~*`*`~ SnOwiNgGg ~`*`*~’

It is finally snowing here. Not everyday, but it has been the 2nd time yesterday.. and it’s really beautiful! Fresh snow is the best because it’s like icing sugar.. and when it’s snowing, you open your mouth and some gets onto your lips — can be fun! =D

Well, snow is crystals right? So in fact, the streets are lined with sparkling crystal when light falls upon them. The way home in the evening is a fantastic sight.. most Swedes might overlook this.. but their streets are actually lined with GLITTER and SPARKLING CRYSTALS! It’s so so wonderful! =D And everything is so picturesque.. with snow hanging on the edge of leaves (in Singapore the best imitation is pathetic cotton wool! puh-lease) And making footprints in the snow as your feet sink it 3 inches down… and the luminous PURE white vastness of snow is simply overwhelming! =) Lurve it!!

Only downside is when it melts and it becomes Slush.. it’s not very pretty. ‘Slush’ is a really good word coz it really describes it.. just keep saying ’slushhhh’ repeatedly with the ’shhhh’ at the back and you get what I mean… coz it’s like melted SORBET .. but only it’s grey-brown in colour.. like black sesame sorbet with some milo powder. HA! Yeah but you get the picture… oh well.. =D Enjoy!Snow on my Window Sill!

Bicycles in the Snow!I Love Snow!I Love Love Love Snow!!Snow Dog!

Sun and the Snow

View from my room

Cathedral in the Snow

Peak Out From Inside

See the Snow? Esp the heartshaped one!

Yours Truly!

A walk in the Park can be very rewarding

Amazing!

Lord of the Rings? ha!

Simply love it!

Footprints in the Snow

Checkout my Addidas Goodyear Tyre Shoe!

2 WEEKS IN SWEDEN, UPPSALA!!

This is probably the moment I have been waiting for all my life.

On the 16th of January, I found myself on a 16-hour flight filled with Europeans. Not that I have a problem with them, but I have never seen so many of them on a plane before. That probably proves how little of the world I have seen. So yea, even the tiniest things amaze me.

So, why do I want to send myself to the other side of the globe– leaving behind the world I am familiar with and all who mean alot to me?

I asked myself what I wanted to do with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do I want to maximise it or just be safe? And I spoke to my prof and she asked me how badly I wanted it. And as they say, the rest is history.

Sweden is a country that is heard much, but known little of – in my opinion. Never overrated yet its presence is somehow still felt. When one mentions the country Sweden — your eyes light up.. but you sometimes dont’ exactly know why it lights up. And that’s why I say it is heard of much, but known very little about. So that’s one of the reasons I want to explore and emerge myself into this mysterious, make-ur-eyes-light-up country. =)

Another reason is probably because I am sick and tired of studying in SMU. Or rather, Singapore. I wanted some moment in time, to find myself again. The pace is definitely slower… and ‘when you pause to smell the lilies’, life seems much sweeter.

Aside from the 34kg + 10kg baggage, there isn’t really much obligatory baggage to score those A’s, or have any real authority over my shoulder. It feels good being in almost complete control — independence and freedom to think on my own two feet. I guess there is an apparent sense of empowerment which I am proud of. But at the same time, knowing that there are loved ones back home supporting and caring to know about me while I am in Sweden is also a great source of warmth and comfort.

I don’t wanna just put a ‘check’ onto Sweden as ‘one of the countries i’ve been to’. My goal here is to really understand the people and their way of life. Why do they do the things they do? What is the political sentiments? What are their views about life? What makes them happy? And one of the ways is to understand their language, and hence, their culture and their habits and their emotions. What are they proud of? What makes them tick? Do I speak to just a few Swedish and generalise the entire population? Or do i want to really know what it is like to be a Swedish — in this short 5 months. What am I going to do with it?

I’ve met people from Finland; Poland; Spain; Hong Kong; China; England; the US; Korea; Turkey… and what hit me is that, which I think is best summed up in this line… “The World, isn’t just known as ‘The World’ any longer”. Back home in Singapore, I find myself saying or reading or hearing things like, “The world is so small”, or “This is nothing compared to the rest of the world”, or “Go to the ends of the earth” or “The rest of the world”… you know, these kind of phrases that we use so often only has its weight now. Because the world, is really made up of people. And we can’t simply say “the world will be affected” when we don’t grasp the true meaning of it.

My world was only Singapore. That’s the real truth. I never saw the world, so big, so beautiful, so amazing and so fascinating. I never saw people of the world to be so similar, yet so distinct all at the same time. And this is only Sweden.

