Sorry, been away for almost a week! Let's just say that I did everything I possibly could to send Mr Lee off...  including that 10 ho...

Sorry, been away for almost a week!
Let's just say that I did everything I possibly could to send Mr Lee off... 
including that 10 hour long wait...

I am humbled by Singaporeans' show of solidarity and I think we're all still mourning the loss of a great, great man. 


---

Lately, I've also been busy with yes, FYP. The end is near. In fact, it's tomorrow. Mad rush with report and I really just wanna surrender it to my school now. 

This Sunday is also my 21.1km race with my best friend Ooi Suxin!!! Yes I've been keeping up with my runs ok... ; )

Also, I have yet posted about my Barcelona trip. I think a more appropriate time to do so will be good : )


Anywhos, life goes on... As how it has for centuries. People come, and people go, life is as such. So treasure every moment and LIVE IT.

As we all know by now, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore has passed on. I write this blog post with a heavy heart. It w...


As we all know by now, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore has passed on.

I write this blog post with a heavy heart.

It was difficult for me knowing that I wasn't in my country when I first found out about the news. Yet, the fact that I was alone and overseas, away from the country that I so love the most, gave me time for reflection by myself.


It was 4am in Doha Airport yesterday when I was waiting for my transiting flight back home that I decided to switch on my wifi. First came the headlines from the BBC and then Channel NewsAsia. Every day that I was in Spain, I would clutch my phone and hold with bated breath what the news would be when I turned on my wifi. As days went by, news showed that his condition was deteriorating. It was difficult to read these headlines and see pictures of "Get Well Soon LKY" on Instagram when you're not in Singapore.

So this time when I turned on my wifi, it was none too different a routine. I read the headlines with bated breath........... But this time the news read differently. He didn't make it.

I felt my heart clench and I saw seats ahead of me. Dramatic as it may sound, all I wanted to do was collapse on to them and give myself a few moments to ponder and reflect.

The first thing that hit me was that I was so sad that I wasn't at home in Singapore when this happened. It really is important to me that I be there at home, united with my people.

Then I realised perhaps it wasn't too be, because there lies a reason for it. I reminded myself why I was overseas in the first place - to learn as much as I can and go back with a sense of renewal and lessons I can use to contribute back - It was more than that, and perhaps being away from my country taught me even more and gave me a deeper sense of rootedness to the situation that was unravelling before my eyes.

I sat on the chair, slumped, as I tried to make sense of the news. I completely forgot about everyone around me. To outsiders, I probably looked dazed and confused. Kinda disoriented.

One thing though, I realised that I did not cry. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't. Yes, tears welled up in my eyes but I didn't cry. Which was in fact a bit surprising even for myself because I'd usually bawl during circumstances like these.

As I sat in reflective contemplation, I realised two things. One, I knew that he would eventually succumb to his illness and that he would eventually pass on. So I was already prepared for the worst. I felt sadness and a yearning to mourn for the death of a man who had given so much to our country. And that was the thing. With that knowledge, the only feelings that I had weren't grief, but far more than that. I felt a greater sense of... how do I put it.... Pride for my country. He was an unwavering figure of strength to many in Singapore and I'm sure grief wasn't what he would wish from Singaporeans on the day of his passing. As I continued sitting on that chair, it occurred to me that I love this country more than ever before and I started to think a lot more about what I could do for this place that I call home for the many years of my life ahead.

Here is my second revelation: I have never seen Singaporeans so united in spirit before. Never before. After I snapped out of the spiral of emotions, I went to read and watch more news about his death through Facebook. And you know what? I did want to cry eventually - After seeing scores of Singaporeans get emotional about his death. The young, the old, I had never seen Singaporeans so united, standing in solidarity, especially the footage when his hearse drove past the Istana and scores of people were shouting. All throughout my life, I have never once seen Singaporeans from all walks of life band together. What a giant he is, bringing together the nation's people even on the day of his death. To me, that was amazing.

What's even more touching for me was knowing that many young people of my generation were feeling the same. And still are. I had always thought the young ones of my time aren't as emotional when it comes to issues involving the nation. But it was nice to know that my views have been challenged during this trying time for the nation. Young people have drawn portraits of Mr Lee and written so many, I say so so SO many inspiring posts on Facebook that it's overwhelming to me. Even the usual critics and skeptics who complain about many other things in life were paying tribute through social media. Even my friends whom I never really thought cared, felt something.

