My apologies for the lack of updates! But anyways, this is me. IN YO FACE! That camera lens flare thing makes one of my boob nips...

My apologies for the lack of updates!

But anyways, this is me.


IN YO FACE!
That camera lens flare thing makes one of my boob nips look like it's glowing.
Extraordinary eh.

Anyway, just when I thought the weather was gonna turn colder, IT'S IN FACT TURNING WARMER!!!!!!


Evidence as such,


I'm in Singapore attire yowww!

Yeah I look disgusting, like an old Asian perv.

So warm, I can even go swimming. Swam today and 2 days ago. Every week, I'd swim. But today's the last day the pool's gonna be open. Making way for colder seasons. Which is a pity coz the weather's still so summery and awesome.



It's Easter holidays now and in NZ, we celebrate Easter Monday so Good Friday, weekends, Monday and Tuesday are HOLIDAYS!!!!! 
Whereas you sad peeps back in Singapore only have Good Friday hhahaha.

That joy is short-lived for me though.

However, and how unfortunate we are, my friends and I had planned to do a series of things but all failed to materialise. Initially we wanted to rent a car and drive up to the East Cape which is known to have spectacular views due to it being relatively untouched. But rentals were really expensive. So it wasn't worth it.

So we decided to head to Lake Taupo. For adrenaline junkies. Could do sky-diving and shit there. BUT. It turned out all the hostels were booked. I was totally looking forward to it, and then this happened.

SO. We then decided, we shall just go over to Raglan beach which is just a bus trip away.

And guess what. The sky was gloomy this morning. So we decided to cancel it, predicting bad weather.

BUT. (oh what now) The sun decided to reveal itself from the clouds and shine at mid-day. In other words, Good weather.

Wtf. What luck this Easter. I'm not collecting any eggs. Chocolate or blood. Hahahahahahah, go figure. Ok I was just being disgusting. Ya know? Girl's monthly... hahahah shit me, I am disgusted by my own thoughts.

But yes. This weekend has been a blah. When I'm supposed to be out exploring. Narget.

All that rushing of my essays for nothing.

Then again, it wasn't for nothing. For I have 3 essays due next week. I chiong-ed two 1000-word essays already. Now, focussing on the final 3000-word essay. Whew. All at one go. Thanks Easter. Thanks a lot. Apparently Jesus resurrected on Easter eh. Thanks Jesus, thanks.


But hey, I ain't mocking Jesus. Coz, guess what?
I've been attending church so regularly, I feel as if I'm a convert.
EVERY week.. there's bound to be something on. And I end up going to church. I have attended church sessions 4 times in a row, every week for a month now. I think.

It must be a sign.

The youth church service here is pretty much like Singapore's. Loadsa music and singing and stuff. Lively. And overly friendly people hahahaha. Attended one of those alpha courses as well, whereby you have discussions about God and Christianity in small groups. Honestly, very hard to truly voice your own opinion coz well, you're in the House of God and surrounded by Christians. What are you gonna do about it? Speak of the Devil? Of course not. Everyone there's God-loving, so it's quite hard. I can imagine their faces if someone were to mutter something totally inconceivable. Nevertheless, I kinda like these sessions. Somehow. Oh don't worry, I'm still secular as ever. I just enjoy going for them and munching on food heh.


Talking about grades, what my exchange friends have been saying are true. It's so easy to score.

Remember that presentation I told you guys about? I was saying it went pretty terrible?

Mother-father, I GOT AN A. My freakin group got an A for it. Wtf seriously!?

And I just had a test on Tuesday. I truly only memorised the lecture slides and mindmaps I made the day before and guess what mothersuckas!?

A for me.
And u.

That's culture shock for you bitchez!


Hahaha. Culture Pleasant more like. So... I guess studying is seriously not the one thing on their minds. I dunno what is. Sex probably hahahah. Ok jokes.

But ah well, lucky for me I guess. No more stressing over anything. Only perhaps the fact that I'm Asian and pressured to do well. Other than that, nawww.



So this holiday's gonna be just me completing my essays and going to town for some shopping and dinner. Like the halls back in Singapore, some kiwis go back home on weekends. So this holiday, the hall here is practically dead coz everyone's back home for Easter. Now I understand the feels of being an ah tiong in Singapore. I truly am seeing things from a different perspective.




Nevertheless,

I AM EXCITED FOR MY 2 WEEK BREAK in April... it's from April 13-28th.

My friends and I have booked tickets to the South Island and I'm in charged of the campervan. YESSS WE'RE GONNA HAVE A ROADTRIP in a CAMPERVANNNN.

Let that echo in your head a bit. Cammm-peerrr-vannn.


Picture taken from my friend's road trip before going on exchange.

It's gonna be so awesome!!!!!!
There are 2 double beds, a tv, 5 seats, a small toilet and guess what....


Taken off Jucy website

A KITCHEN!!!!!!
Nugget. This is one of life's dreams fulfilled. A house all in one.
Best of all, we can park at almost anywhere we want. By the sea, by a lake OMG MUCH EXCITES!!!!!

I swear.. and I hope all goes swell coz this smells like ADVENTURE!

Because of these road trips, it has encouraged and INSPIRED (wow what a word to use) me to get a bloody driver's license. To be able to drive in countries elsewhere other than tiny Singapore is so bloody useful. Like... I feel reliant and hugely dependent on my driver friends right now.

But this is one trip I'm really looking forward to. I can't wait to get my camera fixed and delivered safely back in my arms so I can take beautiful peektures. :'D

So much uncertainty, yet so much excitement! I really really hope administrative stuff goes smoothly. Then all else should (hopefully) fall into place haha. 

This is the highlight of all New Zealand exchange students' time here. And I seriously. woah.. totally excited for this.

Shall expect nothing and go with a heart waiting to be filled with the wonders of Aotearoa (Maori name for NZ).

Then again, you see, I'm already expecting to be EXPECTANT of something. Hahahah. I truly wanna be wowed.

So as of now, just enjoying day to day New Zealand life. I think I'm safe to say that I have adapted to life here.

Had pizza made by my German friends a couple of days ago. I believe I will think twice about buying expensive pizzas back in Singapore from now on. COZ THEY'RE SO EASY TO MAKEEEE. The right herbs are the most important I think. The rest... is pretty easy.




 photo IMG_1233_zps0430151a.jpg photo IMG_1235_zpsfd066e8b.jpg
Knead; Sprinkle


 photo IMG_1239_zpsbbc60171.jpg


 photo IMG_1241_zps6ab0f1d9.jpg photo IMG_1242_zpsebfda8d7.jpg
Chuck into oven;


And.



 photo IMG_1249_zpsdd5155c8.jpg photo IMG_1250_zpscac087fe.jpg


VOILA!!!
Salami (left) and Hawaiian (right).

Freaking. Good. My bloody.... like I think we pay up to 30 dollars for one whole pizza. Whereas, for this, I dunno how much, but definitely cheaper. And so quick and easy to do? They tell me they make pizzas all the time in Germany.

