What more can I ask for =>

Do you think you have everything in the world??? Think again, the answer is YES...

If you are thinking that you should have a better life, then you are wrong. As compared to Sabah, we are living in luxury.
We tend to overlook simple things in our lifes, education, living environment, lifestyle, water supply, electricity and the convience in Singapore.
Having vehicle is a must in Sabah, walking is not an alternative to me though. Travelling from place to place is tedious.

The most memorable day in Sabah was a rainy day. The place where we stayed nearly flooded when the sky started pouring!!! I am thankful to the person who invented windows at that moment, but unfortunately there was none there. We were preventing the rain form coming in with everything we found usable. And we were glad that the rain finally stop after few hours.. =(

"Never judge others as others are judging you as well."
"Do I have the power to judge them?"
These two questions are constantly in my mind, before I make any judgement of a person. I had learnt it from Mr Phua and Ms Faizal in the facilitation session during the trip.
And it had helped me since then in my work for my CCA.

ServeSabah05

mann..this is the second time..somehow the previous entry didn't appear and i didn't save it..=(
anyway, here's my entry..

We were all having our dinner when.. ...hey! who switch off the lights? went to the switch..*click click* then i realised that its actually a blackout..As i seldom experience blackouts in Singapore..(i think the last time was when i'm in primary school =P) the blackout in Kampong Kiau, Sabah seemed to be much darker..perhaps its because to don't get to see busy streets filled with automobiles (with their headlights on of course) here..then we continued with our dinner with only our torches..and of course you can really see what u're eating..okie..this experience actually taught me teamwork and consideration..you see..its almost impossible to eat if you are holding your plate, spoon and torch at the same time..there, you will get some kind souls who will sacrifice their eating time and help you with the torch.. =) hmmm..next moment when i'm about to wash my dishes, i realised..there's only a few drops of water coming out of the tap! haha..water supply is cut..Initially, i would say i had some difficulties adapting with the lifestyle there..but after 2 days, i began to realise that its actually quite fun.. =P i would say it taught us patience as well as vigilance..lol..to be prepared for any unexpected happenings at all times..

okie..let's just imagine life without light and water in Singapore for 1hours..hmmm..still quite alright huh..let's say it lasted for 4 hours..haha..i guess many people will be cursing and swearing already..lol..what if this happen for a few days straight..i think the government and any other companies supplying electricity or water would have received tons of complain letters.. =P what i'm trying to put across here is that Singaporeans are very blessed..however they don't see it..but instead they hope and expect more..in short..they take many things for granted..oh! let's talk about the flushing system..In Kampong Kiau..flushing is definitely a hassle..filling up buckets of water when the water point is not directly beside the toilet..(inconvenient) and when there's a cut in water supply..oh great! haha..u can't flush the toilet after using it even though you want to..but no one in the team complained..However, in Singapore, its a different situation..people don't even flush after using it when they can easily flush the toilet by only pushing a button..i guess they expect the sensor to do the job for them yah..since so many things in Singapore are automated..let's talk about bathing in Kampong Kiau..Firstly, you don't get your almost unlimited supply of water like you get in Singapore..but instead, you fear that you might not have enough water to bathe..or the water supply suddenly cut halfway when you're bathing..i made my personal record by using only half a bucket of water to bathe..with soap and shampoo of course..=P Secondly..you don't get warm or hot water there..no heater and such..haha..lastly..you only have a source of light from the torch when you bathe at night..Sounds tough or inconvenient huh..? but let me tell you something..i've enjoyed every moment of it..it's seriously fun, challenging and even exciting =P.. through this trip, i've also learnt many things..such as not taking little little things in life for granted..but appreciate them..to be more considerate and most importantly, happiest is not determined by wealth or status..but is determined by you, yourself! =) this is definitely an enriching, unforgettable and life changing experience..if i'm given a chance again, i would love to go back there again..and i'm sure the rest of the team feels the same way too..trust me..i received more than what i've given to them..and im glad that i went for this trip.. =)

and oh..not to forget the nice, caring and wonderful friends i've made in this trip..especially when i'm very ill for the last few days..haha..thanks for your care and concern..i also wanna thank Ms Faizah and Mr Sonny Phua for their help and concern when i actually left my bag in Senai Airport..lol..Definitely a huge lesson learnt.. =P Thank you team ServeSabah05! haha..you guys rox! =)

pictures!

