2 Years
The 2 years studying in Brisbane, Australia was something I will never forget for as long as I live. 2 of the best years I’ve spent. Every penny and every minute spent was worth it. I’ve gain much exposure and experience. Some soul searching along the way and I kind of know myself even better after the 2 years. Made some good friends and seen some ugly quarrels. Of course there is always a price to pay with so much benefit acquired. She left me during the summer break when I was back for vacation. Hey that’s life…you gain some you loose some. If someone were to ask me whether I would like to trade for the love lost or the 2 years in Brisbane…it is a tough choice between the 2 but eventually I will chose the 2 years in Brisbane. Maybe a marginal victory for the later.
For the 1st semester I was staying alone in the Uni-lodge. Having to learn to do all the chores by myself for the 1st time in my life….I have to admit that I kind of enjoyed it. You do whatever you like in whichever way you see fit….isn’t that just wonderful. Everyday I will cook meals for myself because that’s the cheapest way to curb your hunger when you’re a student and trying to save money for party or coffee later. My culinary skill improved with every passing day. I’m getting the hang of cooking and I always wiped up a good meal for myself and sometimes for my friends. Thai Chicken Curry…. Vegetable Soup…Stir Fry noodles….Teriyaki chicken….you name it and I will cook it.
Sad to say since I’ve came back I hardly cook anymore. The reason I too do not know. Maybe I’ve become lazy….or maybe mum’s always around to do the cooking but then again if I want to cook she will let me….I guess things are different. I don’t know how to put it in words….but I sure know its different. Ask the others who’ve gone to overseas to pursue their studies and have return….they will tell you yes its different. Maybe some of them might know the reasons behind but for me I am still figuring out the answers.
Brisbane is pretty especially during the spring in September. Flowers blooming…sun still shinning and the wind is chilling. It has the elements of a beautiful city. In fact the only thing missing is someone by my side while I’m there. I very much wanted that special someone to share the beauty and the joy with me in Brisbane. Appreciate the good things with me. But things usually don’t turn out the way you’ve wanted it. Maybe for my case only…maybe I am jinxed.
Sometimes in the lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon….i will make myself a cup of coffee and listen to songs by Joni Mitchell….I especially like the song “California” from the Joni Mitchell’s Hits album…relaxing by the bed while looking out the window…. that was the moment that I needed someone badly. Someone to talk to…someone to hold on to….someone whom I can share the peace with….I guess it’s the lazy afternoon and the loneliness and the song that makes me feel this way. I kind of like it in a way….think I crave for that lonely feeling…..although I hate it much more then I like it….but thinking back….at that moment…I really like it. Weird
After 1 semester at the Uni-lodge in the city, I moved to the suburb with my course mates, 5 of us altogether. A double story 3 rooms apartment along Coonan Street in Indooroopilly. The rental is cheaper compared to Uni-lodge. AUD $80 rental per week for myself. That adds up to approximately AUD $320 per month compare to AUD $700 in the Uni-lodge. Actually that’s the plan I had in mind all along. Stay alone for the 1st semester….meet some friends and move to cheaper apartments. It worked out perfectly. But trouble begins to surface and we had to move again. 2 of them move to another apartment near Chinatown in Brunswick. The 3 of us together with another coursemate from another household move to an apartment in Musgrave Road, Indooroopilly….not far from where we were staying. I should say the new apartment is much better than the previous one. All build in red-bricks and a fake fire place in the living room….picture perfect. The rent is cheaper this round….a mere AUD $75 per week for my room. We stayed there for the remaining 2 semester till we went back to Singapore in mid July 2002.
While staying in Coonan Street during the 2nd semester, we cultivated the habit of going to Chinatown every weekend to do our grocery. It was chores we had to do…but I enjoyed it…I wonder how the others feel about the weekend grocery. Also every Tuesday night we will go to Westfield Shopping Centre particularly Woolworths Supermarket to buy our dry goods for the week. Chocolates, cookies, Coke, Bunderburg Ginger Beer, Uncle Tobby’s Muesli bars, milk, condense milk, juice, bread, sausages, ham, cheese and all the chips we can get our hands on. Fun is the word if you’re asking me to describe.
At the beginning of the second semester…I had to be on my feet quick. We’ve just parted ways during the vacation….almost 3 months of self-denial…. frustration… restlessness…. loneliness and madness. I had all the plans up my head of what we’re going to do during my vacation….alas I’ve planned too early. 3 months is not enough for my wound to heal….given 3 years and the wounds will still not heal. The scar will always be there no matter how much time passes. Well life goes on….just have to pick up the broken pieces and carry on with whatever you’ve stepped out to do in the 1st place. Giving up has never crossed my mind.
At times when you couldn’t cope with your school work….pressure creeps in. You are being stretched to the maximum with stress….and you cannot give up for assignments’ deadline is round the corner or the exams just next week. Its really tough sometimes….least you’ve got your friends to help you…but there is only much they can do….the rest is up to you. Seeing your peers not doing very well sometimes helps. Although you feel bad for them but you feel good for yourself.