I need to master this.


So damn good. Argh. I feel stupid for no reason whatsoever!

Ok, I'm tired. Have done my research and structured my essay. Just need to read them to gather points before I can start WRITING. No rush. I've all the time in the world, all thanks to Jesus' resurrection. ;D

I will blog more often when I get the feels and need a break from writing essays like what I just did.

I've a feeling, my friend thinks I'm really really smart. Pressured to do well, based solely on the fact that I'm... Asian.

I've a feeling, my friend thinks I'm really really smart.

Pressured to do well, based solely on the fact that I'm... Asian.

Made my way down to Waikato Stadium to catch my first ever Rugby match!!! Was really excited coz I know NZ's really into the rugby sce...


Made my way down to Waikato Stadium to catch my first ever Rugby match!!!
Was really excited coz I know NZ's really into the rugby scene, and I've been wanting to catch one ever since I came here. Not watching a rugby match is like not being part of something HUGE, especially in the kiwi culture.

We were there to support the Chiefs coz they represent the Waikato region which is where I'm at. They were the defending Champions of their Rugby series. So, it's like walking into a winning game. Highlanders are from Otago.


 photo 887213_10152678400440576_186194941_o_zps4fe328f4.jpg

That's us and me posing with the flag. Freakin glad I managed to get one after the games. I am, a typical Singaporean hahahah.


 photo IMG_1175_zpse2c58808.jpg
 photo IMG_1174_zps218e9c67.jpg

Waikato Stadium on the outside.

Before watching the match, we made sure our tummies were happy.

 photo 894761_10152676613410576_792064833_o_zpse19608c2.jpg

DOMINOS PIZZAAAZAAZA

 photo IMG_1206_zps08c37f93.jpg

Made our way to our seats and I got chips for company. A typical rugby game lasts 80 mins. 2 games, 40 mins each.

 photo IMG_1213_zps1d8e998a.jpg

Check out the crowd


And everyone who knows New Zealand, knows about its strong Kiwi culture. So before every rugby game, there will be Maoris who will do the haka for us. It's like their war cry.


 photo IMG_1185_zps72aaa6fc.jpg

Pretty cool. Sticking out tongues with a war stance-like pose.
I apologise for the shitty image quality coz I was using my iPhone. Le'sigh. Can't wait to get my precious Olympus back hahaha.





AND LET THE GAME BEGINNNN


 photo 77963_10152676482075576_639355183_o_zps3de553f7.jpg

They literally SHOT FIREWORKS AND EXPLOSIVES INTO THE SKY

SO EXCITING!!!!! Hahahah. What a way to commence the match!


 photo IMG_1212_zps7d82b910.jpg
 photo IMG_1210_zpsa5a6c055.jpg

I'd say definitely more exciting than football. Coz there's action ALL THE TIME.
But tough game to play definitely. I think I'll fly if I get pushed. Fly all the way to China to be precise. Saw a player's profile. 109kg. That's what you're facing.




 photo ScreenShot2013-03-23at35025PM_zps82dadee5.png
Yeappp that's him.
His shirt got ripped off while playing and getting tackled by full grown 8 feet tall men lol. One for the team. Kudos to him.

Oh? What's his position again? Lawl.


And I learnt the difference between Rugby and American Football. For American football, you do forward-passing of the ball to your team mates, whereas rugby is back-passing. Interesting eh?

Definitely satisfying to watch a rugby game even though I thought the atmosphere could be EVEN more lively. Perhaps it's not so much of a big game to kiwis. And I guess, everyone was expecting the Chiefs to win so not much tension or pressure.

I liked the place where I was seated. Coz a few old grungey looking men were seated behind us and they were so funny making all the commentary. "FOR FUCK'S SAKE!" "We gotta give them some points otherwise we'd all be bored eh" Hahaha drunk men at a rugby game. Lovvit.


Indeed, Chiefs beat Highlanders 19-7
    photo IMG_1220_zps6d7b0b96.jpg

Again, shitty image quality but yes it says Chiefs 19, Highlanders 7.


 photo IMG_1224_zps08fd840b.jpg
Serena and I posing with the Chiefs' flag.
I got it in ma room now. So proud I snagged one nyahhaah.
Champions of New Zealand siah, of coz must grab.


Earlier in the day, I tried jumping on a trampoline at a friend's house.


 photo IMG_1157_zpsf3722cc1.jpg

Norwegian flicks.

I totally felt like I was deprived coz I had NEVER JUMPED ON A TRAMPOLINE IN MY LIFE! So when I was jumping, I was like woah whee woah ho.

They're pretty cool. Angmohs really know how to have fun. They got this giant trampoline at like $30!??! And it's now in their backyard. IT'S HUGEEEee.

You know, coming on to this trip to New Zealand, I feel like my childhood's been deprived of so many things. I've been doing too many virgin tries at so many things here. Goodnezz.

Did I tell you guys? I tried surfing! Like... I seriously never thought I'd ever try surfing, but I did. Again, it's something that a lot of angmohs do and we don't coz we don't have waves like theirs. It was fun learning to surf BUT IT'S SO MUTHA hard to stand up on the board. Like you need a lot of arm strength and the surfboard itself is already so heavy my gawd. I thought I'd drown in the waves coz they're so damn huge. But well, I'm glad I tried surfing. Everything needs to be done at least once/

Shall blog about it another time since this happened like... 3 weeks ago? Haha. Procrastinating.


Anyway, just finished one essay. Pretty satisfied. Still have 2 more to go. And I intend to complete them by today and tomorrow!! So I won't have to worry about them next weekend when I head out. ARGHH, they're extremely time consuming. Can't wait to complete them.


Time is flying here. I realise... next weekend is Easter holiday. Then after that, I'll be having my 2 weeks break in April from 15th-26th. Yeap, it's something like recess week BUT IN NEW ZEALAND IT'S 2 WEEKS FYEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How awesome? Singapore needs 2 weeks too. One week is crazily not enough. But yeah, intending to rent a campervan with a few of my friends and head down to beautiful South Island!!!! AHHH CAN'T WAITTTTT.

And after that 2 week break, it's gonna be May. After May, it's June, my exam month. Then after June, that's when I fly home to SINGAPORE.


FAST RIGHT!??!?!?!

I can't imagine it either. The months are gonna fly so fast. Wow.

Can't believe something like that can make me so happy. My camera has reached Christchurch successfully! Been anxiously checki...




Can't believe something like that can make me so happy.
My camera has reached Christchurch successfully! Been anxiously checking tracking status the past few days coz it's been almost a week and I've been getting "Not tracked". Don't want to lose my Olympus man. 
Can't wait for them to repair it and send it back to me. Hopefully it doesn't go more than $100.



Dad shared with me a piece of good news via email today.
I'm gonna have a new kid sister.
I'll be a jiejie.












