Realisations

I realised that Singapore is one of the only countries in the world where in most cases, English is our first language; and our mother tongue is our second language.

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I have come to realise today, after living with it for so long, how awfully annoying a certain personality trait in my family can be. My mom doesn’t have much of it, but my dad certainly does. And when i thought about it, I came to the dreadful realisation that i have often been guilty of it too. I have probably been influenced and picked up this trait at home, and it didn’t seem so bad to me until now.

I have to break away from this, and divert from what I’ve been influenced with. But how easy is it to change from something that has already come to seem so natural to me? I’ve been ‘taught’ this way, and don’t really know how to go about it otherwise. I guess, ill just have to do it slowly a step at a time, starting with unfreezing...

The response from a Brazilian friend when i told her im going into the army soon:

"WHAT?!!!!!!
ENLIST IN SINGAPORE ARMY?!!!
Why?!!!
Do you want to go to the war? Do you want to die?
Are you going to have a good life?"

Haha. She must have had many bad experiences hearing stories about the Brazil army.

Battle of boredom

Boredom is becoming a big feature in my life these days. Ever since returning from a life where there was so much to do in so little time, i just cant stand the lack of activities that i am facing now. So i would try to come up with things to do, but ironically i would later be too lazy to do many of them. the very undesirable result is that time just wastes away - probably in front of the computer playing games, surfing the web or looking at whatever momento i have of Disneyworld.

I am currently left with a huge amount of time... at least 3 months, before i get enlisted into the army. i still dont know when i am enlisting by the way. A few dates for activity are marked out on my calendar, widely spaced out. still lots of spare time in between. I certainly do not feel like taking up another part time job because it would hinder my freedom to attend those activities or put another activity on my calendar without worring about a clash with work. (of course thats not the only reason)

it would be ideal if i could find something that can effectively fill up those empty time spaces while still allowing me much freedom for fixed activities. or at least, fill them up with more fixed activities.
I miss the times in Disneyworld, where a trip to the parks would easily be a solution any day!

Expedition Railway

I do not know how this is gonna go, but im gonna try this.

My plan is to attempt a journey by foot along the malayan railway track, all the way to where it ends! The entire track spans about 24km, from the woodlands checkpoint all the way to the train terminal in the south of Singapore.

My place (Springdale) happens to be in a very nice position - next to the tracks, in the middle of the stretch. therefore a trip north or a trip south would both be about 12km.

instead of going the entire 24km which would probably be too exhausting for me, ill first try the trip southwards, and the same route back if i have the energy and feel like it.

im sure there will be lots to see along the way, different terrains and passing many familiar locations, and of course a few trains too. they're really easy to avoid when they come.

i intend to do this sometime within the next few weeks. anyone game to join in?

No place like home

Its been 2 days now since landing back here in my homeland once again
Though the past 5 months in USA was the time of my life, I would have to say, there is still no place like home.
as Mickey Mouse says: "cause after all, home is where the heart is."

first thing i noticed that i wasnt used to - the weather! ahh i cant stand the heat now.
what i missed most in Singapore - the food! One may never appreciate the blessing of living in this food heaven until he has lived in USA.

It seemed like i had just awoken from a dream, and everything seems all so familiar again. In a really strange phenomenon - when i was in USA, i felt like i havent been home for ages. but once i came back, it seemed i was here just a short while ago. it all came back to me instantly - immediate assimilation back into the life i once knew, and putting the Disneyworld lifestyle away at once. but of course, i have taken back much from the experience and been changed in some ways... if not that would be a really sad case.

now there is so much time ahead of me before i get enlisted. would require a good amount of planning and discipline to be using all these time wisely.

Counting the days

Just 5 more days remain before my return back to my motherland!
the day and time would be Sunday 7th feb, 12.55pm SG time, estimated arrival in Changi airport. should i go to jym?... a thought to consider.

It seems so unreal.. Ill be back into the whole environment that ive once lived in but been separated from for 4 months - it seems like such a short time that i was away in the US, yet it seems like so long since ive been in Singapore.
My memories of Singapore have somewhat 'dulled' by now, and i dont know what to expect when i return back again. Surely life will be really different

This holiday has acted as a sort of 'purgatory' between the end of my Disney life and back into my Singaporean life; somehow dulling the lines and preventing such a sharp transition like there was when i came here. i guess, that is good.

But theres no doubt, its good to be home, and im looking forward to it.
ill be seeing everyone again real soon!