To me, all these voices, acts of wanting to pay their last respects and words of gratitude show a lot. That actually... Singaporeans do care. We do care! And that to me, touches my heart greatly. I have always thought we were quite an emotionless country, but I have been proven quite wrong. When we feel for something, it shows, and that is all that matters.

What saddens me is that, we have to wait for something untoward to happen. For a loss to happen, and this time a great legend to pass, before the nation unites and gets together. I wish for this feeling of togetherness to last forever or at least remain in our hearts forever. It doesn't come all the time, rarely, and in fact, the first time in my entire 22 years of existence.... And my greatest wish is for Singapore to be this fervent in spirit, wholeheartedly and as one. It may not be all the time but I believe no one can deny what an amazing feeling it is to be surrounded by such a show of unity.


Back to my flight. 

After 7 hours of waiting, it was time for me to get on to my plane as the gates opened. I searched around for Singaporeans because I wanted to reach out to them and make conversation with them. I noticed an Asian family. Alas, they weren't Singaporeans. I looked around and saw a television screen flashing Euronews and saw the headlines: "Singapore in Mourning" and thought to myself, wow, his influence has brought tiny Singapore to even the headlines of European News. HEADLINES. That's insane.

Then I regained my search for Singaporeans who would be boarding the plane with me... I absolutely could not find any! My heart sank.

Nevertheless, I entertained and distracted myself from thinking about Mr Lee's passing by watching movies. The Maze Runner and Benjamin Button. I watched a lot of movies while on the plane to Barcelona and back to Singapore. A total of about 5-6 movies. I laughed and cried to many of them and loved all the movies I watched: Gravity, Hunger Games, Coraline, Wild.

Then it hit me that one thing occurred in all of them: Love lost through death. And it hit me that that is the one thing that tugs at our heart strings. The protagonists in each movie experienced some sense of loss through a loved one's death, leading the viewer to endear more with the character. Every single movie. And now when I think again, almost every movie in history has some notion of death played out. It is something all of us experience with a loved one and it is the one thing that occurs, which reminds us just how much humans cling on to the memory of our dearly departed and the things that they have done with us and for us. It is ingrained in the human spirit to grieve, yearn and long for the important, special people who mean so much to us.

I can't believe the in-flight movies could teach me so much about humans in general. And in this particular context.

After seven hours from Doha, the wheels of my aircraft touched the tarmac at Changi Airport. I collected my luggage and saw three familiar faces that belong to people who mean the world to me but will never know the gravity of my love for them.... Mom, Dad and Kor. They picked me up and whisked me back home.


My flight story is about to end here. But before it does, here's what happened before I entered my home.

I saw my old man of a neighbour and I greeted him as usual with a "Hello Uncle!"

He said hello, and walked towards us saying, "I got chilli padi for you!" and he handed my mom a packet of chilli padi, which he grows from his garden.

He's done it before but that night, it was special. It was like, Mr Lee's death had an effect on all of us. It felt so much like kampong spirit... That kind little gesture warmed my heart greatly. It felt like my neighbour was affected by the news too and intentionally plucked those chilli padi just for us, knowing that my family absolutely loves our spices : )

Right now, I still feel a sense of loss and sadness. I wish the generations to come would know and respect Lee Kuan Yew as much as I and the generations before me have. But with time, like everything else, the memory of one fades and the sense of what he has done for this little island nation will gradually dissipate. My children will probably not be able to relate to someone who's been dead and long gone, but I wouldn't really blame them. I myself probably don't fully understand the pride the pioneer generation has because I never experienced the turbulent times of Singapore and really feel for what he has done.

But other than sadness, I have faith that my generation can pave the way forward through uncharted waters. It feels a bit scary and uncertain but I believe in us, the people, who will carve a meaningful life for all of us together in Singapore.


You've been a part of my life by reading this blog and I'm sure you know how much I think about my country... It goes on every single bleeding day of my life and I can never take my country out of my life. I don't know what's the impact or contribution I will make in the future, but I know my heart is set on doing so and I trust that I can and will be able to.

