It's 8:23pm Saturday night, and I am relaxing at the balcony at school. May go out for a friend's birthday later. Incredibly peaceful with yiruma songs, slightly cool breeze, and thoughts of friendships back home.
It's times like these when I most truly appreciate everything.
For those who care, I know you're reading. And I miss you!
Conversation in the packed shuttle, all said in a casual tone in heavily accented English, less than a foot away from my face--
*Bus jerks to a stop and girl half-falls on a guy, her hand touching his arm
girl: I'm so sorry
guy: don't...touch me...
girl: sorry I didn't want to touch you. if I didn't touch you I would have fallen
guy: you should have fallen..
at this point Im cracking up inside
guy keeps giving her a hard time
girl: get lost
guy: you and I dont have a common goal.
Yesterday I was encountered by a toddler girl from the other side of the glass window while reading at the bookstore. Despite the barrier, love transcended. She smooshed her nose against it, and I poked it. 2x
So adorable.
The other day, my eyes met a pair of round sparkling eyes that belonged to a baby boy who was slung over a man's shoulder who happened to be walking in front of me. I smiled, and the baby smiled back.
So precious.
Going back to bookstore to finish Tuesdays with Morrie!
Found my haven amidst hoards of people moving up the escalator and into elevators on this very day called Chinese New Year. (where are they going anyway?)
Why did I choose to come to the largest shopping mall here...
Spent the eve with friends at a korean bbq buffet with the 50% off Groupon :D good gogi quality. so good.
Ok. Hands down Changi Airport's the best in Asia, if not the world. I got distracted with all the consumerism for some time before even heading down to pickup my carrier.
Singapore... is a very unique city. Some may call it modern design paradise (in architecture, industrial, interior, graphic, etc). Others may call it a Fine City, as there are signs of restriction everywhere upon both locals and tourists here (my favorite one is "no durians" in the mrt station). I have yet to come up with a cool label for this city-country.
It's been 2 weeks since arrival. School's started, and schedule is finally set! (reg process for exch stud is horrible) NO CLASS TH/F!!! More time to explore and enjoy. Been to maybe half of the popular attractions already. The entire country is smaller than Seoul o_o
Singapore is pretty slow paced compared to other growing cities like HK/Seoul. People are friendly and they apologize even when you bump into them. Bus drivers wait for students who wave at them from a crosswalk about 10meters afar. Pedestrians definitely have the right of way here (unlike Beijing *deathly reversed). Green is everywhere.
Still adjusting to the locals here. I've never been in an environment with so many asians not from East Asia. The majority consists of Malays, Indians, Indonesians, Chinese (various)... okay there is no majority here. All kinds are represented. It's like the new age America in Southeast Asia. *Additional note: the gene pool is not too bueno..
Loving the S'pore nights. Weather, colorful lights, whatever activity.
and it's true, cleanliness is not a joke here.
Bridge at Clarke, first place that got me
Saw a one-legged bird here :\
Sentosa with friend from eapkorea. I love this getaway!!! Going here again during the upcoming CNY. So excited! and we will, bring our books here and study. HAHA.
Chinatown. Huge hawker center within. Singapore's Chinatown is strange cause the buildings are European-style yet the people/stores/decos are all Chinese...
Strolling through Singapore River on a Sunday afternoon with new friends. So much good looking seafood here T_T
Clarke Quay in the day. Colorful
View of Marina Bay Sands and a really cool free light show. Colorful
Mother Merlion!!! Father Merlion's at Sentosa Island. There's a baby too but Idk where
Favorite stall so far. Indonesian chicken rice and fresh fruit juice at school canteen. S$3+1.4
Ladies night every wed, free admission and some drinks. Chill and much different from Korean ones
Chicken rice after shopping at Bugis :D
Zouk, one of the top 10 clubs in the world! Thought sgp didn't have any cute guys until I came here. Befriended a nice malaysian security guard outside Lol
Typical local snack- kaya toast and iced milo
Lunch with MK at Holland Village! Updates and updates and plans on reunion pt.3 in the States!!!
Facebook afflicts me when it comes to choosing where my 'hometown' is. I wanna put California, but there is no option for that. Instead, I have to choose a city... but which one fits best? The one where I resided during elementary school days? or junior high? or high school? or my current one during college or place of college itself? Wow didn't realize we moved so often! Forget US and choose Seoul, where I was born? But the native Korean culture doesn't characterize me best. So what then?
So.. plan to be in shape for first impression FAIL. had some bomb dinners though so Im not complaining. This fall/winter 2011 was quite the journey of reflection. I don't think I've ever thought this much before in my life.
And once again, the day has come. That day when I gather my belongings and transition into a region so foreign. This time, it's a bit of a muddled situation where I need to step out with faith..
One thing I'll miss a lot- buses!!!
First white Christmas eve and a new years day; and many more firsts to come.