Just freakin kidding.
That wouldn't be good news in my opinion. Parents so lao already still want to boogey.

Feeling happy and positive today. Thinking of swimming later today. Or badminton. OR BOTH> The weather's so good, I don't want summer to end. Yesterday's swim was pretty awesome. So awesome till I kena leg cramp while swimming HAHAHAHA. See you guys : )

Cotton candy clouds, pink and fluffy. Gorgeous. Alerted my housemate who so excitedly rushed out to snap pictures of the sky. He was a ha...


 photo 300734_10151567160520833_1226983712_n_zps7209bae7.jpg

Cotton candy clouds, pink and fluffy. Gorgeous. Alerted my housemate who so excitedly rushed out to snap pictures of the sky. He was a happy man.

I set off the bloody fire alarm today whilst cooking for my friends today. Drama. It's so sensitive that fire alarm! I think they'...


I set off the bloody fire alarm today whilst cooking for my friends today. Drama.

It's so sensitive that fire alarm! I think they're pretty strict about fires and stuff like that here, coz you know what?


THE FIRE TRUCKS AND FIREMEN CAME


to the rescue... of no one.

(note plural form of fire truckS and fireMEN)

 photo IMG_1128_zpsae3f2fd5.jpg

Yeah. My knights in reflective armour.

We were asked to evacuate. Not just people in my cottage but ALL FOUR COTTAGES. Paiseh siol.

Let me explain. I was grilling chicken in the oven when massive plumes of smoke came gushing out from the oven. I thought it was kinda fine since I grilled chicken 2 days earlier and there wasn't MASSIVE smoke. But this time, I placed a tray below my chickens and it started to sizzle and shit when the chicken fat burned. Wahniaozeh.

I went around saying sorry to everyone coz they had to all gather outside. My friends smiled and said it wasn't my fault. I really was very apologetic. It's highly embarrassing.

What I'm worried now is having to pay a fine for the sounding of the alarm. It's not a 20 or 50 dollars fine. IT COULD BE A 2000 DOLLARS FINE FML.

Before me, a bunch of PRCs in the other cottage burnt their egg in a pan on the stove and the bloody alarm went off. Guess how much they had to pay? 5 freakin hundred bucks for that. F THEIR LIVES.

But my friend says he'll pray for me that I won't have to pay and others told me I won't have to pay coz it wasn't my fault. It was the oven's fault.

The reason why the PRCs had to pay was coz their egg was burnt. Since my chicken was unburnt, I wouldn't have to. And I was like, huh? It was only a burnt egg. Turns out, it was due to negligence on their part. They left the egg on the stove for too long I think? So they were endangering lives lol lol.

WELL FOR ME, I WAS CONSTANTLY CHECKIN MY CHICKEN BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE STOVE WOULD PRODUCE THAT AMOUNT OF SMOKE. Bloody hell. What's more I'd used it earlier on, so I didn't expect THIS shit to happen

Sigh, I'm blessed with making stupid things happen hahaha.

So I really hope I won't have to pay anything at all coz to my defence, it wasn't due to negligence. And to cite evidence that it was the oven's fault, last year, someone in the same cottage used the same oven and sounded the alarm. But she wasn't fined. So it's not my fault that they didn't warn us or change the damn oven.

Playing the ignorant little shit here coz I don't wanna waste money on something like that. I'm just gonna use the microwave oven from now on damned it.




Nevertheless, I MANAGED TO COOK A SUMPTUOUS MEAL FOR MY COTTAGE FRIENDS WOOHOO!


 photo IMG_1133_zps0d8aae77.jpg
Singapore style.
I'm still freakin awesome lah. No oven on fire can burn me down.
Since the alarm sounded even before the chicken was cooked, I had to pop them into the microwave to get them fully done.

Still tasted awesome so hell yeahhhh. They loved it leh. No shit! I'm gonna be Master Chef haha. Kidding. This is all thanks to my momma. She told me marinating the chicken is so damn easy. Oyster sauce + Soya sauce, leave it overnight and pop them into the oven. VOILA! Of course ensure that your oven doesn't f up like mine does.


 photo IMG_1135_zps75c76556.jpg
Stir fried veggie and eggs with onions.

I can't believe I did this. I can help my mom back at home when I get back now. I have confidence that I don't murder others by food.


 photo IMG_1136_zps88ded7a0.jpg
Look at the German. Eating rice with chilli sauce. I had to take a picture of this coz I for one, definitely do not put chilli on my rice.

Glad that I took a leap of faith and decided to try cooking for my friends. Only a few tries on my own before I told them I'd cook for them. They think it's good and I'm touched :'D Out of courtesy or not, I'm still touched. LOLLL.

Can't wait to taste German food next week teh heh.



Anyway, tests and assignments are beginning to roll in. I have 3 essays to submit in the first week of April which is really soon. So I gotta get going otherwise........... What's more I can't spare another weekend next week coz I'd most prolly be heading out for a mini trip. No more time. I also have 2 tests to study for. One next week and the other in the first week of April.

SO. Time to get my Singapore spirit down to business and get things done! Been procrastinating long enough. But not as long enough as ahem hahahah. Am just being an asshole.


Speaking of that. My presentation today went pretty terrible. I was expecting something like that to happen especially since there was little preparation and commitment. I was quite disappointed nevertheless coz I feel like, I hadn't put in enough effort. I always think effort should be put in whether or not I'm here for play or study. It's like, half-hearted work is as good as I can't give a shit. And although everyone tells me to "just play", I don't feel awesome when I give only 40% effort. It's definitely a nice feeling to not be bothered, and a nice change from a stressful Singapore environment. But at the end of the day, I still want to be proud of something I did, whether or not it was just a small project.

Such a pussy eh? Stress complain. Relax complain. Ask her go eat fart or something.

With that said, I shan't dwell on it. It's nice to know that all I need is a pass and stress and worry is taken off the whole equation. Could've done better definitely. At the same time, I had no control over my project mates. They were honestly, too bochap until I lost hope on the project. Sigh. What's one to do when you want to do something good, yet at the same time, feel like you can't.

And guess what, this presentation that I'm doing is for a Leadership paper. Introduction to Leadership. Paves the way for future Leaders.

I started out feeling really optimistic and driven for this paper coz it was gonna teach me the meaning and ways of being a Leader. I used to feel the positive energy and vibe of the class every time I stepped into class coz the lecturer had such a vivacious and infectious personality, it made me feel excited. But after a month, I've grown disenchanted. Especially after that project. I feel that not everyone taking this class is there to truly learn to develop themselves to become a leader as much as I want to. They only took it coz they either thought it'd be useful or easy. Useful, but I don't really see the interest or passion? Again.. I come back to the notion of culture. Do they really just not care enough? I feel kinda sad sometimes.

But it's a level 100 paper. In order words, a Year 1 paper. Meaning, freshmen are the majority who take it. Thus, they're all fresh out of high school at the age of 18. So, their capacity and drive for knowledge have not yet taken flight? Like for now, it's the 'party' stage and getting their engines ready. I remember how it was like then, myself. Guilty of it. So can't really blame them. But I definitely did my work man. Even then.

