REFLECTION ON TREE PLANTING

Date of Experience:10-10-10 :D

Location of Experience: near UBD campus- area designated . My trees are on the left side of the road just above where Dr. Irene was planting.

Purpose of experience:
COmmunity Action-

 

Highlight of the experience:

We arrived ( I about thirty minutes late because i got lost trying to walk) early in the morning, grabbed a couple shovels and started digging.

Each student was to plant 4 small karamunting trees as a way to improve the environment by lessening carbon emissions we put out everyday via transport, improper disposal, and using technology. This experience taught students how to plant trees properly and how to make the difference.

What aspect caused you the most anxiety?

When I heard we would be planting four trees each I was anxious and a little disappointed but enjoyed getting dirty and taking some stress out with the very small shovel. I have planted things like flowers and small plants but not trees and i suppose I was intimidated by the the steep slope and tools. Seeing the tree successfully in the ground and knowing that it will grow tall like the others surrounding it is the ultimate highlight of my experience.

Was there any aspect of the experience that suprised you?

I was suprised to learn that the karamunting tree has become an endangered species and was relieved that the forestry department and the BEACA plecturers ares taking the initiative to rebuild the species quantity. Physically I was suprised at how quickly I was able to plant the trees. Planting a single tree involves hard work but once you get the hang of planting one tree, the rest aren't nearly as difficult.

What were the three most important things you learnt from the experience?

1. the proper way to plant a tree - including measurements and furtalizers.

2. That the karamunting tree is a part of the endangered species list and our efforts to help take this species off the list is a step toward a more stable environment.

3. 2 is only possible if the maintenance of the tree is taken care of.

Which aspects would you include in your future behavior based on your learnings from this experience?

Planting the trees felt good and I enjoy helping make our environment a better habitat for all. Therefore, if there are tree planting activities I am much more likely to participate. Next time though I would like to plant more than four trees. I now look at a tree differently- I find myself taking the time to think of the growth stages and have become to appreciate a tall healthy tree. It is unfrotunate that it takes so long for a tree to grow and then it's just cut down for quick scratch paper but thats the world we live in. It's fortunate however, that there are people who go out of their way to help the environment like the BEACA professors and lecturers in collaborating to raise awareness of environmental matters and show students how to make a difference. Thank you for this opportunity,

Christine Lynn Hixenbaugh, 10N0001, 22, October, 2010

Jungle Trekking from the Diplomatic Site

Date of experience: October 22nd
Location of experience: Diplomatic Site

Courtesy of Mas - Map of our trek

Highlight of experience
In a group including Nisa, Fayen, Nazreen, Izzul, and Kairul, we made the first jungle trek through the Borneo rain forest. As we were told that the previous group had not gotten out of the jungle until after 7pm, we worked together to be efficient in our trek to ensure no mishaps. Successfully, we made it out without any broken bones or getting lost at about 6:00pm.

What aspect of the experience caused you the most anxiety?
Having this been my first time trekking in any sort of jungle I was a bit anxious about the entire experience. Walking in it was quiet and I felt like we were alone, 6 students on our way to getting lost. Immediately I was reminded of snakes, and the HUGE spiders and creepy crawlies I have discovered here in Brunei. We heard noises while we were in the jungle and images of a “true stories” on Animal Planet about this guy with half a face who barely lived to tell the story of his friend getting torn apart by 6 foot chimps came into my mind. There was actually a point that I didn’t want to proceed but I couldn’t say anything because my group was thinking a was mentioning the sounds in a spiritual regard and apparently it’s protocol not to mention weird happenings when you’re in the jungle. In reality though I was afraid of monkeys and chimpanzees hahaha Definitely made me anxious but it’s a story I will retell and am glad I experienced it.

