post expedition reflection

Based on your experience in the many activities we organised in Cambodia, what would be a highlight(s) for you? Why? Please elaborate.

Well, for myself, the interaction with the kids, both the older and the younger ones. Their smiles are so priceless. One moment I remembered the most is definitely balloon sculpturing. The moment I brought out the balloons, the younger ones went crazy. I had never done so many balloons in my life, it was like the peak of my balloon sculpturing career! I may be a big guy, but I’m a guy who really like kids, animals and environment. LOL. So seeing the kids all crowding around me, or even doing the sculpture themselves, their style, made it highlight of the trip. I miss pierre!! And moses, tu, ninja turtle boy and two of his brother. (I’m really bad at spelling names so I hope I get them right.)

Were there learning points during your trip? What have you learnt? About yourself, your fellow expedition mate, Cambodia, orphans, etc.

I believe one of a more significant one for me is having a conversation sok che? I can’t really spell his name but me, zheng yi and kaming if I didn’t recall wrongly had a small talk outside the toilet, while feeding the mosquitoes. He said about how he is plan to study and work at the same time to be able to fund himself for studies, accommodation and feeding himself. We told him how tough it is going to be to juggle both work and studies. And he reply he know, but he have to deal with it. The type of perseverance he has is a lot more impressive compared to mine ,completing marathons, it felt like it is at a whole different level. And that made me feel small. I believe a pillar strength that motivates him is definitely his younger brother. So I would say it made a change in me, sort of a role model, learning his attitude and perseverance toward challenges ahead.

The theme of this expedition was 'Challenge your perspectives". Did this happen? Did you have a new insight? Or do you now have a new perspective?

There is this store manager I had during my time at nike who talked about perspectives. I didn’t quite get it then. He to gain perspective, the only to see other what is outside your comfort zone and compare it. He said it in a very beautiful way which I can’t and remember what he said, but he did explain everything in terms of a business. But back to the topic, I feel that I am now more tolerant, definitely more appreciative in life. At least now I try my very best to finish everything from my plate then do extra laps, then to waste food to cut myself some slack, because I feel that the food we have is really good food. Also, I personally feel it, to give to fortunate than to receive.

Call to action. Do you feel you have contributed at the expedition? Would there be future expeditions for you? What are your plans (related to community service). What does the future hold for you?

I do feel that I contributed at the expedition. I believe the whole Cambodia team did. Simply being there for the kids, giving attention to them already made an impact or at least made them happy. I hope there will be future expeditions for me. I guess I could start by volunteer myself at the elder care centre near my place.

I really like the whole trip. I really like our whole team, not just group4. I really like the people there, including my cute Cambodian wife. I’m glad I made the right choice by trusting my instinct to join this trip. The ONLY PART I HATE is the stupid sandflies, I can deal witht eh mosquitoes but sandflies are like 100times more scary.( I’m really afraid that the scars will not go away!!!) but having said that, if I were to get to go again, I would definitely go, but I wrap myself up like how Ms Lai did.

I did this in wee hours, so I hope my sentences flow and what I wanted to say came out right so that you all can fully understand how i feel. With that I end my post here. Good night.

Signing off
Cutest guy in the team. You guys know I am!!

Post-Expedition Reflection

Hello! Hope everyone is well & kicking & none of y'all are sick & itching! I am here again, & proud to be the first yet again! (: (:

Coming back for near 2weeks, I still have so much running in my head, & still have so so much stuff I wanted to pen down. But problem is, I never managed to find a word, a phrase or a sentence so suitable to describe how I felt. It wasnt something I could pen down in words, but rather something I have experienced; & if given another opportunity, I will do it all over again & even better! Yes, that's Cambodia & YEP for me.

To the reflections:
a. Based on your experience in the many activities we organised inCambodia, what would be a highlight(s) for you? Why? Please elaborate.

Housebuilding. soap distribution. interactions with the kids. They were all highlights, none outweighing each other.

Housebuilding was something so so new. Before embarking on the trip, I totally thought I am building a house using bricks, like the ones in our sunny island. I harboured the evil thought of making the guys do most of the work as well. Opps! HAH!

