Moments To Remember..LoveOnWheels

It was my first time. Not knowing what to expect, I was really impressed by how orderly things went. In matter of about 10 minutes, it was all done. We packed up and was already ready to head to the second stop, which was about 15 minutes away. When we arrived at the second stop, it was similar as the first.

The lines were already formed. 2 lines, 2 very long lines. From the young ones to the old ones, from mothers to children to uncles and aunties. They were all there, their faces full of hope, waiting eagerly for us to arrive.

Quickly, we wasted no time. The team worked together. In just a couple of minutes, the banners were up and 'Love On Wheels' were ready to serve. Just like at the first stop, 'Love On Wheels' started of with a short speech by none other than Auntie Clarine herself and also the Team Leader, followed by, of course, the Fungates Cheer!

I was amazed to see how almost everyone present joined in the cheer. The seasoned ones cheered enthusiastically, while the newbies joined in. Boy, they were certainly fast learners! By the third and last cheer, everyone was cheering their hearts out. Amazing spirit!

While the food was being given out, some of us took the opportunity to get closer with the people. We chatted, smiled, high-fived, greeted as much and as best as we could with everyone. It was really interesting to note that at time, age, race and religion holds no barrier. All of us were just there for each other.

Within 15 minutes, everyone has gotten their packs of food. Happy and relief faces were everywhere. We too were smiling, another successful trip. Tired but glad we could offer this little help via 'Love On Wheels'.

Moments to remember..

Previously, as part of the administration team, my job required me to answer phone calls to the school. Most of the phone calls were from parents, with issues ranging from simple inquiries like wanting to know when is school dismissal time to handling complaints. I remember one request from a mother of a primary two student.

She was concerned of her daughter who had fever the day before. She called up the school, hoping that the class teacher could help look out for her daughter's temperature, particularly on that day, afraid that might she run a fever again. I suggested we could get her to office and get her temperature measured then and once again after lunch, just to make sure she was alright. The mother agreed. So, the girl had her temperature measured during those times, and both times, she was normal.

I had thought, that was it. It was just a routine job to me. But I was wrong! One day, when I was walking, a girl greeted me, so cheerfully. I looked at her face, but couldn't place where I've met her. Then I saw the nametag. Oh, it was the girl! The girl whose temperature I took. She just came up to me to say hi. I was really moved. I chatted with her a little while before asking her to get back to her class. I really did not expect that she could remember what I did. Furthermore, I was not a teacher then, just someone who works in the front desk in the school's office. But it really made me feel better that day.

Anyway, I have moved on, and am now teaching her art. :)

Oh, whistle, don't you get tired..?

Finally, a moment devoid of the shrilling whistling of the traffic personnel. No, I am not wrong in using not using traffic policemen. I believe these are members of the public like you and I, carrying out their daily job. Their job is to control the movement of the traffic in the respective areas. Almost all of them are in uniforms, complete with a helmet, and has a whistle hung around their neck.

I've never met one who had been hesitant in using the whistle, so far. From the room, high above see level, I can hear clearly, the sounds from the whistle. Non-stop. No respite. If there was a rare occasion of silent during the day, then to have that moment last for more than a 10 seconds is definitely an impossible wish.

The whistle blower, literally, surprisingly exudes lots of authority. Drivers and riders, hell as they are on the roads, listen and obey to this so-called traffic personnel. He first blows the whistle to get the attention before continuing with another few more blows to direct the traffic.

What's best, the drivers don't seemed to get confused at all, with this constant whistling. I marvel at this. In an area where perhaps there could be more than one person blowing the whistle, the drivers are still able to understand which whistle blow is for them, and abide by them.

It's a little irritating, though, to have to hear this whistling all day long, non-stop.