With that, whoever you are, reading, I'm sure you've been the slightest bit affected by his passing too and by whatever means you have, I hope you've been moved to feel or do something. It doesn't have to be big. It could be the teeniest tiniest of wish or hope for the country. You may not even have to do anything but at least, I do hope Mr Lee Kuan Yew's inspiring life journey for Singapore and eventual death have affected you in some way or another.


Like it has for me.

My Airbnb profile. So chio hor my picture. Who wouldn't wanna host this beauty?? Anyway, I'm gonna stay at Airbnb! My first t...


My Airbnb profile.

So chio hor my picture. Who wouldn't wanna host this beauty??


Anyway, I'm gonna stay at Airbnb! My first timeeee and I'm excited. Can't wait to see the view from the terrace of the house. I bet it's gonna be amazing. And meet my host who is a Russian lady who has lived in Barcelona for 3 years. She's quite a nice lady seeing the message correspondence with her so far.

It's 4:18pm as I type this and my flight's at 8pm so gotta be at the airport at 6pm. I gotta leave soon~ I woke up at 8:30am today and somehow I had so much admin stuff to do that I kinda just completed everything. JUST completed. My my, mad rush.

I also just bought a metro ticket in Barcelona, which needs to be printed out and I don't have a printer sigh so I gotta ask my good friend Sianpei to help me with that.

All these last min arrangements, and research! Travelling can be quite tedious in terms of planning and all that. But I hope all will be fine and most importantly... that I'll have megaloadsa funnn woohoo!! Haha.

I'm really tired now, I think I'll have a good sleep on the plane. It'll be a 7 hour flight to Doha, where I'll transit for 2 hours before heading to Barcelona for another 7 hours fooyooh!

Wish me luck~ Here comes solo travelling once more! I hope I don't get pickpocketed or my valuables get lost like 10,000 stories I've heard so far. I'd feel less-savvy and stupid if that happens to me hahaha

Also, I've been meaning to put up my ask.fm board thingy but haven't got down to it yet heh. Soon, soon.

Also also... LKY is in such critical condition. I don't know how long he'll be able to pull through. The Times... they are A-Changin'.

I'll be back with beautiful pictures!!! I hope people don't steal my camera when I ask them to take photos of ME. Faith in humanity please~

Sorry guys! Haven't been updating regularly. But anyway... I'M FLYING TO BARCELONA THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!! It was really last minut...


Sorry guys! Haven't been updating regularly.

But anyway... I'M FLYING TO BARCELONA THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!!

It was really last minute because the school approved only one of us to head to the Mecal film festival. Initially, Reshma was supposed to go and the school even approved her application. But she decided to pull out and so, I have taken her place instead.

The plan is that, since we got accepted into 2 more film festivals at Switzerland and the US, Zhuoda and Reshma could go for each. The one at US is in April and Reshma will be available for that. Hopefully the school approves our requests so that ALL OF US CAN HEAD OVERSEAS TO ATTEND A FILM FESTIVAL WOOHOO!!!!

It's kinda sad though having to go alone. No one to laugh and discuss about monuments and take photos with.

Also, I'm making so much arrangements right now - accommodation (argh!), flight, money, luggage and itinerary (if I ever get down to it in time).

I only just bought the air tickets yesterday - $1.5K flown away and technically the school hasn't even approved my application for grants because the school's admin has to resubmit approval for mine. And there hasn't yet been a confirmation. I'll only know tomorrow. It's a risk, but ah heck lah, I'm going for it! There's no reason why they shouldn't approve it.

I'm quite excited for it, though not sure how to feel coz it's all too sudden. Well, at least it's Terminal 3 shiok ah.

I know nothing about Spain, literally nothing and I need to do some research to get excited about places I could go to.

I also only told my parents yesterday that I'm flying to Barcelona this Wednesday.

I went, "Mommy, Daddy *suspended pause as I waited for their heads to turn and look at me* I'm flying to Barcelona on Wednesday".

My dad thought it was a joke - "Ugh, she kidding only lah right". And mom, well, she has been harassing me every hour about what to bring, be careful of snatch thieves blahblahblah omg I'd rather not have told them and just gone MIA.

