mes amis!

{Epic Bintan trip with Sop/Orchard flea market with Jo/meetups with fatzies and the SA pals :)}

It's Sinking In

Had my major shopping trip today and finally got (almost) everything I need - no excuse to delay packing any longer! Starting to register that i'm really leaving in 6 days time and that NYC will be home for at least the next 3 years of my life.. Although i'm really looking forward to it and the new challenges/experiences/adventures that await, it's honestly really scary to leave my family and friends and all that is familiar to me. The thought of myself leaving has been at the back of my mind for the longest time but now that the date is fast approaching I feel stuck in a kind of weird limbo- many people I want to see or say goodbye to (maybe being a liiittle melodramatic here but that's me!) but there really.isn't.time., at least not if I want to spend the next week with my family and closer friends. :(

One thing I really thank God for is that S will be in the USA with me for the first year of life in NYU (well, he'll be in Chicago but for us it's close enough!!) and although he's flying back there a couple of weeks later than me, just the thought of weekend trips and finding new patterns and being together in the land of the freeee is enough to quell any anxiety in my heart :) The Summer with him back home has really been great, it's actually one of the longest durations we've spent together in the same country (one of the perks of 3 years of long distance is that it makes 3 full months together feel like an enormous blessing/privilege!) and i'm pretty sure I speak for both of us when I say that it is such a huge relief to not have to count down to when each other wakes up so we can talk/to spend time together via online movie and tv show dates/sending old fashioned letters and packages etc... Actually it isn't all that bad especially with time, but at the end of the day nothing beats personal interaction :)

Despite the apprehension i'm already tingling with excitement about the lonnng flight that i've grown somewhat accustomed to, meeting my apartment mates (and i'm going out with my roommate one day before move-in day! :D), the Welcome Week events like kayaking on the Hudson River (!!), Monster Ball, the IRHC events and barbeque etc etc.. to meet my academic advisor and chart out my plan for the next semester, and for classes too! to finally engage my mind and to learn from/with some really cool and passionate people about philosophy/art/politics.. It'll be new and different and challenging but i'm going to embrace it and hopefully make some good friends along the way :)

For now, i'm gonna try my best to make my last six days here count!

Update

Been really busy, but happily so :) Working with S is great although we're doing totally different things (and his hours are way crazier!), and it really helps that I'm genuinely into the place and the people and what i'm doing.

Just need to quickly get my visa and vaccines DONE. It's been such.a.pain. and I really need to get it out of the way!! Almost can't believe i'm leaving in a little more than a month.. it feels too soon for such a massive adjustment (it's like moving away for 3 years!) but i'm also looking forward to what lies ahead.

Mum Dad and Chen will be back on Thursday so i'm anticipating a huge spike in the noise/activity around home- I've missed them loads and i'm really glad they're finally gonna be back here.. Kinda foresee myself not updating this space often so maybe i'll leave it as it is with intermittent posts till I fly to New York City and then start again documenting my life there ;)

my 16day vacation

Been home for a little more than a week - just starting to recover from a terrible flu bug I caught somewhere (I suspect!) in JFK, S and I are insanely jetlagged (we involuntarily fall asleep between 8-10p.m and wake up before 7, although it has gotten a little better in recent days), have loads of things to do before I fly off for school in late August.... but it's great to be back all the same!

I don't know why but when i'm with S the need/desire for technology and all that comes with it kinda goes away.. I suppose it might be because life is a lot more full and rich and good when we're together and so there isn't a need to live (in part) through the internet. Which honestly is a wonderful relief, coming from a couple whose main form of communication is usually via Skype calls that involve staring at a computer screen for copious amounts of time ;)

Spain with Chenxi was lovely but soo veryy hot!! Grew a couple of shades darker by the third day, got used to repeating over and over "No hablo espanol", came across some of the most beautiful architecture i've seen in my life, quickly found ways to navigate the public transport system/narrow streets and overall had an awesome vacation with my sister :)

Then was another long flight to Chicago (gonna get really familiar with O'Hare soon haha) for S's graduaaaation (so. proud. :D again next year after grad school!) with his parents where we did another round of NYC and went on a roadtrip to Philly/Washington DC. Really good times :)

Hola España!

