go walk-walk

Hi, if you came here because you were intrigued by my display of my blog address on MSN, well, thanks for your interest. actually, i don't know why i'm being such an attention whore. guess i didn't wanna write this post without anybody not reading it bah. can leave a comment to say hi?

Anyway, just to put for all posterity what I did on 10/2/06 (Fri)

it was my free day and instead of taking an afternoon nap (like i always do when i have some free time on my hands), i actually dragged myself down to cineleisure to secure tickets to a documentary on French Deaf that is showcased as part of M1 fringe festival.

Thing is, i couldn't be bothered to remember the title of this documentary. so, it took me some time before the counter staff could understand which movie tickets i was trying to buy. it was actually quite funny

when the counter gal let me choose my seating, i kinda felt dismayed that there were only 2 rows occupied. Movie showing in 2 weeks' time and such a poor response?! shouldn't the Deaf community and volunteer advocates swarm the theatre by now?

but actually no matter lar, i don't need glowing viewership to justify my choice and time. so, wanna watch then watch lor.

though as a typical guy with commitment phobia (heh), i kinda hesitated as i bought the ticket. huh, 3.13pm sat afternoon ownself watch an obscure movie--a bit sad right? shouldn't i try to coerce friends to watch this with me? anyway, maybe my life would spice up and i won't have time to watch anyway.

it's nice to heck care your doubts and make a commitment to yourself sometimes. so, that's that.

and then, i slowly jalan jalan to douby ghout and passed by YMCA. went inside to look look see see and lo and behold! they actually offer thai courses.

to cut a long story short, i signed up for Basic Thai classes on the spot, spontaneously. cool sia. i was so hyped up that i smsed some friends to inform them of my spontaneity. haha

it's nice to want something badly enough that you would go for it, despite impending thoughts of busy-ness and weariness and crappiness (once practicuum starts, it's gonna be hell, i think. trying to steel myself for it).

then, i walked over to the photographers' gallery and viewed a geisha photography exhibition. wa, some of the geisha photos look like mannequins like that. so surreal, their poses and expressions. hmm, like their real selves are inscrutable like that.

he also got other photos, like chrysanthemum gate ah, lantern ah, baskets ah. can't help feeling a little jealous--wa, this kind of everything items i also know how to shoot lar. like that can also sell for $280?!

but those photos were really quite arresting and poetic. that's why i remember them long enough to be able to write them down on this entry, heh. i especially liked one shot of himeji castle (hey, i visited there, you know!)--it was shot at a sharp angle, almost jutting up to the sky, kinda an interesting perspective to take.

then i went to another exhibition at Art House in Old Parliament House. it's the odyssey of a photojournalist, with solid credentials. i feel very awed by his rich life experiences and by his ability to empathise with his subjects. i ached for my ignorance, for my having to stay and earn a livelihood instead of just wandering to explore the world, for my fear that i would stay this ignorant and never get to come across these people, these events, these sentiments for myself

a stunning photo of an african woman cupping her face with her hands, her wrinkles in full glory. it touched me deep, that one.

a hilarious photo of a chicken family with the Taj Mahal as the backdrop. such unique combination! it's one-in-a-million piece

it's nice to feel that time is on your side and you leisurely walk through the photos, trying to be discerning and pick up things you're sure the photographer has intended but less cultured people would have missed. and to absorb what you can from the photos.

so, why do i feel compelled to post this entry after such a looooong hiatus?

because i was alone but not lonely

because i did things to fuel my interest in sign language, Thai and photography, things that are outside the context of NIE and teaching. something else that nurtures me

because it felt good to be spontaneous.

because i think i really love Singapore. okay, you can butcher me for being brainwashed from countless YEPs but the strange thing is, even though i feel obsessed about getting out of the country, i look at the urban landscape and marvel at how trees are strategically placed alongside buildings. i don't know why exactly but i am gradually feeling a kinship towards Singapore like never before.

when will be the next time i would feel these good vibes again? LOL

will i get a free guide book? :P

Dear Lonely Planet,

I'm Heng Kai Le, a 24-year-old Singaporean male. I just returned from Chiangmai and had such a blast over there! Thanks to Lonely Planet for pointing me in all the correct directions. Hee. Now, I will love to share some tips and unique experiences that aren't quite covered in your guidebook so that other travellers may benefit:

1) The Monk Chat at Wat Suan Dok is a must-try. Initially, things started off lukewarm for me as I was paired up with monks who aren't quite adept at speaking English yet. Hence, I spent a lot of time smiling encouragingly at them and thinking of simple conversational phrases so that they could understand me and practice their English. Fortunately, the system in place was implemented pretty well as they would ensure that at least one senior monk (typically a year 4 English major student at the nearby Buddhist university) would be around to moderate the discussion. It was rather heartwarming to watch the display of camaraderie as the senior monk would patiently act as the go-between and encourage his juniors to speak up.
There was a flurry of exchange of people at my table as some monks had to return to their wats. Things started to pick up when two fresh participants sat down and our conversation somehow digressed to their extra-curricular activity as DJs. Apparently, the Buddhist University had set up their very own radio station to improve their students' speaking skills and exchange ideas about Buddhism. This radio station was established in early 2005 and its programmes can be broadcast to listeners who live within 15km from Wat Suan Dok!
Intrigued and excited, I asked them if I could have a look around their radio station. They readily obliged and brought me to the building across the room where Monk Chat was held.
The DJs on that day welcomed me sincerely and before I knew it, I was declared as their "special guest" for their Easy Talk programme, which was scheduled between 6 to 7pm. What I found most impressive was that the group of monks assembled before me came from various countries such as Laos, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and of course, Thailand. Talk about a myriad of nationalities! It was then that I really appreciated how Chiangmai was a centre for aspiring Buddhists from Southeast Asia and beyond.
Because I am currently serving my national service [all singaporean males have to be conscripted into the military forces for two years], the programme started with a lively discussion on whether conscription exists in one's country. Later on, I was asked to share my thoughts on how to increase the number of believers in Buddhism and about Singapore culture, among other things.
It was initially nerve-wracking for me, for i was afraid of sounding silly on air. But the friendly monks were so enthusiastic about finding out about Singapore that my inhibitions disappeared. I felt proud to be an unofficial ambassador for my nation and have this engaging exhange of ideas. All in all, one of the highlights of my trip.
So, to LP readers, ask whether you can drop by the radio station when you are doing the Monk Chat. It will be an experience that you won't forget.

2) I visited Wat Doi Suthep on the morning of 18th June, which was a Saturday. On my ascend up the mountains, I was pleasantly surprised to see thongs of Chiangmai University students trekking upwards by walking on the drain beside the road. Apparently, I was fortunate enough to witness a time-honoured tradition in which incoming freshmen trek to Wat Doi Suthep as part of their orientation to varsity life!
The students were boisterous and in high spirits. It was awesome seeing them trudge up the mountains, holding hands or placing arms around one another and shouting cheers. Their energy and excitement was infectious. I would have alighted from my taxi and joined in their rousing parade if I weren't afraid of being perceived as a weirdo. Haha.
LP readers who are visiting Chiangmai in June [that's when a new school term starts, i reckon], must ask around for the day of CMU students' trek to Wat Doi Suthep so that they can bear witness to this joyous and monumental occasion.

3) I also visited Pung Tao Gong Ancestral Temple, which is a Chinese temple situated between the philatelic museum and Lam Yai market. Personally, i didn't find it all that visually arresting but I enjoyed it, if not for the fact that it was a refreshing diversion from the numerous wats around Chiangmai. If you speak Mandarin or Teochew, chat with a kindly old gentleman who's manning the temple and he will warmly encourage you to seek spiritual guidance from Pung Tao Gong and painstakingly explain your lot for you.

4) I decided to go pubbing at Heaven Beach, which was located opposite Rasta Cafe as I found its atomsphere to be more lively and happening. There was a good mix of Thais and foreigners, there was a pool table for one to show off his/her skills and there was great accompaniment of music from a 3-man live band who obviously loved what they were doing. At one point, I saw a farang nearly moon her breasts to a waitress and the latter then pouring some suspect powder down her assets. Definitely a great place to chill out, get high and watch people.

5) Visited the Chiangmai Zoo for 30B. However, there's a Panda Exhibit which will set foreigners back one hundred baht. It was upon entering the exhibit that I realised that I had spent good money just to see one panda bear lying around and doing nothing. I couldn't help feeling a bit shortchanged. Actually, there's another female panda bear which I didn't get to see because she was sleeping somewhere inside. I heard from my guesthouse staff that she's pregnant now. Perhaps that's why she was sleeping to conserve her energies.
These two panda bears were a gift from China and it was evident how the Thais appreciated and cherished these animals. Besides being instructed to leave all food and drinks outside the exhibit hall, I also had to step on sterilization mats and was explicitly cautioned not to use flash cameras. An honour to see something that is a source of pride to the Thais.
According to the zoo guide, animal lovers may want to visit the Panda Exhibit at 2pm because that's the lunch hour of the female panda bear and so they are assured of watching 2 bears for 100B. :P

6) There's a night bazaar on the streets outside Warorot Market. It doesn't offer as diverse a range of goods as its counterpart at the Night Bazaar but it's where the Thais shop for their clothes, do their nail polish, get a reading from a fortune teller and eat from the tantalizing roadside stalls. So, it redeems itself as an authentic cultural haunt.

7) Buy a "Speak Thai quick 191" phrase book for just 60B at a bookstore just further down UN Irish Pub. The bookstore occupies two storeys and mostly sells Thai books.

8) Check currency conversion rates at the various bank tellers before changing your money as their rates differ. I learnt this the hard way--I changed my money for S$1=24.26B before realising to my chargin that other bank tellers offered rates like S$1=24.33B.

9) Changes of prices:i) Nancy Chandler's map now costs 160B instead of 150Bii) Admission fee of 50B to Bhuping (or Phuping?) Palace

Hope this information helps future readers.

thanks for your time and kind attention,Kaile:P

What would you name our low cost terminal and why?

