Farms Outing 1!!!

Last Saturday we went on an outing to 3 different farms in Singapore!!! It really feels like some school expedition! Made me really nostalgic and brought tears to my eyes as I thought of the years that are now behind me *sob*. And I think it was something new for the residents too, so I think they enjoyed it pretty much!

There's like not many photos in recent posts, so these two posts are delibrately spammed with photos. Credit to the photographers for managing to take so many shots that do not reveal the full faces of the residents! Okay, maybe they didn't really think so much when taking them. Okay, maybe this is getting too crappy. Without further ado, let the pictures do the talking:

Our first destination for the afternoon was Hay Dairies Goat Farm. It was quite a small place, and we just brought the residents once around the place to pet and feed the goats. I kind of like the feeling the place gave me, sort of like a quaint little corner. And the goats were cute!

Anthony caught poking the eye of a goat

Tze Kong was much nicer to the poor little animals

Uncle Terence later suggested naming the animals after some of our friends who were not with us that day. Everyone agreed unanimously as although they are not there physically, their spirits are always with us.

We named this goat Sinhui

This is Boon Song. Small S commented on facebook that she wanted her Prince Charming to look like this

We christianed this animal MuiKee. It got so excited that it started acting crazy like MuiKee

We called this Ee Hiang. It responded by showing us it is definitely not a creature to be tempered with

This picture reminds me of the alien in the video we will see at the Agro-Farm later in the afternoon (those who saw it will know what I mean)

After we finished petting the goats, we washed our hands.
I look like I'm scolding the residents here, but I swear I was using a fatherly tone

Thereafter, we boarded our bus and proceeded to the next station... I mean, destination!

(Continued next post)

Farms Outing Part 2!!

And so after a short ride, we arrived at...

* TADA* Jurong Frog Farm (located not in Jurong!!)!!!

We first entered a building to watch a video on frogs

Then, the lady frogkeeper (what do you call them?) showed us the frogs and let us touch and hold them! Those adorable creatures! And behind us all that while was a trail of blood that led to a "butchering room", from which we could hear the "tok tok tok" sounds. I am convinced those were sounds made by chopping knifes.

Then we made an amazing discovery...

Shiyun and Algie!!! (Algie on the right, males are more colourful and brighter to attract female frogs)

It was around this time, when the frog were being molested by everyone and passed around like presents, that someone dropped a frog! Pauline then proceeded to demonstrate that she could jump quite as well as the frogs.

Shawn to the rescue!!!

Finally, we were given some frog food to feed the animals, and led on a tour around the farm by the frogkeeper.

What is fish doing in a frog farm? I don't know man, but the video we watched earlier showed frogs eating frogs. So maybe they eat fish too! OMG!!! I always thought frogs eat mosquitoes!! You mean those cartoons lied to us?

As we continued walking...

it started getting darker

Weijian patted his backside at Shawn

And no this frog is NOT sleeping! OMG!! R.I.P. Mr Frog.

And so we bid goodbye to Jurong Frog Farm (which is not in Jurong) and went to our final stop for the day... Agro-Farm (or something like that, it's a vegetable farm)

Yes, Halloween is coming. This will make a nice Jack-O-Lantern

Then we made another shocking discovery...

Ken and Fanny!! (The one on the left looks more masculine, so I assume that's Ken)

These veges are called butterheads. The vegetables on the farms are grown by having moist air enriched with nutrients circulated in the space where the roots of the veges reside (at least from what I gather). The veges are really green!

Thereafter, we were ushered into a room to watch a most exemplary video. After that, we went out to the reception area for food! Super healthy snack of vege drink and salad.

Our volunteers then showed that they possess an amzing repertoire of skills again. Anthony and Baiwei demonstrate below that they can fit in seamlessly into any zhi cha stall as their waiters. Truly Outstanding.

It started raining as we were eating, so everyone took out their brollies to shelter the residents from the rain that was splattering in.

I thought this shot looks funny. Kelvin seemed like he was thinking of some sweet memories.

Vice-Chairman blatantly abusing his powers as he gets 3 people to shelter him while he enjoys the cooling refreshments.

