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?
Showing posts with label Exchange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exchange. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Just finishing up my meal of lunch/tea or rather, it's more like dinner since it's almost 7 pm... Ultimate Indulgance I think...
What did I have?
Let's see... One cheese-filled sausage with bacon wrapped round it. Sinful ya? 2 buns, a slab of butter, a sunny side up with a runny yolk the way I like it. Plus a serving of salad - lettuce and carrot.
See! I know how to balance my meals... and well.. *shepishly* it's my first big meal of the day. Had a bowl of super sweet muesli before I went for class earlier. Ok.. so maybe I should manage my eating times better... Hahahaha...
oh.. and I bought a can of lychees at an exhorbitant price (ok.. not so much in the Swiss context, but from Singapore perspective, it's indeed quite pricey). So that can be my dessert.
Life... has been busy. with what? I am also not sure. Well.. the workload has increased as the term draws towards the end. Just had my one and only presentation earlier. One more paper to write and 2 more exams to go. Not to mention, settling travel plans - booking of hostel and flight tickets due to some last minute changes. 3 more weeks and I'll say tschuss to my room in St Gallen.
Ok... on top of that, I have been spending a lot of time doing irrelevant, time-wasting stuff... like surfing the net and playing games. Sounds like my life back in Singapore no?
What did I have?
Let's see... One cheese-filled sausage with bacon wrapped round it. Sinful ya? 2 buns, a slab of butter, a sunny side up with a runny yolk the way I like it. Plus a serving of salad - lettuce and carrot.
See! I know how to balance my meals... and well.. *shepishly* it's my first big meal of the day. Had a bowl of super sweet muesli before I went for class earlier. Ok.. so maybe I should manage my eating times better... Hahahaha...
oh.. and I bought a can of lychees at an exhorbitant price (ok.. not so much in the Swiss context, but from Singapore perspective, it's indeed quite pricey). So that can be my dessert.
Life... has been busy. with what? I am also not sure. Well.. the workload has increased as the term draws towards the end. Just had my one and only presentation earlier. One more paper to write and 2 more exams to go. Not to mention, settling travel plans - booking of hostel and flight tickets due to some last minute changes. 3 more weeks and I'll say tschuss to my room in St Gallen.
Ok... on top of that, I have been spending a lot of time doing irrelevant, time-wasting stuff... like surfing the net and playing games. Sounds like my life back in Singapore no?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Just heard the 2007 NDP song... 'There's No Place I'd Rather Be'
(http://www.ndp.org.sg/multimedia/audio/index.html)
It's by Kit Chan... and the lyrics are just so reflective of what I have felt and experienced these 3 months. (Yep! it's the 3rd month I'm in Switzerland today)
http://www.ndp.org.sg/multimedia/audio/no_place.html
(http://www.ndp.org.sg/multimedia/audio/index.html)
It's by Kit Chan... and the lyrics are just so reflective of what I have felt and experienced these 3 months. (Yep! it's the 3rd month I'm in Switzerland today)
http://www.ndp.org.sg/multimedia/audio/no_place.html
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Just read a post over at Char's blog.. which struck a chord and started the memories started flooding in...
I particularly like this sentence (which Sheena, a junior said) and I quote: "There's a distinct difference between striving for the best.. and trying to maintain your top position... the former being more fulfilling."
And I realise and can fully understand what that meant...
My memories of VJ was singing in the choir. Maintaining her 'legacy' and position as a top choir in Singapore. I especially like singing in mixed positions - where I would be standing with someone not from my own section - to me, it was a challenge. Because almost everyone there had strong music background, it seemed that we spent little time on learning the songs, but more of learning how to execute it. But there is the challenge of attempting tougher and challenging songs in various languages. Now, I probably can't remember much of the songs I've learnt.
And of course, I remember the stress of having to perform well cause we are VJ choir. The high expectations and striving to meet them.
It was a good experience - going to Prague, singing at the Esplanade, performing in concerts.
What started me out onto the path of choral singing? St Nicks choir.
And in contrast, SN choir was, well, not as accomplished as VJ choir. For the first couple of years I was there, I would say we were quite a dumping ground for girls who couldn't get their first choice of CCA. We were initially unadventurous - sticking to songs with accompaniment (in contrast, we hardly did any songs with accompaniment in VJ).
Yet, in SN Choir, I remember the struggles - the struggles of attendance (ie: getting people to come for practice), the despair felt after failing to teach the sections how to sing their parts, the difficulty in putting the song together.
I remember also, the 'individual testings' we had to go through under a certain Ms Toh. The fear I felt before my turn because I didn't want to incur her wrath.
Other fond memories - going up to the roof of the new extension after a particularly bad practice, the playground, sitting in the canteen enjoying ice Milo and shortbread.
