Okies, so I am SLOW.... If not for Tony's blog entry, I would have completely missed this chance to post a once-every-4-year entry~~ So, yep. It's 29th February, it's a leap year, and it's the International Year of the Reef.... And it's my zodiac year of the rat! My year!! So here's a real quickie entry to mark today. Proudly presenting a selection of photos taken in the past 6 months or so of intertidal and marine wonderings in Singapore!! All just to mark this special day that only comes round once every four years. *q(^-^)p* Do click on the image below to see bigger sizes on Flickr. Looks much better full sized!
Also, not to forget that it's also the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FROG!! Poor little froggies tend to be a bit neglected since it's IYOR and Year of the Potato as well.
Read more about the Year of the Frog here at Monkey's blog. She has done a nice succinct write-up there.
Never really took note of KAT-TUN's songs despite them being around the scene for quite a while.... And honestly, have only heard of 2 of their members, namely Kamenashi Kazuya (亀梨和也) and Akanishi Jin (赤西仁), and of these 2 I can only recognise Kamenashi mainly due to dramas like Kindaichi, Nobuta wo PRODUCE and Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, as well as 1 Pound Gospel that's currently airing in Japan at the moment. There's just something about his features/attitude that intrigues me. Heh... So I guess it's because of him that I started taking note of the group? Speaking of which, this song is also the theme song for Yukan Club. Don't know about the show but found this song rather catchy. ^^ Pretty interesting seeing how far this group has comed since starting off as a dance support group for KinKi Kids'Domoto Koichi... However, despite the upbeat tempo, THERE WASN'T ANY DANCING in this PV.... Just loads of gothic attire posing... Haha..
わがまま 言ってたけど I had said many selfish things ここなら You know, baby 居場所があったし If you’re here, you know baby, I have a place to be “信じること” 口で言えても傷つくから Because even saying, “I believe” leaves scars 小さな声で優しさ探し歩き I walk, looking for kindness said in a small voice 疲れた羽根でしゃがみこんでいる I’m crouching down with tired wings
No No No You show me the faith No No No, You show me the faith 必ず I'll keep it for you Definitely I'll keep it for you 一人じゃ明日見失うから Because alone we will lose sight of tomorrow 派手に叫ぶのさ Keep the faith Yell it out loudly, Keep the faith
敵無し不可能もなし No enemies and no impossibilities 飛ばすぜ 燃え上がれ本能 Fire it up, let your instincts burn つまらねえ 毎日抜け出すぜ Sneak away from the boring everyday 固い約束さ Keep the faith My solid promise to keep the faith
間違いだらけの街 A town full of mistakes 何かが自分変えようとしても Even when I feel like changing myself in some way おびえないで 心の中は変えられない Don’t be afraid, I can’t change what’s inside my heart 足りない言葉 消えぬ痛み抱え Insufficient words, the clown carries its pain 作り笑い立ち尽くしてる Faking a smile, I’m standing still
No No No You show me the faith No No No, You show me the faith 必ず I'll keep it for you Definitely I'll keep it for you 俺らが灯りをともすから Because we will light the lamp 一人泣かないで Keep the faith Don’t cry alone, keep the faith
その声離れてても 心はこの場所にある Even if the voice goes further away, the feelings will be here 夢見て倒れて立ち上がれ Have a dream, fall down and get back up 全て賭けるのさ Keep the faith I’m betting everything on it, so keep the faith
誰も何も見ない振りで 君を傷つける I hurt you by acting like I don’t see anyone or anything 俺ら側に感じるだろう 君をそこから救い出すよ You may feel us close by, I will rescue you from that
Count down 開始 5 to the 4 The countdown begins, 5 to the 4 Don't touch センサー 3 to the 2 Don’t touch the sensor, 3 to the 2 I don't wanna change da style, keep da faith I don’t wanna change da style, keep da faith 自分のpaceでrace これはGame Race at your own pace, this is a game そろそろ着火 Runaway 1, Lifeをかけた愛撫で Blahh... It’s time to ignite, runaway 1, bet your life on a caress, blahh…
だから近くに… “Sweetie” So nearby… “Sweetie"
