Recap 2007

So this is it. The end of 2007. Didn’t expect it to be so fast yet so slow.

Thinking of it, I can’t really remember much of what went on in the beginning of the year. I remember making all those resolutions to study really hard to make up for my screwed Year 2 Sem 1 of NUS. I remember being unwilling to sacrifice my precious disc time for studying. I remember Chinese New Year and how my haul was still small compared to the average person. I remembered the long NUS term, with some relaxing modules and some bad ones. I remembered bringing my precious cow (MacBook Pro) to uni and not printing out notes until the last minute. I remember the long long breaks I had inbetween classes. I remember the days I spent trying to study waiting for pickup or training. I remember those days I deliberately went to school to study before training. I remember blowing my head and being really pissed off at Muddy. I remember all the assignments rushing upon me but still being completed before the deadline. I remember the ultra long 2 week study break, where I just could not get myself settled down to study. I remember sitting till late at night desperately attempting to concentrate. I remember how Wikipedia both saved and distracted me. And I thought in general the semester wasn’t too bad, results wise. 

Then came summer. 3 Months of gorgeousness. 1st there was Ultimate. 2nd there was Ultimate. Finally there was Ultimate. League organizing was like bullshit. All the crap Junyi and I went through multiply infinite times, in addition to Muddy frustration. But it all resolved, and I guess, it was a functional League, if you couldn’t say good. And there was AC Ultimate. How many days I spent waking up in the morning, just to stone in front of the computer and eagerly packing all my stuff just to go down to AC early just because I was really looking forward to training. Meeting the bunch of awesome people. Melding heart and soul together to form A Fiercest Team He Built.

Short-lived though. Sweet memories were interrupted with the 15 day trip to HK, 1st few days with Pammy Spammy. I still remembered how you and I searched for ALL the shopping areas. I probably shopped more with you than I ever did with my sis or my mom. And all those awesome bargains we found. And there was all those pigging out we did. Street food and dim sum and everything. And then you had to go. And I knew I would not see you for a LONGGGG time. Then it was one week of frantic warm clothing shopping for me in HK, something I am very thankful, knowing that all that effort into convincing my mom I needed certain jackets has saved me from shivering in the cold.

And the final week back in SG. I was in AC everyday. Not knowing what would happen and just wanting to savour remaining moments. Cruel twists of fate made me miss Inter-Jc. And it was excruciating to leave. But I did, and I remembered getting news of the victory. The msg from Andrea, the surprise call from Pammy. I remember not knowing what to say. And I just sat down and wished the joy of victory could be experienced 1st hand with the people who really mattered in the celebrations. 

Thrown into a foreign place, trying to adapt as best as I could. 1st met some crazy crazy buddies, who taught me the art of European shopping and the perils of Austrian trains. And there were the german lessons, which were fun, even if I failed to learn anything at all. That was 3 weeks. After which, it was a long late summer break from mid Aug all the way to October. There was the moving Studentenheim week. And the freezing abnormally cold week, leading to me seeing 1st snow out of all the exchange students. There was Oktoberfest to interrupt my monotony. And the planning of lessons, with the help of very helpful tutor. And I gradually got to know my way around, with my bike, and just exploring little little parts of the city slowly. And people starting to fill up the Studentenheim. Some were nice. Some were loud and obnoxious. Some were intolerable. I am thankful for the Notre Dame who I really can hang out with and not feel like I stick out like a green thumb. I do still. But I don’t feel marginalized or an oddity in their midsts. And of course there was all the problems of being Asian in European Countries. As Westernized as I am, I am still Asian, and the stigma sticks. Learning to ignore it was a trying and frustrating experience. And still I have to deal with it all the time. 

Classes took up most of my time now, together with projects and assignments. And the horrible feud that is still ongoing with me and my roommate. And that was when I learnt about the Südtirolers and their confused identities. In December, there was my 1st ski trip, which was amazingly awesome. After which I just dreamt day and night of going back on the slopes. (I still do.) And then, after my major assignments were over, I was just waiting for the Holidays to come. And it did and I soon was on my way to Prague and Vienna. It was a trip to remember. The only thing missing was disc time. I think its more than 1 month since I officially threw a disc. A quiet and peaceful Christmas spent here in Innsbruck, with good food. And learning how to snowboard was awesome although I have to say I still don’t have much control of the board. And then a few more days of just lazing around, trying to do work.

And here I am. 31st of December 2007, 1:30am. There is still 22 and a half hours till 2008. There will be fireworks to be watched. Champagne to be drunk. And then 2008 will be heralded in with much pomp and grandeur. So that was it. I thought I had to look back at the year. The good, the bad, the what ifs. Time runs in one direction, no parallels of it. No repeats, no reruns, no trial and error in how to spend each second. I feel like a lot has happened this year. More than I can describe and write here. And its consequences? Probably more than I can think/know about. I think 2007 was quite a landmark year for me. I wonder what 2008 will be like. 

And it’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass

29th Dec

Hur hur such a boring post title right? In preparations for the new year, I actually tidied my table today. And the floor. Now I have got more space than I ever had. And all that space should prompt me to start studying, something which I have totally failed to do so. I also took down my Christmas decorations and packed it away. =( Christmas is over. Favourite time of the year. Over. Ciao. Cheerios. Bye Bye. Oh Wells. Gotta start on 1: lunch and 2: Do work. Snowboarding tomorrow. Hurray.  

252th Post

Wow. I have actually posted 252 blog entries. That is A LOT. But then, there are so many happening things that I need to talk about. 

