The Dragonfly

I was sifting through my photos and found these two which I had taken at the Bukit Batok Nature Reserve of two dragonflies.



Dragonflies never fail to amaze me. Beautiful and attractive, yet fierce and vicious. Perhaps that's why they are named the dragon-fly. They are predators hunting primarily mosquitoes, and other small insects like ants and flies. So basically they are like pest busters. I wonder if they would put up a fight with a praying mantis or my personal nemesis in the insect world, the roach.

My tutor used to tell me how she would go to the pond to catch dragonflies when she was young. Once she managed to grab a dragonfly by its tail, but it turned around and delivered a painful bite to her finger. Since then she didn't want to mess around with them. I've also heard from NS guys that they use dragonflies as wards against mosquitoes. I thought that was pretty ingenious.

Dragonflies are found mostly around lakes, ponds, rivers and wetlands because they spend the 'larvae' stage of their lives in water. This stage can last as long as five years for larger species, whereas smaller species experience this stage between two months to three years. Another cool fact I learnt about dragonflies is that they can't walk. They have six legs like all other insects but they are only able to fly. I guess the fact that they have dual pairs of wings make up for their inability to walk. Now I know why dragonflies keep still after landing, but are swift and quick in the air.

And that's about all the little educational bits of information on the dragonfly. ^^

It had been such a gloomy day, because it started with sending Daniel, Ernest and their parents off early this morning. I went to the airport with my heart at the pit of my stomach. Two years had passed too quickly. Maybe we had taken them for granted, maybe we had taken time for granted. And I'm like starting to have withdrawal symptoms from their absence. Anyway, I hope they get Guild Wars soon. Other than that, we can still Tetrinet!! Sigh we're like geeks united.

This morning, Terence had actually shunned work and took a cab from SGH. He was all prepared to go to work as usual. But upon stepping out of the train station, he saw a line of cabs at the taxi stand and decided that he missed Daniel too much not to go and send him off. So he rushed into a cab and had it sent him to the airport right away. How dramatic. Dan and Terence are such close mates, they're so totally in love with each other. It was painful seeing them part.

Life goes on now. I received my results from school and I'm promoted to Level 2 in my film studies. The problem is I got a module with a bad grade from first semester which is a mistake that had not been rectified since forever. I have to call my lecturer up about that. Not that grades make the most important thing in the world but still, it's quite important >.>

I'm hoping to go for another camera trip before starting school, like to Little India or somewhere colourful. Speaking of cameras, I'm eyeing the Canon EOS 500D. But I.. havenomoney.

Sentosa

This is the first time ever I've been to Sentosa for the sole purpose of taking pictures. And to make it even more special, I had the privilege to go with Meiyen. Meiyen and I are sort of like kindred spirits. Only both of us would bother to travel just for the sake of photography.

So we met early on a Monday morning and headed for Sentosa. For a full three hours, we strolled along Siloso and Palawan beach. The sky was clear and the sun offered optimal lightning for our pictures.









These are just few of what I took. There are some pictures that need some editing, as much as I hate to edit. Despite the fact that I had enjoyed my walk, I didn't think I was 'on form' that day with the camera. My pictures were not well taken. Same went for church camp. Certain pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped for them to be. I think I just need more practice.



This cross was given to me many many years ago by Miss Alicia Boo. I wonder if she still remembers this cross. On the little piece of paper are the words "Because He came" written on it. That is why this is one of the most, if not the most meaningful gift ever given to me. And why is it on this post? Thats because I carried the cross all the way to Sentosa (not that its very heavy) and planted it by the beach for this picture.

I figured that maybe I should write a personal post the day before camp. Some months back, during the sign up period, I had a tough debate on whether I should go. Because leaving for three working days would be of great inconvenience to my workplace, especially during the peak period. I took a long time to consider and eventually realised that if I had trusted God enough, I won't have to think so long and hard about whether I should be there. Ah well.

I am looking forward very much to be spending time with God and my peers because I have been in Kaleo so much that I almost don't see them. And Terence and I want to seek God's direction in our lives and relationship. Last weekend I was told that I will be staying with my dear Kimberly and Faith. That was quite a laugh, especially when I announced lights out is to be at 11pm. -evil grin-

Also, Meiyen and I offered to be official photographers for the camp. I was asked to be the videographer again, much earlier but I didn't want to. Because last year, I couldn't participlate at all during camp. It was quite a pain. But this year, I figured that being photographers with Meiyen would allow me to spend some time with her too.

Speaking of Meiyen, I went to Sentosa with her last Monday. It was awesome. Oh in case I didn't mention, we went there to take photos, like do some photography, play around with our cameras. The weather was wonderful and I had enjoyed being with Meiyen for almost a day. Pictures will be uploaded once I get round to it >.>

On a random note, I figured recently that I should revive a list of friends' blogs again, so its easier for me to visit them. When I removed the list some time back, I realised it was stupid of me. I couldn't read them after that cos I had no clue what everyone's url was. So please let me know your blogs and let me link them again. Arigato.

Till next time (which would be after camp), God bless!