They wouldn't even know! Since I stay in hall and I return within a few days! So yeahhh it's a reallyyy short trip, maybe that's why I'm not going GOOOGOOGAGAGA about it.

Still, it'll be an experience! Spain lehhh, the only other European country I would be able to proclaim that I've been to, other than the UK.

Pictures I'll be taking for you guys ya.

And I will leave FYP in the good hands of my sistasz. I believe it's going in a good direction so let's keep our fingers crossed that all will go fine and AWESOMELY till April 1st.

In the meantime... I was about to say ciaociao for nownow but if I have time to blog one time before I leave then yeah.

Otherwise, it's ADIOS AMIGOS!!! 

I really dunno why my friends are so gross, holding up those things that I REFUSED TO. Anyway, Amelia blew out candles today in...



I really dunno why my friends are so gross, holding up those things that I REFUSED TO.


Anyway, Amelia blew out candles today in celebration of her birthday!!!!! 
It was actually a week ago on March 4th, and us so-called friends weren't informed but nevertheless, we spent it with our respekted Direktor.

We're quite happy that our seminar mates and supervisor were quite pleased with the first draft of our FYP Docu : ) Yes, we're finally done with all the shoots so we're currently editing like mad and perfecting it. Mad props to Sianpei and Amelia. I learn so much from them~ their strive for perfection and all.

I do think that my team mates deserve more credit than they actually are willing to receive. Sometimes I think my friends are too hard on themselves. 
I should get them drugged up.

But seriously, they deserved all the positive feedback today and I hope they ride on that momentum as we race against time to the finish line of April the First for FYP submission.


Hang in there everyoneeeee!!!

We're getting there ; D

I am aware that this blog will experience a sudden increase in visitors because NTU Openhouse was just yesterday and those who want to know...


I am aware that this blog will experience a sudden increase in visitors because NTU Openhouse was just yesterday and those who want to know about the brilliant school that I'm currently in now, will be mad googling away.

You have come to the right place my dear friends coz I will be dedicating this entire post to my school and all prospective students of Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

It is my final year in this school. And this is the school that has helped tremendously in honing, developing and maturing me the past close-to-four years.

This post, shall be my final act of helping to put my school out there in the spotlight, while I am still relevant as a student. I've been doing this the past 2 years already and I am more than willing to promote WKWSCI and answer all the questions that you'd ever want to ask about my school. I'm thinking of putting up an ask.fm board soon so wait up for it!!!

I dare say I am the proudest member of my school and want as many people interested in Communication Studies to witness the magic for themselves, which I have the past 4 years :')

Before I link you up to the blog posts that I've written about some of the questions past passersby have asked, let me just introduce myself again:

My name is Si Hui and was given the endearing name of "Stingz" in my freshmen year at Wkwsci. Nobody ever knows my real name now and this nickname has stuck with me for 4 long years. I am now a final year student majoring in Journalism/Broadcast. Currently producing a documentary for my Final Year Project (FYP).

Before NTU, I was an Arts student from TPJC and my A levels results were AAB/C. My combination was Math, Econs and History (H2) and Chemistry (H1). I got a B for GP - a minimal grade to get into WKWSCI. (Oh thank god I got a B) Project Work was a B and well, Mother Tongue was an E (sigh).

The minimal score I've heard in my cohort would be a BBB. So I pray that whatever results you got, I hope you'll get into WKWSCI : ) And anything above that, don't worry, your place at my school is secured. (btw, there is no 'interview' test. admission is based on scores. even during my time)

Naturally, my first choice was NTU WKWSCI. I had known this from the very beginning when I was in JC that I wanted to get into this school. The only other school I applied for was NUS FASS, which I got accepted too. But of course, my heart was set on my one and only - one true love, Wee Kim Wee.

Throughout my 4 years, I have done and experienced so many things that I seriously never would've imagined before I entered this school. Right when I was in YOUR shoes, I was just a blur cock, never really thought about ooh what'd happen to me 4 years later. Now, as I look back, I say wow wow wow, what a great school life it has been. STILL IS, because it hasn't ended just yet.


Here's a track record of my 4 years of schooling in my first angmoh-pai school -

Year 1: Participated in Freshmen Orientation Camp (best camp ever) + loads of Freshie activities. I was also staying in Hall 3 and did a lot of hall activities in my first year too.