So I think maybe this paper should be pushed up another level. When students are more mature and are TRULY interested in learning about leadership.


Thankfully, I'm taking another paper which is at level 400. Really off the other level 100 papers I'm doing coz level 400 would mean a final year paper. So technically only Year 4 students can take it here. I was allowed to take it coz it was a comms paper and I fulfilled the prerequisites for it. I could clear a comms course back at NTU too. It's called "Communicating Across Cultures"

And I really REALLY enjoy this paper. It's so damn interesting and I think very relevant to the situation that I'm in now. I'm on exchange and I'm meeting so many people from so many different cultures. It's so exciting to be able to apply stuff learnt to current contexts. What's more, Jan is taking it with me and it's really funny coz for every class, I'd relate things to stuff taught in class and incidences that happened between the both of us in the house. All those misunderstandings became so clear to us after attending classes.

I remember once when we had a stand-off due to some toilet issue. I wanted to murder him then. And coincidentally, the story was kind of 'addressed' the next day coz we learnt about behaviours by individuals from different cultures. Him being European, he was definitely more individualistic and straight forward by putting things across bluntly, whereas I, an Asian, was more collectivistic and gave more subtle hints about what I was trying to put across.

So in a way, this class that we're attending are benefiting us in ways that we interact. And I believe we understand one another so much more because of that class. And misunderstandings and negative stereotyping are not so much of an issue anymore. Of course, it comes up time and again, but at least we don't attribute too much negativity on each other's behaviours as much.

What's more, since it's a final year paper, the students are way more mature. And studious. They're the same age as me, 21 years old. So they think better and are just better to work with. They still procrastinate, but at least, level of thinking is higher. Comparable.

Thank God I decided to appeal to the International Staff to allow me to take this paper. Coz it's this one that caused me to exceed maximum number of papers allowed.


My other 2 papers are level 100 papers. They don't involve project work so not too bad. At least I take responsibility on my own if anything. One is New Zealand Histories which I do find highly interesting and boring at times. I love to enhance my knowledge of a country through the learning of history. The Maoris and the Europeans. But once history goes into the specific people and places, I get lost. Coz I can't really relate to them since I know nada about them whereas Kiwis must have probably heard of these people whilst growing up and are familiar with the names of places. Still fun to learn tho.

The other paper is International Relations. Quite disappointed with this paper coz I was looking forward to something more insightful. Lectures are only teaching history such as Cold War and WWI and WWII which have already been taught in Singapore. What's more, the essays we're supposed to write are really very easy. Like secondary school style. Not challenging at all... which is quite disappointing coz I was really looking forward to more theoretical stuff on World View and stuff like that. Now I'm making myself sound like I'm oh-so intelligent. But this paper is honestly secondary school level in terms of Singapore standards.

So, Singapore really is quite up there eh.

The only difference would be the need to do referencing since it's University. I kinda just want to dig up past work and hand up haha. But everything's over at Singapore. So I shall take this as a refresher course. I forget history very fast. So maybe in a way, this class helps me remember facts learnt in Coral and JC.

In total, 4 papers this semester here at Waikato. Thanks for listening to my rambling. Gotta head off to bed now. Extremez tired.

Pics from last night's house party Not much, but something. Drinking piss from a funnel. Haha kidding. It's whatever alcohol...


Pics from last night's house party
Not much, but something.


 photo IMG_1118_zps4c601803.jpg
 photo IMG_1115_zpsdb7aafaa.jpg
Drinking piss from a funnel.
Haha kidding. It's whatever alcohol shit you wanna put in. And you drink it down the tube. I don't get the immense pleasure from doing this. It's called beer bong.


Wikipedia: beer bong is a device composed of a funnel attached to a tube used to facilitate the rapid consumption of fluid.[1] The use of a beer bong is also known as funneling.


I tried it, and all the beer spurted on to my face and everywhere. Loser. I don't understand how anybody can swallow it coz it comes out so damn fast. That's good in a way eh? Wasting all the beer instead of ingesting it into my system hahaha.

Typical house party. Only Asian in tehh house yo. Call me brave. Someone "ni hao"-ed me. Supposed to be racist but hey, me being polite, I ni hao-ed him back with a smile.



And I got.... HUMPED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.

Not proud of it or anything.

My friends were whispering and smiling cheekily at the same time and I'm like NO, NO.

Then they came towards me saying, "Let's show you THE EUROPEAN WAY" and goodness gracious, both sides of my legs were subjected to vigo action. It was all in good faith tho, they did it for fun, coz they didn't do it at my ass or my god-forbidden private area. I'd smack em left right and down if they ever did. I'd really feel like I was raped then. But that was just me. Other girls were really rubbin it on. In areas that I just mentioned. LIKE THEY WANNNITTTTT. I used to get disgusted seeing that when I first went to a club. Coz they'd seriously get down to finding the best position between the legsssss. But now, I just see it as, "it's their culture", deal with it. And they're having fun.

But the fun went kinda out of hand. I wasn't there but those who were there told me one of the guys started kissing the american girl at the dance area and proceeded to s-e-x in the bathroom. Well, almost, before they stopped everything and the party ended. Lawl. Shoulda been there to see it DAYUM. But I was at another house talking to other kiwis. A kiwi boy showed me his kitty cat and how he loved her so much he'd shift houses just coz the landlord wouldn't let him keep it hahahaha lol.

Chronicles of the Drunken. Quite funny just watching how they talk and everything. It's like, whatever they're saying doesn't make any sense at all. Honestly, they tell me they're drunk but somehow.. I feel like they still have the capacity to think? You can see it in their eyes!! I can see their SOUL!!! Or whatever. Hahaha but I lovvit watching them hahah. In fact, it's awkward when they're not drunk. Like I'd rather they be drunk. Angmohs are totally not awkward when they're drunk.


Sidetrack

DINNER FOR TODAY


 photo IMG_1123_zpsd223ba57.jpg

 photo IMG_1124_zpsd1e84b14.jpg

Call me awesome!
Omg I'm salivating thinking about my grilled chicken. Momma told me it was easy to make and indeed, it was easy. It's just that, I haven't gotten down to perfecting the grilling of the insides? How to make sure it's not still raw inside. I think I gotta put it in the second tray below.

But omg, I never thought I'd make this one on my own woohoo! I GRILLED ONE FOR SERENA AND SHE SAID IT WAS GOOD!!! Even though it was still pretty raw inside and had to be microwaved hahah. But good start eh ;D

When I'm here, my hunger is insatiable. I'm hungry all the time. I have heavy breakfast and then look forward to the next meal after that. Insane.



Anyway, I have a presentation to work on, for Tuesday. Gotta practise it with groupmates tmr. Glad I can put it aside early so I can concentrate on other papers after that.