No No No You show me the faith No No No, You show me the faith 必ず I'll keep it for you Definitely I'll keep it for you 一人じゃ明日見失うから Because alone we will lose sight of tomorrow 派手に叫ぶのさ Keep the faith Yell it out loudly, Keep the faith
敵無し不可能もなし No enemies and no impossibilities 飛ばすぜ燃え上がれ本能 Fire it up, let your instincts burn つまらねえ 毎日抜け出すぜ Sneak away from the boring everyday 固い約束さ Keep the faith My solid promise to keep the faith
夢見て倒れて立ち上がれ Have a dream, fall down and get back up 全て賭けるのさ Keep the faith I’m betting everything on it, so keep the faith
After a day spent at sea, baking in the sun hard day's work diving, this divejunkie of a fish grabbed a quick meal after a much needed de-salination. Following which, promptly sat down in front of the tv. This time with a notebook and pencil in hand to scribble things down (and hopefully make this week's summary and review a tad bit more coherent. Timing today was utterly impeccable since the screen came on mere seconds before the episodes theme/title came on...
Old Singapore
We are given a quick history 101 by Assoc. Prof. John Miksic (Dept. of South East Asian Studies, NUS) who specialises in coastlines. The few minutes given to him really was an eye opener for me. Hearing about Pulau Saigon (that has since long been absorbed into this large solid mass of land that is mainland Singapore), one of the islands that used to be in one of our rivers, how the size of our shellfish has decreased not so much due to overfishing but more to the overall decline in water quality..... The decrease in fish sizes and the long gone days of amazingly clear waters aren't news to me, largely due to the time spent on local boats, with elderly boatmen who are more than happy to share stories from their good old days. Good to know that a few more people in Singapore get to hear about this not-so-wellknown heritage we have. Liked how he summed up on the connection/outlet to the sea being important to the wellbeing of our modern society.
Focus then shifts to probably the most wellknown of our intertidals, Chek Jawa. Quick history on CJ for those who don't really know about it. Gazetted for reclamation in 1992, saved at the 11th (or maybe even the 12th hour) in 2001 due to public outcry, currently a protected area managed by NParks, status up for review in 3 years.... Zaki's acting as Sue-Lyn's guide this time. Don't know him, and haven't had the chance of meeting him but has a write-up on him here. CJ being an utterly unique area that includes a number of ecosystems, they are kinda all mentioned in this portion of the episode. All with little stories about seahares, garlic bread sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs (aka king crab), crab moults, and tubeworms woven together nicely.
Shawn brings us back to the presence of the past through a series of nostalgic reminiscence of times long gone when Singapore had pristine, clear crystallin blue seas. Times when Beach Road WAS at the beach, when Thian Hock Keng temple had the sea lapping it's steps, when Raffles Hotel attributed its popularity to having a beachfront.... All part of our UNwritten history. After hearing that the actual target audience for this series is actually 15-year-olds, this "hidden" history and heritage of Singapore feels even more important. Especially the need to preserve at least part of it to be passed down for generations to come...
This week's take-home message is to take notes (as detailed as possible with sketches, descriptions, colors etc.) instead of bringing an organism home.... Love to say this while guiding, and I'll say it here again. Take nothing but photos and memories, leave nothing but footprints. Also, taking notes and stuff also help in the learning process of understanding our environment (coastal or otherwise). Definitely of great help for guides-in-training and guides-to-be!
Shawn rounds things up with a story familiar to all of us. How as a child, a simple seashell would seem to hold the sea, beckoning to us.... "Tides give inspiration" How apt that is, even if tides also represent changes.....