Year 2: 
(semester 1) Became an Orientation Group Leader (leading Sioux was awesome and I made great GL friends. Still the strongest group after 2 years ok)

+ Participated in the first ever WKWSCI Overseas Community Project to Laos. An ad-hoc started up by my senior and OGL.

(semester 2) Overseas Exchange Programme for 6 months to New Zealand (not mandatory but highly recommended because I believe I matured rapidly due to this)

Year 3: 
(semester 1) Leader of the second WKWSCI Overseas Community Project. (never thought I'd chair something like that, but it gave me a taste of what leading a project would be like)

(semester 2) Internship for 6 months at Channel NewsAsia (my dream work company - it was a dream come true for me)

Year 4:
(semester 1) Selected to be part of video team in Go-Far to Sweden (Going Overseas for Advanced Reporting) - gave me so much opportunities and confidence in video-making.

(semester 2) That's right now! Final Year Project producing a documentary : )


In a few more months.... This coming August, GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

4 years just whizzed by man, seriously, so enjoy your time while you're at it!


As promised, some of the useful links to posts that I've written in the past. Hope they help with some of your questions in mind!

Practical knowledge about WKWSCI (written by school for Openhouse 2013):
What to study in WKWSCI + Job prospects 
Travel Opportunities


Everything else below, written by yours truly~

Tagboard Q&A:
5 burning questions about WKWSCI's students
How to Hack into WKWSCI Part II

My 4 years of experiences: 
Camp experience (video)
First OCIP Trip to Laos
Going on exchange alone to New Zealand
In preparation for second OCIP Trip
Producing an episode for Channel NewsAsia
Go-Far 2014


Tryna think of what pics to put but I guess the length of my hair is the best representation of how I evolved throughout my time in WKW.

Pre-Uni TPJC middle-of-dunno-what-length hair face

Year 1 past shoulder-length hair freshie face

Year 1 sem 2 in-preparation-for-GL face


Year 2 sem 2 New Zealand long flowy hair face

Year 3 ex-Mediacorp intern short pixie crop act-rebel face

Current final year spastic bob hair face


Hair Chronicles lol.

This is just a little summary of it. For more, I permit you to rampage my archivessss~~~ my troubled past EXPOSED HAHHAAH. Kidding, I don't think I had no troubled past so feel free to get on with it. But seriously, my past 4 years of me writing in this blog has largely been about school, so... it provides a bit of insight. That's only if you've the time to invest in this girl's blog~

Stick around with me coz I'm nearing the end of my journey in WKWSCI.... It has been a long ride, definitely not smooth sailing. I experienced it all - blood sweat and definitely tears. But for the most part, great memories with amazing friendships forged.

As for you... this post is titled, "All you ever want to know about NTU WKWSCI". Truth is, you will never know WKWSCI till you experience it yourself. Your journey has yet begun. I merely showed you what is to come, but they were all my experiences. YOU will be carving great memories for yourself and I truly am excited for each and every one of you. You don't even knowwww.

Don't worry too much about the uncertainties of the coming 4 years, because that's the fun of it all - it unravels on its own. If you asked me 4 years ago, I'd never imagine to be where I am right now. Making a documentary? Hell no! It has been a joyride, one that I want to remember for as long as I can.


I wish the same for all of you...

Be bold. A new phase of your life awaits~ Adventure is out there!!!!!

One day, I received a Facebook friend request from a German girl. I clicked her profile and saw that Jan, a dear German friend of mine, was...


One day, I received a Facebook friend request from a German girl. I clicked her profile and saw that Jan, a dear German friend of mine, was friends with her. I immediately thought this skinny blonde girl was secretly stalking my profile for some reason and she had accidentally clicked 'add friend'.

I didn't think much of it and didn't accept the request.

Days after, I received a message in my inbox:

"Hello Tan Si Hui :)
My name is Gabi, from Germany.
Jan gave me your Facebook contact as I told him that I will fly to New Zealand with a short stopover in Singapore. He told me about you, a good friend from NZ times, living in Singapore :)
I'm wondering if you will have time and like to meet me during my stopover? I will arrive on Saturday 28th February and will stay until next Sunday evening. I'll do a round through the city and would be really happy if we could meet and if you show and tell me some things about your city and you

Cheers ;)
Gabi"


When I read it, part of me went wow!! and awww, Jan says I'm his good friend, sure I'd love to bring you around this country I love, besides it's only a day!

