what are your passions?

so a week ago, i attended this SHAPE course, which was basically a course to find out my strengths, weaknesses, gifts, and how to use them to serve, and to grow them. you get the gist right? and one part of it was to talk about our passions; where our heart felt most inclination towards. and i really loved that section of the course because, ok to be honest, i seldom talk about my passions, because... people tend to get that glaze-eyed look when i start animatedly

enthusing about them. haha. guess i don't make my passions interesting enough, or people just don't really share the same passions as i do. that's why i become somewhat disappointed they don't share my enthusiasm as well. perfectly normal.

but i can share them here right? i mean... you'd like to hear about them, riiiiiiiiighttt???

denise's passions 101

1. animals

this, i really have my cousins to thank for instilling in me a love and interest in animals from a very young age. they were the ones who showed me the wonderful world of animals, dogs especially. because of them, i learnt about the SPCA, and what they do for homeless pet animals, which impacts the local community as well. so yes, i am VERY passionate about the SPCA, specifically in educating the public about responsible animal ownership (really.. puppies are not toys you can chuck once you get tired of them), the importance of spaying and neutering your dog/cat (the dog's testicles are not yours... so neutering him will not ever affect your manhood, plus he will never know), and of course... adopting your pet instead of buying them. man, i could go on and on about this, but i can see some of your eyes glazing over already.

hmm but maybe i should really get back to the spaying/neutering debate in the future. i really stress that you should spay or neuter your pet, unless you're a certified breeder who knows what you're doing, and will be responsible for the babies that result from breeding. true story: after my aunt neutered her tomcat, his eyes became less slitty and shifty, and he didn't roam around as often as he did when he was a randy pre-neutered cat. and we all know that "accidents" can happen. what if Fluffy the beautiful purebred poodle was violated by a dirty

street mongrel? can you really afford to maintain at least 6 full grown dogs? give them away? yeah i suppose you could, but how many people would want mixbreeds nowadays? and where do they end up....? at the SPCA for a time til there's no more place for them and....

(picture taken from here. also, do check out SPCA Penang)

and that's why i'm being such a drag and sermonising. sorry! i'll stop now i promise. haha i guess now you know why i hardly talk about my passions.

2. reading

ever since my 4th or 5th peter and jane book (which i had to be bribed to finish), i was hooked on books. as a child, i was rather nerdy and bookish.. just always had a book with me. why? because reading is awesome! i think some of my relatives think i'm a bit weird for it. that's asian culture for you, that's why i kinda prefer it here... enjoying reading is so much more acceptable here. plus, it's easier to find a guy who reads as well. it's not a must, but i think having a boyfriend who reads and doesn't think you're such a nerd for reading, would be awesome.

but as i progress on in my degree, i want to take this love further... i want to help people read, and understand, and love books as much as i do. i believe that every one should at least have the ability to be literate. and i don't know what to do about this, or how to go about this yet, because i've only realised this teaching side of mine. and as much as being a teacher freaks every bone of mine out, i'm actually rather excited to teach and have my students experience the wonderful world that reading opens.

omg i sound like such a nerd ==

yeah, so now you know... my hidden (or outward?) propensities as a nerdy person. sigh, but it's true, i love wandering around museums, and my idea of a wonderful date is to sit in the park with my guy, surrounded by beautiful flora, a brook gently gurgling somewhere nearby, and just reading or talking.

but that's enough about me. what about you? have i prompted you to search your heart and discover what you're passionate about? what are your passions?