In recent weeks, Singaporeans have been turning up in droves to remote parts of the island in search of nature’s offerings.

When Chek Jawa’s continued existence was threatened by the imminent reclamation of Pulau Ubin, people were quick to pour out their displeasure over the destruction of one of the few remaining nature spots in Singapore.

Yet, many of these same people have thronged Chek Jawa to such an extent in the wake of the excitement that its very existence has been threatened, so much so that the island’s authorities have had to set up a booking system to ensure everyone gets a chance to visit Chek Jawa, and at the same time, Chek Jawa gets to take a much needed rest from curious hordes of people treading on its grounds.

And when the existence of a hot spring was reported in the local newspapers recently, hundreds of health-seeking individuals, of all ages, turned up in Sembawang, where the hot spring is located, bringing along pails to take turns to bathe in its waters.

Things got so bad, there was a long line of vehicles parked illegally along the road leading to the hot spring. Also, the number of people trampling on the grounds around the hot spring, dirtying the place, shows the ugly side of the Singaporean once again.

Mind you, the hot spring has been around for the past 100* years! It is said “Curiosity kills the cat”. In this case, it appears nature has taken a battering.

I am not against the idea of partaking in the appreciation of nature’s offerings. What I regret is that in our mindless drive to be the first there - whereever there may be - we have unintentionally threatened what we hold so dear - the few remaining nature spots in Singapore.

Do we always have to be the first ones there? Do we have to make a beeline for the newest shopping centre when it opens? Do we have to be the first to get at the free textbooks laid out for needy people? But that’s the typical mindset of us Singaporeans, me included!

Is it possible for us to change? I don’t think so. Many things have been said of the ugly Singaporean. I need say no more.

At least, when it comes to places, such as Chek Jawa and the hot spring, which hang on a delicate balance, we Singaporeans should take a step back and refrain from making that mindless dash. If not for Chek Jawa or the hot spring, at least do it for our future generations who may never get to enjoy what we  unwittingly may not pass on to them.
 
*The hot spring was discovered by Chinese merchant SEAH Eng Keong in 1909.

Chinese New Year cards are on sale now! A sea of red has invaded many neighbourhood shops here as new year ornaments go on display everywhere. These sights conjure up the Chinese New Year mood in the Chinese in Singapore.

Over in Chinatown, festive decorations adorn the streets of South Bridge Road. Soon, new year stalls will open in the lanes of Chinatown and many of us will make the yearly ‘pilgrimage’ to Chinatown to take in the sights and sounds as we browse around the stalls for new year goodies on sale.

With such activities abuzz everywhere on the island, it is hard not to get into the lunar new year spirits. My wife, for one, has started playing new year songs, available on VCD, on our TV screen over the weekend.

For me, Chinese New Year has not been the same since the letting off of firecrackers was banned in 1972 when I turned 14. Yes! I have to admit I do sorely miss these little things. But, hey, Chingay 2002 starts off with the letting off of firecrackers! Even though we can’t play with firecrackers, at least, we can see and hear them go into action. Not only that, we can also watch the big-headed dolls of the 60s make a comeback in the show.

Come 12 Feb 2002, the Snake year will go backstage for a 12-year rest period as the Chinese among us usher in the Year Of The Horse. It’s been a year of bad news for many of us, not only here in Singapore, but also all around the world. Who will ever forget the 911 tragedy in New York and Washington?

That calamity continues to infect us as business suffers and we have to rein in our expenditure in anticipation of tougher times ahead. Tough times or not, the married adults among the Chinese will have to dish out Ang Pow packets for the youngsters. It’s not a lunar new year without partaking in the giving and receiving of such gifts. In these bad times, some people will take the chance to skip town to avoid having to spend money on Ang Pows, but let’s just hope it’s only a minority doing so, for Chinese New Year is a time of giving, and of receiving. And it comes along only once a year - make the youngsters happy!

My little pet hamster died last Tuesday. She managed to cross that threshold between the old year and the new and didn’t show any symptoms of impending death - till that fateful day.

Little Mimi had been keeping me company for a whole year. Her mate, Mama, and their four offspring all died within the year. She was the only one to live a full year.

Having a pet hamster means having to share our life with it. From cleaning the cage to feeding the pet, the amount of work multiplies, especially when the pet gives birth. Of course, there is the joy of giving - yes, giving all that attention and labour in exchange for the companionship of the hamster.

A pet hamster can perk up your day! But, at the same time, it can also cause sadness. As with all things alive, there is a day for dying. I watched little Mimi grow up, find a mate, give birth, take meticulous care of her young, grow old and then die - all within the space of a year.

Even as I write these words, my heart shudders when I compare little Mimi’s cycle of life with that of my own. There are similarities. I wonder what life will be like for me when I grow old, for that matter, I wonder whether I will have that fortune of getting to be around to enjoy the gift of old age.

I had watched Mimi lose her agility at climbing up the grilles of the cage. I had also watched her lose more of her fur as she mellowed into old age. In the last two months, I saw her fight a losing battle to keep her fur specklessly white - she had begun to sport urine stains in the fur on her behind.

When she left this world, I was glad I was there with her, stroking her ears and fur, till she breathed her last breath.

Perhaps, I shouldn’t have compared myself with her, but then, she’s also a living thing. I went through the whole process of getting to know this little stranger, and becoming fond of her. I am sure she also went through the same process.

In short, life is all about experiencing the interaction of other living things, whether human beings or animals. It’s how we relate to one another that makes for living a fuller life. Enjoy!