I found out one thing already that I dislike about New Zealand. Maybe not so much of NZ culture per se. But more of... Western culture perhaps?

It's their habit of procrastination. And inability to focus and concentrate. I'm stereotyping the whole culture but.... as observed during project meetings, they don't focus on the task at hand. Drift off. Use Facebook during discussions. Have no DRIVE whatsoever.

My groupmate tells me he'd rather do cliff jumps and swim in lakes rather than be here. Smoke weed and sheesha away. Yeah, their lives are definitely much more fun as compared to our own stressful lives in Singapore. But, because of that, they've grown to be extremely languid and restless. Simply put, Lazy. Like they don't work hard to strive for what they want and it's extremely frustrating to watch.

As an exchange student, I should be the least worried about my grades. Yet, I'm the one spear-heading group meetings and discussions.

What's more. They can turn up late for meetings. Not ONCE have I ever had a meeting that began on time so far. It's extremeeeelyyyy frustrating. I got so stressed on one of the days last week, that I really felt like I missed my school mates back in Singapore. Hahaha. Can't believe it huh?

I poured my soul out to my friends and Vivien's response? "They're like that. Get used to it."

I wanted to pluck every single strand of my hair when I read that. But then I realise... you know what. I'm gonna let go. This is them and in the spirit of exchange, I shan't impose my stereotypical Asianness and do what they do.

Then again, Jan agrees with me and says that in Germany, things will get done well and efficiently. He can't understand "Maori time" in New Zealand and understands my frustrations. So not ALL western cultures I guess.

Vivien continued with one more piece of advice tho. "But they'll get the job done"

More reassuring at least.

And true enough, my group mate texted me this morning that he'd gotten his speech done. I trust him coz he was asking me questions about writing his speech before that. So maybe doing cliff jumps and swimming in lakes weren't so bad afterall.

I think the reason why I got so stressed was the fact that I really wasn't used to this brand new attitude towards an education. I just feel like... they can do so much more in their lives if only they put in the damn effort.

I was talking to a kiwi at the house party, talking about stereotypes and it came to Asian stereotypes. One of them was "Smart". I said yes, I would like to think that we're smart. But I said, it's coz we're hardworking. He agreed. SO WHY CAN'T THEY SEE THATTTT. Sigh. So frustrating.


I remember my groupmate asking, "Do you have photographic memory? Coz I assume people from Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore have photographic memory".


Win liaoz.

Sitting on grass, under a tree, eating sushi while waiting for lecture to start with my awesome Korean friend, Jong Seon! Doing what ang...


 photo Photoon11-3-13at150PM_zpse0b9c344.jpg

Sitting on grass, under a tree, eating sushi while waiting for lecture to start with my awesome Korean friend, Jong Seon!
Doing what angmohs do, sitting on grass. You do that in Singapore and you're retarded.

I kinda do crave home cooked food but not really. Coz I can get Asian food. And I'm learning to cook stuff here. Only thing tho, I don't think I'm drinking enough water here.


What I had last night,

 photo IMG_1100_zps5b85e5f0.jpg
Lamb shack!
Ooooh the baa baa is so tender. It was a bit too oily as you can see.. glistening and all. But I was craving for meat coz I hadn't had good meat for quite a while. Was turning carnivorous. Can't live without meat. Had it at a food court. I'd be a genius if I could cook it. They usually have kumara (sweet potato), roast potatoes and pumpkin with their meats. Awesome.


And I realise I get very very hungry all the time when I'm here? I eat everything man.

Oh since we're at it, I shall show you some of the stuff I cooked.


 photo P3032018_zps18bf52bc.jpg photo P3032017_zpsbd75e4fb.jpg
 photo P3032022_zps92cca818.jpg

Home cooked dishes! Omelette, veggie and RICEEEE. Stuff that remind me of homeeee. I cooked a hell lot of vegetables but I managed to finish all of them up that day.

I made bolognese spaghetti as well and it tasted ugh at first but MMMMM after a while.

EVERYTHING YOU COOK JUST TASTES BLOODY AWESOME I DUNNO WHY. It's just freakin awesome.

When I'm lazy, I'd cook ramen and throw in a hell lot of stuff inside to make it extra nutritious and good! I love eating that at home as well. Omg I'm salivating already just thinking about food. I can eat a bowl of ramen every day. No jokes.

We have an Asian Mart here so... I won't really miss food in Singapore coz I have commodities here. WE HAVE FREAKIN SHUI JIAO OMGGGGG BEAT THAT!!!! They sell frozen ones!! As good as gold. I only miss the variety and the awesomeness of my mom's cooking. Nothing beats home. Asian food is still the best. Really.

I miss the convenience and affordability of food back at Singapore though. Every dish costs more than $10 here. I haven't eaten a single meal that costs below that. That is how expensive things are here. Imagine a bowl of ban mian can only cost 2.50. It's 4 times the price of that here. Sigh!


Anyway, I had this a few weeks back.

 photo P3042025_zps858285a7.jpg

Avocado on baguette!!!!
Pretty damn awesome. My German friend introduced me to this for supper. I told him we don't really eat avocado back in Singapore. Only avocado milkshake. And he never heard of avocado milkshake before haha. The different ways of consuming avocado


 photo P3042027_zps9f4a03fd.jpg
The Chef, Jan (pronounced 'Yarn') my housemate!

He is an awesome guy. Like... he's awesome at EVERYTHING. I'm not even joking. I must tell you all about him in one of my entries.
It wasn't all smooth sailing when I first met him. In fact, we disliked one another when we were tryna get along under the same roof in our first 2 weeks. Clash of cultures. Seriously. I misunderstood him a lot.
But now, we're getting along really well and I would consider him one of my better friends here in NZ. Afterall, we see each other every single day! I really do like him a lot. With reasons for that.

As of now, I really enjoy staying in my cottage. My room is so cosyyy I like it. It's like my own little world. But friends are warning me that once winter comes, I will freeze in my room. And outside might even be warmer than inside coz the walls are so thin the coldness seeps in. BRRRrrrrr... Can't imagine how it's gonna be like once winter's here.

For now, it's SUMMERRR SUMMER TIME!!! It's so hot that it's declared an official DROUGHT in NZ. Hottest summer in years! I think I brought Singapore's sun along ;D I love the Sun. You cannot take it away from me. I haven't even experienced RAIN YET. Even after a month, I haven't tasted their rain man. Only one day of slight drizzle which lasted for a few minutes. Sad for farmers though. Crops are prolly dying.


Anyway,

This is my parcel to Christchurch sent in this afternoon.

 photo IMG_1095_zps59d3a1ba.jpg
(check out my half-assed plant BEGGING to die already, in the background)
My wrapped camera packaged and ready to be repaired and cleaned. Got a tracking bar code to make sure it arrives safely at the Olympus repair shop.

