? He opened his mouth and bit back the poor panda. Alcohol can really make one do stupid things, I tell you.

We saw the meerkats too. Meerkats, I don't know, but they've always had a soft spot in my heart. The first time I heard of meerkats is when I was in primary school, when I read an article about them in Readers' Digest. I've always thought that not only are they cute, but they're also an independent and loyal bunch (talk about guard sentry duties!). Though small in size, they have a beautiful spirit!

We also visited the Reptile Cage thingy. Halfway through the journey, my eyes got teary. Because the lizards are frightened the soul out of me.



Anyway, I think that a zoo is only a real zoo when the animals are carefree instead of lying around idyllically waiting for feeding time. And what's it about paying $8 to get an elephant ride, or $5 to ride the tortoises or feed the giraffes? It makes everything feel so commercialized. A zoo should be a place where everything is spontaneous. Mother Nature has always been spontaneous and pretty; rather than structured and restricted. If anything, all these should have been included in the entrance fee, I feel. Well, just my personal thoughts.

Anyway, I also think that all lizards/chameleons/iguanas/kodomo dragons/anything-that-has-relation-to-the-lizard-family should just drop dead on the ground and die. Really. Simple as that.



My secret wish is to get kissed by a seal, or hugged by a dolphin at least once in this lifetime!

LOVE THE BABIES

I thought the story of Baby P was among the worse and tragic ones.

This here is just as bad.






Not mentioned in this clip is that Brianna had been sexually assaulted too; and she was only 5months old at the time of her death.

Some people are just sick.



Argggh... What a bad video clip to start to day with.

BUSY! Got to prepare for tuition now! Ta!

HELP!

Using a magnet, Dad posted this letter up on the door of the bomb shelter for the benefit of all.




SHUCKS!


Somebody, please jio me out on Wednesday from 2pm - 4.30pm!



P.S. I stay on the 12th storey! No lifts?!?!? 完蛋！

P.S.S. I initially thought that Dad was scolding a certain vulgarity. (N.B.).

P.S.S.S. I don't have the heart to tell him that he has misspelled "wednesday". Kekeke!

COMEX?

I'm considering purchasing an external hard drive. It just feels risky storing all the teaching materials in a flimsy thumbdrive.

But then again, I've been yearning for a digital camera since ages ago.

AND then again, I'm a hopeless IT-idiot.



Therefore, firstly, I've got to choose between an external hard drive OR a digital camera.

After which, having made a decision, I've got to "research" and 打听 on what are the good brands to go for, and the specifications to look out for.



Perhaps I should not go to the Comex afterall. What a bother!

THE HUNGRY CAB DRIVER

It was the 30th of August; a Sunday morning at 7.15am.

She hailed a cab.

JW, please. She requested groggily.
"Which route? TPE-CTE-PIE or KPE-PIE or KPE-AYE-*****************?"
Errr... The shortest one.
"It's all about the same distance, Miss. Not much difference actually. It's basically from one end of the island to another." He explained.
Oh... Any route then. I have no preferences.

The uncle picked a route, to which she agreed to. The taxi took off. She looked out of the windows. It's going to be a good, long, smooth (expressways all the way!) 30minutes ride.