Our Garden
Village kids and us locals
yeah!
CLifford the cutie pie

SABAH AFTERMATH

While at Sabah, I realise that the basic stuff like having a washing machine around, would make my life and my friends so much easier. I realise that we tend to neglect or not see the importance of such simple basic stuff, I cant live without it now.
Fridge: There wasnt any fridge in Sabah, so whatever we ate had to cooked straight away, like vegetables and stuff. I realise we didnt eat any fish cos the village was so far away from the sea, that ttransportnig them would make the fish turn bad. So we ate salkted fish instead. Theres no fridge man.
Bed: I missed my house bed so much while I was there man. But it was so suprising that I could sleep on my sleeping bag for so many days. Probably cos I broughy my full size pillow there as well. My luggage was the biggest of all man. I brought a freaking huge trolley bag.
washing machine: We had to handwash our clothes, and some tmes, wash clothes for others, includind socks and panties and underwear. Hmmmmmm, some left their paper panties and underwear with us too, they forgot to throw it away. It's nice sitting outside in the garden under the sun, on a little stool and a traditional wash board, scrubbing away with our clothes, with chickens and roosters running around, getting horny with each other, serious......Roosters esp...horny birds.
shower handle: There is a pail in the shower cubible, combined with a little bowl. Sometimes when there water shortage, I am only left with 1/4 pail to wash my entire body, and amazingly, I can be clean by just using that amt of water. Serious, it sounds so unbelievable, but the thing is it can be done...I am clean after that too. No soap residue left, clean..
water: Water is so essential, whenever the water comes back in the village, everyone gets so happy and estatic well, especially me, and i would gather water in the kettle and go boil it, cos everyone seems so thirsty. Water guys, is so damn needed.
Kadazan Dance: I miss the dance, the traditional dance we learnt while at Sabah, we danced at the wedding and also the fare well event. I love it. Its like half mamy and indonesian inpired dance and the music is more indonesian inspired I guess. Kind of remind me of Bali.
white water rafting: I would wanna do water rafting again, although I know it will make me look tanned and dark after that...so ugly. But It's worth it man. I enjoyed myself so much, the guide would pour and splash water on us, I got pulled down twice down the river....man...it's so fun. I love the more mad rides, when its going down rapids and stuff.
Fire flies: They look so stunning, like christmas trees along the river. Lighting up the entire tree. They're green when they light up.
Stars: At night, there would be millions of stars up above our heads, We did star gazing once and it was so nice! Millionsof stars, its noting I've ever seen before. It's such an amzing sight. Theire unbelievly bright.

