Thursday, July 31, 2008

Grass Preamble

Source: wiki

Zoo will take a hiatus this week thus Grass decided to give an introduction on itself instead.

Grass, the common word to describe monocotyledonous green plants. It came about in the early 15th century from the Old English græs, derived from the same root as “grow”.

Grass-like plants are the most versatile, existing for millions of years ago as food for the dinosaurs. Grasses adapted all kinds of conditions (rainforests, desserts, mountain steppes etc) and can be found almost anywhere in the world.

Most importantly, grasses are important to humans. They are food for the domesticated animals and humans as well as for aesthetic and sports uses. Recently there have been a lot of debates on the pros of being vegetarians. The argument is on the amount of grasses needed to be animal fodder could feed more human beings should these humans be vegetarians. This is because the animals feeding on the same amount of grasses might not be sufficient as food for the same amount of human beings. Guess is partly why the current economic problem emphasis on shortages e.g. food shortages.

Lastly, something interesting in wiki caught the author’s attention.

Grass plays a central role in two important science fiction catastrophe novels from the 1940s and 1950s, Ward Moore's Greener Than You Think, in which the world is slowly taken over by unstoppable Bermuda Grass, John Christopher's The Death of Grass, in which a plague that kills off all forms of grass threatens the survival of the human species.
Source: wiki


While reading this, I suddenly remember an old post where I wrote about Grass waging a war... Maybe I have the making of a science fiction writer after all.. hahahha

Sunday, July 27, 2008

SZ Tale 04

Zoo was slack today. Had a vet morning talk where the veterinarian shared a lot of interesting live stories. The most saddening and gratifying story is about an owl with a closed eye. Usually for such symptom, the vet has a standard treatment but for this case, the vet felt something amiss. He sensed the owl was unhappy and decided to bring it back to the clinic.

He found the closed eye was alright but it refused to open. On further examination, he found something black (which is a dead black ant) and removed it, only to find another of it. In total he removed about 300+ ants in that closed eye. As a precaution, he decided to check the other eye and removed another 300+ ants. Although the owl has been cured, the vet was puzzled how did so many ants get in.

The next day, the keeper found a dead deer at the same location they found the sick owl. The vet pieced up the information and realised the owl might have been startled by the dead deer and knocked itself unconscious. Thus allowing the ants to crawl into its eyes. When the owl woke up, the eye movement kind of cut the air supply for the ants causing them to die inside. This could have caused the owl some discomfort which explains its behaviour.

I have to admit it is an incredible story and one I hope will never happen. And after the talk, one does have the urge to be a veterinarian to help these animals. In the human world, there are many types of doctors, those who own private clinics and earn relatively higher as well as those who work for MSF. In the animal world, there are also many types of veterinarian, those who see cats and dogs daily (haha meaning they also own their own clinics and earn a lot) versus those who work in the zoo. I’m not saying the zoo pays low but it is a common knowledge that you set your own salary when you own the clinic.

So passion and the interest to treat a wider variety of animals (not many veterinarians will get to treat tigers and elephants) play a strong motivation role when one decides to be a vet in the zoo like the speaker. And for that, I have to salute him.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

SZ Tale 03

Zoo started on a Saturday noon for this week. And the first item on list is a Neuro linguist lesson. To summarize, is to teach you how to interact with people via their body language.

Then is dinner and a Night Safari tour. Took the tram ride to the Leopard trail. A tram was specially booked for us and the guide was entertaining, providing us with a lot of information and the reasons that they were hunted. At the Leopard trail, NS guide brought us to visit the clouded leopard, a very lovely and elegant creature.

Saw the slow loris... they moved so slow and steady that you can't help but be mesmerised by them and to slow your pace down too. NS guide shared with us a lot of other facts and myths e.g. porcupine and their quills (porcupine cannot shoot quill - reminded me of a scene in Over the hedge)

At the Bat Mangrove Walk, the bats were free flying and hanging low. These fruit-eating bats were lovely creatures (Still remember writing an article on them in my first website.. wonder where the article is already...)

Sadly, it started to drizzle and we couldn't catch sight of the giant flying squirrels. Sighz and supposedly there was a new addition recently. After that we took the tram back and saw more animals e.g. the spotted deers (bambi?) before saying bye to NS's mascot - Chawang, the Bull Asian elephant.

Back to the zoo, we had supper before taking a night walk in the zoo. It was close to full moon and walking under bright moonlight was a treasured experience. At first I was told that one cannot see any animals because they will be caged up. Thus it was just a walk among the rainforest hearing the ghost stories that the keeper was sharing with us. Was quite upset though on the way back, my friend and I were wondering if the silhouette up on the branch belongs to an animal.

