Volunteering with a purpose
August 30, 2010
Since I was fourteen, I have been volunteering at various institutions in Singapore. Though there were times where I was not able to be active volunteer, I try to always be signed up with an organisation and help whenever possible.
So far I have volunteered at the National Museum of Singapore and Melbourne Museum. When I was in Melbourne, I missed volunteering and hence I was more than happy to volunteer at Melbourne Museum.
So why do I volunteer?
I love the feeling and satisfaction of making someone’s day. I tend to prefer working with children, due to my more animated nature. However, I have worked with adults before and a simple thank you and smile can totally make my day!
I also love acquiring knowledge. Going for training sessions with museum curators, learning how the exhibitions were put together, the problems they faced etc, brings life to the exhibit! I share these small pieces of “gossip” with visitors to the museum. It is information like these that makes a seemingly lifeless exhibition come to life.
But museums are boringgggg!
Gosh! So many of my friends have told me that. When I tell them that the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) is practically my second home (due to the large amounts of time that I used to spend there), they give me this aghast look.
Okay, it does not matter where I volunteer, or whether I am lousy at the subject matter or not. What matters is that I am passionate about what I do, which in turn spurs me on to improve myself. Am I lousy in History? Yes. Did I let it stop me from being a docent (guide) at NMS? Heck no! I did my research, went for trainings and made sure that I was a competent guide.
If I were not passionate about what I did, I would not have bothered to volunteer in the first place!
What’s next on my volunteering agenda?
Wellll. I have signed on to be a volunteer at National Art Gallery’s City Hall Open House event. I have submitted an application to Eco Singapore, hope they get back to me soon! I tend to sign up as a volunteer alone, as it can be hard to synchronise schedules with friends and not everyone might be interested in the same causes as me.
Oh! In case any of Gerard’s friends are reading, I am open to helping out with Scouts stuff as well! So as long Gerard is helping out too. But I will not register as a Scout hor!
Educating yourself online
August 24, 2010
Chancing upon the Open Culture site was like uncovering a goldmine of educational information.
It has frequently updated (as claimed by The Chronicle of Higher Education) lists of free textbooks and free online courses, sorted by subject. The courses are from reputable universities, such as UC Berkley, Yale and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Happy learning!
— via Alyssa Milano
Worried
August 16, 2010
Sure everyone is worried about something. If it is not this, it is that. Or am I mistaken?
Me?
I am worried. Always. Well, most of the time.
I guess it comes with being the eldest, and a protective one at that. Outwardly I might not show anything, but inwardly, gaaaaaah. That is the best expression of how I feel. Or maybe, I am just a worrier.
I am currently in the midst of typing a letter. And I am very very worried. So worried that I had to stop typing, and blog out my worried-ness. Silly me.
Okay, no time to waste. I have been writing this letter out in my head for weeks. About time I get it over and done with. The jittery feeling can come again later.
Unemployed equals bad?
August 12, 2010
Almost everyone that I have announced to that I am unemployed, have given me almost the same few responses. Horrified, concerned, worried. Then the inevitable next question, “Are you looking for a job?” I mumble something unintelligible in reply. Then I get the “oh what job are you looking for?”, “you must look for a job!” etc.
It has since been a few weeks since I last left my job and already I sense the general disgust that I am still unemployed.
Seriously?
When I knew that I was going to be unemployed, I announced my relief and my desire to rest for a month or so. I had thoroughly exhausted myself, but no one knew except Gerard. I was running on pure willpower and looking at everything with deadened eyes. The day before my last day, I was so excited. The carbon monoxide-filled air suddenly felt fresher. Silly really.
Though I do appreciate that the people around me would like to see me contributing to my country’s economy, I wish that I were allowed to at least take a refreshing break, sans hostility.
Is it so awful to be unemployed? I do not intend to live off my family. I have worked and stressed myself thoroughly for the past few months. I jumped straight into my job after graduation. This timely break has given me time and space to think, reflect and ponder. It has allowed me to pursue hobbies that I was unable to. I am of course less busy and stressed than if I were to have a job, but I am not wasting my time.
Do people equate unemployment with bad because you are not earning money?
Well, I think so.
The Story of Cosmetics
August 10, 2010
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a short video describing how the beauty industry works – they do not care what goes into their products (some toxic ingredients). The bottom line is what they worry about.
Please watch the short video. It is eight minutes long and please watch it to the very end. It is not only for people who use cosmetics, but for everyone. This is for anyone who uses soap, shampoo, etc.
Especially for my Sis, who likes to paint her nails with nail polish. I nearly gagged at the smell after I used her nail polish (a very reputable brand). The smell lingered on my nails for an entire week till I got rid of the polish on my nails.
Oh and the Environmental Working Group has created an online cosmetics safety database called Skin Deep. Check out the products that you are using. I need to change a few of mine.
Plus, check out Eight Products You Think You Need – But Don’t. Lip balm, aftershave, foot cream, toner, body scrub, leave-in conditioner, shaving cream, body wash. Shocked? Yea, so was I. Especially since I swear by lip balm, leave-in conditioner and body wash.