The songs we sang were definitely simpler and even though SN Choir is such a long time back, I still remember the words to some of them ~ Silver Lining, Donna, Laudate... I remember learning the Hallelujah Chorus in Sec 1. IT was massive! and I like Jubilate Deo! :)
This was where I first got acquainted with Victoria Concert Hall. The steep steps up and down the stage.
And you know what? given a chance to relive my moments in the 2 choirs, I think I would choose to go back to the time when I was a SN choir gal more than a VJ choir member.
=====
Meanwhile, I reek of lethargy. Can't bring myself to do stuff. I have less than a month before I leave St Gallen. It's getting tough. I feel like hibernating at home everyday. I hope this phase passes soon.
I particularly like this sentence (which Sheena, a junior said) and I quote: "There's a distinct difference between striving for the best.. and trying to maintain your top position... the former being more fulfilling."
And I realise and can fully understand what that meant...
My memories of VJ was singing in the choir. Maintaining her 'legacy' and position as a top choir in Singapore. I especially like singing in mixed positions - where I would be standing with someone not from my own section - to me, it was a challenge. Because almost everyone there had strong music background, it seemed that we spent little time on learning the songs, but more of learning how to execute it. But there is the challenge of attempting tougher and challenging songs in various languages. Now, I probably can't remember much of the songs I've learnt.
And of course, I remember the stress of having to perform well cause we are VJ choir. The high expectations and striving to meet them.
It was a good experience - going to Prague, singing at the Esplanade, performing in concerts.
What started me out onto the path of choral singing? St Nicks choir.
And in contrast, SN choir was, well, not as accomplished as VJ choir. For the first couple of years I was there, I would say we were quite a dumping ground for girls who couldn't get their first choice of CCA. We were initially unadventurous - sticking to songs with accompaniment (in contrast, we hardly did any songs with accompaniment in VJ).
Yet, in SN Choir, I remember the struggles - the struggles of attendance (ie: getting people to come for practice), the despair felt after failing to teach the sections how to sing their parts, the difficulty in putting the song together.
I remember also, the 'individual testings' we had to go through under a certain Ms Toh. The fear I felt before my turn because I didn't want to incur her wrath.
Other fond memories - going up to the roof of the new extension after a particularly bad practice, the playground, sitting in the canteen enjoying ice Milo and shortbread.
The songs we sang were definitely simpler and even though SN Choir is such a long time back, I still remember the words to some of them ~ Silver Lining, Donna, Laudate... I remember learning the Hallelujah Chorus in Sec 1. IT was massive! and I like Jubilate Deo! :)
This was where I first got acquainted with Victoria Concert Hall. The steep steps up and down the stage.
And you know what? given a chance to relive my moments in the 2 choirs, I think I would choose to go back to the time when I was a SN choir gal more than a VJ choir member.
=====
Meanwhile, I reek of lethargy. Can't bring myself to do stuff. I have less than a month before I leave St Gallen. It's getting tough. I feel like hibernating at home everyday. I hope this phase passes soon.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Life in Singapore seem so distant now. What do I do at home? What do I do on weekends? Definitely not vacuuming my floor, nor washing my clothes. I do not have to cook lunch or dinner, or worry about what to eat or if I have enough food to last me x days.
I take the bus/MRT around, but where do I go? To school? To town? What do I do in town? How do I manage to stay in school for 6 hours 5 days a week?
In truth, I'm a little scared of returning to Singapore. I'm sure things will go back to normal and I will adapt back to life there. I will survive, just like how I've survived venturing here. It's just that life in Switzerland has just become the norm now and I'm so comfortable with everything. . I lead my life the way I want it. Plan almost everything on my own and everything.
It's just like when you have experienced something good, it is hard to settled back into something not that ideal.
Oh sure.. I miss hanging out with friends, going for ktv sessions with the Gassy gals, chill out sessions with everyone. Dessert and gsr sessions with Meiju and Baoqin, having fun with Social science ppl. Playing games at Mind Cafe and stuff.
I miss crapping with my sis, chatting with my mum. Watching soccer with my dad and watching my brother play his mindless games. I miss curling up in my bed with a good book.
But when I think of what I actually do on a day to day basis in Singapore, I really don't have am amswer. Maybe it's because I was so used to life in Singapore before I came over.
Maybe it's too premature to think about what I will miss when I leave... but the thoughts do loom overwhelmingly when I realise I am almost halfway through my term. And now, time just seem to fly. I wake up, have breakfast, go to school, come back, prepare dinner, have dinner and then spend some time in front of the computer and voila, the day is gone.
Oh well... may tomorrow be a better day!
I take the bus/MRT around, but where do I go? To school? To town? What do I do in town? How do I manage to stay in school for 6 hours 5 days a week?
