I realised I haven blogged for a long time when I look at my last entry! These few months of work at school has been so hectic that I can't put myself to spend time to write blogs. I'll rather use the extra time I have to read the big pile of newspapers stacked on my shelf or get more sleep. However, Candy has been reminding me to keep on posting and not leave the blog stagnant. I must agree that blogging can help me to keep track of the interesting events tht happened in my life, since I don't have the habit of writing a diary. That's why I've decided to write down my thoughts after attending a 3 day 2 night Singapore Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Camp.

I've not heard about Tzu Chi until recently when I went to the Jurong Medical Centre near my house for a blood donation drive, organised by the Singapore Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. It was a plesant experience to receive the warm welcome and gesutres from the volunteers from Tzu Chi, which really came from the bottom of their hearts.After the blood donation, it was actually quite late if I were to go down to Tzu Chi hall at Pasir Ris for the donation of the blood sample for the bone marrow. However, the volunteers made it possible for me. If there is someone who is willing to donate, they will be willing to make the necessary arrangements, even if they are obviously tired. I can see that the auntie who drove me back and fro is tired but she still continuously thanked me for taking the time to donate.

I've attended a few camps throughout my schooling life,Pri 5 school camp, Outward Bound Singapore and even went on overseas trip for community work (Youth Expedition to Thailand Surin). However Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Camp is definitely a special one. People may think that the camp is all about lecturing you on the buddha teachings and their way of life and telling you how great it is to be a buddhist. However, this camp is not. We played games, sang songs and acted in dramas and from there, we learn the morales behind the activities that we participated in. It was all on the true meanings of life, that we have to appreciate and treasure what we have (our beautiful earth, our parents etc) and we have to contribute what we can to make this world a better place 人要知福、惜福、再造福.

It is very heartwarming to know the compassion relief of Tzu Chi. They have four major missions--Charity, Medicine, Education and Culture. They take part in International Relief, Environmental Protection and community work. They are not the ordinary volunteer workers 义工 (who only provide voluntary service at certain times when they are free and when they feel like doing ). The Tzu Chi people call themselves 志工 , because they see helping others as a passion. They are willing to contribute their time and life without wanting any forms of gratitude in return. And they call the people whom they helped "感恩户" . They feel thankful to the people whom they helped, for giving them the chance to help others.

I am truely impressed with this. Personally, I have done different kinds of voluntary work, however I must admit that I would want to at least receive some forms of gratitiue such as verbal thanks from the people whom I've helped. In today's society where people are immersed in monetary achievements and complaining about the almost anything, it is very heartwarming to know there is such a passionate group of people who cares about the people in need, who worked their way to protect the earth, who sees humanitarian efforts as a way of life. 我很开心在这里见到了这么多好人好事!

This camp taught us discipline, to learn to apprecite life and nature, to be thankful to our parents and to contribute to the society. I strongly recommend this camp to all my friends and family members. It is spiritually inspiring. Meizi, thanks for informing me about this camp. 感恩你！

http://www.great-love.org/tccamp/abouttc.html
http://www.tzuchi.org.sg/en/
http://www.tzuchi.org.sg/main.html

My family and I went to take photos in my graduation gown. It's been a long time since we get together to do something. If not for my graduation, I guess we won't be taking any family photos. I must really treasure this photo.

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Since I rarely get to put on make-up, I decided to take lots of photos of myself! Haha yingpeng was so eager to help me. (Thanks didi.Your shooting skills are not bad )I suddenly feel like a model haha.

This blog was created with the help of my brother quite some time ago. I haven't been posting for a long long time (I've forgetten about it) and finally remembered that I did have a simple blog when I attended a Blogging course in school!

Hmmm so this shall be my very first blog haha! Welcome welcome!