SABAH PART ---- 2

Oh well, over there there was a tribe wedding where the bride and groom would be dressed in their own black traditional costumes. And they would be taking pictures and shaking hands with everyone. Over there, I sang Perchayala, A malay song by Siti Nurhaliza with my malay teacher. The stereo wasnt that perfect and I could hardly hear myself. Everyone thought I took malay instead cos they cant imagine I could sing a malay song....I happen to adore that song by the way.
I did White water rafting over there....I would love to try that again, cos of that, my body has been darker and my thighs are sunburnt. Now I look tanned, I look so dirty being dark, I feel as if I'm covered in mud man.
Went Probocis monkey watching and saw millions of fire flies lighting up the trees while sitting in a boat, making our way through the meander. The monkey watching wasnt all that great, there's just so far away and all I could recall was the continous outflow of engine fumes(carbon monoxide filling my lungs) I was just too near the bloody engine, I felt like puking.
Now I am not afraid of bugs....I kill them.
I rememered on one occasion in the Kampong where there was this sickening huge green coloured insect which looked like a grass hopper or something, flying into the house cos it was attracted to the flouresant light, I reached for the insect repellent and just sprayed hysterically while it was flying and it was so funny, cos I think I sprayed some on my friends hair. I was actually aware that I was making a fool of myself, not thinking of where I was spraying.
I have lost weight yet again haha....haha...haha....I love it.
Over there I learnt how to do curry puffs, filled with sardines and hard boiled egg. And also Nasi Lemak haha. I will try that soon in Spore.
I miss Sabah, I miss the slow pace of life there, I miss the fresh air at times. Over there, my skin is better and I dont get haedaches, there isnt humidity, just the scorching sun, reminds me of the australian sun...
I would go back to that place again. This time its to climb Mount Kinabalu. Over there Mt Kinabalu was right outside our back yard, the view was absolutely amazing and clouds would float rite into the kampong and in minutes, mist would cover the streets and pavement. And it would feel like heaven. My friend caught me dancing with my towel, in the mist. I find it hysterical thinking about it haha. I felt like a kid.
I have learnt a lot about myself too. I have learnt that I am a great swearer, I have a foul mouth. Swearing just goes on an on for me. I have to stop it. No 'Fuck' word for me now. I curse at the smallest thing.
I realise I cant' sit still. Somehow, I just have to go to the kitchen and wash some dishes, or clear the tables. My hands feel so rough now due to the continuos work. It looks and feels like my grannies. Washing my clothes outside with a wash board and surrounded by chickens walking around, trying to drink detergent water, was lovely haha. It feels so kampong.
Flushing our pee and shit was a new thing for all of us cos there is no flush, so we use a pail with a container instead. Every time when we needed to go we had to ask a friend along and we had to make our way thru the mud and grass juat to let it out. So some of us had constipation. We didnt drink enough water.
I got bitten by countless stuff, mosquitos definately, ants and bugs. While sleeping in my sleeping bag sometmies too, I do get bites. I have gotten dark and hate the colour now. Although some saty I look so sporty and I now look even more like a tennis player.
Overall, I would do everything. I adore it.

Sabah

What can I say of that place....tons I guess. I just dunno where to start and what to say next, cos my thoughts are all jumbled...I had too much fun.
The whole 18 of us had to keppe a journal and we had to update it everyday, it's amazing everyone would write essay-like journals on books religiously everyday.
On the day I came back, it was about 2.30pm and the first thing I did was to eat Char Kway Teow. For such a long time, I could have some decent food. I'm not saynig that food over there sucks, but we had to be in groups of 5 and take turns to cook for the whole team, so we had to cook for 21 mouths, inclusive of the teachers. Food cooked by students, what do you expect?
The first thing I did when I reached home was to rush intot he toilet to soak in my tub for a full hour in essential oils...I guess while living at the village in Kampong Kiau Taburi which was about 2 to 3 hours away from the Sabah town Kota Kinabalu, I had a feeling everyone were showering themselves with natural water, hardly filtered. Taking a long shower and getting clean was the firs thing on my mind which I had to do when I get back to singapore.
Showering time: I shall tell you more about showering time. I would also upload pictures in my next entry or whatever. Seeing pictures would be much better than me trying to describe how the shower area looks. The water we had to pour on ourselves feel like water coming out right from the fridge. It's cols, plus sometimes, the wind would blow thru the creaks of the doors, dam cold but totally refreshing after that!
Electricity and water shortage: Everyday in the kampong, we experience blackouts and water shortages, sometimes there would be no water the whole day, and only at night the water would come back. So cooking and showernig was always the problem. I guess It's due to the dry season now. Our team had to buy kerosene lamps and candles and conserve water in pails as well. Candles are soothing and so lovely actually.
Every night, once we got out to our garden, we would be surrounded by a sky of bright stars twinkling away, It's amazing and it's often misty in the village cos it's located up hill and clouds would flow in and the roads would be totally misty. From the village, we are able to see the lovely view of mount Kinabalu, Every single day. It's grand, it's massive and it was a humbling sight.
Everyday, at 1am or 4am, the rooster outside our garden would call out. The timing is rather weird, I guess the bloody roosters should be retardeds or something. theres a thing bout roosters that I've learnt, once a rooster calls, another rooster would call, and at other homes other roosters would call out, It's like a chain of rooster callings and it gets rather irritating but its our natural alarm clock. We wake up around 6am everyday. We are surrounded by village stray dogs literally covered in fleas and ticks and roosters with little chicks running around shitting everywhere and eating any let over food they can find.
The village people look rather chinese and surprisingly they are fairer compared to the malays over at Kl side. I guess it's cos of the weather too. Theyre conservative people too, and most of the population are actually christians, the village is made up mostly of the Kadazan people.
http://www.sabahtravelguide.com/culture/default.ASP
I'll update soon..resting time.