Was there any aspect of the experience that surprised you?
Something I found interesting was that you’re not supposed to mention hearing voices or anything while you in the jungle and was surprised my fellow trekkers were afraid of the sound. A friend said she heard voices screaming, “HELP!” and I thought I heard it too but another trekker shushed us and said we shouldn’t talk about it. This is different from what I have learned in my experiences hiking in the states. If you hear someone cry for help, you’re supposed to immediately radio an emergency contact or the forest dept. but apparently, its too spooky to think about in Brunei. Just after, I heard a cry/scream/gock from above (in my mind I was thinking oh poop, a chimp!) and looked up to only catch the ruffle in the plants. ** spent 15 min. imaging what the Monday headlines would read**

What are the three most important things you learned from the experience?
1. When trekking in a group, you should always be communicating with your fellow trekkers to insure everyone is aware of any dangers and to make sure everyone is present
2. Jungle trekking is a peaceful experience –when your not worried about Chimps
3. You’re not supposed to talk about creepy things, especially in reference to spirits when you’re with Bruneians in the forest- some feel that what we cannot see may try to fool trekkers.

not from our trek- but i found the same thing on our hike- very neat ;)

Which aspect would you include in your future behavior based on the learning from this experience?
I would like to jungle trek with friends more often if it’s possible. I now know that someone who knows the trail is very important to ensure safety and that people can really get lost- as proved in another groups trek . Hopefully when my friend visits from California, I will be able to find a trek leader or group of friends who are going and tag along with them. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with friends and family of my first jungle trekking experience-
Thank you professors and lecturers for the opportunities shared through BEACA 

AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT CHIMPS ARE INDIGENOUS TO AFRICA- Orangutan and monkeys are indigenous to Borneo. ;D 


<< that guy doesn't look too bad

Paddy Harvesting Whoo

                                                                                              courtesy of the Borneo Bulletin website  http://www.borneobulletin.com.bn/tue/oct19h36.htm

Location of experience:   Wasan Paddy Field

Date of experience:  October 15th, 2010

Highlight of experience

Students were called out Wasan  paddy field to experience first-hand the process of harvest and learn a bit about Brunei’s newest export. After being told how to harvest the paddy and given a brief history of the product, we got to put the much talked about and intimidating sickle to work. Dressed in boots and hats, we worked together trudging through the deep mud to get to the uncut paddy and successfully filled our Curlew group large bag full of the stalks of paddy. After, we enjoyed curry puffs and refreshments together and learned about the different types of paddy from the person in charge.

What aspect of the experience caused you the most anxiety?

On the way to the fields, our group made a left instead of a right and our caravan ended up at the border. Unfortunately we were late to the field and missed the official briefing of history and harvesting directions but fortunately we were able to catch up efficiently as our group works well together ;)

Was there any aspect of the experience that surprised you?

I was most surprised at how beautiful the scenery was while harvesting. I thought it was going to be tough work and everyone was going to be filthy and sweaty. Instead, the atmosphere was laid back and the people helping us were very friendly which created a surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable environment. 

                 Minshara Sayer and I making our way through the muddy field- courtesy of Izzul Adi

What are the three most important things you learned from the experience?

1.       I learned the process of harvesting paddy into rice

2.       Harvesting the paddy takes teamwork- in my case specifically, to make sure I didn’t get stuck J

3.       Advanced technology can harvest 1 acre /hr but me and my friends  only harvested approximately 10x10 feet in 1 hour. – Manual Labor is slow but much more rewarding.

Which aspect would you include in your future behavior based on the learning from this experience?

Every time I look at another paddy or rice field when I go back to the states, I will remember this experience and the manual labor that is being practiced in other countries instead of technology. I will remember getting stuck in the mud with friends, the teamwork to get each other out, and the paddy harvest process. Since I was young driving with the family down the CA 5 freeway, I always gaze at the miles of fields wondering  what it be like to step foot in a rice field.  I now can tell other curious kids(and adults) who will ask me of my experience and will no longer wonder because I found my answer right here in Brunei :)