"You're going to the church building, are you not?" The uncle asked.
Yep, I am.
"Ahhhh... Attending service?"
Nope, mine is on a Saturday.
"I see. I'm a Christian myself, too! I'm going for service later at 9am."
Really? Where is it at?
"(insert here). And I'm having a renewing of marriage vows later. They're holding it for all the married couples in the church."
Wow! That's sweet. Are you excited for it?
"Oh, well. Ok, I guess. It's usually the ladies who are more enthusiastic over these things. Oh, well, so long as the wife likes it, I don't mind the hassle."
She laughed. Have you bought anything for the occasion? A rose, perhaps?
"Oh, our god-daughter is getting something prepared for us."
That's good. It'll be good to have something on hand. Women like surprises.
"Oh, yeah. I'll be getting prepared for the vows event after this trip. Hopefully, I would be able to pick up a passenger from JW on the way back down."
She smiled. That'll would be the most ideal.
"Then what are you going there for?" He asked. "From here all the way to JW?"
Ministry.
"Ah... God is good. He is faithful. You know what? You're my 4th passenger of the day. And all trips I've made are good ones. Adding yours on, I would have enough to cover the day's rental!"
She widened her eyes. It is only 7.15am. Wow! It's still so early in the morning! This is YOUR day, isn't it? She teased.
"Yep. With these good trips, I can have a good, relaxed time at the renewal of vows later. You know, without feeling..." His voice trailed off, clearly searching for a better word to articulate his thoughts.
The heaviness? She offered. The burden?
"Yes! That's right. Without feeling burdened or heavy, because the rental cost is covered; and whatever I earn now from this trip forth goes into my pocket. God is faithful. He takes care of things on our behalf when we place Him first. You know, I have a Christian friend who only drives taxi on only 3 days out of a week. Other days, he's busy with family, ministry, service and etc. And guess the income he makes? It's in the range of $2000 -$3000!"
Wow!
"Yes! Amazing, isn't it? I tell you, this God is real. Really real. How to deny? Who can deny?"
She leaned her head back on the backrest. Yea, she smiled and agreed. Indeed.

"Can I share with you a radio station?" He asked.
Certainly, of course.
"This station; FM***. It's an overseas broadcast. But, anyway, it's quite good. They have 3 slots per day; and sometimes during the broadcast, they'll invite listeners to call in and share testimonies."
Oh, really? I've never heard of this station before.
"Yep. It's really pretty good. Anyway, is your family Christian?"
Nope.
"Ahhh... Only you?"
She smiled.
"Anyway, as I was saying, this station is really quite good. Whenever the slots are on, I would tune in to this station and listen to the gospel music and testimonies. It's really good to listen to radio stations like this one, you know. It cheers me up and reminds me of His goodness. And, well, there's only so much a person can do. We can only do this much, the rest is up to Him. So, whenever this radio slot is on, and when I have passenger(s) in the car, I would let Him do the work. Same to you too. When one is saved, the whole household shall be saved."
She smiled, gratified and yet ashamed that a complete stranger has greater faith to proclaim this promise than she has.

"Then have you fall under the power before? How does it feel like? Oh!" He added as an afterthought. "Can you speak in tongues?"
She blinked. Yes.
"Oh, really?! Then, can you pray for me?"
She blinked. She looked around. This is a taxi. She found her voice. Eh? Pray for you? As in... For your tongues?
"No, no. Just, you know, general praying. Pray FOR me. It's a "secret language" between us and God, right?"
She blinked. Yes, it is.
"Ok! Then can you pray for me?"
She blinked. She looked around. This is a taxi. She found her voice. Me? Yea, sure, she answered and leaned forward against the resistance of the seat belt. Ermmm, if you want.



"Thanks. Really thank you so much. It feels different. You know, starting the day with someone praying for you; praying over you. And in a language which only One understands. The deep things of the heart and all. I'm sure He hears it and knows my heart. Thank you so much."

She blinked. Don't mention it. You're welcome. It's not me anyway. And it's my pleasure.

They arrived at her destination. She gave a $50 note. Have a good time at the vows later. She took her change and alighted the car.

"God bless you!" He called out.
God bless you, too.

She closed the door. The car drove off. She looked at the change.

The uncle has given her a 10% rebate.



It was only 7.45am. She felt different from half an hour ago before the taxi ride. Ashamed of herself, yes, but more than that. Inspired. A wake-up call.



When is the last time you initiated and asked someone - what more a COMPLETE STRANGER - to pray for you; to pray over you? Or, for that matter, have you ever?

He has just shown her what being really hungry and hankering after Him is all about.

APPLE PIE

Baking my FIRST ever apple pie. It's in the oven right now.



Don't really feel optimistic about it. Hohoho!