In truth, I'm a little scared of returning to Singapore. I'm sure things will go back to normal and I will adapt back to life there. I will survive, just like how I've survived venturing here. It's just that life in Switzerland has just become the norm now and I'm so comfortable with everything. . I lead my life the way I want it. Plan almost everything on my own and everything.
It's just like when you have experienced something good, it is hard to settled back into something not that ideal.
Oh sure.. I miss hanging out with friends, going for ktv sessions with the Gassy gals, chill out sessions with everyone. Dessert and gsr sessions with Meiju and Baoqin, having fun with Social science ppl. Playing games at Mind Cafe and stuff.
I miss crapping with my sis, chatting with my mum. Watching soccer with my dad and watching my brother play his mindless games. I miss curling up in my bed with a good book.
But when I think of what I actually do on a day to day basis in Singapore, I really don't have am amswer. Maybe it's because I was so used to life in Singapore before I came over.
Maybe it's too premature to think about what I will miss when I leave... but the thoughts do loom overwhelmingly when I realise I am almost halfway through my term. And now, time just seem to fly. I wake up, have breakfast, go to school, come back, prepare dinner, have dinner and then spend some time in front of the computer and voila, the day is gone.
Oh well... may tomorrow be a better day!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Having some kind of 'blogstipation' here... Topics pop out and then discarded, ideas drift in and out and I can't seem to string proper sentences together. This is going to be a rambling post, with loads of mished and mashed thoughts...
Watched the Korean movie, 200 pounds Beauty last week. Of plastic surgery and attaining beauty. Would only pretty girls find happiness? Do all men look at girls so shallowly? I think this is a pretty good movie. Do you lose yourself in the process of achieving something? Is beauty all that matters? The topics discussed in this movie is nothing new, but I do like how it is presented.
On another note, been here for almost 2 months. (2 more days to my 2nd month here). Happily settled in, loving life. Now, I am wishing my last 2 months here will be longer...
From balking at the price of groceries on my first day to just indifference and acceptance now.
Got use to walking almost everywhere.
Ich kann kochen (I can cook) - and pretty decently I must say. hahaha...
From travelling here with locals I barely know, to meeting new friends from other countries.
And more importantly, living a psuedo jet-setting lifestyle. I've been out almost every weekend since I've arrived. And out means out of the country or the small town I am in. I just think.. how much this would change when I go back to Singapore - I mean I don't even travel out of Singapore every year - not to mention every weekend!
Is there such a thing as over travelling?
Meanwhile, everyday, or every trip is a new experience.
My first week in St Gallen - surviving without my laptop adaptor, getting used to life here.
To Paris, I took my first night train, alone.
At Saentis, I experienced my first time on a snowcapped mountain.
To Munich, the uneasy feeling of walking around a concentration camp.
In Vienna, got back into a big city. A mix of magnificent historical buildings and a busy shopping street.
In Berlin, went for my first tennis tournament - seeing the big name stars upclose and a spat of fan-girling.
And in Switzerland, just the wonderful, wonderful scenary. I'm so going to miss the mountains and lakes - sights I would never fail to spot on a train ride.
Watched the Korean movie, 200 pounds Beauty last week. Of plastic surgery and attaining beauty. Would only pretty girls find happiness? Do all men look at girls so shallowly? I think this is a pretty good movie. Do you lose yourself in the process of achieving something? Is beauty all that matters? The topics discussed in this movie is nothing new, but I do like how it is presented.
On another note, been here for almost 2 months. (2 more days to my 2nd month here). Happily settled in, loving life. Now, I am wishing my last 2 months here will be longer...
From balking at the price of groceries on my first day to just indifference and acceptance now.
Got use to walking almost everywhere.
Ich kann kochen (I can cook) - and pretty decently I must say. hahaha...
From travelling here with locals I barely know, to meeting new friends from other countries.
And more importantly, living a psuedo jet-setting lifestyle. I've been out almost every weekend since I've arrived. And out means out of the country or the small town I am in. I just think.. how much this would change when I go back to Singapore - I mean I don't even travel out of Singapore every year - not to mention every weekend!
Is there such a thing as over travelling?
Meanwhile, everyday, or every trip is a new experience.
My first week in St Gallen - surviving without my laptop adaptor, getting used to life here.
To Paris, I took my first night train, alone.
At Saentis, I experienced my first time on a snowcapped mountain.
To Munich, the uneasy feeling of walking around a concentration camp.
In Vienna, got back into a big city. A mix of magnificent historical buildings and a busy shopping street.
In Berlin, went for my first tennis tournament - seeing the big name stars upclose and a spat of fan-girling.
And in Switzerland, just the wonderful, wonderful scenary. I'm so going to miss the mountains and lakes - sights I would never fail to spot on a train ride.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
It's been two and a half weeks.
You know you are settled when:
You start calling the room you live in 'home'.
