Precious Moments

Hmm? Something must be very funny... Kishen at Vancouver Airport, en route to Hong Kong from JFK.

View of the Manhattan city skyline from Brooklyn Bridge. Photograph taken from a taxi.

Group Photograph of the Youth Caucus

Posting to the UN? Stamp please!

Joanna delivering an impassionate speech about water and sanitation issues on behalf of the Youth Caucus at the Thematic Discussion session.

Memorabilia!

Hey hey hey Sye Yuet... blame yourself for getting stuck in the subway train, not me :) Who asked you to sleeeeeeep so soundly? And I protest! What's wrong with the guys' tastes? Each of us have perfectly unique and refined tastes (from a different perspective)

Anyway, I felt that writing our names on the wall at Cafe Toda was really memorable and exciting -- exciting in the sense that if we have the opportunity to go back, that entry would really serve up a healthy dose of nostalgia and memories. Similarly, I do hope that all of us, as a team, has left our mark in one way or another on the proceeds of UNCSD-16 and perhaps even the whole machinery of the Youth Caucus. When other delegates from Singapore make the trip down in the many years to come, I believe that because of the efforts of all the teams who have come before, their assimilation into the Youth Caucus will be a smooth one and they will feel the added sense of motivation to ensure that their voices are heard; and work together with others in an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement.

The takeaways from this trip have been immense -- we had the chance to explore various global issues and hear more about the different problems and situations encountered in diverse countries. Furthermore, with our participation in the event, the Singapore voice has been established as a contributor to the Youth network there.

I left with fond memories of the Youth Caucus, the workings of the United Nations as a whole, the diverse experiences shared by others, and of course, Howard Johnson Hotel's friendly (very) auntie, the many (seriously huge!) shopping opportunities, and of course, the "sugarlicious" and absolutely finger-lickin' good (remember that joke? =p ) Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme!!

P.S. Too bad the 2 cupcakes weren't consumed. Tsk tsk, Sye Yuet...

Spam the pics!

Are we really in New York?
Feast!
At hard Rock's NYC
Lunch with that usual servings of crappiness from those two.
At the General Assembly with Patience ( from Kenya) ;)

Saturday!

Saturday

It’s the last day in the Big Apple!

We slept in late as usual. I woke up to the formidable task of packing. Packing is an evil thing. I was terrible at trying to fit all that things into my luggage. I could not close it even when I sit or lie on my luggage! Well, I shall not complain so much about packing my purchases, should I…

We had Dunkin Donuts for breakfasts. Oh what indulgences! Then, we continued our weekend activity: SHOPPING!

We sat off for Manhattan again! Sitting on the subway produces such little brain activity that it induces sleep so easily. It is very embarrassing leaning side-to-side while I fall in and out of sleep. I fell asleep again (Well, many people know I can sleep any where and everywhere). I could not get out of the subway in time and got stuck in the train with Daniel. Serves me right. ;)

We then got out at the “tenement” subway stop. We shopped at Century 21, the land of cheap branded goods. Totally oxymoron.

I forgot all about lunch when shopping. Once we stopped, my stomach began grumbling and we headed down to Café Toda. I had a brilliant sandwich. We left our mark on the wall, hoping we can come back again. Thank goodness I am tall.

We then continued shopping. We walked through the streets and a neighborhood. We soaked in the atmosphere and the sun as it was began to be a little warmer.

We shopped around Soho and many other shops for Kishsn’s gf’s dress. I tried on a gazillion dresses. Kinda fun playing dress-up parading clothes. Kinda amusing to see how the guys’ tastes are. All in all, I hope Kishen’s gf like the tunic top. He mobilized the whole group for it! HAHA!



I soaked in the culture and atmosphere of NYC. I have no regrets. I feel blessed to go on this journey with you all especially. I had a great trip. I look forward to next year’s CSD. Though I am not sure how I will survive with the 2 crazy guys……………………

Well, its back in Singapore and a whole new chapter begins.

Thursday!

Thursday!

I was previously anxious and yet a little worried that I would not get the chance to make a statement and it will be the biggest regret ever. I really wanted to get the feel of how it would be like to make a statement in front of the ministers and the panelists. My team mates know that too and I am glad that they came to help.

Patience is in charge of the “Major group discussions” Youth Statement. She is a very passionate and sincere lady. You can feel the passion, hopes and desires she have when we talked about the CSD issues and themes.