I miss the life there.. =P

*click click* hey! who turned off the lights? haha..then i realised that no one turn off the lights..its actually a blackout..somehow, i felt that the blackouts in Sabah seem darker as compared to Singapore..oh..or maybe its because i don't or seldom experience blackouts in Singapore..okie..Then we took our torches and continued with what we were doing..and the next moment, we realised that we lost our water supply too! oh great! no electricity and water..okie..let's just imagine life without electricity and water for erm..let's say an hour in Singapore..hmm..still quite alright yah? okie..how about 3 hours? haha..people will be cursing and swearing already..What if this occurs for a few days straight? i guess the government or which ever company that supply water or electricity would have received tons of complain letters..=P

to me, life in Sabah is the thing that impacted me the most..(eh..meaning staying there excluding factors like activities, people, etc) In Singapore, people seriously take many things for granted..water and electrictiy will be good examples..i remembered there's once, certain part of Singapore experienced blackout..next day, it hit the headlines..however, in Kampong Kiau, Sabah, its a nom! no one talks about it, no one is unhappy.. Oh! and the flushing system..its really a hassle..filling up buckets of water constantly..when the water point is not right beside the toilet..and when the water supply is cut! woah cool..haha..you want to flush after using, but you can't! However in Singapore, some people don't even flush after using the toilet when they can easily push a button. (they expect the sensor to do all the job for them yah?) another thing would be bathing..firstly, you don't get your almost unlimited supply of water..but instead, you fear that you might not have enough water (water supply cut halfway when you're bathing) i actually set my own personal record by using only about half a bucket of water to bathe myself (i did use soap and shampoo..lol) =P secondly, you want hot/warm water? fat hope! =P lastly, you only have a source of light from the torch if you bathe at night..Another thing i wanna touch on would be the sleeping part..you only get to sleep on the floor..initially, for the first 2 days or so..i couldn't sleep because i always have this nice comfortable bed back in Singapore..however, after 2 nights, i began to sleep like a dead pig.. =P to summarise what i've learnt..i have learn to appreciate many things in life (even if its small) and not to take things for granted, to be more considerate and happiest is definitely not determined by wealth or status..but its determined by You! urself..and oh! not to forget..bugs aren't that scary afterall.. =P Lastly, the message i'm trying to put through here is people in Singapore are really blessed, unfortunately, many of them don't appreciate what we have here..and oh! what i said above might sounded erm..tough or inconvenient, but let me tell you..i enjoyed every moment of it and im sure the rest of the team felt the same way too..its not only an unforgettable experience but also a life changing experience..in fact, if given a chance, i would love to go back there again.. =)

Through this trip, i have made many fun and caring friends!! especially the last few days when i'm very ill..haha..they are so nice and caring..=) In addition, i would also like to thank Ms Faizah and Mr Sonny Phua for their help and concern when i actually left my bag in Senai Airport..lOl..really a huge lesson learnt..=P Thanks for everything team ServeSabah05..you guys rox! =)