You can walk to town, navigate the streets and get to your destination quite easily.
You feel fine walking up a hill and now take 15 minutes instead of the 25 minutes previously.
You stop referring to a map!
Definitely more settled in. Spring is here which makes it all the more better. It's still chilly at night, but it's fine in the day. The sun is up till quite late - like 8 pm?
Heh... I don't even mind 40 mins to 1 hour of cooking every night! Then there's the planning of my 'menu' in advance. What to cook, what would spoil soon, when to cook veggies or what kind of veggies to cook.
Trying to clear my perishables as I'll be in Paris from Wed night to Mon... Then the whole grocery shoppign process begins again... :)
You know you are settled when:
You start calling the room you live in 'home'.
You can walk to town, navigate the streets and get to your destination quite easily.
You feel fine walking up a hill and now take 15 minutes instead of the 25 minutes previously.
You stop referring to a map!
Definitely more settled in. Spring is here which makes it all the more better. It's still chilly at night, but it's fine in the day. The sun is up till quite late - like 8 pm?
Heh... I don't even mind 40 mins to 1 hour of cooking every night! Then there's the planning of my 'menu' in advance. What to cook, what would spoil soon, when to cook veggies or what kind of veggies to cook.
Trying to clear my perishables as I'll be in Paris from Wed night to Mon... Then the whole grocery shoppign process begins again... :)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Heh... Spent a lazy sat afternoon at home, researching for my Paris trip, just settling my courses and now, I'm watching Tennis now... Some final live featuring Justine Henin and Serena Williams. hahaha... Life is good...
I feel domesticated again. Clothes washing downstairs, i cooked 'dunch' - Potato with mince meat and rice... Nowadays, I just cook like one dish - either a soup or sth with gravy and eat it with a staple.
Went to a party in Zurich yesterday. Happening hor? Alcohol is like almost free here lar... When you order like a mix, they put like one-third alcohol into the cup. It's damn strong lar... But I took a beer... hahaha.. dun wanna get wasted in Zurich. I still have to take a train back to St Gallen. Then the music was a bit weird. Like the DJ was supposed to be playing some hip-hop and R&B. It was some weird song lar. Nothing like R&B at all. Then there was some goth like band who played some weird songs too... Then caught the 1 am train back to St Gallen and reached backed at 3 plus and it was SUPER COLD!!! Stayed over at a friend's place cause I dun wanna walk back at night. Had tea and bathed. Slept at 5 and woke up at 10. Missed the trip to Bern though. Nvm.. I'll go another day...
Heh.. some updates.. going to Paris from 4th to 8th April.
I feel domesticated again. Clothes washing downstairs, i cooked 'dunch' - Potato with mince meat and rice... Nowadays, I just cook like one dish - either a soup or sth with gravy and eat it with a staple.
Went to a party in Zurich yesterday. Happening hor? Alcohol is like almost free here lar... When you order like a mix, they put like one-third alcohol into the cup. It's damn strong lar... But I took a beer... hahaha.. dun wanna get wasted in Zurich. I still have to take a train back to St Gallen. Then the music was a bit weird. Like the DJ was supposed to be playing some hip-hop and R&B. It was some weird song lar. Nothing like R&B at all. Then there was some goth like band who played some weird songs too... Then caught the 1 am train back to St Gallen and reached backed at 3 plus and it was SUPER COLD!!! Stayed over at a friend's place cause I dun wanna walk back at night. Had tea and bathed. Slept at 5 and woke up at 10. Missed the trip to Bern though. Nvm.. I'll go another day...
Heh.. some updates.. going to Paris from 4th to 8th April.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Uh oh... the i-think-i-live-near-school-and-thus-can-dally syndrome has started. I decided not to go for 2:30 german class today cause I had just finished bathing at 2:10 and there was no way I could be in class on time.
It's almost like back home. I stay a 15 to 20 mins walk from school.. sth like the half an hour bus ride from my place to school. The only diff is I can't and I won't pay for a cab to bring me to school. Firstly, cause cabs don't ply my area here and secondly, it's SUPER ex! I think the flag down rate is like 5Fr or sth... 
It's almost like back home. I stay a 15 to 20 mins walk from school.. sth like the half an hour bus ride from my place to school. The only diff is I can't and I won't pay for a cab to bring me to school. Firstly, cause cabs don't ply my area here and secondly, it's SUPER ex! I think the flag down rate is like 5Fr or sth...
Spring is almost here... I see green leaves everywhere, flowers, the snow melting, birds in the garden! Nice! Even the weather is a bearable 7 deg instead of -1 or 0.
I like pics of the snow melting. I think it's cool that there's grass and stuff under the snow... wahahahs... like so oxymoronic...