Then, when ii arrived in Prey Veng, it was an eye-opener. I never thought it was possible to stay in houses made of bamboos & palm-tree leaves. Never was the word. It reminded me of "three little pigs", & I concluded how vulnerable the house would be. But I was absolutely wrong. It was strong, it housed the 20 of us from the blazing sun, & the sweltering weather. Then, I saw how everyone wanted to do a part to complete the house, I saw the amount of hard work each & everyone of us put in, & it made me want to do as much as them as well. Being small & petite really isnt good, for the first time. Carrying the 4 walls, my existence felt insignificant, for I really don't make any difference. Still, everyone (knowing that I made no contribution) encouraged me.

Soap distribution. Soap making was probably something I will never have a chance to put my hands on again. It was new, it was fun, & it fascinates me. Soap distribution felt good; maybe it is the smiles we received in return. We saw the grateful faces from the villagers in awful living conditions. Then again, looking at the dirty kids & bad sanitation & living conditions, it really doesn't feel good. Soap distribution was the time we put Khmer language into use, probably more use (such that I can still remember the exact words clearly). :D

Interaction was the kids was awesome. Awesome, probably isn't even strong enough a word. I learnt so so so much from them.

b. Were there learning points during your trip? What have you learnt? About yourself, your fellow expedition mate, Cambodia, orphans, etc.

About Cambodia. I seen the living conditions in 3 different cities: Phnom Penh, Prey Veng & Siam Reap. Difference was significant. I saw the living conditions & their economic developement (if even we call that economic development), & comparing it side by side with that of ours, we are really really much fortunate.

About the orphans & myself. They are the ones that made a significant impact on my life. Maybe like what Mr. Ben has said, "Because of the love we put into giving, we received much much more in return." I couldn't agree more. For once, I felt myself putting in more love, effort & try to understand these children, in return, I learn so much more from them. Each of these kids have a story to tell, & I saw how sometimes they were mad at themselves & how some felt so much more inferior. I saw how they took their studies so seriously, & saw how they have big dreams. I saw how they were struggling to have a future & how some girls have the intention of turning to prostitutions. The reality there, is that cruel.

Nonetheless, I love the simplicity of life over there. Many of them were contented with what they have now, & I think this is the kind of mentality us (Singaporeans youth) would never be able to achieved. Not that we did not want, but our living environment does not allow us to. We were constantly reminded to outshine each other & compete for the limited universities placings. The fast-pacing society gave us no room to slow down. I love the life I have had in Cambodia, defnitely will miss the place & the people.

About my expedition teammates. I learn how different people, with different personalities come together, work together to achieve a common goal. I saw how determined each & everyone of us was, & was grateful that we were there for each other when help was needed. We shared about our lives, & understanding each other better as a result. (: (:

c. The theme of this expedition was 'Challenge your perspectives". Did thishappen? Did you have a new insight? Or do you now have a new perspective?

This expedition has definitely widen my perspective & in fact, change it. I learnt to appreciate others & life better. I learnt to cherish the people around me, tell them how they matter to me. I saw the importance of people whom I never thought was significant, & I learn to treasure. Also, less good food now. (:

d. Call to action. Do you feel you have contributed at the expedition? Would there be future expeditions for you? What are your plans (related tocommunity service). What does the future hold for you?

In terms of contribution, I think I have lighted up the lives of many, at the least, I have seen many smiling faces over my 12 days period in Cambodia. I am glad I did not back out of the trip when all my friends withdraw, & I did not regret one bit going for this expedition. I made a difference (it may not be big) in their lives, & they have made a even bigger difference in my life.

Given another opportunity, I would still go for future expeditions & if possible, I would want to lead my own team for such expeditions, allowing our future generation to appreciate life better.