Leaving tonight for the UK where i'll meet Chen and then rush to catch our flight to Spain (Madrid and Valenciaaa!) :D 6 days of exploring the beautiful country and then i've another flight to catch to the US to meet up with the Angs for S's graduation :)

I've been looking forward to this trip for awhile (and it's Summerrr! Glorious weather!) and I can't believe it's already time to go.. and this time without the bittersweetness of goodbyes because when I next land back here it'll be with my Partner-in-crime.. and Chen gets back in July too ;) Need to finish packing now!!

Kurt Anderson's List of Annoying Words

Kurt Anderson's list of banned words (because he found them annoying) during his tenure as the editor of the New York Magazine.

This made me laugh!! Some of those words/phrases really are pretty annoying..

(Via The New York Times)

5 months later

It's the end of a great journey. I was a little surprised at how emotional I felt when I was clearing out my desk today and when I went down to return the staff pass and mac.. Sad to say goodbye to the place i've been to almost every day for the past 5 months!! Teaching wasn't always smooth sailing but I really love my kids and i'm gonna miss them lots- looking at how their writing and thought processes have evolved really makes me feel proud to be their teacher :) Although it still isn't something i'll do as a career, i'm so glad I had the opportunity to experience it for about half a year. Thinking about it, I was blessed with awesome and very thoughtful colleagues too, and the best 'boss' ever :) I'll miss the meetings and the (lots and lots) of laughter, plus little things like catching up with people while walking up the stairs/in the lift and walking out to eat at Cathay or POMO.. Not having to wake up at 6-ish to attend assemblies and get ready for classes/marking every day will take some getting used to.

At first I thought the 5 months seemed daunting but now i'm honestly sad to let it go. Thank God social media is on our side though, so keeping in touch shouldn't be a big problem! ;) I'm proud to have been part of a wonderful school with amazingly talented students and i'm so thankful for the lessons i've learnt along the way :)

But now it's time for SUMMER Holidaysss!! First, get round to finishing my Housing App (i'm applying for the Arts&Culture Exploration floor which sounds waay exciting!) and then I can start packing for Spain and the USA :) June is going to be a great month :)

20

Between the lovely dinner at Food for Thought with Sop and Jo (and the beautiful gifts they got me!) on the 12th, opening the first half of my present from S in the morning, the sweetest surprise from Fatz Juls and Ems during my lunch break (i love you guys! thank you for all the cute party stuff), my colleagues faking a meeting to cut cake/bless me with really awesome gifts centered around a 'University in NYC' theme (very unexpected but I'm really thankful :') ), dinner with my family and coming home to flowers, the second half of my present (I love you, babe- thanks for always finding ways to make it special even though you can't be here) and cake...

It was a really nice Friday the 13th :)

I'm glad I got to spend time with the people who are really special to me (I wish Chen and S were here though!) and it definitely was a welcome change from being stuck in theatre all day for my past two birthdays!! May my 20th year in this world be the best one yet ;)

my Best Friend

{Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery along Avenue of the Americas, NY}

Could really do with leisurely walks and cupcake dates with S (just like the one in this picture!) on long days like today when I feel a little crappy and worse for wear. But honestly, just having him to talk to at the end of the day and his way of reminding me of the good there is in life makes everything better.. and of course, his knack for making me laugh never hurts as well! Everytime i'm reminded of the fact that our relationship is built on the best friendship I have ever known, I stop in my tracks and remember that I have much to be thankful for.. crappy days and all. :)

To a very special Mum

We love you sooo very much. Thank you for always being there to listen to us, support us and to nudge us in the right direction when we need it. Thank you for always leading by example since we were little, for setting in our hearts the word of God and His love in our lives, for believing in us 100% and supporting us in every decision we make, for all the opportunities you and daddy have worked to provide for us. Thank you for teaching us the importance of being independent, of looking at the big picture and of being open minded and accepting- but most of all, thank you for your unconditional love for us. :) Happy Mother's Day, Mummy!!