Cooking is now more of a means of survival (to cut cost) and a way of teleporting ourselves, momentarily, back home through our tastebuds and all the chemical reactions that set our hearts to have that warm-fuzzy-feeling. We have learnt some ROCK-HARD lessons about the microwave, as well as the amount of effort required to prepare a simple meal (all of you give ur mum/dad a big hug, now!). But all’s well and at least, I love cooking. Meatballs only last you for a week, and then you start craving for rice, chup chye and oyster sauce and garlic. =P

This first post in Sweden probably is more thought-filled. I realise that I always do that whenever I blog. The pictures will come up later… =)

Erratic weather in Singapore? Rain/shine; Rain/shine? Well, in Sweden, it’s erratic to them because it is supposed to be -10 degrees when it’s only, yes they say, only, -1 degree lowest. -shrug- If this isn’t global warming, I seriously wonder what else it would be. Come on people, if Keynesian theory says in the long run, when we are all dead, i think the long run isn’t too far off anymore. -doh-

Off now!
-J

Bangkok, Christmas, School and Next Year

Merry Christmas! It’s really the most wonderful time of the year for me. It’s virtually a worry-free season, although I might not say the same thing once I start work –having to work after the 25th of Dec.

Bangkok was excellent! We were mostly on-foot, travelling via their BTS (local mrt) system. It was shopper’s galore as almost every street, nook and corner are filled with peddlers selling clothes, toys and food. A shoppers’ MUST GO destinations are Platinum Shopping Centre and MBK. And if you’re thinking of going free & easy, it’s good to do your research! =) And have a good pair of walking sandals/shoes! =P

As the year comes to a near close, I would like to recall how 2007 has been for me. I could remember more vividly the events from Sept/Oct onwards. This year I turn 21. The birthday party was heartwarming, and I’m thankful that I have so many good, steadfast friends who have been there with me as I grew up. I will always remember my first pinnata bashing session — how I almost injured someone when a part of my umbrella broke and flew across the room! How beautifully decorated the room was — the blood and sweat of Brian, Ada and a bunch of really good friends! And also the song that was written for me… =)

School has been kind to me. This term’s project group mates have been more than nice. Advertising was great — met really sweet, smart and creative people in advertising. And it has shown me how working with like-minded yet constructively different people make the process enriching, fulfilling and synergistic-ally exciting. We must have been one of the most effective teams. Eye opener. Thank you jasmine, fangz, chunyong, david & kallis.

Ethics was fun too. It was one of the most relaxed project task I’ve had. Our team had just the right amount of balance between slacking and getting our job done, well. Well done! Thanks Andre, Andy, Amy, Vannessa & YC!

BP was stressfully exciting. I still remember the times we wanted to hit our heads against the wall whilst playing the simulation game. Meeting just an hour before the game started — getting drained of our brain juices, thinking of a solution to the game. Operations management was never for me, and I appreciate the brain juices of the other teammates! Haha, but we still had lotsa fun. I got addicted to bubble tea because of our project… thanks jevin, ailin & terence.

MR. What can I say. Without my team mates, it would have been one of the most boring modules I have ever taken! But I’ve met really great people there, like xiaowei! And liana too — I won’t forget your housefly shirt (which you thought were butterflies! =P) Very interesting people — it was an enriching experience with you all! Thanks tim, cheryl, lawrence, liana and XW!

Last but not least, the killer FIIM module. The mid-term test was a massacre. The final exam was not too bad. But we’ve survived A.S.K’s finance course and it’s something to give ourselves a pat on the back for. I love the team. Never complaining, relaxed but yet, super cooperative. Cool. Thanks weeboon, peiying & zhiqi! u guys rock.

It pretty much sounds like a thank-you speech. But this term’s modules hve been crazy, but thank God for beautiful people that have made life in smu much more bearable.

Also, as this year comes to a close, the next 5 months ahead will be spent in Sweden. Pretty much on my own — besides the friends I’ll make over there. I am in a state of mind where I do not know what to expect, really. I still cannot imagine being there, so far away from home, alone. I am excited, yet I know it’ll take some adjusting to. There will be people and things I’ll be leaving behind. But I hope that I’ll have a more warrior/fighter attitude once I’m there. I like to think of myself as a tough, enduring and a fighter. The truth of this will be tested when I’m there. I’ll probably learn alot more of myself there. I’m probably more physically prepared than I am, mentally. Oh well.

Baby Ally – Whatever

Watch this friends! This is sooo hilariously cute!! Bound to make you keep re-watching over and over again! haha.. =D she’s so cute…

My First Blog

As you can all see, I am not really up-to-date about such things.. used to be one of those people who thought that blogging was only for people who have alot of time on their hand to do.. well, i guess i will have to take back my words.
I may not write often, but I certainly would like to share with people, espcially those I don’t see everyday, about the beautiful sights and sounds I experience each day, the events I witness, my views, my emotions, my ambitions, my thoughts, and what I cherish. As you can see by now, this blog is about me – the superwoman I wanna be… =)
I’m now going to personalise my blog.. so till then, do drop by again and look through this window into my life..peace out.