Tuesday, July 8, 2025

My New Birding Adventure


Last Saturday morning, I kicked off my latest hobby—birding—by attending the NParks Heron Watch Volunteer programme. I was blown away by how effortlessly the volunteers identified birds, spotting subtle differences in feathers and calls that I hadn’t even noticed!

During the session, I met an inspiring young friend who’s been bird watching solo since September 2024. In just a few months, she’s become a pro at recognizing countless species.

She also introduced me to Birding Telegram groups, where enthusiasts share real-time alerts about rare sightings around Singapore. I’m already hooked on the excitement of getting those notifications!

Inspired by the group’s passion, I decided to gear up for my birding journey. I headed to Decathlon and invested $80 in a new pair of binoculars to get a closer look at my feathered friends.

I also dusted off my old safari photos from trips to places like Africa and Sri Lanka, creating an Instagram account to share them. My goal is to build a visual diary of all the wild and captive animals I’ve encountered, blending my love for travel, wildlife, and photography.

Yesterday, I visited the newly opened Bidadari Park with my Canon M50 vlogging camera, eager to capture some birds in action. To my dismay, the lens couldn’t zoom far enough to catch anything worthwhile—total fail! 

Determined to up my game, I visited a preloved camera shop today. The owner recommended the Canon Powershot SX520 HS for its impressive zoom, perfect for birding. I traded in my M50 for $200 and paid an extra $47 to seal the deal. I did't want to spend too much on this new hobby, not knowing if it will last.

I tested it out immediately at Bukit Merah to photograph the adorable Red-breasted Parakeet babies, and wow, the zoom was a game-changer! As if that wasn’t enough, a kind gentleman from the birding community gifted me a brand-new tripod. The generosity of this community is truly heartwarming.

Birding has quickly become a source of pure joy, despite the occasional mosquito bites and Singapore’s sweltering heat. There’s something so energizing about being out in nature, surrounded by wildlife. Trading my office wear for running shoes and sportswear feels like a small act of freedom. I’m thrilled to dive deeper into this hobby, chasing new sightings and capturing moments that make my heart race. 


Friday, July 4, 2025

First Week in Class


The first week of class has been a whirlwind of introductions, odd exercises, and a few frustrations, but it’s finally starting to feel like we’re getting somewhere.

 Day 1-3: Getting to Know the Crew

The first couple of days were all about breaking the ice and knowing our DISC profile. We spent time introducing ourselves and sharing why we’re taking the course. It was cool to hear everyone’s motivations—some want career shifts, others are here to level up their skills. I enjoyed the vibe of connecting with new people, but it felt a bit like speed-dating for classmates.

Day two, we had this bizarre exercise where we were split into breakout rooms based on the industry we’re interested in. I picked the government sector. The room was a ghost town—no one was able to share insights about working in that space since nobody was from this industry. It felt like a total waste of time, and I left wondering what the point was. A facilitator or some prep could’ve saved this from being a flop.

Day 4: Sidelined and Annoyed
By day four, I was ready for something engaging, but instead, I got another letdown. We had a group game planned, but only five people could play, and I ended up as a backup. I love games and know I’m pretty good at them, so sitting on the sidelines watching others make questionable moves was frustrating. Honestly, they could’ve set up another subgroup so everyone could participate. It felt like a missed opportunity, and I was left twiddling my thumbs.

Group Dynamics: Not My Vibe
I was also hoping we’d switch groups for each module, but nope—we’re stuck with the same crew for the next four months. My group is one of the biggest, and most people seem super introverted, serious, and overly structured. I’m more of a fun, high-energy person, and I clicked way better with another group during the networking breakouts. They had this crazy, fun vibe that I like. Being locked into a group that doesn’t match my energy is a bit of a bummer, but I’ll make it work.

Day 5: Finally, Something Useful
Today, things took a turn for the better. We dove into structured problem-solving skills, and I’m actually excited about it. The framework we learned is practical and feels like something I can apply to my current project.

It’s refreshing to finally dig into content that’s relevant and actionable. I’m starting to see the value of the course, even if the first week had its hiccups.