Interesting how the episodes start off with an academic, then some form of guided walk at an intertidal area, and ends with a take-home message in the form of how to reduce our ecological footprints.... Super structured, and in a way good to know roughly what to expect when the advert ends. Here's to looking forward to the future with my Draco sp. friend form CJ, and may the tides continue to inspire us even as we reflect on the past that they have observed.... More to come next week!
I may have heard wrongly but I think This new season marks the beginning of a 6 week journey with Dr Shawn Lum and Ong Sue-Lynn as they talk to people and find our more about our shores and intertidal life. A real quick 30 minute slot targeted at the general public with enough snippets of information on our intertidal and marine life, yet rich in messages. Way too general for the usual buncha intertidal/diving enthusiasts that I willingly squander time, sweat and whatever else with. But hey! This show's not aimed at us! In fact, a few of us are involved (or actually) in it!! Did try to memorise the scientific names of critters that flashed by on the screen but there were too many.... There's always my guiding notes for those anyway. ^^
Nice pacing from the start with Shawn introducing little links that tie our lives with the shore, as well as the quick sharing/interview with Dr Beverly Goh. Then we were whisked off to Kusu with co-host Sue-Lynn, to get to where the action life is. The intertidal flats!!! Kusu being one of my more frequented intertidal abodes, it was thrilling yet a little weird to see it onscreen. A quick introduction of the island (which I should take more from to weave into my guiding script...), and off she goes to meet YC, her guide for the day. Interesting how he has this bag with all those interesting (and familiar) looking apparatus hanging that wasn't put to use. Yet another guide that I can learn loads off. Pity they could only fit in a general introduction to anemones, marine snails, and hermit crabs. So much more that we can see!! But for that, I guess you'll have to join BWV on their next guided walk there. Hopefully there would be more critter introductions as the season progresses. Ria has also posted some feature articles on Kusu at the IYOR Singapore blog:
We bounce back to Shawn in the heart of town where he hears a bit more about the marina barrage that is being built (and expected to be completed this year). Also introduces us to the shelled (and not shelved) life that's along Singapore river despite the canalization and all. That's before we end off with the take-home message of not littering and thoughlessly chucking out rubbish since somehow the trash all ends up in our waterways and sea....
See what I mean by rich in messages? Definitely hitting breadth (and as many issues as possible) instead of depth. Stay tune for the next installment next week!!
OKies, I can only understand a smattering of basic Korean phrases from dramas, so not much into Kpop let alone Krock. However, came across this MV and it is a rather attention grabbing song. Music just hits you and comes across as simply PRETTY!!! The MV is rather unusual and I just like the way the different scenes transit into each other. Now, if I could actually understand the lyrics.... (other the the "sarang"s that is...) Anyone who knows Korean interested in translating for me? ^^
잠들지 말아요 아직은 안돼요 Chamdulchi malayo achigun andaeyo 난 여기 있으니 눈을 뜨고 날봐요 Nan yakee issuni nunulkkuko nalbawyo 받기만 했어요 처음부터 항상 Padkiman haessoyo choumputa hangsang 갈 곳을 잃어버린 나로인해 물든 사랑 Kal kosum ilhoborin naroeenhe moldun sarang...
잠들지 말아요 아직은 안돼요 Chamdulchi maleyo achigum andaeyo 난 여기 있으니 눈을 뜨고 날봐요 Nan yoki issuhi nunul kkudo nalpayo 받기만 했어요 처음부터 항상 Pakkiiman haessoyo choumpuda hangsang 갈 곳을 잃어버린 나로인해 물든 사랑 kal kosul ilhaparin narueenhae muldun sarang 이젠 그대에게로 eechaen kudae-e kero.