It's been hectic since classes started. I have german lessons from 8:30 EVERYDAY till about 4. Went for a city tour, a talk on the history of St Gallen which I promptly fell asleep in. Went Lake Constance on Sat. Sun stayed home, but was catching up with ppl at home. Yesterday, even though I had a day off, woke up even earlier to go Saentis. So it's just been out early, home late kinda thingee... and I don't feel very rested. Hahaha... But I guess things will be diff when school starts. My timetable is looking good (ie: slack!). More time to chill...
But slowly settling in here... more at ease with walking back at night. Quite sure I won't get lost in the near future... so ok...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Hmmmz... Day 12 in Switz...
Ok.. i think i was kinda pms-ing before that, therefore, all the emo thingee. Plus now, things are more settled.
I am enjoying German lessons. We kinda learn basic conversational German and how to form simple sentences like
Ich heisse Gillian
Ich bliebe ein Semester (i will be here for one semester)
Ich arbeite erst zwolf tage (I have been here for only 12 days)
Ich spiele Klavier gern (I like playing piano) - Oh.. have I mentioned, I have a piano in my house!
2 more days to end of intensive German... Kinda settled my timetable.. so yeah.. Looking forward to school to start!
Anyway, I feel soooooooooo domesticated.. cooking, washing, ironing... Watch out for more pics over in my other blog! :)
Ok.. i think i was kinda pms-ing before that, therefore, all the emo thingee. Plus now, things are more settled.
I am enjoying German lessons. We kinda learn basic conversational German and how to form simple sentences like
Ich heisse Gillian
Ich bliebe ein Semester (i will be here for one semester)
Ich arbeite erst zwolf tage (I have been here for only 12 days)
Ich spiele Klavier gern (I like playing piano) - Oh.. have I mentioned, I have a piano in my house!
2 more days to end of intensive German... Kinda settled my timetable.. so yeah.. Looking forward to school to start!
Anyway, I feel soooooooooo domesticated.. cooking, washing, ironing... Watch out for more pics over in my other blog! :)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Hmmm.. I think i just need to be around ppl.. The worse times are when I wake up in the morning... and I have nth much to do... Like dun have to rush to school... Then I'll just sit back and contemplate my surroundings... But not that I want to rush home immediately.. I want to go tour Europe! I want to go to Basel, Geneva and Bern...
I dun miss home... not even the food... But I miss the people at home...
But once I take the bus ride to town, I will just go like 'Waaaaaaaaahh...' cause the view is really very good. Think snowcapped buildings when u are on a road winding slowly into town... Magnificent... I'm having a good time when I hang out with the other exchange students... and stuff.. Maybe I'm just pms-ing... or i need to get rid of my 'morning homesickness'.
Hahaha.. exchange is fun.. no doubt... I really see a lot, hear a lot from others... It's like for a lot of people especially the Europeans, they speak more than 3 language. It's like English, German and maybe French or Spanish, or both plus other languages like Swedish... then the things I See here is also so different. I like the recyclign way of life... I don't exactly mind my 'exchange diet*'.
*Exchange diet is just like rabbit food (ie: Salad) or like simple stuff cause I'm too lazy to cook. But I went shopping in Lake Constance, Germany. The things there are cheaper! Wahahhas.. and I bought biscuits and stuff... :) Now, I just have to start eating them...
But the downside is you have to be prepared for these pangs of longings especially when you wake up with nothing much to do.. Sometimes, I wish you all can be over here with me.. Then it'll be a blast cause we'll have fun. Or sometimes, I wish that I can get home easily... But I also like the times I have here... It's contradicting.. But hey... there are many facets of emotions for every individual...
Everything is foreign here.. like how much walking I've done, like following a bus schedule, rushing for the last bus, taking the train to another city... going grocery shopping. Planning my menu.. walking to school.. blah blah blah... but slowly getting the hang of things. Go look for 'Acztion' or sth like tt.. It meants Action! I think.. which means the product is on sale.. wahahhas...
Ok lar... I'll be fine... a couple of weeks more and I'll probably be gushing abotu the people I meet instead of pining for the people at home. :)
I dun miss home... not even the food... But I miss the people at home...
But once I take the bus ride to town, I will just go like 'Waaaaaaaaahh...' cause the view is really very good. Think snowcapped buildings when u are on a road winding slowly into town... Magnificent... I'm having a good time when I hang out with the other exchange students... and stuff.. Maybe I'm just pms-ing... or i need to get rid of my 'morning homesickness'.
Hahaha.. exchange is fun.. no doubt... I really see a lot, hear a lot from others... It's like for a lot of people especially the Europeans, they speak more than 3 language. It's like English, German and maybe French or Spanish, or both plus other languages like Swedish... then the things I See here is also so different. I like the recyclign way of life... I don't exactly mind my 'exchange diet*'.
