Once upon a time (which was only last semester), over the rainbow and the thousand step staircase, where the sun was shining and the birds were singing, around 18 little turtles lived happily in their magic garden pond of the University of Macau (UM) where they were swimming, playing and sunbathing for everybody's happiness.

Surprisingly, September started without these lovely creatures; a dry, empty pond and noisy construction work waited upon the new and old students of UM. The lovely presence and funny behavior of these turtles were missed by many people on campus. Where are they now?

I confess that I was one of the students whose heart felt happiness every time I passed by the turtle pond. One time in the last semester my heart beat stopped as I saw one of the turtles sliding down from a rock to the water, accidentally turning upside down. As I was looking at him trying really hard to turn back on his stomach, I caught myself silently voting for him: "Yes, yes, you can do it, yes just one more push, one more push, yes that's it, HURRAAA." Luckily he made it and swam away happily.

Here in Asia turtles carry more meanings than just filling your heart with happiness. Some Buddhists believe that turtles bring you longevity. Buddhist practitioners can pray with turtles, or they can release them to freedom. "The main purpose of releasing life to freedom is to save lives that are in danger and to pray for their ultimate Enlightenment, as well as for all sentient beings," said Dr. Yutang Lin, a Buddhist Yogi.

Luckily I have good news for all of the people who have worried about the whereabouts and wellbeing of UM's turtles and missed them like me. The Campus Department have rescued them from the unhealthy surroundings caused by the current contraction work in front of the turtle pond and placed them in a safer environment on the top of Building U, in a small fountain.

Shortly, at the end of October when the renovation work of the new exhibition area will be over, these lovely creatures will be back in their original home. Then we will be able to see them swimming and sunbathing again happily ever after.