For FPL, decided to stay overnight in zoo, something which I was indecisive the whole day. But by morning, I did not regret my decision because we managed to ask for permission to take a morning walk round the zoo. So happy.. even though we missed the sunrise. And I did confirm that the silhouette I saw last night belonged to the gibbons. Haha, and the moment we passed by, the silhouettes woke up too and started jumping branches... so cute...

Anyway did not catch the sunrise but did took some landscape pictures... near the garden with a view, where Ah Meng was buried. Ah Meng has a good view...



Sunday, July 13, 2008

SZ Tale 02

Grass was quite happy last week because she saw lots of her friends. There were the stick insect, the caterpillar, the millipede and centipede, and many more… The zoo had shown her what was brewing behind the fragile forest. This week, the zoo even brought her to the vet area. Coincidentally, a kangaroo had been warded in due to a limp in the leg. Grass saw the x-ray of the kangaroo’s leg even…

Even more interestingly, Grass learnt that TCM can be applied on animals too and saw a particular famous doctor that advocates TCM on animals. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Grass did not see the doctor in action, though she saw the long acupuncture needle. Freaky!

Grass also had a workout racing round the zoo. Got lost a few times… but there will be a day where Grass will know this place like the back of her hand. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the safari though Grass is highly excited to be introduced to the safari next week. (Please note that the zoo and the safari are 2 different places which houses different animals. It was quite humorous to hear the speaker saying “No, we do not move our animals every day after 6pm from the zoo to the safari”.)

Lastly, share with you a TV commercial of the zoo. Like what the girl says,
"Lots of people like tiger fur, but I think it looks better on the tiger"...



Alternative source here.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

SZ Tale 01

Reviving “Grass Tales” by introducing a new series. For the next few posts, the Grass will introduce the zoo and share interesting mini snippets and short tales.

The zoo has come a long way from what it used to be when it first opened its gates in 1973. The main reason is a shift in focus in the recent years. In the past, the zoo concentrated only on the animals. However admission rates keep falling and the government was removing support. That’s when the advertising strategy decided to focus on people instead, attracting the locals and foreigners to visit the zoo.

The zoo also had a facelift. It is now a model of the ‘open zoo’ concept where animals are kept in environments similar to their natural habitat. Most importantly, the zoo tries to make itself seen and heard in various ways e.g. bus stop shelters (my personal favourite haha)


Source: A slide from "The Colour of Zoo Marketing is Green"

In addition, the zoo advocates on conservation. To them, the colour of the zoo marketing is green as “Conservation without money is conversation only.” So the zoo must make an effort to generate revenue. One aspect is the revamp of the map.


Source: A slide from "The Colour of Zoo Marketing is Green"

To quote what the speaker say, to learn from the best and the best is none other than Disneyland. Thus the map became more colourful and graphical. I think I like the new zoo too…

Lastly, I fully agree with the speaker on this:

You must know them to love them.
You must love them to protect them.

Thus begin my adventure of knowing the animals better, to love them and to protect them…

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Green Carnival

Link: Green Carnival

A website by NUSSU Save. How I wish I can participate its activities... argh the movies are those I want to watch. I must really sit down one day to watch Inconvenient Truth. Resolved!

Seeing how unkempt and neglected Grass Tales is, I have decided to "borrow" that site's global warming tips and spruce things here.

Saving Fuel

* Try car-pooling with your friends and neighbours
* Take public transport or better, walk if the travel distance is short

Recycling

Help save the energy needed to make products from raw materials.

* Support recycling projects in your neighbourhood
* Deposit plastic bottles, aluminum cans and used magazines in the recycling bins on our school campus

Reduce & Reuse

* Print double-sided documents and multiple slides on each side for your class notes. Papers used for printing can be salvaged for additional purposes e.g. drafts and calculations.
* Collect washing machine water to flush the toilet
* Watch the amount of disposables you use. At fast food and takeaway counters, ask for less cup-holders, straws, plastic utensils, sugar and creamer packets
* Keep plastic grocery bags for future use. Or better, bring your own grocery bag instead of using plastic disposables

Saving Electricity


* Use energy-efficient home appliances e.g. light bulbs, air-conditioner, fridge etc.
* Switch off the main electric power when devices are not in use. Don’t leave them on standby and let electricity leak. Take the plug out of the socket when not charging your phone and laptop
* A study in Australia estimated that almost 12% of the electrical bill for a typical home was wasted on standby power
* Clean your air-con filters regularly to ensure that the air con keeps you cool without drawing unnecessary power
* Use less of your dryer and hang clothes out to dry

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Arctic Tale

Links :
Singapore Zoo
Arctic Tale Movie



Singapore Zoo will be organising an outdoor movie screening – the first for 2007.