All in all,
through this expedition, I learn too much, too many. Every little things we done together was a team have made a difference to my life. I am glad & I am grateful that I am given this excellent opportunity to embark on this trip, & in turn making so many great awesome friends.

georgiana was the first. (:

Hi guys! Although Ben Cho excused felina and me from doing reflections due to our last paper a day before our departure, I felt the need to still do my reflections and so I did it on the flight to Cambodia and stored it on my phone. Here it is:

• Going to Cambodia, and on a personal level, what do you hope to achieve? (Give at least three different objectives)

I hope to have growth in the area of discipline - I think that regardless of the ideas and skills which we have, they are all nothing without discipline.

I hope that there'll be many unforgettable and memorable experiences to be had both educational and personal.

I hope that we'll be blessed with a smooth trip without any bad incidents.

• On my own, have I made a concerted effort to find out more about Cambodia? Its geography, history, culture, politics, economy? What can I do about it?

I watched The Killing Fields, a 1984 Oscar-nominated film. While the movie is not entirely factual, after all being fiction, it is still based on the true and horrifying events that occurred during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.

I also learned that it's very hot in Cambodia now due to the dry season.

• What are your fears going on this trip? Elaborate.

Fear itself. Because I believe in overcoming fear itself, there is nothing left to be afraid of.

Reflection entry 2

• Going to Cambodia, and on a personal level, what do you hope to achieve? (Give at least three different objectives)

I hope to lose weight!!! NO kidding
I hope to take lots of pictures. To capture the moments we have together in Cambodia.
I hope to spread love!!! Give back in life, and to see all the smiley faces of the kids!!!

• On my own, have I made a concerted effort to find out more about Cambodia? Its geography, history, culture, politics, economy? What can I do about it?

I did read up a bit about Cambodia.
Head is considered to be the most important part of the body. So do not touch their head.
Feet are considered to be the dirtiest part of body, so do not point your feet at someone.
Do not ask anyone to come by gesturing with the index finger, it is very rude and to them is have sexual meanings behind it.

• What are your fears going on this trip? Elaborate.

The only fear I have is to be homesick. From past experience, I will definitely be homesick, but it will go away after awhile.
Also, please go easy on me with the balloon sculpturing, I have not done it in like ages, so please bear with me.

• Do you have any suggestions?

Nope. I'm totally psyched up now!!!!!!!

daniel was here. ciao.

ps. georgiana i definitely will!! hopefully i'll be awake.

hello! :D :D
(ii cant believe ii am the first to be doing this reflection post in my group!)

stinky examss are over! :D :D
ii am 24hours away to the airport. & ii am suffering from pre-departure syndrome now! hello guys, it's 2.29am, and look, ii am hell hardworking drafting out this post ok! :D

anw, to the point.
on a personal level, leaving singapore is a getaway from the stressful society. always wanted a getaway, be it to relieve stress or other personal reasons; to let me think about what ii honestly want in life, and recover. providing services to an orphanage is like stepping out of my comfort zone, a new challenge for me. from the entire trip, ii hope to come out stronger as a person on a whole, and know how lucky ii am to be leaving in our small island. ii want to make more people in my life smile.. (: (:

on my own, ii honestly haven't been doing a lot of research on cambodia. but well, ii think ii know a bit of each and everything? ok, ii don't know. it's 2am, brain isn't functioning well. brain needs to take a break, since it's post exams NOW! :D :D

FEARS. a lot, a whole chunk of things ii am worried about. BOO!
ii am leaving alone, without my (close) friends. two of them have withdrawn, and so ii am all alone. ii am glad actually, that ii have got 2 awesome guys in my group, who have been giving in to me & helping me with tons of stuff. :D :D thanks daniel & reynard!

den, ii am worried about stepping on landmines. HAHAH!
they say there are a lot of UNdiscovered landmines. BADDD.
ii am worried about the shower conditions, & sanitation. but well, ii am going there to help, ii shouldnt be expecting the comfort ii am receiving at home. (: (:

georgiana was here. :D
ii am gonna end here. wanted to insert a picture, but cant.
ii will try coming back to this space to insert if possible, & ii have the time. (:

SEE YOU ALL AT THE AIRPORT TOMORROW. :D :D

P.S: daniel, please CALL ME at 2.45am to ensure that ii am awake & kicking. :D
(if you are free.)