*Exchange diet is just like rabbit food (ie: Salad) or like simple stuff cause I'm too lazy to cook. But I went shopping in Lake Constance, Germany. The things there are cheaper! Wahahhas.. and I bought biscuits and stuff... :) Now, I just have to start eating them...
But the downside is you have to be prepared for these pangs of longings especially when you wake up with nothing much to do.. Sometimes, I wish you all can be over here with me.. Then it'll be a blast cause we'll have fun. Or sometimes, I wish that I can get home easily... But I also like the times I have here... It's contradicting.. But hey... there are many facets of emotions for every individual...
Everything is foreign here.. like how much walking I've done, like following a bus schedule, rushing for the last bus, taking the train to another city... going grocery shopping. Planning my menu.. walking to school.. blah blah blah... but slowly getting the hang of things. Go look for 'Acztion' or sth like tt.. It meants Action! I think.. which means the product is on sale.. wahahhas...
Ok lar... I'll be fine... a couple of weeks more and I'll probably be gushing abotu the people I meet instead of pining for the people at home. :)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Heh... It's one week since I've been here... Yet.. I sometimes feel like I've been here far longer than that. Sometimes, I can't wait to leave cause I'm missing you all back home, but other times, I just think that 'gosh... I'll be here for only 3 more months'. I'm like a pro liao.. shopping at Migros, the grocery store here... walking to town, walking home from school. Even prepping dinner or packing bread for school
Like I told some friends, I think i'll walk more in these 3.5 months here than in the past year back in Singapore. Like a 20 mins walk to school is normal for me.. Hahaha... I guess i'm really spoilt in Singapore.
Sigh man... I'm still missing home... Ok.. I think it's normal. But sometimes, its quite shitty that I would just tear up when I read my sister's email me or when I think of home or my mum, dad and bro. This is especially when I'm all alone or sth... HOW?
Thank goodness I stay connected via the internet... but the thing is it still feels different. Plus I'm not staying with the other Singaporeans, or have like other exchange people that I can talk to. Maybe I'm just not that emotionally strong.
German classes for 3 days already. It's not too bad. I think I'll continue with the course during term time... But 830 class is like hell... Wahahahs...
Like I told some friends, I think i'll walk more in these 3.5 months here than in the past year back in Singapore. Like a 20 mins walk to school is normal for me.. Hahaha... I guess i'm really spoilt in Singapore.
Sigh man... I'm still missing home... Ok.. I think it's normal. But sometimes, its quite shitty that I would just tear up when I read my sister's email me or when I think of home or my mum, dad and bro. This is especially when I'm all alone or sth... HOW?
Thank goodness I stay connected via the internet... but the thing is it still feels different. Plus I'm not staying with the other Singaporeans, or have like other exchange people that I can talk to. Maybe I'm just not that emotionally strong.
German classes for 3 days already. It's not too bad. I think I'll continue with the course during term time... But 830 class is like hell... Wahahahs...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Heh... I'm spending more time online thanks to the fact that I will go to my friend's place to charge my batt tmr.. and hopefully, I will get my package by Tues!!! *crosses fingers*
Anyway, settling in quite nicely... I'm enjoying what I've seen so far... Like going grocery shopping - u just look for the budget stuff. Hahaha.. poor students ma.. the 'MarktPlatz' which well, is the marketplace.. which is bustling with people from Mon to Sat esp Sat, but it is super quiet on Sunday cause all the shops are closed...
Eh.. saw this super nice cathdral.. I will post pics up once I get my adaptor.. dun wanna waste precious battery.. that's my mantra for the last few days...
It's just that cause I am living quite far away from the Singaporeans, up on a hill, I will leave town earlier when there is still light. So when I'm cooped up all alone in my room and not being able to use too much internet, I do think of home excessively sometimes.... Hahaha...
Haiya.. but I'll be fine when school starts cause I'll probably be occupied... Erm.. I'll update the other blog in chronological order and with pics once I get my adaptor...
Anyway, settling in quite nicely... I'm enjoying what I've seen so far... Like going grocery shopping - u just look for the budget stuff. Hahaha.. poor students ma.. the 'MarktPlatz' which well, is the marketplace.. which is bustling with people from Mon to Sat esp Sat, but it is super quiet on Sunday cause all the shops are closed...
Eh.. saw this super nice cathdral.. I will post pics up once I get my adaptor.. dun wanna waste precious battery.. that's my mantra for the last few days...
It's just that cause I am living quite far away from the Singaporeans, up on a hill, I will leave town earlier when there is still light. So when I'm cooped up all alone in my room and not being able to use too much internet, I do think of home excessively sometimes.... Hahaha...
Haiya.. but I'll be fine when school starts cause I'll probably be occupied... Erm.. I'll update the other blog in chronological order and with pics once I get my adaptor...