Getting used to sending stuff so I can start sending stuff back home and to friends! : )


 photo IMG_1105_zps6ec841b8.jpg

My Korean friends invited me over to their cottage for dinner and they were excited to make me girly. SO they did make up and hair for me. I think they went crazy hahaha. Berserk! Dunno if you can see it here but they put GLITTER for me as well LOLOLOL. Lipstick somemore and curled my hair. Asian barbie doll. Jong seon's really cute she was so satisfied with her work and kept smiling to herself. Ahhh I love Koreans!

Housewarming party to attend later. Not sure if I want to go coz it's with angmohs. And they're so wild. I went for one 2 weeks ago and it's insane coz everyone's just drunk and stuff. Quite awkward for a sober Asian like myself to be there hahaha. Jan says he'll come back just to get me and my ass there!! We'll see. Pictures of drunk people for y'all if I'm going tmr hahahah

Alright, am feeling tired. Everyday I sleep early and wake up early. It's 12:30am and I'll most likely wake up at 8 or 9am the next morning. It's a daily healthy routine here in NZ!!!! I usually don't sleep past 1am when I'm here unless there's something on. SO WEIRD. Coz Singapore sleep pattern's at 3am.

Not bad eh? I updated a lot at one shot. More to come, don't worry.

The Tongariro Crossing One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life so far. Physically, mentally and.... Spiritually. I went o...


The Tongariro Crossing

 photo P3092089_zpsf687f87d.jpg

One of the most exhilarating experiences of my life so far. Physically, mentally and.... Spiritually.

I went on this hike with zero expectations. Zero. I didn't even know that I was hiking up the mountain that I had always wanted to. Remember when I posted a video of a dude hiking up the Tongariro Crossing and said I wanted to do the same thing? I wasn't conscious of the fact that I was hiking up the same MOUNTAIN as he was while I was climbing it!

Just some facts about this mountain: It's a volcano. And it was the one used to film LOTR which Frodo was climbing, called Mount Doom. Actual name, Mount Ngauruhoe.

This one hike taught me NUMEROUS things. And I found out more about myself through this hike.

With zero expectations, I climbed the mountain at my own pace with just the same feelings as I had while hiking 2 hours before I reached the foot of the mountain. I had been positive throughout the hike and felt that every step on this hike was already achievement haha.

We had to walk an hour and climb up a flight of steps in another hour before we reached the foot of Mount Doom. And it was optional to climb the mountain. Some of my friends turned back, thinking it was too dangerous. For my friend Kimberly, and I, we just wanted to "feel how it was like up there". And see what's up there. We didn't even think like, "omg we're gonna climb this huge volcano". We came into it with light, casual feelings.

And look where I ended up.


The TOP of THE WORLDDDDD. Not the world yet. That would be Everest. But hey, it has been the hugest accomplishment for me so far in terms of outdoorsey stuff, completing this mountain. Out of about 16 or more international students, only me and another guy reached the summit. The rest either didn't try or stopped trying. A pat on the back, Si Hui. You really did it. They were also all angmohs, except Kimberly and I. So, Asian pride, there you go.

But of course it wasn't easy. Especially for me. Since I never trained or whatever for it. I DON'T EVEN LIKE TO RUN! But I did know I like to climb, for a start! Now, I really really like climbing. I think I've found my soft spot for the outdoors. Definitely not running, I've never liked it. It's climbing... what took you so long to find me? Or for me to find you :')  Hahaha.

I met and talked to a lot (heaps) of kiwis on my journey up to the summit. We talked and shared food during breaks on the mountain. I started to see New Zealanders in a better light coz of that. What touched me the most were the kind words they had when they knew I was struggling or tired. For every tough moment, there would always be one kiwi who would be there to shower me with words of encouragement. Like one time, I thought I was gonna die coz the wind was so strong I really thought I was gonna be blown away. And never to be seen again. But this dude came out of nowhere and guided me. I'll never forget that. Because of that small hiccup, the rest of the hike up was scary for me coz I couldn't get over that moment of fear. Like whenever I turned and looked down, I freaked out a little. But I told myself that I had to complete this hike. I had to! I knew I would come out of it a different person.

And that from now onwards, each time I encounter a problem, I can tell myself I climbed a god damned mountain.

Speaking of God, something happened on my way down the mountain and I'll tell you about it towards the end so please do read on haha. It's one of those Si Hui moments but I promise you, it made this hike ever more worth it in the end.

I really thought I would scream and shout when I reached the top. But by the time I got there, all I could do was... Smile. Coz I was so damn tired. Yet amazed by myself and astonished by the view I was rewarded.


So here I am, gonna show you from start to end, how I hiked up The Tongariro Crossing.

If ever you get the chance, I highly encourage you to do it. For me.. life-changing. Haha how dramatic, but honestly... definitely something I wouldn't pass for other experiences.

We left on Friday evening for a car ride up to the camping site before we were to go on our journey the next day at 5am in the morning.

 photo P3082034_zpsec9bdd9c.jpg

My roadtrip friends. 3 Americans, 1 Taiwanese and 1 Norwegian.
I didn't even know them well, but I asked if I could join them and it was by luck that I managed to get a seat in their car in the end coz someone backed out last minute so lucky lucky me, I got it. All I had to do was ask, with a stroke of luck.

We were to meet another 2 cars of exchange students over at the Tongariro.

I must say, only angmohs do this. They are so adept with the outdoors and I watched in amazement at how fast they were able to set up a tent. I felt useless coz all I did was provide light for them like a lamp post while they set the tent up in no time at all. And I, came with no sleeping bag, no blankets at all. How stupid.

BUT ANYWAY!

Mcdonald's was a stopover.


 photo P3082033_zpseef420b5.jpg

Surprisingly, their Macs SUCKS.

No chilli, only ketchup. And it's not like you have a counter where you can grab all your salt pepper and sauces. You had to ASK for ketchup which comes in a sachet. SO you can't even choose how much you want.

And sauces like curry, bbq, sweet and sour, mayonnaise all cost 40 cents each. When you get them for free back in Singapore! WTF?! Suddenly even the macs in Singapore becomes so precious LOL LOL.

AND. NO. OREO. MCFLURRY. To me, that's a fail with a F minus. You fail already and you fail even more without Mcflurry. How can macs not have Mcflury?!?! That's the ultimate fail of all!

This is dumbfounding coz I assumed as long as it's a western country, anything Western should be awesome. I guess not.


ROADTRIP


 photo P3082035_zpsba422e21.jpg

 photo P3082041_zpsb27b1b5c.jpg

 photo P3082042_zpsf1eb7835.jpg

 photo P3082044_zps8612e0ca.jpg

 photo P3082047_zps7e470104.jpg

Love that horizon at the back of Dmitra. I freakin love her American accent. Cracks the hell out of me. Like she doesn't even need to say a joke, it's like I'm watching TV. HAHAHA. Freakin typecast Americans haha.

Love roadtrips. Music blasting and boogeyin in the car. They do it best.

