l| a time to be silent and a time to speak |l

Thoughts

i went to the meterological station @ changi airport T2 yesterday to buy some weather data for my book. it was hidden in an obscure corner, where only a few know of its existence. after asking a few guards, walking back and forth, going up and down a few escalators and lifts, i finally found the place. another one of those experiences which makes you realise some truths about life -- having to search for something leads to a deeper appreciation of it.

ok, enough of romanticising two old offices that perfom the most mundane tasks daily (in tropical, predictable Singapore at least).

anyway, i spoke to a senior climatologist there and i'm awed by his passion for what he is doing. it's not about his job, but about the appreciation of the natural elements, the knowledge of the ups and downs of the weather elements, the sheer necessity and worth he sees in meticulously recording the data hour after hour, day after day, and year after year. (he has been there for 30 years.)

when i showed him our textbook, he looked at the caption and asked why it's not explained to students the reason behind knowing annual temp range. as i pointed out later that we did do so in the text, he looked assured and satisfied. his desire is that people can appreciate what he does, and he faithfully does his part at the station to do so.. even though he does not go out in the disguise of captain planet...

at one point, while waiting for the data to be generated for me, he started saying how the weather is one of the 4 joys described in a pair of chinese couplets. being a chinese language enthusiast (a-ha!), i asked him to write out the couplets for me. it was just fun listening to his short chinese lesson. =)

this -- going out to never-been-before places and meeting such people -- would definitely be something i'll miss about my job when i leave.