Homecoming! Just a few more days... 3 to be exact.

It sure doesn't feel like 4.5 months have passed. Time really flies. And in the process, I have learnt so much more about myself, gained so many intangible experiences that it is overwhelming.

Before coming on exchange, I always wanted the opportunity to be able to work overseas. This goal hasn't really changed much, yet, I will be much better prepared for what comes my way if it ever happens. Adapting to and thriving in a new environment is fine. But at the same time, I really miss my family and friends. The ease and conforts of familiarity.

After coming over, I realised how small Singapore is. But at the same time, I do appreciate it for being small because it is so much more convenient. I know I will miss St Gallen. My cosy room, the garden, Tara and the cats. I will miss taking long, scenic train rides around Switzerland or out of the country. But, another part of me can't wait to come home.

I never thought I'll say this, but I am tired of being away from home. This came after living out of my suitcase for exactly 3 weeks. It is fun. I enjoy walking the streets of Prague, Poland, whereever. Looking at stuff, appreciating other countries. But without a proper, comfortable bed, having to move around every couple of days, it does get exhausting.

Anyway, I think even my body is geared up for returning to Singapore. I'm waking up early these couple of days (think 8 am) when in the past, I would sleep till 11. The power of psychology?

*rant rant rant*

I am irritated... Budget airlines fly you fro mplaces cheaply, but at the same time, they are damn anal when it comes to the time when we have to make changes. Extra charges for making changes, no cancellation refunds... THIS SUCK!!!

Cause I made some changes to travel plans, choosing to extend Prague for another two more days. With this change, I have to cancel the hostel I booked in Athens, change my flight from Prague to Athens cause I can't just cancel Athens as I have made bookings for my subsequent transfers like my boat rides to and fro Crete and my flight to Milan from Athens. So yeah... bo pian lor...

Why change travel plans? Cause I didn't want to bake under the sun while visiting the Acropolis. I like Prague and spending 2 days in Prague is too short. Oh well... will save more money when I get back.

2 weeks from now, I will be back home. Time flies... I want to go home... but travelling is find sans the luggage and stuff. Yeah.. I've been lugging 17kg luggage plus a 3kg backpack around when I move between cities. It is not very amusing. But well.. a ocuple more transfers and I will be back in St Gallen, and then, flying back home.

Chanced upon these clips... and I really really wished I had gone for a musical when I was in UK. Both clips are songs from Les Miserables. My first musical and to date, still the most beautiful one I've gone for.

Do You Hear the People Sing


and

at the End of the Day and One Day More.


Beautiful, simply beautiful!

I went to Interlaken and then to Geneva over the last two days. And I finished the above book - The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. It was a book I bought when I was in UK cause I was running out of reading options.

This was a book that lasted me up for more than 12 hours. 3 hours on the train to Interlaken, another 3 to 4 hours in the Interlaken hostel, another 2 from Interlaken to Geneva and 4 hours from Geneva back to St Gallen. Quite a feat I would say as I used to rush through my books in one sitting. But I just wanted to absorb all the details in the book...

It's a hauntingly beautiful and poignant book. After reading, my mind went into overgear, thinking about the message I got from the book and what I've learnt.

Synopsis:

In 1964, a pair of twins, one boy and one girl, were born to this couple, the husband being a doctor. The girl was born with Down Syndrome and so, he made the decision to send her to an institution, hiding the truth from his wife and son, telling them instead that she had died. The secret wedged its way into their lives as the family seeked solace in different things.

The twist: The nurse who was supposed to bring the girl to the institution brought her up instead. And so what happens? Would they get to meet? What happens after they meet? What does it mean to have Down Syndrome?

The doctor's decision that fateful night was what set the gears into motion and providing the key that turned the lock of Pandora's box, unleashing the events written in the story. The story examines how hard it is to keep a secret, how hard it is being the person the secret is kept from. Seeking answers, seeking acceptance, not knowing how fortunate one is.

Gosh.. I feel like I'm writing a book review for primary school but I really enjoyed this book...

Heh.. another good read would be The Time Traveller's Wife which I finished way earlier, but didn't think of writing a 'review' for it... Maybe later, maybe soon...