Also, another part of me thought, Jan's friend... I don't know this girl at all man? What if we can't talk or get along well? That would suck. But oh well, it's only a day. What harm would there be eh?


So I replied her with this:

"Hi Gabi!!!!
Oh I'd be so glad to be able to host you!! What time will you be arriving in Singapore???
Also, do you need a place to stay at? Do tell me and I'll graciously host you at my place : )"


I thought about her one day of staycation... wow what a waste of $$$ it'd be for her to stay at some hostel. Such a waste. For a night, why not I just host her? I didn't even ask my parents. I just gave her that option of staying over at my house. I know my parents will be fine with it so, I thought it's ok. What's more, my room has space so why not. I don't even know why I was feeling so spontaneous and gracious, but I guess I understood the pains of travelling and finding a place to stay and travelling on a budget and what's more ONLY ONE NIGHT TO STAY.

And she of course, took that offer.


After a bit of a chat, I found out she'd arrive in Singapore at 2pm. I looked at my schedule and saw that I had an FYP shoot from 10am-2pm. I was like, shucks. And then she was to leave at 8pm the next day. I looked at my schedule again and saw that I had a performance to attend at 6pm. And I was like, shucks shucks. Of all days... when I actually HAD stuff on a weekend, she is coming...

But since I'd already given that option, let's roll with it.


The day soon came. I was caught up with the shoot, it went longer than expected and it finished by 3:05pm. I informed her beforehand that I'd be late. But this was reallyyyyy late and I felt soooo bad for making her wait. And I felt bad for leaving my FYP mates because they had to continue for a while more of shooting. So at that moment, I was not looking forward to meeting Gabi. Plus, I was already tired from my shoot, which I woke up at 7 in the morning for. So tireddd...


Lucky I had my dad to fetch me so he went straight from AMK to Changi in 30 mins. I got out of the car, and went straight to finding this thin blonde girl. We were corresponding via Fb messenger. I saw this tall girl standing awkwardly with her huge backpack and knew it was her. I tapped her shoulder from the back and said, Hey!!!!! She turned around and I thought to myself, ah, she looks normal. Just looks a little older than I expected. She was happy to finally see me and I hugged her to welcome her, then apologised for being so late. I was so afraid that she'd be angry because Germans are known for their efficiency and all but she was so not angry whatsoever. Thankfully, phew.


Went back home and introduced her to my Asian family (warned her that I still live with my parents). Before we were off for dinner, we still had a bit of time so we took off to cycle around Pasir Ris Park.

At that time I still hadn't really thought much about whether I could click with her. Just hoped she'd be impressed with what I'd show her. Well at least she was friendly on the drive back home! So not to worry~


Little did I know... this was to be the beginning of everything. (nono, no horror story is coming up)

Throughout our cycling ride to and back from Pasir Ris Park, we talked about a wide range of topics. Of course, there were the obligatory "What are you doing now?" and "How did you know Jan?" But... we talked about so many other things as well like Race, Religion, Nationality, our countries' way of living - certain policies and stuff, History, etc. And I thought wow, I kinda like where this conversation is going.

It didn't stop there.

When we reached my home, we still had to wait for my parents and bro to get themselves ready before heading out for dinner so we continued our conversation.

We started to talk about more things like what we thought about homosexuality, terrorism and you know what else???  Love, our relationships and... omg, so much personal things.


I realised that we had gotten from small talk, to personal talk really fast! I really liked this conversation and I thought.. hey, I think I can talk to this person. This is great.

For dinner, since it was CNY, I was going to my relative's house to Bai Nian so asked for permission beforehand to bring her along to experience the festivities. After, we walked around Merlion area, and Marina Bay Sands. She was so lucky because the Chingay period just started and we walked through River Hongbao and EVEN CAUGHT FIREWORKS TWICE!!!! How lucky!!!

Not too long later, we were both damn exhausted and lucky my bro was there to fetch us back and we all reached home at 12am. We conked out.

