Introduction to Species Identification Workshop

Attended my first Aspiring Naturalist Programme conducted by LKCNHM (which I can never pronounce).

The session I originally wanted to attend was the Dry Preservation Workshop, which covers the steps of preparing a bird for preservation. Unfortunately, I’ll be in Tokyo during that period. I did enquire whether there would be another session, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The session itself was interesting, though I wasn’t particularly drawn to learning about insect DNA. We also tried identifying different snail specimens (nerites) and practiced basic DNA extraction techniques using frozen superworms.

The museum itself is small, but I’d like to return (they gave us a free ticket) to spend more time looking at the bird specimens.

Hopefully, future sessions can be held earlier. This one ran from 7–10pm, and Grandma was understandably very sleepy by then. 😅

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November Here We Go

Nov Week 2:

Mon – Met MD and his sister, who was visiting. We had a lovely lunch at his atas rented DBSS at Pinnacle, then headed back to his cozy place to chit-chat. In the evening, I met SF for her belated birthday dinner, and we went to take some “neoprints” (not sure what they’re called now), as if it were 1998.

Tue – Mom’s place has had a group of blue-tailed bee-eaters visiting her kitchen for about a week now. So exciting to see these migrants! I managed to take some really good photos and felt so blessed and happy to witness these beautiful creatures.

Wed – Gained a new experience riding Anywheel and Hello bikes. It was JT’s birthday, and we spent the day cycling before heading to her place for lunch.

I also finally tried bouldering on a weekday, and what a difference the crowd makes. We’ll definitely stick to Monday–Thursday mornings from now on!

Thu – Went birding (finally!) and saw Little Grebes at Marina. I was quite annoyed by some people who posted sightings but acted all righteous by refusing to reveal the location. Honestly, then maybe just don’t post at all. Thankfully, there were also some kind birders who shared the location with me. Bliss.

And I finally saw the blue-winged pitta at Punggol Park, SO HAPPY! He’s still skittish, and one particular uncle was really rude, chasing the birds just to get flight shots. The moment he left, the pitta came out to enjoy his breakfast, and I was able to take so many photos. He seemed comfortable with us as long as we kept our distance.

Fri – Met up with ex-colleagues for a good catch-up. Yes, sometimes I still need to connect with humans instead of birds.

Over the weekend, I started planning our Tokyo trip. The last time I went was in 2017 — excited to see how much Tokyo has changed! 

It's going to be very busy for the next few weeks as I have the Fraser Hills trip after the Tokyo trip. 

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The Joy of Decluttering

Why Decluttering Feels Like Therapy
During my last work hiatus during the covid period, decluttering became one of my favourite forms of self-care. There’s something deeply calming about walking into a room and seeing space: clear, open, quiet space. It’s like taking a long exhale after holding my breath for too long.

For me, decluttering isn’t just about tossing things out. It’s about creating an environment that reflects how I want to feel on the inside. When my surroundings are chaotic, my mind starts to mirror that clutter: scattered, noisy, restless. But when I clear things on a tabletop and leave it empty, it feels like I’ve wiped a little fog off my mind too. 

I love the act of letting things go:

The old collector toys. Gifts I don't use. The clothes I told myself I’d wear again “one day.” The half-used items I’ve been holding onto out of guilt instead of joy. Each item I release gives me a small sense of freedom. 

And there’s magic in the emptiness that follows.

Empty shelves feel like blank pages waiting to be written on. A new adventure awaits me. Open spaces remind me that life doesn’t need to be filled to the brim to be meaningful. In fact, the more space I create, the more room I have for clarity, inspiration, and rest.

Decluttering has become my way of grounding myself in a world that constantly tells me to want more, buy more, keep more. But I’m learning that the real comfort comes not from the things I accumulate, but from the space I reclaim, physically and mentally.

So yes, I love decluttering. Not because it makes my home cleaner (though that’s a nice bonus), but because it makes me lighter. And some days, seeing an empty corner or a freshly cleared surface is exactly the quiet simplicity I need to feel at ease again.

I have been doing another round of decluttering this week. Finally I managed to find friends to adopt my awesome junk:

• Disney funko pops and jigsaw: SZ and her daughters
• Beauty and the Beast Home Decor and Funko Pops: PY (ex-colleague)
• Starbucks Mugs: AL (for her new house!)

I still have to figure out how to get rid of other items that have no meaning in my life now:

• Playmobils - still left with quite a number of them. 
• Boardgame - a bit tricky, not sure where I can donate or any other friends who may like.
• Dog toys - too many, time to declutter after taking photos.

Things I'm still keeping are my Xmas and Halloween collection. By getting rid of these items, I have more space now for my new hobbies. Surprisingly I don't have much more clothes to get rid as it's something I constantly do haha.

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Bye October, Hello November

Oct Week 4:
ST was away in Japan, so I’ve been pet-sitting. I cut back on birding time, as I’d spent too much on it the previous week. Finally met up with my ex-colleagues; we enjoyed a home-cooked meal and endless laughter at FH’s house. I also engaged her catering service for KL’s birthday bash at my place. Ended the week with a visit to my new favourite spot—Bird Paradise! And I finally sighted the kingfisher I’d been seeking for so long!

Oct Week 5:
An exciting, activity-packed week!

Started with a community nature walk with U/P at Thomson Nature Park. It was my first time there, and gosh, I probably won’t return unless I have a car. It’s not near any MRT station, and the bus stop is a long walk away. It reminded me of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. I’ve never seen so many snakes in one place, so that was a highlight. Instead of the usual bird sightings, I enjoyed spotting other wildlife!

This was a happening week, too, as a rare Rhinoceros Hornbill suddenly visited Singapore! We rushed down just to catch a quick glimpse, in case it flew off the next day. Haha—welcome to the thrilling world of birding.

I also got my flu jab ($28) ahead of the upcoming Tokyo trip. It’s now mandatory for me to take the yearly shot; there’s such a huge difference without it. I catch colds easily in cold countries. Spent some time at the library reading this week too. I’ve been diving into Korean self-help books and bird books. Reading calms me, allowing deeper reflection and greater appreciation for what I have.

On Friday, I went to JB with AC and MG, my first time since 2019. In the past it’s out of obligation, but this trip was for shopping and a massage. I didn’t have much to buy and don’t see the appeal of going frequently unless, of course, there’s a driver. Still, I enjoyed the day with two wonderful friends; that’s what matters.

On Sunday, we celebrated KL’s birthday! It was so nice to see everyone after so long. This was the most relaxed hosting I’ve done—everyone was incredibly helpful with cleaning and tidying up. Especially my little helper, PH. Haha, truly blessed!

Nov Week 1: Attended an AI course conducted by Mr Loo —it was fascinating! Though I’d covered AI topics in the DTCM course, this was far more comprehensive. I gained a clearer understanding of the differences between different AI platforms, learned how to craft better prompts, and discovered Gemini’s powerful features, I’ve already started using it. It was also wonderful to see Mr Loo and his lovely, supportive family. The snacks provided were really delicious too.

Returned to bouldering after a long break while CY recovered from surgery. We tried a Friday afternoon session, and gosh, it was as crowded as weekends! Lesson learned: stick to weekday mornings only.

Spent the entire week visiting Punggol Park in search of the yellow-rumped flycatcher and blue-winged pitta. Why is this park suddenly so happening? lol I’m genuinely surprised! . .

October blurred into November before I know it. Whether through reconnecting with friends, learning something new, or catching sight of a long-sought bird, I’m reminded that fulfillment often comes in small, meaningful moments. Can I stay jobless and just have fun like this everyday?

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