Friday, March 16, 2007
Ok.. I'm finally here...
I think I'm a bit slow. So indifferent the few days before I flew.. even up to the point when boarded the plane... and when I reached here, it kinda struck me that I'll be on my own for 4 months. I'm feeling a lil lost... hahaha... being so far away from the world that I know.. and to my horrors, I discovered I did not bring my laptop adaptor. So smart hor~!~ Gonna get my mum to send it over... and meanwhile, I'm so glad I got a new battery the last time round so at least I have like 3 hours of connection time. Plus, I'm thinking of borrowing
See! I knew there was something important I would forget. I could feel it even before I left. Everything's fine... except for some pangs of homesickness when I called home after I arrived.
Anyways, I like my room. It's like quite big, neat.. and comfy... Hahaha...May be going grocery shopping later.. I'll see how everything goes...
I think I'm a bit slow. So indifferent the few days before I flew.. even up to the point when boarded the plane... and when I reached here, it kinda struck me that I'll be on my own for 4 months. I'm feeling a lil lost... hahaha... being so far away from the world that I know.. and to my horrors, I discovered I did not bring my laptop adaptor. So smart hor~!~ Gonna get my mum to send it over... and meanwhile, I'm so glad I got a new battery the last time round so at least I have like 3 hours of connection time. Plus, I'm thinking of borrowing
See! I knew there was something important I would forget. I could feel it even before I left. Everything's fine... except for some pangs of homesickness when I called home after I arrived.
Anyways, I like my room. It's like quite big, neat.. and comfy... Hahaha...May be going grocery shopping later.. I'll see how everything goes...
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I'm ALMOST done packing... and that's actually quite a big almost. Cause I'll have some last min thing to stuff in... Prob is.. my big luggage is a wee bit heavy... Bah! I think I stuffed too many things inside.. maybe i should diversify some into my not-so-full other bag...
A lot of should I bring this? or should I not... going to and fro. Taking things out, putting things back in.. yada yada yada...
------- 10:49 am on Thurs ------------
Ahhhh........ Still packing...
A lot of should I bring this? or should I not... going to and fro. Taking things out, putting things back in.. yada yada yada...
------- 10:49 am on Thurs ------------
Ahhhh........ Still packing...
This is starting to feel so unreal... I can't believe I'm leaving in slightly less than 48 hours to Switz for 4 to 5 months. Wow... Not particularly excited, not even feeling as emo about it as I thought I would be.
Somehow, there is a little sense of indifference. Maybe cause I'm busy with trying to clear some work before I leave. Maybe I'll feel more hyped up after tomorrow. and get even more excited and emo the day after. *pre-flight jitters*
My room is currently in a mess cause I haven't put some of the stuff into my luggage yet. So whatever I need to bring, or bought is sitting on my table, hiding in my cupboards. Tomorrow is packing day. Hopefully, everything will fit. Or somehow, I will make them fit.
Now.. just what should I wear to the airport on Thursday? hahaha...
Somehow, there is a little sense of indifference. Maybe cause I'm busy with trying to clear some work before I leave. Maybe I'll feel more hyped up after tomorrow. and get even more excited and emo the day after. *pre-flight jitters*
My room is currently in a mess cause I haven't put some of the stuff into my luggage yet. So whatever I need to bring, or bought is sitting on my table, hiding in my cupboards. Tomorrow is packing day. Hopefully, everything will fit. Or somehow, I will make them fit.
Now.. just what should I wear to the airport on Thursday? hahaha...
Sunday, March 11, 2007
4 more days!!! I'm feeling more and more excited... and I'm still half done packing. What is necessary, what are extras. What to put in each bag? Is bringing too much?What other work do I need to clear before I leave... So many things to do...
Oh... and thanks to all who took time out to meet up with me. Hahaha...
Tea/Dinner/Coffee with Val and Zhumei on Wed. At least I don't think I will miss jap food that much when I get over there. Heh...
Happy gaming @ Mind's Cafe with social science pioneers on Thursday... 'Ugly ugly!!!'
Dinner and mahjong with gassy on Sat. Next time we should meet earlier to play more mahjong. and we'll probably have yet another tutorial. :)
Random fact of the day: I receive like 30 over spam mail in my gmail account everyday. No wonder I keep having like 900 over spam mails even though they will clear the spam mailbox every 30 days.
Oh... and thanks to all who took time out to meet up with me. Hahaha...
Tea/Dinner/Coffee with Val and Zhumei on Wed. At least I don't think I will miss jap food that much when I get over there. Heh...
Happy gaming @ Mind's Cafe with social science pioneers on Thursday... 'Ugly ugly!!!'
