Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: Like the deserts miss the rain...
Over the last two days, as part of Timberland's contributions towards fighting desertification, we helped to prune poplars, and also planted pine saplings. Today, we bade farewell to Inner Mongolia, and embarked on the next leg of our journey, to the city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province.
To find out why I'm so gleefully holding a leafy branch, read on.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: Circle in the sand...
(Photo from Timberland Singapore)
Yesterday, it rained for most of the day, making our pruning of poplars a cooling and enjoyable (if somewhat wet) experience. While it meant that we didn't end up baking and getting burnt to a crisp, I was somewhat hoping that the weather would change, and we would get to experience the desert. After all, deserts are defined by low amounts of precipitation; it would be ironic (and disappointing) if we ended up spending our days here in the Horqin Desert getting soaked in the rain.
Today, we finally found out what it was truly like being out in the desert. I'm just hoping that I don't suffer too much from this sunburn.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: With you in the summer rain...
(Photo from Timberland Singapore)
During one of our briefings before this trip, Cheryl did mention how it rained unexpectedly last year, catching the Timberland Earthkeepers participants unaware and out in the open. I came here expecting to experience the scorching sun and blasting winds of the desert, only to end up cold, wet, but definitely not at all miserable here in Horqin.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: I try to discover...
I'm currently writing this from an Internet cafe somewhere in the town of Ganqika, Inner Mongolia. Yes, I survived the long, grueling journey, and though I am a long, long way from home, and feeling quite crippled without my laptop and free Wi-Fi (the infamous Great Firewall of China isn't helping matters either), I am certainly very excited to see what's in store for this year's Timberland Earthkeepers trip to fight desertification in Horqin.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: Breaking in the Gear
Ever since I obtained some gear from Timberland that I will be using for my upcoming trip to Inner Mongolia and Jiuzhaigou, I've been wanting to try bringing my jacket and boots out on a hike somewhere in Singapore. Not only was it a good way for me to get used to wearing them, I decided to take the opportunity to show off the items I received in the best possible way: with a little photoshoot.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: My Travelling Companions
I'm not the only person who has been fortunate in getting the chance to go on a trip to Inner Mongolia and Jiuzhaigou. In this post, I will be sharing about a couple of my travelling companions, who also took part in contests organised by Timberland Singapore, and won the opportunity to be a part of Timberland Earthkeepers' desert greening efforts.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: Grace's Articles from 2009...
Planting a four year old pine sapling in 2009;
(Photo by Grace Chua)
He who plants a tree
Plants a hope.
Rootlets up through fibres blindly grope;
Leaves unfold into horizons free.
So man's life must climb
From the clods of time
Unto heavens sublime.
Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree,
What the glory of thy boughs shall be?
He who plants a tree
Plants a joy;
Plants a comfort that will never cloy;
Every day a fresh reality,
Beautiful and strong,
To whose shelter throng
Creatures blithe with song.
If thou couldst but know, thou happy tree,
Of the bliss that shall inhabit thee!
He who plants a tree,
He plants peace.
Under its green curtains jargons cease.
Leaf and zephyr murmur soothingly;
Shadows soft with sleep
Down tired eyelids creep,
Balm of slumber deep.
Never hast thou dreamed, thou blessed tree,
Of the benediction thou shalt be.
He who plants a tree,
He plants youth;
Vigor won for centuries in sooth;
Life of time, that hints eternity!
- Lucy Larcom
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Timberland Earthkeepers: The Journey Begins...
As many of you would have known by now, I've been chosen to be a part of Timberland's reforestation efforts in Horqin, Inner Mongolia, not to mention that I will also get to go on a nature appreciation and Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan.
On Sunday, my journey begins, thanks to a contest that I was initially quite hesitant to join. I'm really quite excited, and I'm sure that I will have a memorable experience over in China.
But of course, there is the issue of getting the proper gear.
On Sunday, my journey begins, thanks to a contest that I was initially quite hesitant to join. I'm really quite excited, and I'm sure that I will have a memorable experience over in China.
But of course, there is the issue of getting the proper gear.