A few weeks ago before the trip, i was feeling very nervous and discouraged when many of the participants start withdrawing themselves from the trip. However, on the very first day of my trip, excitement overcomes all worries and happily the 18 of us together with Ms Farizah and Mr Sonny step on a life changing experience.The long distance from Singapore to city park inn at kota Kinabula did not wear us off, instead we were all filled be extra energy to shop for the items needed for our 14 days stay at Kampong Kiau.My very first lessons that i learnt in Sabah are don't expect the food, service ..etc to be of the same standards as in Sinapapore or better or worse than in Singapore.Next, when crossing the road there, be extra super careful because the cars may honk at you but will never stop for you unlike in Singapore.TThe very next day, we set off for kampong Kiau.We reach there around 1 plus and the scenery there was simply so beautiful, you would never expect to find that in Singapore,it's like surrounded by clouds and the air was simply refreshing.The place that we will be staying at for the next two weeks was like a big hall, with a small little stage and two little rooms.. there's a kitchen too. Everyone was busy unloading all the stuff and tidying up the place.Some put up the curtains, some wash the utensils while some were busy seaching for place to hang our clothes ..Me and xiao pei helped them to tie up string from trees to pole before helping to clear up the kitchen.The cabinet inside the kitchen was super dirty and we doubt we can put anything it..then we moved on to help the others wash the utensils .. wow..there's a lot of things to do .. but with all our effort.. we managed to do up the place fast :P After bathing, we were happily preparing for our very first meal at kiau and guess what? the lights went off! My very first time in life to eat without light.. but it was fun :) Second day of the trip, i start to miss home but at the same time, enjoyed myself .. i can't sleep on my comfortable bed and no blanket for me, cockroaches and weird looking flies disturbed our sleep almost every night .. spider and frog was like hiding and sleeping with us.. wow.. all these .. nothing like this will happen in singapore. Now, then i know how fortunate i am.. and really appreciate mum and family, my bed, my computer..my everything in Singsapore!On the third day, we had a discussion on why we want to be here.Most reasons given were to learn different culture, the importance of teamwork..etc.. We also discuss why SIF want to sponser us, their ulimate aim is for us to be an active citizen.. i will remember this in heart :)For me, i want to be here because i had never been to such trip before, and my friends, seniors and families encouraged me to take up this chance.I believed that this trip will be meaningful and i want to be challenged mentally and physically.It will be a great exposure to the outside world and i believed there will be many valuable lessons waiting for me.This is also a chance for me to experience the different kinds of lifestyle and to get to know friends who share the same value as me....The rest of the days was like a routine..getting up early to wash my own clothes ..using my hand and not washing machine of course.. breakfast will be prepared by the duty group.. if the kids come to visit us, we will play games with them.. like horoscope, catching ..etc..The kids were so cute and innocent..little things could just bright up their days.. reflecting back on myself..perhaps i should learn from them.. learn to be more relaxed and don't always stress myself up..Forgot to mention that we encountered water shortages almost everyday.. around 5 or 6 plus there will be no water and around 6 plus.. the lights will be cut off.. by as the days goes by...all of us has already got use to it.. so it was not a big problem after that. :~)We visited some attractions there.. like the poring hot spring and Mount kinabula park.Some of us agreed to return to Mt kinabula park and climb it after graduation..We got to know a guy there, steven, he seems like our tour guide , always bringing us around.. he was one of the fews who could speaks English and so there was not much problems communitcating with him.He told us that the people in the kiau are interrelated and therefore they can't marry each other. He also mentioned he works as a mountain guide which what most of the villagers work as and if we really want to climb the mountain, we can always look for him.Finally, we were called upon to work..our job is to build the foundation of the kindergarden. We moved the bricks and planks up the slope by forming a human chain.The villagers helped out during one of the public holidays there.. they were really efficient and for just one moring, they had the structure of the kindergarden up.That was during the tenth day.That day, we also planted tropica with a wood indicating our names.They told us that the next time we visit kiau, we will be able to see the plant.We helped to move the cement and paint the planks too..it was really fun to be able to do all these..although the weather was hot.. i believe everyone enjoyed themselves.We were invited to a traditional wedding as well.. their wedding was very simple .. their main event is ktv .. it was really different from what i see in Singapore..it was really special.My fourteen days at Kiau was very memorable.. the days passes by quickly.. the culture night they specially prepared for us really makes me feel touched.I can feel the performers effort in putting up a good show.They really treated us very good during the days.The villagers shake hands with us to bid us goodbye.. i was too sad to say anything..sooner or later we will have to say good bye.. but the memories will always stay with me.. the peaceful and independent life i experienced, the nice and friendly villagers..and sabah team! i will always remember them.

Sabah on my mind

Well this is what i posted on my own blog right after i came back.

A lot has happened since I came back from Sabah, but comparing all the little thing I have done there and the little things that I have done here, the things I did in Sabah is almost incomparable. Serve Sabah 2005 has been a life changing experience. Though it is the most important experience in my life, it has certainly helped me grow and mature.