Fine Budget Airline Terminal

Many foreigners regard Singapore as a strictly governed country, where its citizens are regulated via fines. Using "Fine" will etch our terminal deeper in their minds and suggest how we can laugh at ourselves. Also, "Fine", being synonymous with "good", signifies how we are committed to upholding top-notch service standards.

humble publication

Original

My teammates and I were collecting old clothes and newspapers to raise funds for an overseas community service project.
An elderly couple we approached seemed supportive of our efforts and asked us to elaborate on the nature of our project. When told that we wanted to help to build a school library in a North-eastern Thailand village, they nodded appreciatively and commended us on embarking on such a noble cause.
Just then, their grandson, who must have been only two to three years old, toddled to us, clutching a stuffed toy. Grandpa and Grandma spontaneously encouraged him to donate his toy, saying that we should share our possessions with those less fortunate than us. This he did, with hardly any fuss.
Immediately, Grandpa and Grandma clapped and praised him and cajoled him to donate more. To my amazement, he went off to take a big Garfield stuffed toy and handed it over readily to me. He neither wavered nor gave any signs of protest.
I was so bowled over by this act of maturity and generosity that I didn't quite know what to do. In the end, I squatted down, looked him straight in the eye and thanked him profusely.
I remain impressed by Grandpa and Grandma who were so adept in imparting lifelong virtues like kindness and thoughtfulness at a moment's notice.
And needless to say, this small guy with a huge heart really made my day.

The Electric New Paper :
Valuable lessons from grandparents [published and edited]
01 June 2005
MY teammates and I were recently collecting old clothes and newspapers to raise funds for an overseas community service project.
An elderly couple we approached were supportive of our efforts. When we told them that we wanted to help to build a school library in a North-eastern Thai village, they nodded appreciatively and commended our work.
Just then, their grandson, who was aged about 3, toddled towards us, clutching a stuffed toy.
Grandpa and grandma spontaneously encouraged him to donate his toy, saying that we should share our possessions with those less fortunate than us. This he did, with hardly any fuss.
Immediately, grandpa and grandma clapped their hands, praised him and cajoled him to donate more.
To my amazement, he returned with a big Garfield stuffed toy and handed it over. He neither wavered nor showed reluctance.
I was so bowled over by this maturity and generosity that I didn't know what to do.
In the end, I squatted down, looked at him smilingly and thanked him profusely.
I am impressed by grandpa and grandma who were so adept in imparting lifelong values like kindness and thoughtfulness at a moment's notice.
Needless to say, this small lad with a big heart really made my day.
- Heng Kai Le

For YEP

email written to yahoogrps

I guess the concern about whether it would be more beneficial if money is donated to the targeted communities will always remain as one of the existential questions about YEP.

Remember how Pi Noy observed that we seemed to be looking tired and lifeless nearing the completion of the project? She felt this was because she had adopted a tight working schedule and we were suffering from its strains. She apologetically explained this was necessary because she didn't think so many villagers would turn up to build the library if the SinGApore kids weren't around anymore.

I believe I told you guys this--my Vietnamese contractor treated my leader and facilitator and this "strong guy" to dinner because he felt humbled about us urban people giving up material comforts and travelling all the way to his country to slog it out in the hot sun. I recount these ancedotes because they remind me that sometimes, the people whom we are trying to help don't just see us as a pool of erm, unconstructive labour.

In these instances at least, I believe our presence serves as a symbolic beacon of hope. Our stint, albeit a short one, sends a signal to these people that they and their problems are not forgotten.My Vietnamese contractor mistakenly gave us too much credit for "coming down" to the level of his people but I suspect it's the norm that we Singaporeans are perceived as ambassadors from the sophisticated outside world. By working alongside with them on the project and by embracing enthusiastically their lifestyle (and gushing unbecomingly at buffaloes:P), we indicate an interest in their predicament and a willingness to improve their welfare.

Initially, I felt weird about Pi Noy's comment. Why would she tell the villagers that they are embarking on this project to help us, and not their own people? My guess at her rationale is that having been immersed in their socio-cultural setting for so long, the villagers don't really feel motivated or committed to improve things. Hence, it may not be the wisest way if we just give money directly to host communities as they may not be mentally and psychologically prepared to implement changes on their own.

I may be protraying Singaporeans as "glorified flower vases" but I believe that our presence is an adrenalin-pumping stimulus to prod locals out of their inertia or comfort zone. Upon proper nurturing and empowerment by YEP groups, hopefully the locals would feel more gungho and confident about their abilities to improve their society.

Lastly, detractors may feel that bringing up the point about enhanced inter-cultural understanding is superfluous . For if people's basic needs are not met yet, why would they care particularly about befriending friends from another culture?

I happen to think that the feeling of companionship and of being respected is just as important as having your basic necessities fulfilled. And that is, I think, the most redeeming point about YEP. For this programme perceives our host communities not as aid awardees but as people.

Our inexperience and inexpertise regarding construction work is unfortunate (Kudos to more pre-expedition coaching in the works!) but I think it's fair to say that our worth is deemed more valuable than the number of bricks we can lay.