Dinner and mahjong with gassy on Sat. Next time we should meet earlier to play more mahjong. and we'll probably have yet another tutorial. :)
Random fact of the day: I receive like 30 over spam mail in my gmail account everyday. No wonder I keep having like 900 over spam mails even though they will clear the spam mailbox every 30 days.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Heh.. this has been a rather quiet CNY... Maybe with a lousier substitute driver, they decided to spare me, the car and not let me drive so much.
Except for a seemingly hectic Day 1 where we went first ot my aunt's place, followed by a gathering of my relatives from my maternal side at my place, yesterday and today have somewhat been rather activity-less. An ex-colleague of my dad came over yesterday afternoon. Afterwhich we went out for a while. Then it was hiberbating at home last night. And I was home today...
Ok... and to add on to my previous list of being a not very good driver, I forgot to lock the car door yesterday. *diaoz* win right? And I discovered it when we were about to go back. Hahaha... I had a kinda bad feeling about it... but I didn't expect to have not locked it at all. Well.. have to be more careful.
Oh.. .and stuff from my Swiss uni came! I think I may have a 2 week semester break from 21st May to 3rd June. Woohoo! But I came across this module which takes place on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat of the week of 21st May. The class is like from 10am to 5pm... Woah.. talk about intensive lessons. Not sure if I will actually do it though. Hahaha... and looking at the introduction programme, I'm gonna have like a totally intensive week of learning German cause I am a beginner. Imagine lessons like from 9am to 1 pm, then another round from 2pm to 4pm or 5pm or sth like that. Bleahz... and it's for one and a half weeks! I'm quite sure I'll be able to speak some German at the end of it.
Oh.. and a bit late.. but here's wishing everyone a great year ahead!!!
新年快乐，身体健康， 万事如意，心想事成，大吉大利， 恭喜发财。。。 财源滚滚来！！！
Except for a seemingly hectic Day 1 where we went first ot my aunt's place, followed by a gathering of my relatives from my maternal side at my place, yesterday and today have somewhat been rather activity-less. An ex-colleague of my dad came over yesterday afternoon. Afterwhich we went out for a while. Then it was hiberbating at home last night. And I was home today...
Ok... and to add on to my previous list of being a not very good driver, I forgot to lock the car door yesterday. *diaoz* win right? And I discovered it when we were about to go back. Hahaha... I had a kinda bad feeling about it... but I didn't expect to have not locked it at all. Well.. have to be more careful.
Oh.. .and stuff from my Swiss uni came! I think I may have a 2 week semester break from 21st May to 3rd June. Woohoo! But I came across this module which takes place on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat of the week of 21st May. The class is like from 10am to 5pm... Woah.. talk about intensive lessons. Not sure if I will actually do it though. Hahaha... and looking at the introduction programme, I'm gonna have like a totally intensive week of learning German cause I am a beginner. Imagine lessons like from 9am to 1 pm, then another round from 2pm to 4pm or 5pm or sth like that. Bleahz... and it's for one and a half weeks! I'm quite sure I'll be able to speak some German at the end of it.
Oh.. and a bit late.. but here's wishing everyone a great year ahead!!!
新年快乐，身体健康， 万事如意，心想事成，大吉大利， 恭喜发财。。。 财源滚滚来！！！
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Heh.. this is a little fast.. but I have settled my housing. Walalalas...
Actually, I didn't really have an issue with where I stay. But more of the location where my parents would be less worried. After troubling the housing coordinator (I may have been the most picky and fussy exchange student he ever dealt with... heez), I finally got myself a room in a modern house with a garden apparently. Whatever.. shall reserve my comments until I see it.
I'll be contented as long as I have my internet connection. If I really dun get along with my apartment mates, then I'll just lock myself in my room everyday or sth. The whole point of an exchange is probably to experience what life overseas is about. So, I'm fine whether I get to stay with locals or other exchange students. In fact, staying with students from other nationalities may even be better. But I think older generation have this preconception to 'play it safe'. Ah wells... settled.. Dun have to think so much about it now.
And after paying up for my insurance, I think I've settled most of the major stuff. There's only the passport photo left! Woohoo!
Actually, I didn't really have an issue with where I stay. But more of the location where my parents would be less worried. After troubling the housing coordinator (I may have been the most picky and fussy exchange student he ever dealt with... heez), I finally got myself a room in a modern house with a garden apparently. Whatever.. shall reserve my comments until I see it.
I'll be contented as long as I have my internet connection. If I really dun get along with my apartment mates, then I'll just lock myself in my room everyday or sth. The whole point of an exchange is probably to experience what life overseas is about. So, I'm fine whether I get to stay with locals or other exchange students. In fact, staying with students from other nationalities may even be better. But I think older generation have this preconception to 'play it safe'. Ah wells... settled.. Dun have to think so much about it now.
And after paying up for my insurance, I think I've settled most of the major stuff. There's only the passport photo left! Woohoo!
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