Once we reached the campsite, we camped overnight under the stars. They were so nice to let me sleep in the tent they made while they slept outside to look at the stars. Initially, it wasn't that cold. But when the night eased in, the coldness crept in and freakin froze me TO DEATH. I WAS SO NOT PREPARED FOR THE COLD. I had 3 layers on, yet it wasn't enough. It was freakin colder than the mountains the next day siah? Shivering like mad I asked myself why I was doing this lollol. I hardly slept. Like less than 2 hours and I was up at 4:30am to pack up and get ready for the hike. Surprisingly, didn't feel sleepy or tired at all. Maybe it's the coldness.

I thought I was the only one, but the rest couldn't sleep either haha. Only the Norwegian. Guess he was used to the cold.

Met the rest of the students,

AND WAS READY FOR THE HIKE!!!!


 photo P3092054_zps76ace234.jpg
 photo P3092063_zpse16a60ab.jpg
Lovin that crescent that greeted us in the purple sky..


 photo P3092066_zps1cf15dbc.jpg
Enroute!


 photo P3092074_zps9d5e75de.jpg

Ahhh.. the sky brightening up. This really was the colour of the horizon.


 photo P3092079_zpsc2a464d6.jpg
 photo P3092076_zps9f273f44.jpg
Lawl.


 photo P3092082_zps2b078d27.jpg
 photo P3092084_zps822c06d3.jpg
Sky turning blue


 photo P3092086_zps1d05144e.jpg
 photo P3092088_zps3bfbe59a.jpg
 photo P3092090_zps806d8860.jpg

This was when we were separated from the pack. From 16 to the 3 of us at the back.
The angmohs walked SO FAST and climbed up the stairs SO FAST. So we decided niehhh we'll just make do with walking at our own pace. The first hour of the hike, we were walking way fast like speedy gonzalez and I was SWEATING IN THE COLD. I didn't even think I could perspire in the cold. That was how fast we walked.

Second half, ahh heck, let's just walk and rest and eat our snacks at our pace heh heh! I enjoyed that second half much more coz I got to soak in the sights before moving on.


 photo P3092093_zps2ef422bd.jpg
 photo P3092096_zps48a20c9c.jpg

At this point in time, I already felt like a winner, coming that far into the hike. I was amazed by myself and the view on top. Time check: 8:30am. Began at 6am.

Little did I know, I was about to embark on my journey up MOUNT DOOOOMMMMM


 photo P3092094_zpsb36404d6.jpg
Yeapp that's Mount Ngauruhoe aka Mt Doom for YOU! Looks small and insignificant from here but trust me, when you're there, it's is quite something.

That's Kimberly my Asian friend. We seek familiarity and comfort in one another HAHAH.


AND RIGHT NOWWWWW............

THE HIKE UP THE MOUNTAIN BEGINS!!!!!!!!!


 photo P3092098_zps3d06b4c0.jpg

It was about 9am.
Face is still clean.

 photo P3092102_zps05c57d98.jpg
 photo P3092113_zpse308248d.jpg

Climbed and climbed till we could nearly breathe the clouds.
Yeap as you can see, we were on all fours.

 photo P3092114_zps2fbb90f5.jpg

Ah sucks lah, my panorama.
But yeah, this was what we saw hahaha.


 photo P3092116_zps7dd34486.jpg
Taking a break from our hike on the mountain.
I enjoyed these breaks coz you could see really far from above and relaxxx. T'was amazing!

OH OH I got this windbreaker for only $11.50! SO CHEAP COZ YOU KNOW WHY??!! IT'S IN THE KIDS SECTION HAHAHHAHA. For boys aged 14. Hahahah what a cheapo. But hey angmohs are so huge, duh us asians can fit into anything they wear! Got hood somemore siol! Which was freakin useful coz the wind was sucha bugger.


 photo P3092130_zps3e6eb4ce.jpg

FOODDDDDD
I enjoyed eating muesli bars so much while I was up there. They taste so awesome when you need them haha. I brought A LOT of food for my hike up coz I didn't wanna starve and I needed energy food! Chips, One whole pack of waikato chocolate, a box of 6 chocolate muesli bars, chocolate chip cookies, sour gummies and a peanut butter sandwich with banana slices!

Yumz.


 photo P3092133_zpsfc2c4f7b.jpg

Now above the clouds


 photo P3092135_zps096d65ef.jpg

The mucus and sand from my nose. I know it's disgusting ; )
Skin on my hands and arms became very dry as well as you can see.


 photo P3092138_zpsb38c335e.jpg
 photo P3092143_zps694454d2.jpg
 photo P3092141_zpsbcec862e.jpg

This was the part I was talking about. Coz at this point in time, I couldn't see Kimberly anymore so I was alone and the winds were blowing at me at my side so hard and strong. I literally thought I was gonna die. I swear. I was clinging on to dear life. And what's worse, there was nothing solid to cling on to. So my life in other words.. WAS DANGLING. F. I was damn scared coz not many other climbers were around. I reckoned I had gone on the wrong side of the mountain. I started to panic and then got scared of the height that I was at coz when I looked back, oh my lord, it was terrifying.

Then my saviour came along. He asked me if I was ok. I told him I was scared, honest. And he said I should go on the other side coz the rocks here were "shitty" hahaha. I thanked him and wished him luck as his climbed his way down. Such kindness :')

Time check: 11am. It was already 2 hours on the mountain.

I then continued my way up.


 photo P3092144_zps2156a237.jpg

A better panorama shot haha.
Can you see the Emerald Lake?? Once I saw it, I knew I was really really high up.

 photo P3092148_zps90a46e27.jpg
The Emerald Lake is on the left in the middle of those mountains.

 photo P3092151_zpsf65c512e.jpg

That was how scary it was whenever I looked behind.
Whenever I think about it, I seriously think I could have died if I had succumbed to the wind.

Time check: 12:30pm. an hour and a half from just now. A total of 3 and a half hours on the mountain. I think if you're more experienced, it would take you faster. For me, it was my first so I took a lot of breaks and took my own time climbing.

This was the last picture I took with my Olympus camera. Coz it died. And SPOILT COZ OF ALL THE SAND!!! F! Gonna send it in for repair to Christchurch tomorrow. Called this morning. Most ex can be up to $250 if lenses have to be changed. But I think the lenses of my camera are still ok, just something jammed somewhere. So it shouldn't come up to that expensive.

Next best alternative? iPhone.


 photo IMG_1072_zps820e452f.jpg
Lookin great here huh? With cap and hood up I look like I'm ready for hire as a construction bangla.
A satisfied, but a there's-still-more-work-to-do face.

Kiwis asked me where I was from, what I was doing, WHY I WAS ALONE. I had lost Kimberly by then coz after losing sight of her, I realised I was on my own and I had to complete this mountain by myself. A nice guy told me she'd gone down already.

Throughout the climb, I spoke to at least 5-6 different kiwis and they were all helpful. Told me to be aware of the rocks falling from above that could potentially hurt me, and gave me tips on how to get down or go up. Each of them gave me words of encouragement that pushed me at every step of the way.