Not many would have known this. I have a problem talking with girls. Yes I have a problem talking to girls, just being around them felt awkward and no I’m not gay, I like girls and now & then I still have crushes on sweet looking girls. I just found it awkward. Awkward not because I am sprouting rubbish but awkward because there is an unbearable silence. After coming to Poly, my whole had almost been in a total mess. No, my results were acceptable, I had a CCA and I had rather good friends in and out of school but I always felt that there was something missing. I always felt empty and thought that the problem was there I didn’t have a partner who could share my joys and woes. But in actual fact, the problem wasn’t that. It was me, I was very much insecure and wanted attention, just like a kid. The trip has helped me find my confidence, don’t mistake it for arrogance because it’s not.

One more thing about being in Sabah was it taught me not to continuously pursue material goods. So what if you prosess such things, will it make you happier. The trip has taught me to make do with the things I have. After I have returned to Singapore, I have to say that I have not on the heater to shower, not even once, not even when I’m showering at 12mn.

There was something interesting about that I discovered about Singaporean. That is the way we reacted to people crying. To me, crying is nothing to be shameful. It is not a sign of weakness. It however, is evidence of our humanity, our ability to feel, and to let people know how we feel. We are just human, not robots

But like everything moment in life, all things will eventually come to an end and so has my 17 days in Sabah with a family of 20 distinctively different individuals.

Greg

A good 2 months after the trip, I have to say life is Sabah seem so much like a dream as compared. A life where the pace is relaxed, finding joy in the simplest things in life(admire the beauty of Mt K. and a smile from the kids) and not the hectic and rushed lifestyle that we live each day. Where our schedules are packed till the months ahead.

At Mt Kinabula Park:)













Fanastic view just ouside the place we stay..

I miSs sAbaH

yeah.. nice that actually they have this blogging stuff so that we can blog here.. Well, firstly i muz thanks the teacher in charge who actually gave me a chance to go there and taking care of us.. thanks a million...

I miss everyone who i had known from the trip. They are kind, helpful considerate and many more... I also found some 'click' from the trip..

Well, from the trip, i have learn hw to be independant, caring and a lot of basic knowledge.. I also learn more about their culture. Even though the people from Sabah don't come from a very rich family, but they can still be very happy.. Their life there is very relax and wonderful. However, there were also some points that we should take note. After the trip, when i reach back to our own hometown, S'pore, i have learn to save electricity and water. This is because in Sabah almost everyday there will be water and electricity shortage. Therefore, i can conclude that without electricity and water is very difficult for us to carry on with our day to day life. From the trip, i also learn that the people from kampong Kiau are very close to each other. They would definitely help one another if anyone need any help.

well i will stop here.. if there a chance to go there again, i would definitely go there again..

My Reflections (:

First of all thanks to Ms Faizah and Mr Sonny Phua for shortlisting me for the Sabah trip. It has definitely been an experience that I would never forget; even till this day, I'm still missing the place and would go there again if I had the chance to do so.

Ok I am also happy that I have managed to make new friends from both the Sabah team and the locals itself. One thing that amazes me is their preservation of culture. As we can see there are a considerable number of them who make the effort to preserve their culture even though they might be exposed to the world outside. For example: Almost all of them knows their traditional dance hehehe I can't even perform malay dance properly (;

And another thing from my experience of interaction with Ethel one of the locals whom I taught simple English, is that our system of enabling us to be effectively billingual really should not be taken for granted. I mean how many times do we complain when we need to study for exams and complete assigments rite? hehe

Oh yes and I do really appreciate the smaller things in life right now after my trip to Sabah.

That's all for now; take care all!

Haizah (;

Welcome

Hello Everyone! This blog is specially set up for participants of Serve Sabah 2005. A joint project by Singapore International Foundation and Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Business and Accountancy.

We had a fantastic time in Kampung Kiau, Sabah in April/May this year and hope for the spirit of teamwork, togetherness, compassion and courage lives through in our memories. Special bonds were created and new frienships have emerged. Let's keep this blog going!ya...


Love
Ya Facilitator
Faizah aka "Mummy"