Sunday, July 22, 2007

Heritage Gallery

I'm busy doing my many projects for my course. And fortunately a few more weeks and I'll have my free time. Hurray!! But in between doing my many projects in relation to my course and work, I can't resist to peek here and yeah, to post something. Bakit kaya?




Well, two weeks ago, I met with my coursemates, my groupmates actually. We had an adult field trip. And of course we ate at McDonalds afterwards. Eh, we look like kids yata. That is why they say that ECE teachers are really young looking because we act like kids. Maybe.


Now, can you guess where we went for a trip? Just look at the photos below.



These are taken in the Heritage Gallery of Singapore Philatelic Museum.

So if you are keen to know the history of Singapore and its culture, why not go and visit now. Surely, you will be entertained what with the many facts about stamps and the different stamps on displayed there.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

My MRT ride

On my MRT ride home after my course last night, a lady waved at me. I immediately recognized her. My former colleague and friend. She went to my side and we had a good chat.

It is a nice feeling meeting an old friend after several years. Knowing that your friend still remembers details about your life is more touching. It means that all the time you had been talking and exchanging views were not said in vain for they stayed in your friend's memory. What is more surprising is that details about her came back to my mind in detailed sequence too. I think that is the essence of friendship. You may get lose track of someone but once you meet her again, the happy memories will automatically come into surface.

Well, I am happy for the things that happened to her in seven years the same as she is also happy of what is happening to me now.

Though as she mentioned I look so tired, I am thankful for that MRT ride.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Foreign Talents

My 15 month course is coming to an end in less than two months time and I am feeling so stressed what with the requirements needed to complete it. But looking ahead, I am sure I can have my long awaited break/vacation. And that will be the best of it. At last, I can relax.

Same with my course mates. As we are all anticipating for the completion of our course, plans in the future pop up in our conversations. They also have expressed their plans. I expressed my desire to go to the US, when and for how long my stay will be is not definite.

I was asked / answered “Going back to Philippines?” “How can you leave your daughters?” “After the bond, must go back to your own country!!??!!” With all these questions/answers, I, at times get irritated. I may have shown my irritation in a civil way; still I get upset at times.

Whoa!!! Why do people ask questions and answer their own questions for me? That is human nature and we all know the reason why. There is no point for me to discuss. For this has been happening since day one. All I can say now is that whoever, whatever, wherever, whenever, jealousy streaks will be prominently expressed in different degrees.

Sometimes, I am thinking of the path me and my husband had taken as foreign talents. We did seek and then were presented with options and choices. We decided on the ones we thought would be the best for our own family. We left Hong Kong for a more stable life here in Singapore. We reasoned then that our daughters would have the best education and best opportunities here as compared in HK. We found out that to be true. My daughters were accepted in local secondary schools, made good in their O levels, were allotted their own slots in local Poly , completed their diplomas with flying colours, landed prestigious jobs here while studying for their University degrees (my second completed her degree at RMIT and my youngest is still taking her degree).

Were those opportunities and achievements given in a silver platter? NO. My daughters worked hard for their achievements, considering that Singapore education system is entirely different from the Philippines. So to be asked how come the government accepted foreigners in Poly when they, citizens had difficulty to enter, made me bit my lips in frustration. Isn’t it a common knowledge that to be able to enter a polytechnic one must have passed the O Levels and have good aggregate grades?

And now, when you are faced with statements as if telling you to go back to your own country, what would you feel? How it would feel when you know for yourselves that you have been and still are contributing to the community and the economy of your adopted country? That you became permanent residents years ago because of your own merits? How would you feel when you know in your hearts that this country has been your home for so many years?

Okay, I admit that at times, it feels so sad when questions and or statements were given and pointing on your face that you are just a foreigner here. Well, I should just not be affected by it. I should try to understand them. And tell me, how many people would ask that? Only a few. Mostly, people are just so busy with their daily life in this cosmopolitan state. One thing, I presume that most are aware that we are living in a global world now. And so what if I am just a foreigner?

So I maybe going to the US to be with my daughter, but surely, I know I still have a place here in SG. I can come back. My two daughters are doing well here.




I have to be thankful with what they have. And no one has to remind me to say “Thank you Singapore!”


Sunday, July 01, 2007

On Changes and The Esplanade


I have been to The Esplanade a couple of times already. But as a requirement for my module on Expressive Arts, I went there again last Monday. Together with my course mates, I joined the guided tour where we visited the 1,600 Concert Hall. It has a superb acoustics by world-renowned acoustician Russell Johnson of ARTEC Consultants, USA. It also houses a 4,700 pipe organ designed and built by Johannes Klais Orgelbau. We also visited the 2,000 seat Theatre which spans four levels and in the style of traditional European houses. It has a horse shoe shape that offers a more intimate setting between audience and stage.

I can say that The Esplanade has its unique beauty inside and outside. That was why I took photos of its main structure when we went out. You see, The Esplanade has a twin shells shaped like a durian, a popular tropical fruit and is clad in glass and metallic sunshades.

When I downloaded my photos, I got so amazed. Look at my photos here.


I thought for a while that the colour change was due to the sunlight. It reflected then produced different colours on glass and metallic sunshades of The Esplanade as was captured by my camera. Upon a closer investigation, I came to believe that there was something wrong with my digital camera. My husband bought it four years ago and so maybe its functioning power is getting erratic. Whatever the reason for the end result of my photo, one thing is for sure, it made me ponder about life, my life.

My photo made me realized that there are changes in the colour of life, same as the colour of The Esplanade. I may be seeing people, especially my loved ones in their real colour at this time; I must also be prepared to see their colour in reds and greens the next time. Oh, I must accept the fact that people change. Whether the change may not be to my liking, I must accept that change. And that I should just pray that I still see the beauty and positiveness in that change.

My photo also made me understand that like my digital camera, some things and aspirations/sacrifices have its ending. And when that ending comes, I should accept it with a positive mind.

Well, it will be very difficult to come to an end and realized that what I have been denying since before is the truth. I should accept the changes because it’s the truth, no matter how painful it is. I just hope that come with the changes, some things beautiful will bloom. How? Only God knows.

In the meantime, I should be happy with all those who believe in me and love me in return.