::first off, wanna give a big Thank You to the cyclist who helped out, that kind taxi driver who got us to SPCA and of course Jack who I couldn't do without..
its already past midyear, offically making Singapore 41 years old.. today or rather, yesterday was the national day celebrations which all schools around the island would have.. covered the ceremony at assembly, launch of the fund raise fun race by the MP, together with Kian Hwee.. then passed the cam to the others for the fun race itself.. were suppose to go round the heartlands, collecting donations and at the same time, a fun race..
well, we started off at Boon Keng area.. suppose to go to the various checkpoints on the map to answer some questions about Singapore.. then something quite heart-breaking happened..



we were walking along St. Michael's road to our first checkpoint, then Simon pointed out something in the drain.. at first we thought it was some piece of rubbish or something, then on closer inspection, it was actually a pair of kittens.. thought they were dead already, cos they were in a very bad shape and not moving.. felt real sorry for them but then the class had moved on to find the checkpoint, so went after them.. returned to the same spot after that..
this time more people were crowding around to see, saw some movements, confirming that they were still alive.. just felt very uneasy at that point in time.. Jack told me that the mother will come and pick them up or something.. then just thought to myself, in this state?? its quite obvious that they were either abandoned by their mother or some irresponsible pet owner left them there.. stayed there and watched while the rest of the class moved on.. Jack was trying to get me going, did walk abit to the main road.. he tried to persuade me that we'll come back later to check on them, but I refused.. then two phrases from the MP's speech this morning came to my mind..
If not me, then who?
If not now, then when?
just can't bring myself to leave them there like that.. damp, dirty and weak.. and to think all my other classmates just walked off like that.. thats so typical of a Singaporean.. "Hiya, someone else will do it one lar.. not my problem what!" have we been raised up so pampered and cared for by the government that we just don't really care anymore? come on, I'm sure you have this thought that crosses your mind once in a while, "Nvm lar, garmen will take care of it one.." especially during SARS, bird flu and in the threat of terrorism..
got Jack to help me get SPCA's number, then got their address.. Jack was still quite reluctant to help out, so just walked back on my own.. as I approached that spot, felt as if my heart was getting heavier.. what if because of me, they died.. what if.. then heard a faint meow as I got close..



just dropped by stuff along the pavement and got over the railings.. Jack came after me sometime later where he clumsily got down.. one false step and thats the end.. had another T-Shirt in my bag cos actually wanted to go direct to Marina for the fireworks.. Jack didn't want to pick them up, so got him to hold that T-Shirt while I got them out.. dried them partially with the T-Shirt when a cyclist passed by.. saw what was going on, then offered to help out by showing us the way to the nearest vet.. Jack helped me carry some of my stuff while I carried them in my hands and followed him to the tunnel under the CTE.. could feel their little hearts beating though the shirt.. held them close hoping I could provide some warmt.. lost him after we came out of the tunnel..
Jack asked a jogger nearby whether he knows where it was, but he didn't.. then called his friend who lives in the area but he didn't know as well.. so we thought it was best for us to bring them to SPCA direct..
flagged down a taxi, but as soon as I tried to get in, he waved his hands signalling his disapproval and just drove off.. another taxi behind saw what just happened and literally stopped in the middle of the road.. luckily there wasn't much traffic so we boarded that cab.. unlike the previous taxi driver, he was much more friendly.. chatted with him on the topic of charity as we drove off..
he gave us a small anecdote on how he was fetching a passenger one day and he saw an old lady on the side of the road carrying cardboard boxes.. so he stopped and gave her $2.. just the expression on her face, and knowing that he had at least secured her one meal.. I mean, its this small things in life that really go a long way in brightening another person's day.. I'm sure we had brighten his day.. he donated some coins into our tin and even offered to only charge $5 even though the meter said $6plus..



handed them over to the reception, where they placed them in a basket.. signed some forms for offical purposes.. this is probably just one of the thousands of animals brought in I guess.. so I don't think its anything new to them.. watched as the personnel brought them away.. just this sense of relief and satistfaction all mixed together overcame me.. guess I have to go buy a brand new shirt..
took 158 back to Serangoon.. the bus passes Maris Stella, so Jack was telling me all those kids were our little Jun Ans and Tiat Mings.. took the train to catch up with the rest of the class.. coincidentally, they caught the same train we were on at Farrer Park.. the class gave a big welcome back to Jack.. and me? Tricia didn't even know I was there until she ask where I was..
somehow, I feel alittle like those kittens at times.. abandoned.. just waiting for somebody to find me.. somebody to show me care and warmt.. just somebody..
the class went on to complete the rest of the race, while I just stayed behind, following them.. tried to lose them and see if anybody noticed I was gone.. Jin Hao turned back and noticed.. even though I don't like his mocking/imitation of me at times, at least I now know.. he's been getting together with Min Jun again, after an initial period of them not talking etc.. ended the race at Tekka Centre, where we got the cans weighed..
even though my can was not even one eighth filled, it felt full.. full, knowing 2 lives were saved.. full, of a greater good.. took the train back to school after that, where the hectic pace returned.. cover the event in the hall with Kian Hwee again.. a performance by our indonesian friends, the usual singing of national day songs and a prize presentation.. classes were locking arms together swaying along with the song..

Home

Whenever I am feeling low
I look around me and I know
There's a place that will stay within me
Wherever I may choose to go
I will always recall the city
Know every street and shore
Sail down the river which brings us life
Winding through my Singapore

Chorus:
This is home truly, where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me, where that river always flows
This is home surely, as my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone, for this is where I know it's home

When there are troubles to go through
We'll find a way to start anew
There is comfort in the knowledge
That home's about its people too
So we'll build our dreams together
Just like we've done before
Just like the river which brings us life
There'll always be Singapore


For this is where I know it's home
For this is where I know I'm home

I'm sure if you heard this song when you're overseas, you'll probably cry.. went to the com lab to review the pics taken today.. there were some very nice shots by Sarah and Veronica, of the MP going around the heartlands, greeting the residents, their facial expressions..
the gals were at the bubble tea shop playing photohunt.. asked if any of them wanted to watch the fireworks also..Michelle graciously declined.. Min Jun replied, "If you want, then go yourself lor.." in a depising tone.. turned around and walked away.. the rest of the class were going to Jin Hao's house to watch some movie or something.. went home to get another shirt.. thought of going there extra early to get a spot, but fell asleep as soon as I laid on my bed.. only woke up a few minutes to 6..
rushed to the Esplanade to meet up with them.. there was a large crowd gathering as usual.. they actually came quite early but they didn't get a nice spot at the waterfront, so only got a space on the floor..


didn't get any spectatcular shots as the fireworks were partially blocked by the people standing infront.. saw quite a number of people touting dSLRs there.. quite tempted to get one after seeing what they can do.. esp the bulb exposures.. waiting for Canon to announce its sucessor to the 350D and I'll see how then..
waited at Dhoby Ghaut for Gloria, Regina and Adam.. since they were also taking the NEL.. saw Melissa with her friend, tried to get her attention but she didn't notice.. missed 3 or 4 trains before finally saw them.. lost them in the crowd but unwittingly alighted at the same stop as them at Serangoon.. they took the lift while I took the escalator.. lost them yet again when I reached the top..
somebody find me please...

Labels: fireworks

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.:JeReMyChAn blogged on 1:37 am:.
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