A day before the talk, we sat down to discuss the aims of the statement and the topics that we should discuss. We then split up into groups to work on questions that may be raised during the session.

Before the session, we sat at the cafeteria to rehearse our speeches. Patience could speak with so much conviction and confidence without a script. I did not feel assured without a script and we went down to work with coming up with one. There was this great sense of camaraderie amongst the group. We split the work up and worked on a specific issue for the speech. There were great talents in the group!

It was a little chaotic and an internal mayhem as I got nervous. I am glad there was the French Vanilla Coffee to keep my cool. But I regretted not eating the cakes that my group mates raved about.

Soon, we settle down at the conference room. We sat on the first row, right in front of the panelists. When the time came, I gave my greatest passion and conviction in my speech, hoping that I get the message across. Though I know I did my best, there was definitely room for improvement. Patience was way cool! She spoke with such flair and I felt the burning flame within her! I totally admired her speech and as I say, its way cool!

I am glad that other ministers welcomed our suggestions and supported our stand. We managed to bring the Youth message across!

I would like to thank my group mates for helping me with the statement and reassuring me that I can do it. ;)

I feel this sense of accomplishment after the speech but an even great sense of camaraderie amongst us…………………………………………………………………….

Saturday 100508

Slept in for the first time till 9:15am and rushed down to the pantry for breakfast since breakfast ends at 10am..lol. Then we ate like we've eaten before..haha...Then we went to the ladies' room to discuss the plans for the day. So we decided to head out to the major attractions! Firstly, we went off to see the Statue of Liberty but couldn't get the free ferry ride. But, we managed to take photos of the liberty as well as the other historical monuments such as the stock exchange, musuems, George Washington, etc. Then we went down to WTC site and saw the Ground Zero Site and heard a lady that was giving an overview on what happened and what was on the works at WTC which was very informative and interesting. Then, we went down to chinatown and saw lots of shops selling really cheap tees and assorted items which was so tempting to get! haha...then we ate at the italian outlet and then headed down to Times Square via Madison Square Garden. Then we got diverted and headed down to shop for 45 mins at Macy's and H&M! We did a little shopping and got a few things!! We also went down later to HERSHEY store! It was chocolicously Heavenly GOOD! We went crazy on the chocolates and spend alot on chocos! but it was sooo GUUUD!! haha..after choco-spending, we headed for the subway and it was already past 12am and we were still on the train. So we decided to stop midway and take a taxi back since it wasn't really safe to be still on train or bus. We waited for 20 mins and finally got one and then went back to the hotel! Dan went down across street to get Donuts for all of us while we were all busy doing up our blogs! haha..ate 2 donuts and ending it here! END!=D

WEekends

The weekends came!!! Who else better to tell you what we have done, where have we gone and what we bought other than the master/mistress of fun and entertainment?

WE slept in slightly later on Saturday morning after the tiring night at Phantom of the Opera at Broadway. We did a little research on the internet ( the wonder of technology) and off we went!

We went to Bowling Greens to catch a glimpse ( Without binoculars) of the Statue of Liberty and street acts. Joanna binged on New York street food such as hot-dogs and pretzels!

WE then walked down through Manhatten on foot. We soaked in the sights and atmosphere of the NYC streets. Wei ye stopped to admire and snapped photographs of the flowers along the streets. Zhe Yu was busy thinking of Star Bucks and shunning the camera. Daniel majorly cam-whored (Confessions: all of us did) Kishen snapped even more photos and cracked even more jokes. Joanna and i were happily tagging along.

We visited Wall Street and The American stock exchange, Trinity church, Trump Towers, Tiffanny and Co., Ground Zero, Chinatown, Soho and Hersheys' Choc Factory. Basically, we walked through the Manhatten.

WE shopped at H&M and Macy's!!!!!!! Sye Yuet bought so much things they gave her the really big paper bag!!!

We head back to the hotel totally shagged but really contented!!!!

SUNDay!!

We slept in again! Our aim is to go SHOPPING!!!

We went for lunch at a Jewish restaurant. We had huge portions of chicken soup, cabbage wraps, stewed chicken and roasted chicken!! The servings are huge! But the food is really goood and muak, delicious!!

We went on to try to burn all that food away by walking through the streets AGAIN. We walked around Manhatten, stopping at any shops we feel like to. We stopped at a chic second hand ultra-branded boutique shops and our favourites such as GAP and OLD NAVY! The guys just cannot shop as fast, oh wells! HAHA.