Closest

Love you both very veryy much and i'm really glad everything in our lives seems to be falling nicely into place :) We've seen each other through the ups and downs of secondary school ("where love is in the sunshine and out hearts are gay and light!!" haha) and our different pre-university journeys and one thing i'm sure of is that no matter what, the 2 of you are the ones who will be with me through every milestone/joy/sorrow in the future even when i'm literally oceans and a 24 hour journey away! Thank God for the constant support and love i've found in you guys :)

May

I miss the crisp fresh air and elegant beauty of Evanston and perfect mornings like these- with coffee, chocolate chip scones and S. Really looking forward to going back in June and then having 2 complete months with him back here (finally! He hasn't been back home for almost a whole year) before we both jet off to the States again- him for his Masters, while I begin University life in the Big Apple :) Tomorrow marks the start of May which means we're already almost halfway through 2011.. Doesn't feel like it huh? It's truly been amazing so far and i'm thankful, hopeful and keeping an open heart and mind towards everything that lies ahead.

Fire Bright

I'm sooo so so glad I got to see Switchfoot live!!! They're amazing and their songs like The Shadow Proves the Sunshine, 24, Dare You to Move, You, This is your life, Only Hope etc were a GREAT source of comfort during the growing pains of adolescence and still strike a chord with me today. and I also lovelovelove their more recent songs like This is Home, Your love is a song and Always- Switchfoot is one of the only bands whose music I actually still listen to and enjoy after so long :) and I saw sooo many Fairsians there who grew up listening to them too and it just made me really happy!! Epiccc concert and set list and atmosphere and we were literally an arms length away from Jon Foreman at one pointtt haha it was an awesome night. I think Reuben pinned it down perfectly in these words - "Thank you [Switchfoot] for writing the soundtrack to my adolescent and young adult life". :)

but this I know with all my heart

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


----

Thank You for Your undying love that is just as constant, personal, relevant and powerful today as it has been throughout history :)

April

Tickets BOOKED- Hellooo Madrid and Valencia! June's gonna be an awesome month, starting with Spain with chen and then the USA (yes.again. and most probably not for the last time this year..i am in love!) :) Traveling is really one of the greatest things ever.

For now, i'm still learning to handle 13 year olds and aside from the occasional bad day, I thank God i'm still loving my job.. coming up in the supernear future is volunteering once a week for the Bienalle with sop and trying not to be too lousy at parking when I finally start learning how to! April is shaping up to be a busy month. It's pretty cool how once you kinda know (in your heart though you tell people you're undecided and keeping your options open...haha) that you won't be home for the next coupla years, you kinda appreciate the little daily things more- like walking home from the bus stop, being able to get hawker food whenever you want it, just spending time chilling at home and enjoying the warmth. But i'm extremelyyy excited for the days ahead and the new adventures that await me in a new country and great school :) also glad that i've about 4 full months left to enjoy myself and accomplish stuff here! Anyway i'm really glad Chen is back for another few weeks and all 3 of us can spend time together again, I love my sisters very very much :)

Home is wherever i'm with you

Arguably the best 2 weeks of my life. Fell in love with New York City and the serene beauty of Evanston and S's apartment, had the most awesome meals, walked (in the freezing cold!) almost everywhere, experienced the life S has been living for the past 3 years, had the coolest adventures like singingdancingskipping across the Brooklyn Bridge to find a little pizza place!, sitting on the steps of the Met eating hotdogs and listening to a talented soul group busk, soaking in the atmosphere of the beautiful country and just being free- and the greatest of all? I did all this with my best friend in the whole world. :)

I miss everything so much already. The flight back was difficult because being with you refreshes my soul and being by your side is so natural that I forget how we've been longdistance for almost 3 years. But having gone through so much already, what's another 2+ months till I'm there again in June? As you always say.. What's a couple of months in relation to a lifetime? ;)

4 days to go!