A COMPLETE MEAL

FRIDAY
5.30am : Woke up. Popped the prescribed daily dosage of Vit. B, Vit. C, and iron tablets.
5.35am : Back to dreamland.
6.30am : Woke up. Washed up. Had half a glass of milk (that's why I woke up earlier at 5.30am. The pills have to be taken 1 hour before food)
7.15am - 10.10am : Work work work. Had a small pack of Vitasoy
10.10am - 10.30am : Early lunch with DC and EL. Lunch consisted of a serving each of sotong, crabmeat, and kangkong from the muslim stall (without rice, 'cos - with the exception of rice dumplings and sushi - I don't really like rice)
10.30am - 11.30am : Work
11.30am - 12.20pm : Teach
12.20pm - 2.30pm : Gave tests, marked test papers, cleared all the admin stuffs, returned and signed in the personal locker keys, return of exit pass, cleared work station, went home to deposit laptop and paper
3.30pm - 7.30pm : Met up with PL! First to Bugis (the sinful land of temptation), then to PS. Shop, shop, and shop! Milk Tea from SweetTalk. A snack (Fried Mars Balls from Chippy)
8.30pm : Reached home
8.40pm - 9pm : Jogged with the younger brother
9pm - 11pm: Bathed. Came online. Blogged. Ate a couple mouthfuls of vermicelli for dinner. Off to bed

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SATURDAY
6.00am : Woke up. Lazy to eat the tablets, so I went back to sleep immediately
7.00am : Woke up again. Ate a couple of mouthful of tapioca chips + a cup of coffee
7.45am : Went out
8.30am - 10.00am : Tuition
10.30am : Home. Showered. Online
12.30pm : Ate 1/3 of a pack of 菜贩. Got dressed and prepared to go out
1.15pm : Went out
1.45pm - 5pm : CGM. Had a White Rabbit sweet (Thanks, WL!). Ate a small piece of... Erm... What's it called? 老婆饼？
5.30pm - 8pm+ : Svc
8pm+ - 9.30pm : Food court. Lazy to bring the birthday cake home, so I stored it in the stomach instead
10.45pm : Home. Showered. Online
12am : Slept
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SUNDAY
6.30am : Woke up. Lazy to eat the pills (again), so I went back to sleep immediately
7.30am : Woke up again. Gave a morning call. Washed up. Got dressed. Had a cup of Milo. Went out.
9.45am - 12pm : Svc
12pm - 1.15pm : MRT-ed. Loitered at White Sands. Had a stick of Gu Cai and Seafood Gyoza from Old Chang Kee. Parents picked me up from White Sands in the car
1.15pm - 2.00pm : Visited Grandma
2.00pm - 5pm : Court (Tampines)
5.30pm : Ba Cuo Mee for dinner (finally a proper meal!!!)
6pm (which is now!) : Online. Blogging. A cup of coffee

_____________________________________________________________

Just realized that for the whole of Friday and Saturday, and including most of today (Sunday), I have not REALLY eaten. The last time I had a proper, complete meal is... Thursday evening. And this is already Sunday evening. Crap!

Honestly, more often than not, whenever I'm posed the casual question, "Have you eaten?", I find myself thinking really hard. By "eating", does it include snacking? I realize - unless I really sit down and firmly order a proper bowl of (insert here) - I tend to snack a little here and there throughout the ENTIRE day. A cup of Milo. A stick of gyoza. A stick of Gu Cai. A cup of Milk Tea. A curry puff. A chocolate bar. A cup of coffee. A glass of milk. A pack of Soyabean. Anything. As long as it keeps the hunger pangs at bay. There's no need to feel FULL per se, or to eat until I'm bursting at the seams. If I'm not hungry, it simply means I'm not hungry which, in turn, implies that there's no need to eat as of yet. Simple as that.

Perhaps I should contemplate keeping a proper record of the daily consumption of food (but then, hopefully, I would procrastinate my way out of this). Think I'm a tad way too sliphood in this area for my own good. But, you know, I find eating a chore. Chewing is boring and tiring!

And I still wonder why am I deficient in iron. Duh!

CAN AND WOULD

It's often not really a question of "Can you?", but "WOULD you?"



Would you?

NIGHT

Tuition tomorrow at 8.30am! Enough said.

Night!