Hm, we ended with fast food and embraced ourself for another week at the UN!

our daily sights

Postcard Moment

At the entry area of the UN.

The beginning for a new day!

The Girls! (Left: Joanna, Sye Yuet, Weiye)

At conferences.

At the UN cafeteria.

Friday 090508

TGIF was the first thing that came to my mind! haha...we woke up all fired up to get to the youth caucus meeting which we've missed a couple of it. We rushed from street to street walking real fast in the cold gushes of wind that made us shiver real bad...we reached the UN building 15 mins late and ran all the way to the conference room and barged right in and sat down with our notepads out for firing notes to be taken...lol..Then, we managed to link up to do the statements for land (cross-cutting issues), water (for monday statement). So I was doing the land cross cutting issues with Sye Yuet. We did contribute on the statements and were happy to see our edited work on the speech been delivered out on the parallel session! Congrats to us=)..Then we went on to work with other partnership sessions and side events plus drafting the statements for Week 2 of the CSD. Therefore, we were quite busy running here and there and making really awesome friends! Lisa is such a great person! Hot Belgian Babe with so much charisma and so out-going! NICE! lol...Then we left the building at 7pm doing up some last minute work on the youth-oriented MDGs and submitted to Thomas who happens to be i/c of the land issues. He was a cool guy and looped us in which was very accomodating!=P..Then we left the UNHQ and rushed down to watch the Phantom at Broadway! We only had about 40 mins to get there and things started to turn bad coz it started to rain heavily and we were walking down streets and I and Lee ZY were drenched TOTALLY and when we reached the Broadway Theatre, we barely made it in time and went in immediately! Here's the best part! We were so enthusiastic for the first half hour, but later on, everyone was dropping heads trying to stay AWAKE!! Haha....SAD ain't it?..lol...Then, it was already 11-ish pm and we were all tired and really beat..so we waited for a taxi for about 20 mins and finally got a taxi which cost us 60 bucks! Was freaked out with the price but we were too tired to think about it. So, we just got on the cab and went back to hotel. Once I hit the hotel, i knocked off followed by Dan. Lee was still watching TV...End!

A Strange New World

The team walking from Grand Central Subway Terminal to United Nations Headquarters at downtown Manhatten. Kishen is the one carrying the duffel bag, while Zheyu is the one with the backpack. The rest are behind. Even this driver was amused at us peering all around!

Photograph of the team taken outside the UN Headquarters in Manhatten. This is the side entrance of the compound. Don't we look dashing? :)

A picture taken at the UN Thematic Discussion on Drought. The delegates from each country are seated at their respective places arrayed in a semi-circle-like shape around the front table, at which the Chairperson and expert speakers are seated.

Stepping into the Unknown -- 8th May (S'pore time)

The first day of our trip to the United Nations Headquarters was a totally new and enriching experience! The first challenge actually came in the form of us navigating our way through downtown Manhattan towards the UNHQ, with the unfamiliar surroundings totally throwing us off. Luckily Kishen knew the way, and soon we found ourselves staring at the rather imposing UNHQ building with the array of flags flying at full mast just in front. I found the whole registration rather slick, with a personalized ID issued to each of us, and together with formal wear, we could, for once, imagine ourselves in the shoes of international delegates, walking among the ranks of the key decision-makers at the UNHQ.

The event was structured such that there were many concurrent sessions running at the same time, giving us ample opportunity to explore and attend those sessions whose topics of discussion interested us. The main skeleton of the event is essentially 2 thematic discussions, one each in the morning and evening, and together with these were many other side issue meetings on topics such as Partnerships between the governmental sector and civil society organizations, and also major group meetings, 1 each for the 9 major groups identified under the UN, that being youth and children, which we were participating in CSD-16 under, as well as NGOs, women, workers and trade unions, scientific and technological community, farmers, indigenous people, Business and Industry, and Local Authorities.

It was a little disorienting at first, as we had to choose between many options which were all very informative, and also locate the venues of those sessions, but it was effort well spent, as we treasured every moment of the experience. We had a glimpse of what ministerial meetings were like by participating in the thematic discussion segments. These were sessions chaired by experts in the topic being discussed, and in which key presentations were first made, and then opened to the floor (the various country representatives as well as Major Group representatives) to speak, with room to field questions, update others on their own efforts to tackle core issues discussed, and to raise key pointers to add on as additional noteworthy considerations for others to ponder upon when thinking about the issue at hand.