Once assignments submitted and exams over….you can feel the boulders weighing you down for so long being lifted. The moment I can feel it the most was when I submitted my Thesis on the last day of the dateline. The joy was immense and the sense of accomplishment was there for the taking….though results are not out yet…and I have actually accomplished nothing and there will be 2 more papers to clear in a week or so. There will be times when you seize the moment….and that particular moment was the one I seized.
For the 1st semester I was staying alone in the Uni-lodge. Having to learn to do all the chores by myself for the 1st time in my life….I have to admit that I kind of enjoyed it. You do whatever you like in whichever way you see fit….isn’t that just wonderful. Everyday I will cook meals for myself because that’s the cheapest way to curb your hunger when you’re a student and trying to save money for party or coffee later. My culinary skill improved with every passing day. I’m getting the hang of cooking and I always wiped up a good meal for myself and sometimes for my friends. Thai Chicken Curry…. Vegetable Soup…Stir Fry noodles….Teriyaki chicken….you name it and I will cook it.
Sad to say since I’ve came back I hardly cook anymore. The reason I too do not know. Maybe I’ve become lazy….or maybe mum’s always around to do the cooking but then again if I want to cook she will let me….I guess things are different. I don’t know how to put it in words….but I sure know its different. Ask the others who’ve gone to overseas to pursue their studies and have return….they will tell you yes its different. Maybe some of them might know the reasons behind but for me I am still figuring out the answers.
Brisbane is pretty especially during the spring in September. Flowers blooming…sun still shinning and the wind is chilling. It has the elements of a beautiful city. In fact the only thing missing is someone by my side while I’m there. I very much wanted that special someone to share the beauty and the joy with me in Brisbane. Appreciate the good things with me. But things usually don’t turn out the way you’ve wanted it. Maybe for my case only…maybe I am jinxed.
Sometimes in the lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon….i will make myself a cup of coffee and listen to songs by Joni Mitchell….I especially like the song “California” from the Joni Mitchell’s Hits album…relaxing by the bed while looking out the window…. that was the moment that I needed someone badly. Someone to talk to…someone to hold on to….someone whom I can share the peace with….I guess it’s the lazy afternoon and the loneliness and the song that makes me feel this way. I kind of like it in a way….think I crave for that lonely feeling…..although I hate it much more then I like it….but thinking back….at that moment…I really like it. Weird
After 1 semester at the Uni-lodge in the city, I moved to the suburb with my course mates, 5 of us altogether. A double story 3 rooms apartment along Coonan Street in Indooroopilly. The rental is cheaper compared to Uni-lodge. AUD $80 rental per week for myself. That adds up to approximately AUD $320 per month compare to AUD $700 in the Uni-lodge. Actually that’s the plan I had in mind all along. Stay alone for the 1st semester….meet some friends and move to cheaper apartments. It worked out perfectly. But trouble begins to surface and we had to move again. 2 of them move to another apartment near Chinatown in Brunswick. The 3 of us together with another coursemate from another household move to an apartment in Musgrave Road, Indooroopilly….not far from where we were staying. I should say the new apartment is much better than the previous one. All build in red-bricks and a fake fire place in the living room….picture perfect. The rent is cheaper this round….a mere AUD $75 per week for my room. We stayed there for the remaining 2 semester till we went back to Singapore in mid July 2002.
While staying in Coonan Street during the 2nd semester, we cultivated the habit of going to Chinatown every weekend to do our grocery. It was chores we had to do…but I enjoyed it…I wonder how the others feel about the weekend grocery. Also every Tuesday night we will go to Westfield Shopping Centre particularly Woolworths Supermarket to buy our dry goods for the week. Chocolates, cookies, Coke, Bunderburg Ginger Beer, Uncle Tobby’s Muesli bars, milk, condense milk, juice, bread, sausages, ham, cheese and all the chips we can get our hands on. Fun is the word if you’re asking me to describe.
At the beginning of the second semester…I had to be on my feet quick. We’ve just parted ways during the vacation….almost 3 months of self-denial…. frustration… restlessness…. loneliness and madness. I had all the plans up my head of what we’re going to do during my vacation….alas I’ve planned too early. 3 months is not enough for my wound to heal….given 3 years and the wounds will still not heal. The scar will always be there no matter how much time passes. Well life goes on….just have to pick up the broken pieces and carry on with whatever you’ve stepped out to do in the 1st place. Giving up has never crossed my mind.
At times when you couldn’t cope with your school work….pressure creeps in. You are being stretched to the maximum with stress….and you cannot give up for assignments’ deadline is round the corner or the exams just next week. Its really tough sometimes….least you’ve got your friends to help you…but there is only much they can do….the rest is up to you. Seeing your peers not doing very well sometimes helps. Although you feel bad for them but you feel good for yourself.
Once assignments submitted and exams over….you can feel the boulders weighing you down for so long being lifted. The moment I can feel it the most was when I submitted my Thesis on the last day of the dateline. The joy was immense and the sense of accomplishment was there for the taking….though results are not out yet…and I have actually accomplished nothing and there will be 2 more papers to clear in a week or so. There will be times when you seize the moment….and that particular moment was the one I seized.
posted by blue is the colour at 23:15
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