Volunteer Caps On: Part 1

Stuck at work on a rainy thursday evening. Since we haven't updated this recently, will kick-start the blogging mode again (ahem bernz Ilene and gor).

This Saturday, Ilene and I will volunteer at the Singapore zoo for the elephant parade. Not as grand as it sounds - no elephants will be walking parade style.

There are these elephant statues around Sg now with unique designs (elephant with zebra stripes, peacock feathered one, a devil elephant, angry birds themed one and much more). Think that will be up for auction and the money will be for a good cause. Assuming it's for elephant welfare.

Since we are fresh volunteers, we attended a training workshop last last week. Learned about so much stuff on elephants. But we already did our google research before that so Ilene and I know some stuff already.

Early morning training (9am Nov 12 2011)

Both of us won a prize during an ice-breaker game - an SG Zoo post-it haha

As volunteers, we will entertain the park guests and explain to them cool facts on elephants, inform them about how they are being threatened nowadays and how we can help.

We will also have some specimens with us like elephant molars (did you know they only have 4 molars at a time and will only have 6 sets in their lifetime??) sad thing is most elderly elephants die of starvation when they already lose all their molars :(

Molar of a baby elephant!

We will also show people their hair strand which is amazingly thick! Sample of their ear skin, and even their dung!!

Lots of stuff to learn and memorize. Hopefully this Saturday both of us will do a good job of being elephant ambassadors. *fingers crossed*

Random thing to share: there was an area near the auditorium we trained in where bats sleep. Very lucky they found their hiding place!

“But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” - Carrie Bradshaw

One of my favorite pastimes ever since moving to Singapore 2 years ago was to discover the city by myself. It was something that I forced myself to do because I simply dreaded going out by myself in Manila. I always worried about what I would possibly do when I'm only with myself and what people would think of me (ayyy, loner? :D)

One of my greatest discoveries was seeing myself grow from dreading being alone to enjoying my own company. Tonight was one such night where I strolled off to have dinner by myself at a non-descript Italian restaurant at Taka, Domani.

If you're doing this for the first time, be prepared to see THAT look on people's faces as if they pity you for not having company. You'll soon realize that their looks of pity is a small exchange for the enjoyable time you'll be having with yourself. After all, if you can't bear to be with yourself, how can others bear to be with you?

Tata,

Bernice