Next morning, my parents and I brought her to eat at my parents' weekly market routine at Whampoa market to see a little bit of the heartland and makan to our hearts' content.

After that, what was left on the itinerary was for me to bring her around Little India and Chinatown. I found out she liked ginger and my dad suggested I bring her to drink some Teh Halia at Little India and then at Chinatown, some icy dessert at my favourite store.

Ya know what? I never guessed that this 5-hour mini-tour would be such an enjoyable experience.


Nabeh, we spent at least 1 hour sipping teh at Little India and definitely two hours eating icy Chendol and icy Sesame.


I HAD NEVER HAD SUCH AN ENGAGING, OPEN, DEEP AND DID I MENTION ENGAGING CONVERSATION WITH A FOREIGNER FOR THAT LONG BEFOREEEEEEE. 

And let me remind you that I had only met her an evening ago. Hours, in fact.

We talked about our thoughts, feelings and ideas about almost everything under the sun..... Our countries' systems, our families, friends, Jan, travel, love.......... It went deep man, so deep. And not once had I felt a tinge of awkwardness. Not a tinge. What's more she was much older than me. Let's just say, early 30s. Our conversations were so open... and she was so not afraid of showing her vulnerabilities and because of that, I reciprocated. After talking so much, I realised we were similar in so many thoughts.

For example, how religion and race should never be interdependent - one shouldn't have a certain religion just because of his cultural background. And how important personal freedom is to the both of us. As well as how important siblings are in life.

She was German, I was Singaporean, and despite our differences in nationality, I saw so much in common at the same time. I almost thought she was the angmoh version of me no kidding. I saw a lot of myself reflected in her. She's way more active in her lifestyle however and there were differences in certain beliefs but we were both the sort of people who found another person's perspective of things in life so interesting and we respected that. I listened, she listened, we both listened as the other talked. So the conversation never stopped.

IT WAS..... So bloody invigorating.

When we took the MRT back, I felt as if I was taking the train back with any other ordinary friend. I forgot she was a foreigner. All the way through, throughout our time out, it never really occurred to me that this person... I had really only JUST MET. Jusssst met.

Kanina siah. It's crazy.

But sadly, she had to leave for the airport for New Zealand soon after. We sent her to Changi and had to rush off for the performance. Couldn't give her a proper send off, which sucked. It was my fault because she and I were out for too long and my family wanted to have dinner with her before we all departed but the both of us returned home too late so nobody could have dinner. Blame it on me.

She requested for a picture with all of us and stood at the door waving at the airport, as our car drove away. I thanked her via Fb messenger for her time with us and that I was so happy to have a newfound friend. She replied thanking my family and my time with her and for our open conversations about so many things. But the last line topped it for me,

"My stay in Singapore was short, but deep!!!"

:'D

Sama-sama..... sama-sama... So deep indeed.




And after talking so much about this German girl, this is her!!



Chinatown!
dude at the back is just -.-

But oh, what an amazing feeling to be able to connect with someone at such an awesome conversational level within such a BLOODY short span of time. It's freakin crazy!!!!!

This has brought me to a conclusion.

I'm trying my very BEST not to stereotype and generalise but I can't help it but say.....


GERMANS ARE AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEE
THEY ARE THE BESTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT


I can't keep track of how many Germans I consider my friends, but definitely... The most out of any other foreign country on this mother planet. Germans are world-class :')


She kept telling me that I should visit Germany. The question is not whether I should, but a matter of WHEN. What was she talking about?! Of COURSE I'll visit Germany. That's like a definite. I miss Jan a lot and his nonsense. I learnt so much from that dude, so much........ you don't even know.


It is 2:15am right now, just came back from the performance and I decided that I must pen this down because getting such experiences and making connections with friends like her is unbelievable. It's unbelievable because even some of my old friends, I don't even have such deep conversations or enjoy them as much. And because it's unbelievable, it's really quite special.

It could be because it's a novelty - something new, something refreshing, but nah, not really. You really can't feel the same deep way with every single person you meet. So this feels true.

I dunno why but I've been meeting a lot of new people this year... It's quite crazy. But I'm enjoying it so far, it's been a blast knowing them : )


2015 is looking to be quite wonderful...