Hi everyone! i'm finally back after 6 months!
So after six months, im totally leading a different life. i'm in a different continent, different time zone, in a different room with different friends and a different lifestyle. everything has changed. i never thought i'd make it this far!
Exactly one year ago, i just started my job at Starhub and i can remember those days where i was just so scared of talking to people and learning the mechanics of the working world! my mindset has widened so much and i've literally seen and experienced so many things that i am proud to say that i have grown up.
Exactly one year ago, i still had no idea what course or university i would end up in. I had just completed my applications to overseas university. done with all the sats and ucas that i really have to thank angela and zhimin for waking me up during the period right before a levels. if it werent for them and their advice, i wouldnt be here!
Sometimes when i am free i will reflect on this past year and 2010 has indeed been one of the most exciting and life-changing years of my life. Until April 19 2010 5pm, which was the exact deadline for confirming my scholarship at smu, i didnt know where i'll end up in. so yeah, i literally hesitated until the deadline before they called me and then i firmly decided that i was london bound. if not, i will be at smu reading economics and business!
So many things have happened. Visas, air tickets, health immunisations, packing, outings with friends before the big farewell. Then, settling in a totally new environment called Connaught Hall, going to the great LSE, and exploring the new place that awaits me.
London is really a fantastic place. There exists some flaws that compromise on its attractiveness, like high crime rate, crowdedness, high cost of living etc. but theres just so much to do here. apart from awesome shopping and food, which is to die for, the best part is there's so much scenery and nature (not in zone 1 of course) that i dont get to experience in singapore. because of its central location, I can easily go to the suburbs, other cities or even other parts of UK so easily and cheaply. and with friends all around the UK, free accommodation and tours await my arrival. Perhaps many of you don't know, I love travelling, especially independently, to countrysides and nature. Sometimes if i am feeling stressed, all it takes is a 30 min tube ride to some ulu place and i'll be refreshed after that.
It's amazing how i used to criticize and look down on my own country. i would lament that the weather is crap (which still is), place is crowded, transport is crap and expensive, and theres nowhere to go, people just don't do things professionally etc. but now that i have experienced living in a different city, i have learnt to appreciate the 'flaws' that i thought Singapore had. the tube is way more expensive that i have to consider for a long time if it is justifiable to take it. it was even more crammed and stuffy etc. and i definitely miss the accessibility to cheap and awesome food. food here is either very expensive, or cheap but crap quality and nutrition. lastly, i have grown to appreciate how singapore is actually very efficient and organised, and is actually a first class nation! it's interesting how other people view Singapore. This African-American that i was talking to was so impressed that i came from Singapore. He asked me 'Is Sg the small prosperous island where there are literally NO slums?' Even our principal, Howard Davies, has a quirky yet interesting view of Singapore. During orientation, while explaining how diverse our school population is, he describe Sg as the 'country that delights in having clandestine secret chewing gum sessions'.
Indeed, LSE means Let's See Europe, as quoted by Howard Davies. I have travelled to so many exotic places during my first vacation. I went to Italy and Croatia with Itchy Feet, my school's travelling/backpacking/adventure society and counted down with my friends at Paris. I also went punting at Cambridge, exploring Nottingham and many more! I will never forget how nice Trieste and also Pula is, how these exotic cities have practically no tourists and everyone stops and looks at you like you're an alien. It also helped a lot that i was the official translator for food during my trips. Need interpretation of menu? Im your man.
I can say that I have grown up and wisened a lot. I now understand how companies and professionals do their stuff. and that so many issues are multi-faceted and require careful planning and execution. I met really amazing, capable and inspiring people and learnt many new concepts and ideas.
Now, to the less formal, mundane stuff. This is the first time that i'm living out alone. being in a hall has made it very fun too. initially, i was being all whiny and not looking forward to this new envt, since i knew practically no one in the hall. but through facebook and parties, i have found my own circle of good friends. we shall leave the topic of racial segregation to another post. but let's just say that i am currently happy with my lil group of asians haha.
We have our meals together in a harry potter like dining room, bathe in small, neat cubicles and socialize at our hall bar and social area. there are occasional parties that we attend and everyone just lets their hair down. the best are the small personal room parties. when we eat asian food, drink copious amounts of alcohol and play old school music while screaming at the top of our lungs, jumping up and down. then we bond and chat over tea and peanuts or cheap chocolate.
Student life is quite amazing. i secretly delight in all my budget purchases n money saving antics. For the thrifty student on a budget, the pound shops are a mecca to us. we visit it religiously and stock up on our essentials. cheapskate? nah i dont think so. its just using your money wisely. also, europe is very student friendly, there are always student concessions and even if its nt stated, it doesnt harm to ask, and next thing, you're entering the louvre in paris for free!
im also happy i found a good community of friends, some that make me really contented and i can always be myself, and on a serious note, a community for my faith. i have a few good, religious friends who i can go to church with and discuss such issues. Without them ,i probably wont have the motivation to go to church or participate in any activity.
So far, ive described most of my adventures and how i'm loving it, which is what pleases the eye. there are matters that make me really unhappy, but i guess its best not to whine and lament over this space. good things are meant to be remembered, while the bad ones, tossed away.
This has been a really long post, as always. I dont know when i'll blog again because it just requires too much thinking and effort. we'll see. and maybe next time, the stuff that i write will be so different from what im doing now. im looking forward to that.
till then,
catch me on my european adventures. through facebook, youtube, whatsapp, whatever.