언제나 함께할게요 이 몸은 당신의 그림자 Onchaena hamkkehalkeyo eemomun tangshinwi kurimja 그대와 함께했던 이곳도 이제는 세느강 저편으로 Kudaewa hamkkae haessdon eekodo eechaenun senukang chopyonuro
사람들이 원하는건 사랑보다 더 큰 변화 Saramnuli wonhanungon sarangpoda datun pyonghwa 다른 세상 그때엔 그대만 사랑할게 난 Darun sesong kutae-en kutaeman saranghalkaenon
미안해말아요 당신이 필요한 Meeanhaemal-ayo tangshini pilyohon 이곳에 남아서 조금만 더 견뎌요 Eekosae namaso chokumman do kyondyo-yo 그대와 함께한 행복했던 시간 Kudaewon hamkkaehon haengbokhaesston shidan 그 기억만으로도 괜찮아요 잠시면 돼 Kukionmakurodo kwaenchanhayo chamshimyon dwae 그댈 기다릴게요 Kudael kidarilkaeyo
사람들이 원하는건 사랑보다 더 큰 변화 Sarangpuree wonahnungon sarangpoda dokun pyonhwa 다른 세상 그때엔 그대만 사랑할게 난 Darun sesang kudae-en kudaeman saranghalkaenan
잠들지 말아요 아직은 안돼요 Chamdulchi malayo achigun antaeyo 난 여기 있으니 눈을 뜨고 날봐요 Nan yaki issuni nunul kkuto nalpwayo 받기만 했어요 처음부터 항상 Padkiman haessoyo cho-umpoto hangsang 갈 곳을 잃어버린 나로인해 물든 사랑 Kal kosul ilhoporin naroinhae mooldun sarang 이젠 그대에게로 Eejaen kudae-e-kero
IT IS HERE IN SINGAPORE!!!! Thanks to Ivan for delivering it to office ^^ As well as making me one of the first few in Singapore to receive it!! *goes into fangirl mode* Rather heavy hardcover book but more nudi photos to oogle and glomp~~~ Photos much bigger that those in the 1001 Nudibranchs book.... Ria of WildSingapore has contributed a number of photos too (and is mentioned in the special thanks!), meaning Singapore slugs have made their mark in the book too!! Quite a thrill to see ^^ Shall I do a review of it? hmmm....
Kudos to Nat for putting this up on his blog. Really strikes a chord in my heart, reminding me that CNY's more about spending quality time with family and loved ones rather than anything else.... Actually, LIFE should be lived this way and not just CNY~~
Was back at Semakau today. Missed diving, missed my coral nursery, so yep, this divejunkie sure was glad to be back in the blue~~ Was high and dry for a MONTH!! Has got to be a record for me....
Anyways, we were out at the nursery doing some relatively much needed maintenance, as well as bring the Once Upon a Tree filmcrew out to video the nursery and Semakau. Just as I was getting back on the boat, the boatmen went "Dolphin dolphin!" And lo and behold, there they were. 3-4 of them grey ones (think probably bottlenoses) were breaching every once in a while as they went with the currents..... The last time I saw dolphins was more than 6 months ago at St John's, so this was a great treat. Both to welcome me back to the sea, as well as an early CNY ang pow or should I say "blue pow"? And there I was telling one of the filmcrew folk that some of us volunteers suspect that dolphins have a 5-day week since sightings have seemed to be on weekdays only.... *lol* Too bad the delphines were a tad bit too far for either my camera or the video camera to grab any decent footage.... Do hope to see more of these gentle and shy creatures since the boatmen keep telling us they spot the dolphins regularly around the nursery when we are down there doing work...
*phew* After all that hustle and bustle of packing and getting things organised and all, our office has now officially moved to our new premises. House 6. No, am not gonna be taking any photos of the place until all the works have been done. We're all slowly settling in. Slowly but surely. Probably have a better handle of things and figure out how to sort out the common stuff after CNY. Works should be done by then also.
In the meantime, am kinda missing the old place, as rundown as it is. Where else would you find such a nice tranquil looking "instant-pond" after a particularly heavy rain? ^^ It only lasted a few hours before draining off though....