The movie entitled ‘Arctic Tale’, is an epic adventure that explores the vast world of the Great North. The film follows the two giants of the icy North Pole – Seela, the walrus and Nanu, the polar bear on their journey from birth to adolescence to maturity as they learn about life from their mothers and have to deal with the catastrophic changes in the arctic weather caused by global warming. The film helps people sympathise with the plight of the arctic wildlife.

Narrated by Queen Latifah, the film features music from Cat Stevens, Ben Harper, Aimee Mann, and The Shins.

Details of the screening at Singapore Zoo are as follows:

Venue:
Pavilion by the Lake
Singapore Zoo

Day/ Date:
Saturday, 8 September 2007

Time:
7.30pm to 9.30pm

All donations will go to Wildlife Conservation Singapore Fund (an institute of public character and registered charity).

S$8 per movie pass (minimum contribution).
S$6 per movie pass for 20 or more movie passes purchased in a single transaction.

A tax deductible receipt will be issued for donations over $50.00.
No returns or refunds will be entertained.

Author's comments : I wanna watch... but can I reach the zoo in time???

Sunday, July 08, 2007

GAIA cries for help

Site : SAVING GAIA

“The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future.” ~ Marya Mannes, More in Anger, 1958


Gaia in Greek means "Earth" and is synonymous with "Mother Earth".

MediaCorp is going green this month in an effort to make Singaporeans more aware of environmental issues. In an effort to save the Gaia.

A simple change can create a huge impact to the environment. A little effort from you can slow down climate change and conserve our natural resources.

There are many things we can do by practicing the 3Rs:-
1. Reduce. Just use less!
2. Reuse. Don't just bin it!
3. Recycle. Make it useful again!

And if you don't know where are the Recycling Bins / Collection Centre, here is a map for your perusal.




In fact, the number of such bins position in Singapore seems to have risen over the years. Lately, I keep seeing them around at certain areas of my neighbourhood. And I'm truly glad that efforts had been made to increase the number of such bins. I remember I used to recycle only in NUS premise. Now I hear my mum regularly throwing the recyclable stuff into the respective bins and commenting that sometimes the bins actually got full. Of course I hope the bins had been used properly unlike those I see in Orchard Road. Actually these bins are also bigger than what you find in Orchard Road. I guess they decided to enlarge the bins.

GAIA is crying for help, and I hope we will do our utmost to save her. Ganbatte!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Miss Earth Singapore

Source : Miss Earth Singapore



I never knew there was a Miss Earth, or a Miss Earth Singapore. Well I guess my lack of interest is due to the fact that I probably fail their requirement. Joking! Honestly, I really did not know about it.

And when I saw that mail, I was pretty much amused. I really pondered if these ladies are really saving the Earth. Skimming through the blog of Miss Earth Singapore 2006, I was not disappointed. I saw pictures of her and others supporting the various environment efforts to the extent that they don't mind the "dirty" work. Kudos to that. And maybe is because of her interests in criminology AND psychology that I like her more. Haha.. 2 of my love interests.. plus the fact I had thoughts of joining the Police.. either in forensic science or technology division but these thoughts are still fuzzy out there.

I guess it really is comforting to know this Miss Earth Singapore did fulfil her mission in helping the Earth and not just act pretty. And I sincerely hope the next one do a better job.

Saving Earth is a long and tedious efforts, and knowing that there are so many lovely ladies who are willing to save the Earth, I'm comforted.

Hmm.. and ashamed of my miserable efforts as compared to them haha. I hope to revive Grass Tales soon.. Ganbatte to my next mission of story telling...

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Arborists

Source from : Cuge

Arborists or “Tree Doctors” specialise in caring and cultivating trees.
They have to go around visiting their patients, the trees, and checking their health. Because of them, the number of felled trees has decreased.

Seems like an interesting career. To be able to be an Arborists, there is a Certified Arborist Programme offered. It consists of 104 hours of training and certification.
The Certified Arborist Programme comprises 12 domains:
• Tree Nutrition and Fertilisation
• Identification and Selection
• Installation and Establishment
• Safe Work Practices
• Tree Biology
• Pruning
• Tree, Soil and Water Relations
• Diagnosis and Treatment
• Trees, People and Ecology
• Cabling, Bracing and Lighting Protection
• Construction Preservation
• Tree Risk Assessment
Trainees who have successfully achieved certification will be registered as a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture.
The Professional Certification of An Arborist is valid for a period of 3 Years. A Certified Arborist shall accumulate 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the end of the 3-year period to prepare for professional re-certification.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Earth Day

Site : Wiki

Have not post here for a long time so decided to leave a post on Earth's Day. It is to mark a day to celebrate the Earth. Yeah!

