2 months into my internship, there was a camp that all the interns had to attend. It was organized by the HO HR team.
Part of the camp was to send all of us to different factories in Thailand to understand the different segments of the company (i.e., wool - legacy business, fibres, PET), this resulted in all of us having the chance to go to different provinces in Thailand, in which I very much enjoyed looking and understanding the factory and mechanical processes. And there is so much work that goes into making a particular product material, seeing how the raw material is slowly transformed and manufactured into the fibres that I am wearing then and there makes me feel so much more thankful for what I have. Our segments are definitely important, however, what is also important is to future-proof our operations. Climate change has an adverse impact on such sites, especially those that are nearer to the coastal areas. While we mitigate the effects of climate change, we also need to be mindful to adapt to climate change. Climate change is coming - just a matter of time, our defences against climate change cannot result in maladaptation (otherwise, it will probably result in more cons than pros in the long run). It was a majestic view when I saw an actual solar farm right in front of my eyes and it was flabbergasting to learn about the flood prevention measures taken by the site. When you are on the ground and you hear the stakeholders' thoughts/see from the stakeholders' perspectives, it will become all-too-real. It is actually extremely easy to get all so caught up with the hard numbers and data, but to be down on-site really put everything into perspective for me.
We also had the chance to travel to Pattaya, Chonburi to celebrate our internship experiences together as a cohort. All the interns were required to present and share with the hiring managers and colleagues about our internship projects and well, I really took the chance to thank everyone whom I have met and worked with here. Though most of them are not there to hear my speech, I hope they know and could feel it from the bottom of my heart. I was so glad that CA was able to come to Pattaya as well.
Initially, I found it difficult to truly enjoy myself there without my colleagues. A part of me felt like I did not deserve to have so much fun when I am still in the midst of many of my projects. It was not until my manager went onstage to sing his heart out (it was a duet with his son), did I manage to slow let loose of myself. It was that exact moment when I realised I have been holding onto my breath for so long, that I forgot how to breathe and live within the present moment. Moments like that would never happen again, that was when I took it in my stride and sang my heart out with my fellow interns. After the party ended, my manager told me that he was relieved to see me enjoying myself because he was just slightly worried and concerned that I only know how to work hard but not play hard. I would say that hit me pretty hard. "Work Hard, Play Hard"
On the last day of the camp, we went to a marine conservation centre. That day was pouring. The weather, however, was exactly what I felt. The visit/tour around the centre was, to say the least, heart-wrenching. I saw how baby squids were birthed. I saw how much life there was inside every single shark egg. I saw the pregnant sea crabs. But most importantly, I saw how coral reefs were "planted" in efforts of restoration and regeneration. The need for such a conservation centre is to ensure that the outflow = inflow of our marine ecosystem and right now, it seems like the outflow > inflow, which also means that we are consuming too much or that there is overfishing of these species (which is no surprise). This brought back flashbacks from my last trip to St John's Island, where I chanced upon the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory and the "Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef Programme" and I compared both projects (in Singapore and in Thailand). I did not want to jump to conclusions so quick, but I believe we need to, ought to, and can definitely do more in Singapore.
On the ceramic pot, I wrote: "I hope you survive and make yourself useful in restoring the ecosystem."
I left the island with a heavy heart, buried in my thoughts. But there was something within me that probably sparked. I am uncertain what exactly it is, but I could feel it.
Throughout the camp, I have gotten really close to someone from HR, MR. We dotted the camp with really invaluable conversations and made valuable memories. There were many parallels, both of us could see in each other, which allowed us to click right off the bat. With many honest thoughts and opinions, we became close and I found a friend in her. MR is special. She is generous, patient, and genuine. At the same time, she is direct, efficient, and sensitive. Her work ethic really inspires me and I do see how her working attitude and mindset guide me as I enter my professional career. She went on to help me solve some of the problems that I faced right before the end of my internship. She has been one of the kindest and nicest people I met in my life and we promised each other that we will take care of ourselves and do the best we can in whatever we do. She reminded me that it is alright to lean into my emotions and it is completely alright for people to know how I feel sometimes - nothing vulnerable, nothing embarrassing, and nothing too loud.
"Good things happen to you because you deserve it. Bad things happen to you because you need to learn from them." - MR
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