Don Quijote for Spanish foood and Salt Grill by Luke Mangan (I had no idea Ion Orchard had a 55th floor!) Good food and quality time with the fam this weekend :) It was extra special cos cla hardly has time to eat out now that she's so busy with school work! Missing chenno though, but really looking forward to the fact that she'll be back in a couple of weeks.

There's loads to do this week.. but I mainly have to start packing because 2 weeks worth of stuff I need while i'm in the USA (Chicago/Evanston--St. Louis--NYC!!) can't be stuffed into a suitcase last minute! Plus opportunities have been opening up and i'm exploring them more everyday :) Trusting God to direct my paths as I wait for more doors to open and decide which ones to go through.

Thank You God :)

I remember the many afternoons/evenings spent at the fusionopolis starbucks willing myself to find joy in the smallest things, getting food poisoning the day before my history and math papers, the nights I spent crying to S about how tired I was.. And how the day before results release I was anxious and unsettled, but felt an inexplicable peace when my colleague wrote me a note reminding me of God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11.

All I can say at the end of everything is that I am always left amazed at how faithful God is, and i'm so thankful that i've been blessed with an outcome beyond my own dreams and aims :) 3 years ago when I left Ngee Ann Poly after one semester and was making the decision about whether or not to start over in JC, I told myself that it would be my best shot or nothing. As Mum and S keep saying, the 15/16 year old me would NEVER believe anyone if they said i'd get 6 As for my A levels. It's because of all of this that I can assuredly testify to God's work in my life and how he allowed me to be in the metaphorical wilderness for quite a long time, so that I would eventually realize what I really want for my life. That year I spent figuring out what I want is one of the things I am most thankful for! And for those who may feel downhearted or a little discouraged, don't lose heart. What may look like a bad situation to you is really just a work in progress, and one day we'll realize we all end up we we're meant to be.

He makes all things beautiful

Flying to KL with aunty florence over the weekend was so much fun :) Spending time with tiffy (can't believe she's already been there for a month!)/eating really yum but oily streetfood/shoppingg/watching a late night movie all in 2 days! Wish S and uncle alan were there tooo but there'll always be a next time.

One thing i'm really thankful for is that i've managed to spend lots more time with the people I love since the long holiday began.. It's one of the things I missed the most during the craziness of the past 2 years. And for the opportunity to see the world! Traveling has always been one of my greatest joys, and getting to spend time in Sri Lanka, Dubai and KL has been really amazing. USA in a week's time and plans for the UK/Europe are shaping up- I am truly thankful.

My job too- although it isn't always smooth sailing, i've had the chance to meet great people and to be part of a really special community :) Teaching has never been something I've wanted to do as a career (and it still isn't!) but I can see why people do it.. everyday you learn as much (or more) than you teach :)

Just felt like I should stop in my tracks and spend some time just.. Being thankful. :) Haven't been doing it enough. Tomorrow is a milestone in the year- Trusting God wholeheartedly. I still believe with all my heart that whatever the outcome, He is in control and His beautiful plan for my life will unfold in His time.

Pinkie

{Lunch at Skinny Pizza/ Finding our way to the F1 pit building on Saturday}

+ what's not in pictures: attending the draggy briefing for SB 2011 (but i'm excited for April!), long cab conversations+observing her volunteer at the SPD today

You're very special to me. :)

We found something pretty neat :)

Love, it's a special day
We should celebrate and appreciate
that you and me found something pretty neat

And I know some say this day is arbitrary
but it's a good excuse, put our love to use
Baby, I know what to do
I will love you, I'll love you
I love you

CNY 2011

A little overdue but this is how I spent the Chinese New Year break- with family, food and friends. And yes, in that order. :) a whole week has gone by since and i'm kinda suffering the after effects of a scratchy throat and the works but it was mostly worth it! Everyone deserves a second shot at starting over ;)

These guys take their cuppa seriously

Syphon, Intelligentsia from The D4D on Vimeo.

It's amazing! They turn coffee brewing into an art. There's a place 5 minutes from S's apartment in Evanston that brews Intelligentsia coffee and from what i've heard, they take it just as seriously as the guy in the video. Being the coffee junkie that I am (can't get through the day without it) I really can't wait to try this in March :)