danny's POST YUNNAN reflections

Hi guys, Leonard's back!and Leonard's not very hap...

Lets invert all the rainbows in to colourful smiles.

The days we had, the songs we sang together…

Post trip reflections

aT tHe dAwN Of rEaLisAtiOn

Really very pre-trip reflection!!

ACM Trip

Last few hours. Feelings feelings feelings.

Reflection on the internal workshop

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

Songs We Sung

I miss Yunnan!!

We are back in Singapore for 3 days already but I am still not quite convinced that the trip has ended, because my heart is still in Yunnan, with the kids in Tu Qiao!!=( Now I am having much difficulties reverting back to my old usual routine.

Before we embarked on our journey to Yunnan, my life only revolved around tutorials, television, computer and music. But after this trip, my mind is only filled with the thoughts about Tu Qiao kids and the experiences I had gained in Yunnan. Also, now I had learnt to treasure my family and the people around me more. I feel like cooking for them everyday! Hehe

I miss waking up early everyday, trembling non-stop while brushing our teeth. I miss cuddling around the fire stove with you all. I miss eating potatoes for every meal. I miss plucking corns in Tian Cao's house. I miss interacting with the children. I miss the relaxed and slow-paced life in Yunnan. I miss staying up late at night to camp for shooting stars. Basically, I miss everything there. But most importantly, I MISS ALL OF YOU GUYS!!

To begin with, I do admit that it was rather hard for us to adapt to the living conditions there. It was quite a drastic change from Singapore to Yunnan. The weather and temperature in the morning and at night was unbearable. The stench of the toilet and the fact that there are no doors between cubicles were also quite difficult to adapt to. However, we managed to survive through it! And now, come to think of it, there was actually nothing much about it. I had been able to adapt to the living conditions there quite well, taking into account that I was still able to shit almost everyday..haha

In fact, I had expected something much worse than what we had for the past 14 days. The stay in Tian Cao's house was totally like a "class" chalet! We had so much freedom to the house. I was quite taken aback by the way the people there treated us. They were too hospitable, generous and humble! So much so that it makes me feel find of awkward and 'paiseh'.. I feel that our presence there had imposedmuch trouble for them, especially Tian Cao's family, because we were staying in their house for 1 week, creating inconvenience for them.

Staying in Yunnan for 2 weeks had changed my perspective of life. It had made me realise that leading a simple life can be equally as happy, or rather much happier. We need not have much material possesions in order to be happy. We just had to be contented with what we have and treasure everything around us, especially our family and friends:D

The most memorable experience gained throughout the past 2 weeks was those days that we had spent teaching the children in Tu Qiao Primary. They were very proactive and enthusiastic when attending all the lessons that we had for them! There was never a time where you would see them dozing off in class. They really treassure every opportunity they have to study. The thing that struck me most was the response that one of the parents gave during home visits : "I would do anything for my child to study, regardless of how expensive it might be or how heavy my burden would be.." I was quite ashamed of myself thought. I had always taken education for granted. Sometimes, my mind just wandered off halfway through the lesson. But from now on, I weould remind myself about the children in Yunnan whenever my attention span in class is running out. I shall take them as my role models! =p

I feel that we had all grown to be much more independent after this trip! Cooking for 30 people was a totally new experience for most of us(not mentioning home econs lesson in Sec Sch..hehe). We had learnt much cooking skills from one another, with some specialising in cooking, while the others in cutting the vegetables. Everything would not have been possibe without the teamwork within the groups. After cooking and eating, we would also have to wash the plates and stuff ourselves. Washing of the dishes was quite a breeze, but having to withstand the cold temperature, trembling our way through while washing was the main problem! But with the encouragement and support that we had rendered to one another, we managed to survive through it. Now, we had all matured and are more responsible.

I was rather taken aback when everyone seems so willing to share their secrets and the significant events that they had undergone to the whole team. But I was very pleased with the injection of life journey sharing session into every night. The sharing sessions had allowed me to know everyone better, bonding us closer together. Before this trip, we were like 'a plate of loose sand', the strength that holds us together is just too weak! But now, we are a block of clay that has already hardened, because we had bonded so close together, and it would be hard to break us apart! =) I believe that the force that is holding us close together is the happy moments that we had spent together in Yunnan for the past 2 weeks!

This trip was truly an enriching and a fruitful one. I am really glad to be part of this L.E.G.O team because I had gotten to know a bunch of really great friends! And I am sure that the friendship that we had made would last for a lifetime!

A big thank you to all the three teachers and the entire team for everything when we were in Yunnan! <3

Rock on LEGO!!!!

Cheers,
Yvonne:D

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