This is ME
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15 April
Over the past year, I've had the absolute honor of collaborating with the exceptional educational team at TEMBUSU CSR in Singapore. Our paths intertwined years ago, and it ignited 12 months ago into something truly remarkable. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have connected with Nan and Jacinta.
Today was prototype day, a day I eagerly anticipate and cherish! It's the day when the schoolchildren unveil their inventions aimed at tackling various facets of ocean pollution, a topic we've been exploring in recent weeks. They create their prototypes using discarded materials found around their homes and school premises.
During their presentations to me, they articulate the specific environmental concerns they're addressing and explain the functionality of their inventions. Their ingenuity knows no bounds as they consider a myriad of factors, from microplastics to water filtration, waste disposal, marine life conservation, and even the psychological and societal impacts of their solutions. Their designs are not only ingenious but also endearing, often featuring whimsical details and sculptures, albeit sometimes held together with barely sticky glue that seems to give way at the most unexpected moments.
Today's groups tackled - HOW MIGHT WE HELP TO....:
- Stop plastics and other waste from flowing into the ocean to protect fish and marine life.
- Prevent chemicals and sewage from contaminating the ocean.
- Ensure people have access to clean water to reduce the need for bottled water, thus preventing plastic pollution.
- Prevent neighboring countries' rubbish from polluting our shores.
- Stop fishermen from abandoning nets and hooks in the ocean.
- Stop Lazy people from having bad trash management to prevent litter from ending up in the ocean.
Despite their varying levels of confidence, their deliveries are always captivating, infused with a blend of shyness, confidence, and improvised flair. These sessions with the children leave me feeling exhilarated and inspired, eagerly looking forward to the future. Imagine robots boasting extendable arms wihc can reach the depths of the ocean, internal water filtration systems, and gas filters, mechanical les thqt suck up the ribbish as they walk. Picture compactors and mechanical sculptures that offer rewards to those who pick up litter and discpline those who dare litter. Visualize solar-powered 'submarines' diligently scouring the ocean depths and rain catchers gleefully collecting droplets from the sky, as their emply frown turns into a FULL smile.
Education plays a pivotal role in nurturing such creativity and environmental stewardship among our youth, and it's a privilege to witness firsthand the transformative power of education in shaping a brighter tomorrow.
A huge thank you to Nan and Jacinta! You and your team are making a difference.
Who knew an impromptu camping trip could lead to such happiness and settled inner energy. We planned to go Thursday but the rain delayed us a day so we left early Friday morning. It still rained intermittently but it was perfect. Girraween is absolutely a beautiful place and has almost everything you could want for a weekend of discovery. Giant Boulders to climb, hiking tracks galore, rock pools, streams, possums, kangaroos, birds, blooming wildflowers, and the energy of magical trees to replenish your mind.
Climbing the Pyramid was worth every step. It’s a unique granite dome of exposed rock. The 360 views do take one’s breath away and with direct eye lines to the surrounding peaks you can map out your next adventure. It’s definitely a spot where you can venture over and over again.
Also, I’ve decided that my most favorite scenic rim drive in the countryside is from Queen Mary Falls, down the hill with views of the Condamine river that just leave you breathless. Cruise along the babbling brooks/river crossings, through the jaw, dropping giant trees, and you even get to wave to the long-horned cattle, splash through a couple more creeks, all while listening to bellbirds, and then finally alas back to reality road.
Thanks, gang for a great 2.5 days of hikes and climbs and absorbing some much needed energy from Mother Nature. Let’s go again soon.
21 August
OMG. The day actually has arrived. After an entire day of last minute duties, meetings, collections, we are FINALLY here. Due to all the craziness of 2020, recent bad weather, I wasn't going to count my chickens before they hatch BUT WE ARE HERE! #PHEW
It's been 6months since I've been more than 250km away from y house and HELLO HERVEY BAY! Even though windy in transit, today I stood on the bow of a whale watching boat in the dewy morning sunshine, inhaling deep fresh crisp breaths of salty sea air. The feeling of that salt grit flicking against my face reminded me
of how exciting that sting was #purebliss. Well, anything after this was most certainly going to be a bonus. AND even better still we hadn't even arrived in the "whale zone' yet #WOOHOO whales yet to come and Island exploration. #whata day. So 2 firsts for me today, meeting Hervey Bay humpbacks and visiting Fraser Island. #tick and #tick.
As I woke back to reality, I scanned the horizon and #BOOM my heart jumped, I felt a rush of electric happiness #BLOW, that was it I couldn't stand still as it turned into a 12 o'clock blow. I glanced up at the bridge and waved a frantic 2 thumbs up. I was fidgeting like crazy. I was finally #ALIVE after months of lockdown Frankenstein's bride had finally awoken. All the fondness, stresses of the 'will we won't we' and thrill of my passion rushed back. Right now we're supposed to be in group 6 of Tonga and day 30someting in the water. Rather than moping about it I've been suppressing and just ignoring it and keeping as busy as possible. I guess I didn't realise until now by how much. Anyhow the #mommentisnow, whales, and Fraser here we come.
22 August
IT WAS SOOOOO GOOOD! Seeing such friendly faces on board today was exceptional. catching up, reminiscing, and meeting a new, this felt ... I have to say... 'a little normal'. It's been so long... socialising I had to warn people that I may say things out loud that I possibly shouldn't... 'social norms' has been lacking in practice the last 6 months on account of - you don't use it you lose it.... well that's my excuse, for now, #eeek
My mind's eye was in overdrive today flashing back to #FINtastic times on photography trips or whale trips of yesteryear. It surprises me how much I can remember, so vividly. So lucky to be able to share such fun and great times.
Well with a boat full of wonderful ocean #FINatics we Tasman Ventured off to Platypus Bay in search of the great-winged Newfoundlanders aka humpback whale. The wind was up and westerly from yesterday but that didn't stop us from having a blast. It wasn't long before entering the bay that we found a pair of travelers and about another mile away was a pair of breaching whales who ended up sticking to the boat. So with that, the engine was turned off and floaters entered the water in anticipation. It was hilarious! the pair of whales played cat and mouse with the floaters and stayed just out of EYE reach. One came so sneakily close right behind Darren, who was holding the end of the line, exhaled loudly then quickly disappeared into the depths again. Absolutely teasing the floaters, who were at the stern of the boat, the two humpbacks would spy hop and pec slap at the bow then make their way around the back to taunt the in water guests then back to the bow again. At times they would hide under the boat, the Skipper could see them on the sounder and I could see their small, intricate, chandelier bubbles, fizzing up from beneath, sparkling their way up the sides of the hull.
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© 2020 Jasmine Carey / pxlexplorer