For me, I focused predominantly on water and sanitation issues, since such issues are very pertinent to Singapore which is distinguishing itself in this field by its rigorous and intensive approach to this, and also bears great importance in the South-East Asian context as regional countries are increasingly aware of the need to ensure adequate access to basic water and sanitation services with a sustainable approach towards development. As such, an increased knowledge of the core concerns in this area would enable me to be more cognizant of the developmental considerations that our neighbours are facing, have a greater understanding of their policies and be more socially aware.

It was a rather harried and hectic day, but in the end, I found it very meaningful, and I look forward towards the next day to further my experience as a youth delegate for Singapore and immerse myself in the comings and goings at the UNHQ.

Thursday 080508 (Day Two)

Woke up at 6:30am with lots of reluctance because of jet lag and due to the babies wailing the whole time which kept us all awake causing us to be late. Reached the commission before 9am where the security guards didn’t allow me in because registration starts only at 9am. So, we had to wait for half hour. Meanwhile, we took pictures with lots of them taken with the UN building as the background. Finally, the registration desk was opened and we made our passes and went ahead with the sessions. After all events, we went for dinner outside at a pizza outlet which was good. After which, we took the subway and bus back to our hotel to work on our reports and blog. That will be all! End of Day Two!

Gearing Up -- 7th May (S'pore time)

The trip started out quite normally for me, probably due to the rather last minute packing the night before. It picked up soon after, however, as I met the rest of our team at Changi airport, and discussed on what we would be doing at New York. Dunkin’ Donuts was one, and so was the transit in Hong Kong, a probable trip to the gym at our hotel in Brooklyn, and of course, the conference at UNHQ, which was the main point of our traveling to New York. I got really very excited about the many possibilities that lay ahead of us on our trip, especially over the opportunity to participate in such an event where I could get to exchange opinions with youths from many diverse countries.

We did some exploration of Hong Kong’s International Airport during our stopover, and were soon on our way on the marathon 15-hour journey to New York. But who’s complaining? I got to watch many movies on the trip (not all movies there were censored) and the food served was really very good. The only gripe I had was the sense of “family” I felt ALL around me. There were babies all around, and they were crying ALL throughout. By the time we touched down at JF Kennedy, I had had opportunity to experience the highs and lows of having a baby – literally.

Although we had left Singapore at 11 a.m., it wasn’t until 11 p.m. United States time that we reached JFK airport, and we then took a taxi to the Howard Johnson Hotel in Brooklyn. The hotel is situated in a rather convenient location, with Dunkin’ Donuts just opposite (!!), McDonald’s just a street away, Wendy’s another street down, and Manhattan, New York just 40 min away by subway. After assessing our situation and planning what to do the day after, we called in a night, barely able to contain our excitement for the next day.

Wednesday 070508 (Day One)

Reached Changi Airport with lots of excitement. I just couldn’t wait to get on the plane. All parents were there to send their kids off. I still had a few last minute things to pack before checking in. So, I went down to terminal 2 to get my things from Watsons (A life-saver since it’s so close to the skytrain). Then we all checked in to Cathay Pacific Airlines and went into the departure lounge leaving all the parents behind. Everyone get really excited about the whole trip to New York! We looked around Terminal 3 which was pretty cool because there were lots of new stores open and as well as restaurants with a vast range of cuisines. After looking around, we checked in for our flight to Hong Kong! The ride was fantastic! Didn’t had any problems or whatsoever. Services were excellent and comfort was second to none for economy seats. Then came the torture when we had to sit in for the New York JFK Flight in Hong Kong! Babies were crying, kids were screaming, old people were shouting rather than talking, toilets were so badly kept! Situation was close to suicidal because of the long duration period. Miraculously, we managed to bear the whole journey to JFK! Upon reaching JFK, we took taxis to our hotel and we checked in smoothly. The hotel was great and the service was good too. End of Day One!

Starting out!

Team photo taken at Hong Kong International Airport (that's only 1/4 of our luggage shown :), so guess how much we brought? )








The lights at JFK airport, New York. The aeroplane was moving fast on touch down, so the photo appears a bit blurred.

Team photograph

Team photo!!

1st row: (from left) Sye Yuet, Wei Ye, Joanna

2nd row: (from left) Kishen, Daniel, Zheyu

Preparations

Here is the team working hard to prepare for the Trip to New York for the 16th Commission on the Sustainable Development.



The team was brief on:
1. Objective of Delegation Team
2. Themes to be addressed
3. Deliverables
4. The daily flow and expectation as a team