It's definitely been more than awhile since I'd updated. Much of my life has changed and I'm still adjusting to the new routines and the new faces. More importantly, I'm still trying to figure out the balance in my life.

I honestly thank God for a work environment that I really enjoy. My colleagues are a superb bunch and since starting work, not a day has gone by without us having a good laugh. I couldn't have made a better decision than to work with the people I'm working with. Things are still a little complicated and hazy...but I'm learning everyday. The best part is... I'm not desk bound even though I'm with the public sector :) My mandarin and dialect are improving everyday. My colleagues are convinced that I'm born to be a Tai tai who'd eventually settle with a caucasian - I've no clue where they get this notion from. Nevertheless, they're a fun bunch of people to work with and who know how to balance between work and play. I'd never though I'd say this but work is fun :) 

Of course, I do miss the days where I still get the afternoon free to do my own thing. But this only makes me treasure my weekends with family and friends even more. I look forward to planning and spending my time more wisely after work now. 

In due time, I hope to bring this blog back to life.

Revive it somehow as I start a new season of life.

"There was a time when you loved, there came a time when you hated. There was a time when you felt you wanted to kill, now is the time for you to heal. There was a time you were broken down, now is the time to build yourself up. There was a time when you were at war in your being, now is the time to restore peace within."
- Justice Tay Yong Kwang -

At 530am... what else can it be? 

Did I mention that I got up at 145pm this afternoon?

Pa finally had the chance to have dinner with us. Went to Long Beach and I'm sure that he's really happy that we're all back together again after more than 2 months of being apart. The boys have had so much to do - with David in BMT and all, Daniel going to camp, and me being away in Europe, my parents have suddenly realised that the house can get really quiet. They're both not used to the house being empty. I sense my dad's joy in knowing that the house can finally be noisy and lively again. 

I can't believe how much I have to say to my brothers and parents. David just POPed from BMT and Daniel's applying for the IP programme. Seems like I missed out on more than 7 weeks of their lives. Oooo David apparently came face to face with a wild boar... muahaha BOAR

After 51 days of travelling round the lovely mediterranean, I am finally sitting at home once again in the familiar surroundings of home and loved ones. Looking back to the beginning of my adventure, I cannot believe that I spent such a long time living out of a bag, washing my own clothes, and touring 3 different countries. 

All this moving around has given me a deeper appreciation of family. Not just that I love them so much, but that halfway through the trip, I really did start to miss my noisy and midly dysfunctional family members. Yet on the other hand, I had enough sightseeing to keep me occupied and 2 wonderful friends who helped make the homesickness easier to bear. 

Turkey was a land of surreal beauty. With the blue mosque and Hagia Sofia, white travertines of Pammukale, fairy chimmneys in Cappadocia and to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the Ottomans certainly didn't disappoint. The only downside to the country were the humsup men who often found it fun to be cheeky. Turkey's probably not the best place to for a girl to be travelling alone. 

The Greek islands then marked a turn in the trip - we got better food (no more lamb and more pork) and thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in the islands and watching the beautiful sunset at the islands each day. The islands were totally unreal with its quaint while buildings, tiny winding streets and blue windows. We couldn't miss the ancienct Mycynaesean Empire and the ruins of Corinth, Delphi and the hilltop churches in Meteora. The Greek gods must be proud of how much we enjoyed exploring their lands and their local snack-on-the-go, pork gyros. 

La dolce vita, Italy, transported us to a different world altogether. From the fashion shopping frenzy in Milan to the Renaissance art and culture in Florence, we had a fantastic time occupying ourselves with a balance of ancient ruins in Pompeii and sculptures and paintings in the galleries. After discovering that there are a million and one permutations to the Madonna and Child and the Adoration of the Magi paintings, we weren't that excited about religious art anymore. Relief quickly came from the beach and breathtaking cliffside views at Cinque Terre and our amusement with the word "Alora" finally came to an end on the very last day in Italy when we found out its meaning. 

Now it's back to the reality of daily life - whatever that may mean now since I'm school-less and jobless. I got up this morning to the rather foreign feeling of slacking. There is no more need to be looking for ways to get to the "centro storico" or figuring out where best to get a good local meal or worrying about being pickpocketed. It's good to be back with family and friends and it was even better seeing Flea, Syl, Nic and Gao yesterday. Not forgetting, thanks Gab for satisfying my fishball craving :)

At close to 2am in the morning, I am extremely annoyed that I can't seem to find where David has hidden the extra SD cards that we have for his canon camera. It BUGs me... I've spent the last hour rumaging through the things in his room, his drawers, his boxes, ANYTHING that could possibly remotely hold SD cards has been searched through. And I haven't been very successful. Argh........

It has dawned on me that I have very little time to pack, get a haircut, change money, pack my room up a little and do all the things that I still have to do. It is starting to annoy me badly...

I'm in a bad mood now I'd admit it. I hate feeling so needy......

Jamás sentí en el alma tanto amor
Y nadie más que tú me amó
Por ti reí y lloré, renací también

Lo que tuve di, por tenerte aquí
Ya se que despedirnos es mejor
Sufriendo pagaré mi error
Ya nada seré igual, lo tengo que aceptar
Y hallar la fuerza en mí para este adiós

Aléjate, no puedo más
Ya no hay manera de volver el tiempo atrás
Olvídate de mí
Y déjame seguir a solas con mi soledad
Aléjate, ya dime adiós
Y me resignare a seguir sin tu calor
Y jamás entenderé que fue lo que paso
Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate

No voy a arrepentirme del ayer
Amando te hice mujer
Por el amor aquel, por serte siempre fiel
Hoy tengo que ser fuerte y aprender

Aléjate, no puedo más
Ya no hay manera de volver el tiempo atrás
Olvídate de mí
Y déjame seguir a solas con mi soledad
Aléjate, ya dime adiós
Y me resignara seguir sin tu calor
Y jamás entenderé que fue lo que paso
Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate

Aléjate, no puedo más
Ya no hay manera de volver el tiempo atrás
Olvídate de mí
Y déjame seguir a solas con mi soledad
Aléjate, ya dime adiós
Y me resignara seguir sin tu calor
Y jamás entenderé que fue lo que paso
Si nada puedo hacer, aléjate

It is a weird feeling. 

To be familiar and yet so unfamiliar.

To have gained, but yet lost. 

Have you ever had a ball of emotions culminating in your heart? 

What used to be, really isn't anymore and I ought to be sad about it. 

Yes, I'm happy and yet sad.

In the last 2 official school days, I have managed a few things as a year 4 SMU student. 

1) I got chased out of the library level 5 by the security guard
2) Crashed a class
3) Finally sat at Ice Cold beer
4) Danced in Frujch
5) ATE at frujch - for that matter. Yes, I haven't dined there at all this semester. 
6) Actually enjoyed Starry Night

I still regret not bringing a beer into class though. 




School's out. Exams the week after. Europe at the end of the month. I'm excited - terribly excited. 

And as much as I hate to say this, I'm going to miss school.