Since it was raining, we couldn't go for the tour, so we went back to the room where we watched the video, and YY and Kelvin led everyone in singing a most creative song!

Residents look like they enjoyed it!

Weijian and Jinfeng from CSC Main Comm came down to join us! Ghim Hong too (not in this pic, so I presume this photo was taken by him)

Finally as the rain turned into a drizzle, we brought the residents out group by group to the greenhouses with our umbrellas.

Wow. If only I were a rabbit or cow. I will love this place.

A little show of friendship and camaraderie from our residents! Well done!

Kong Pok! I swear I'm getting good at recognizing residents from their back views.

Finally, we were given a little pep talk about the veges.

Looking at this poster and the video we viewed earlier, I don't know whether to commend them on their creativity or applaud them for their lameness. Sometimes the line between the two just stretches so thin.

And that is the end of our day! Yeah! Last official visit for NUS CSC this sem, but visits coordinated by TH are still ongoing! Continue to come every Saturday!

Wei Chung

Sharing Day, Programmes, Volunteers, Trainees and Aging Issues

Today was sharing day lo.. well since some of u guys cldn make it, jus lemme share some pointers then.sharing day revolved around 4 topics, volunteer issues, programmes, trainee and aging issues.On volunteer issues, hosted by our RO chairman Charles, we discussed about what draws people to volunteer at MINDS MYG, and likewise the reverse, what dissuades them to come volunteer with us. Factors discussed include the guidance offered to 'newbies' during their first few trips down to the project, debrief sessions after project every week (which is apparently present everywhere else except amk, we simply dun have the habit :P well maybe cos we're the only one open on sunday), and also how other projects might try methods like allocating charismatic trainees to new volunteers during their first visit so that they can have an easier first time.

On programmes, which was hosted by Theng Ngee from RO, he led the groups to discuss about possible programmes and collaborations with external bodies like Special Olympics (Special Os) and Very Special Arts (VSA), feedback on ACID and more. i heard something interesting contributed by TH chairman Ken, who asked if we are planning programmes to suit our wants or because the trainees need it, in other words, planning has to be a fine balance of wants vs needs. there's definitely more, jus that i cant recall all now after a day's work, and my not being there during the conclusion.. haha, maybe ct,yuying, xizhen or my bro can fill in the blanks lo.

On trainee issues, hosted by Hua Chin, we shared about what we cld do when trainees get lost in public or stuff and also things we cld do to prevent such stuff from happening too. this is a thorny topic basically, cos it's hard to prevent normal ppl from getting lost when travelling alone, much less our trainees. Most projects do have some kinda tags like we do lor, that's probably about as much as we can do on our parts when we take them out though. some ideas suggested were to inform whatever transport operator whenever we're going to places like interchanges or along the mrt lo. i gotta admit this issue quite hard to come up with fresh ideas.. any ideas to share?

And finally on the issue of aging which was hosted by Hua Fang from EP, we concluded that aging isnt an issue or case, it's actually a process that's constantly ongoing. Various groups shared different opinions on this issue, and what i feel are interesting points are suggestions of a new project with both volunteers and trainees constituting of elderly, which is an example of peer partnership, ie two elderly are likely to mix better than an elderly and a sec sch kid, and also outsourcing of programme planning to other organisations that are involved in the eldercare sector like TOUCH community and so on. There were also queries on workshops on eldercare.

well, this is abt all i can recall for now, i believe there are many blanks that i've missed out during the conclusion session, but personally i found it quite ear opening too. hope u guys who went today enjoyed the interactive session, and maybe more will go next year :P

xh

Stanzas and sketches

Here's a little poem that expresses my sentiments (and I suspect, the sentiments of many a volunteer) with regard to volunteering.

Alas, I am afflicted with the mugger blues

With upcoming tests and assignments to do

Time is limited, should I pray?

Can I afford to go for the visit today?

If I do not, there will be one volunteer less

Perhaps I should go, it is for the best

It is surprising how a visit can brighten up your day

And chase some of your anxieties away

But now and then, we all need some time out

To handle heavier workloads, or just to chill out

It is alright to spend some time away

We will see you around again another day!

~li ming