"You are almost there, don't give up"
"The last 100m can be the most tough, but it's so worth it when you're up there"
"SEE YOU AT THE TOP!"

I was so touched by all their words and told myself I could do this. I would verbally say it out.

Once, I was told by a guy to go down coz I think he could see I was struggling when the winds were blowing. I knew I was in for some shit coz the wind was really so strong my asian body felt like it was gonna be swept away. And I was thinking man... I'm so close yet this dude is telling me to go back down! Should I listen to him? Or should I press on?

In my heart, I whispered for some divine being to protect me hahahha. Coz I said I really want to get up there so pls ah pls and thank you.

In the end, after an hour or 2 with more struggling especially towards the last bit where I crawled on all fours up with every last bit of energy left,






 photo DSC_0001_zps1af1dc7b.jpg

I WAS FINALLY UP THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


THE SUMMIT. I conquered Mt Doom. I just.... couldn't believe what I had just done. Ugh, the feeling is wonderful. And EXHAUSTING. Haha.

A different picture from the one on Facebook. You can see the happiness in my eyes.... I was... ecstatic. And just.. so so SO proud of myself!

Do you see the lake now? It was gorgeous from up there. Emerald and shimmery under the sun.

I could see everything from up there. Places FURTHER AWAY from these mountains. The ocean, the lakes, the roads. It was magnificent! SO worth it. Especially since I never imagined I'd ever do this in a lifetime.

The best surprises are ones you truly never expect. That's why they're called surprises haha what am I talking about haha.

I honestly couldn't believe what I had just done. I wasn't human.

Time check: 1:30pm.
= A grand total of 5 hours climbing up the mountain.


 photo IMG_1080_zpsb22f3892.jpg

The view...

Taken using an iPhone.

And there was a big dip behind me.


 photo IMG_1084_zpsb4abcbde.jpg
Wouldn't wanna end up in there.


After hanging around for about 15 mins or so, savouring victory, I decided to head down coz it was getting too cold. The wind was torturous.

Going down I heard was easy coz we could just slide back down on the other side of the mountain. Fair enough. I thought it was gonna be real easy but turns out, it was a really long long LONG slide down the mountain..

And here comes the part that I wanted to share with you guys.

As my legs were practically retarded by the end of the climb up, I decided to slide on my bottom. I stopped halfway while sliding to take pictures using my iPhone.

Big mistake. Coz I put it right back into my pocket in my trousers. Then continued sliding down.

Yeap. You know what's gonna come.

Halfway down my second slide to the bottom on my ass, I decided to check on whether my phone was still with me. Eh? Nothing? Feel again, HUH WHAT HUH WHERE IS IT OMG PLEASE...

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE DON"T TELL ME THAT I....

I dropped it on my way down while I was sliding.


At that point of time, the sky came crashing down on me. It dawned on me that..... that I had to climb back up to look for it.

I asked THE LORD, Please.. please don't do this to me. Coz just when I said I was so tired and that I will never climb this mountain again, I believe it was when he decided to test me.

BY GETTING ME TO CLIMB BACK UP TO SEARCH FOR IT.

The first word that came out of my mouth when I found out my iPhone was missing was,

KA-NI-NA

I have never sworn using this word with that much gusto before.

I really wanted to die. Coz I was so exhausted, yet I had to climb on slippery soil and rocks, back up. I was defeated. I wanted to just leave the god damn iPhone behind and continue my way down coz I was just... so... so... damn tired. I was asking God, WHYYY WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME. IS IT A TEST?!?! I WILL CLIMB BACK UP FOR YOU IF IT'S A TEST.

I swear, it sounds like a big joke right now, but back there I was desperate. Coz it was my only form of communication with my other friends who by then, should be back at the car and waiting for me to drive off and I was worried that they'd be worried about me and that I was being irresponsible. And by then, no one else was at the mountain. I was the only one left. I was so. fuckin. desperate. I wanted to cry. But didn't.

I did a lot of talking to myself. I said, Is this what you want me to do?!! CLIMB BACK UP AGAIN? I will do it to get back my iPhone but please help me! I can't do this by myself. I am so tired. Give me a SIGN PLEASEEE. I saw rocks falling down. And I said that if they stopped rolling, it means that it's up there and I could still get it.

I was afraid that my iPhone would be hidden beneath the rocks while I was sliding down and that there'd be no means of seeing it. And I didn't know how far above it was. I had slid down quite a substantial amount before realising it had fallen out. I really was crying for help. I didn't shed any tears tho. But really. REALLY DESPERATE>

I decided to climb. I climbed and stopped and climbed and stopped. Coz I was so tired. I literally moaned in desperation every time I stopped coz I wanted to get back my phone so badly yet I was so tired and exhausted. I was completely, mentally and physically exasperated. I wanted to give up.

But I climbed. And...... there it was. Shining in white. Right back down at me. I made sure I wasn't hallucinating coz I hallucinated a couple of times seeing white rocks as my iPhone. I collapsed to the ground upon seeing it. And thanked God. I made one last ditch effort and climbed and reached for my phone. I couldn't be happier.

So in essence, I climbed Mount Doom one and a half times. One, the normal way. The other, to get my iPhone back.

I will NEVER forget this hike. Ever. After what happened.

I thought my friends were gonna be angry at me for making them wait. But guess what? They were so happy and relieved to see me alive coz they were speculating all the different things that could've happened to me. That I died, lost my way, helped somebody out. And I guess losing an iPhone sounded really trivial as a reason for taking more time than I should. But they were simply glad to see me.

I was touched by them as well coz they went out looking for me :') Asked around if they saw an Asian girl with a red backpack. Then finally, managed to call me on my iPhone and get to me and asked if I was alright.

So what made this whole hiking thing even more worthwhile was how I saw my friends helped to scout for me when they thought I died somewhere. This iPhone scandal became very very serendipitous indeed. But I would never want it to happen again of course.

It actually brought me closer to these people whom I hardly knew in the first place. The roadtrip back home was a fun one. Reached home to celebrate my flat mate's birthday. He was such a happy boy.  Would provide photos if I get hold of them from his camera.

One thing I really like about Westerners in general are.. they're not uptight about certain things? I was really afraid that they'd be mad at me for taking sucha bloody long time. But they weren't and I was sincerely touched.


So here I am, right now, happy that I did this hike. Happy to be sharing this on my blog. And happy to know that I'm happy. Am excited coz my friend tells me both him and I shall make plans to hike up another mountain.

Mount Taranaki. Another mountain on my list of mountains other than Mount Doom. I am excited yet apprehensive now knowing that it was quite a tough climb up. I now EXPECT more from myself. But I don't wanna feel this way. And to just enjoy the ride while I cannnn. That's what I'm here for.

Lack of updates has been due to tiredness the past few days. But I will update more! And share with you more of my stories here in New Zealand. Beautiful New Zealand.