I'm also happy to hear that on the 18th Apr 2007, Singapore had introduced a "Bring Your Own Bag Day". Hopefully this will cut down the usage of the plastic bag.

I still remember I once wrote a story of Grass Tale's new friend, the Plastic Bag. Too bad I did not continue it... Still had lots of pictures that I have not posted too sighz. And now my ideas are running dry lately, maybe it is time to re-focus this blog. Shall see how it goes.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Make Way

Make Way for the urn...














Make way for the track...














Make way for the pavement...














Make way for the football field...














Make way for the cabin

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Slope Deteriorating Health 2

More updates of the slope. It is starting to bald near the stairs too. Sighz sometimes, it is hard to climb up stairs properly =(

Same Spot Not Same Life

We are both besides a zebra crossing.
We are both pointed in shape.
We both have a traffic light stuck on us.

However people do not step on you but they have no qualms stepping me.
However you are safe and protected while I am struggling with the human traffic rushing towards me.
However your grass is thriving while mine is dying.

Same spot not same life. Sighz

Long Path

In the past, I used to pass by a MRT station where one can see a long stretch of man-made path. At that time, I wish to be able to snap it down but I never had a chance to.

Now I no longer take MRT. Yet I still get to see a similar situation in this part of my destination. Maybe it is fated that I should record it down.

A long path that cuts across a wide patch of grass. When I saw it, I felt as if my heart suffered a long cut too. Sighz.

Other Grass Killers

Grass always thought that human are the only one that can harm them. But maybe not?

Bushes that cluster together...
Big trees with wide canopy...

These might block the grass from receiving sufficient sunlight thus affecting their survival rate??? But wild grass has a strong determination to live... they should not and will not be easily defeated.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Grass new friend - Plastic Bag

Grass has a new friend today. His name is Plastic Bag.

Plastic Bag has a gloomy look. He told Grass his sad story...

Plastic Bag was manufactured in a factory for an important mission, to help human being carry their stuff. He and all his family members left the factory packed together. Their aspiration was to be as helpful as possible. They wish to be with their mistress forever since they can be reuse due to their durability.

Plastic Bag first met his mistress in a convenience shop. His mistress has just bought a loaf of bread and his first mission was to hold the bread for his mistress. Plastic Bag was excited at his first mission. He was careful not to make any mistake.
Upon arriving his mistress’ house, Plastic Bag was folded in a triangle and kept nicely into a container. He fervently waited for his next mission.
One day, his mistress took him out to hold some books. The two of them went out to her intended destination. His mistress met a friend and passed the books (together with Plastic Bag) to the friend. Then she left. The friend took the books out and put them into her bag. Then she threw Plastic Bag carelessly on the grass patch.
Plastic Bag was shocked. He had become a litter to the environment. This is the fate that all plastic bags feared. To be abandoned and treated as litter or even killer as plastic bags can be life threatening to birds and marine life. Plastic Bag does not want this fate. But he is too light and helpless to overcome this situation.
Grass felt Plastic Bag’s hurt. He gave Plastic Bag a hug.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Tender Loving Care

On 19th August 2006, the grass besides a MRT station in the East received some tender loving care. It is a medium patch of grass that has been used to showcase a new model of car for the past few weeks.

On that day, the makeshift showroom has been taken down. 2 workers were watering the patch of grass that had turn brown, and doing some planting. It is a heart warming sight. If only there is a photo to depict this scene.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Slope Deteriorating Health

While grass sings happily somewhere in the world, slope sighs deeply. The starting signs of baldness has appeared on him. He has signs of brown circles on him. And the brown circles get bigger and bigger as each week goes by. He has been here for so many years, yet it seems that lately, he starts to display such symptoms. Wonder is it the regular visitors of this year that caused his baldness.

As he ponder whether he had done anything wrong towards these regular visitors, another student decided to climb on him instead of going one big round. And slope starts to frown deeper and deeper...

Grass Revival

Grass is singing today. After months of fenced up, it is now green in health. Hee hee. Never imagine that it could ever see the sunlight ... imagine a few months ago, it keep losing the battle with people, with rain. Imagine the sand invading its territory. Imagine seeing itself grow slimer and slimer (although maybe ladies will be envy of its size that time). But grass's ambition is to be wide and vast. Not slim and bald. So now that it is lush back again, grass is singing a happy tune...