Kinjal

Pre-Trip Reflections @Changi Airport: 

1.   How do you feel about the upcoming trip?
I feel very excited and i am looking forward to this trip.

2.   3 Things that I am looking forward to
I am looking forward to the school visit, visiting Teck Dome and The Top.

3.   3 things I hope to learn from Penang
I hope to learn about their culture, heritage and beliefs.

4.   3 things I hope to learn from my friends
I hope to learn about their personality, character and behaviours.

5.   3 things I hope to learn about myself
I hope to learn about my strengths, weaknesses and fears.

6.   3 challenges I give myself
I want to be able to overcome my fears.

7.   What are my expectations of Penang?
I hope to be able to learn and experience things I may not have in Singapore.

Day 1

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened to me today was the opportunity to observe the sky using a telescope. Thinking back over the day what I valued most was the fact that i was able to do things that I may not have ben able to do in Singapore. Something funny that happened was when we got to play with the lasers.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was that the observatory was very small but well-maintained. I keep thinking about what exactly is inside a telescope. I really didn’t understand how such brilliant photos or the sky can be taken. Something I would like to find more about is the deeper scientific concepts behind the telescope and the principles behind it.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

Something I have found out about myself is that I can learn a lot if I have the interest and passion. I know I need to change the way I approach something that I may not be very familiar with. I really admire the way others are able to use the telescope so easily. I learn best when I am able to try out what is learnt as theory and apply it to the real world. What I have learnt today reminds me about the Toys-r-us telescope I used to like to use as a child.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe if i continue to have this sense of interest to learn new things, i could really understand a lot better as i have to curiosity. My point of view is that if one has the passion they can chase their dreams. I still maintain the inquisitive mind towards learning new things. I agree with the fact that handling telescopes may not be very easy. I have reconsidered the fact that i might pursue my future in Astronomy.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

When I heard what the others in my group thought I was surprised because i had very different expectations of what would happen. I would never have thought about the problem in that way as i am not very good at thinking out of the box. I like to consider others points of view because their are many ways to solve 1 problem and I may not be right always.

Conclusions

In the future I would like to consider doing something related to Astronomy. I hope I can learn to be more attentive and be able to listen to Mr Tan as a group leader. I have to think more deeply about the ideas behind the telescope. When I read over my journal reflections I am surprised at how my thinking has changed because I was very confused at first and most of my theories were not very accurate.

Day 2

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened for me today was the G-drop. Thinking back over the day what I valued most was the fact that i was able to learn more about myself through this activity. Something funny that happened was when we saw a random tourist doing the G-drop but was too scared to let go of the handle.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was that there was a very small chance that i would have landed head first for the G-drop. I keep thinking about how this this possible as the slide is completely vertical at one point of time. I really didn’t understand how civil engineers manage to make this a safe ride even without any harnesses. Something I would like to find more about is the deeper scientific concepts behind the G-drop and the principles behind it.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

Something I have found out about myself is that if i have caroy ge and motivation, i can do things that i would have never thought i would have been able to. I know I need to change the way I approach something that may be i little out of my comfort zone and be more open to new challenges. I really admire the way others are able to do the drop without any difficulty. I learn best when I am able to try out what is learnt as theory and apply it to the real world. What I have learnt today reminds me about the distance-time graph i often see in exam questions.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe if i continue to have this sense of interest to learn new things, i could really understand a lot better as i have to curiosity. My point of view is that it is all in the mind. this shows that if i am able to overcome my own thoughts i will be able to overcome my ’fears’. I still maintain that curiosity of learning more and better. I agree with Mr Tan when he says that play can also be serious. I strongly oppose the fact that people are forced to do things that they may really not like. Fortunately, students are not forced to do the G-drop. I have reconsidered the fact that i might want to do the G-drop again.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

When I heard what the others in my group thought I was surprised because i had very different expectations of what would happen. I would never have thought about the problem in that way as i am not very good at thinking out of the box. I like to consider others points of view because there are many ways to solve 1 problem and I may not be right always.

Conclusions

In the future I would like to consider becoming a civil engineer as it seems quite interesting. I hope I can learn to be more open to new solutions and adapt to situations better. I have to think more deeply about the concepts behind the G-drop. When I read over my journal reflections I am surprised at how my thinking has changed because I was very confused at first and most of my theories were not very accurate.

      Day 3

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened to me today was the rock climbing. Thinking back over the day what I valued most was the experience of the rock climbing and the fear that I would not be able to complete it. Something funny that happened was when one of my friends fell off the wall while climbing.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was how difficult the rock climbing was. I keep thinking about why I was not able to climb the wall under 25seconds. I really didn’t understand how it was possible to get that timing as my timing was almost 10seconds more than the required one.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

Something I have found out about myself is the fact that I may not have much leg strength. I really admire the way others were able to climb the wall so fast. I learn best when I apply theory.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe that if I try harder I can manage to get the next round. My point of view is that practice makes perfect. I still maintain that belief.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

When I heard what the others in my group thought I was surprised because I had very different thoughts. I would never have thought about the problem in that way. I like to consider others points of view because I may not be right always.

Conclusions

In the future, I would like to be able to have the strength to climb up multiple walls quickly. I hope I can learn to be more proactive and confident. I have to think more deeply about the consequences of what i do.

      Day 4

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened for me today was the visiting of the temples where I was able to learn more about the Penang culture and heritage.

Thinking back over the day what I valued most was the commentary by the tour guides who really helped too.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was that the temples there were very different as more handwork was put into it than Singapore’s one. I keep thinking about the reasons behind the different beliefs, like not wearing hats in the temples. I really didn’t understand why so much money is required to be spent on temples. Something I would like to find more about is deeper understanding of the Buddhist community.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

Something I have found out about myself is that I really like the way temples are built and the design of it. I know I need to change the way I respect other people culture by not questioning them. I learn best when I am able to clarify my doubts. What I have learned today reminds me of the Buddhist temples in Singapore.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe I can be more inquisitive and voice out my opinions better. I still maintain that respect is very important especially when talking about religions. I agree with some of the rules outside the temples.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

When I heard what the others in my group thought I was surprised because they might have not taken visiting the temples as seriously as I would have. I would never have thought about the problem in that way if not for Mr Norman. I like to consider others points of view because I do not know much about the Buddhist culture.

Conclusions

In the future I would like to be more proactive in understanding and clarifying my doubts to be able to gain more insights. I have to think more deeply about the way I react to different situations.