I feel like I am floating on this joyful Austrian Cloud and its taking me on a slow drift across life. Its moving slowly but things are passing it at top speed. Pek left today, back to Sweden and then back to the red dot. I am both envious and not envious of him. Think of prata, curry, foodddd back at home. And look the other way to NUS and its nondescript ugly buildings  (Pek will not agree with me on this point, the buildings I mean.) Oh how big the world is. I want to eat Sg food, see Sg friends. Yet I want to be in Austria, in the snow (not that there is snow now. Its full bright sun these few days.), among the mountains, actually enjoying my non-existant education for once. 

Christmas has gone by. The Christmas markets are coming down. I bet they are preparing the New Year celebrations at top speed (which is not that fast when you compare Austrian to Sg standards.) Its gonna be 2008 soon.  

Time and space is moving at lightning velocity. I need to manipulate space-time continuum. Stop Time. 

And Kiku I know you are reading this. Is it thatttt entertaining? haha. Enough for you to comment twice, both of which ended up in my spam comments folder haha. You weirdo strange little squirt say the most interesting things. And thanks a lot for sending me small but really-important-and-meaningful things. 7 months more and I will get to see you mini terror again. Along with the rest of people back home. Its hard to imagine what is going on back home now. I probably will go back and find everything topsy turvy and time moved at double the pace of Austria.

Shut your eyes and think of somewhere
Somewhere cold and caked in snow 

Eternal Holiday

Its almost the end of December! Almost the end of 2007. Think of it. I have been in Austria for 5 months. And I think I haven’t blogged enough/posted enough pictures to justify the 5 months here. Sorry I am a lazy bum and it doesn’t help that it feels like an eternal holiday here. I can’t even be bothered to tidy up a mess which, to call it a mess, is an understatement. So. It doesn’t feel like I am studying here. Hurray for education here. I have effectively learnt zero (in my opinion). But I hope/guess my german has improved. Which is always good. 

I want my next snowboarding trip. 
I want to build a snowman. I want to go sledding. 
I want to climb on top of a mountain and see the sunrise.
I want to cycle to miniscule villages and surprise locals. 
I want to sit in a train and head to nowhere.

How can one even THINK about work when there are so many other exciting things to do. =) 

Where my <3 is.

6 days and 2 places later. I am back in Innsbruck. 3 days in Prague, 3 days in Vienna. I love Prague, it is a eccentric mix of modern buildings, communist blocks and old old castles/palaces. And St Vitus’ Cathedral has officially won my Cathedral of Magnificence award. Its not the 1st time I went to St Vitus, but oh gosh. I am amazed everytime. And of course, the christmas markets. I like them all. Prague of course is cheap. I got all my strange german christmas decorations at 3/4 the price. Shopping makes me a happy girl =)

And there is Vienna. Prague was pretty. But when I got to Vienna, I really felt relieved. Like coming back home. Don’t ask me why. But I was glad to be back in Austria. I think for one is coz I could actually understand people. And Vienna is just breathtaking. The amount of stupendous buildings. Nothing to describe it but WOW with jaw dropped. I like Vienna for its old decadent charm. Its history. And its personality. But the final thing is: 

I still like Innsbruck best of all.

 I was really really happy to be back. Surprise surprise, Innsbruck is actually cheaper than Vienna. Except the Kebabs and exotic stuff (Greek and Turkish/Asian food). And Vienna and Prague, both look much much more impressive than Innsbruck, but I like its small town feel. Its the 3rd biggest city in Austria. But I can still cycle from one end to another within half an hour without madly racing. Buses are efficient and easy to navigate. Simple and not complicated. Innsbruck is like a model of efficiency compared to the Trams and Metro of Prague and S/U/Straßebahn + Buses of Vienna. And where else can you find those really pretty houses with overflowing flower boxes. Not in Prague. Not in Vienna. Only in Tirol. And the mountains, something I will never ever get tired of. Which brings me to an interesting point. Vienna is flat. All is well. Prague, is not located in any mountainous area. But is hillier than Singapore. Innsbruck however, located smack in the middle of mountains, is not flat, but filled with gentle cycle-able/walkable slopes. In contrast to Prague. Anyway, really, people think Innsbruck is boring. But after all those stressful hectic days in NUS, I like the peace and quiet here. And I am getting used to it. How supermarkets close on weekends/holidays. How days are really short now. Basically. I like Tirol. I like its personality. I like its individuality. I like its heart of mountains. And I like how Innsbruck is smack in the heart of the heart of Tirol among the mountains. =)

I hope it continues to gets overlooked by tourist. As if not enough Italians invade every year.  

So Long Sweet Summer

I just realized, while talking to my friend, I really thrive best when I have constant exercise. Like exercise everyday. Thats the best. I still can remember JC1, trainings Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Mass PE on Tuesday and normal PE on Thursday. Intense man. But that period of time was also one of the most fun times I have ever had.

Strange how all the people in temperate countries sing sentimental songs about summer, how its over, how it was so fun. Well, in Singapore its summer all the time! We have fun all the time! But yah, I do get the point. Summer is good weather, sun, warmth, fun. Winter is nice. But its a more subtle kind of inner peace. To stare at snow capped mountains. To see everything blanketed in white. To see the mists floating along on mornings. To marvel at the intricate frost patterns. To stare at your breath condensing in the cold. Its a more still season. Its the season to snuggle into a blanket, nursing a cup of hot cocoa, sit next to the window and observe and contemplate. 

And also coz I am stuck indoors, it offers plenty of opportunity to do things that people have done in winter for ages. Like helping my friend sew stockings. Like talking over dessert and alcohol. Like churning out amazing baked goods (apple crumble, oatmeal cookies, brownies?) 

It’s good to know that you are home for Christmas
It’s good to know that you are doing well
It’s good to know that you all know I’m hurting
It’s good to know I’m feeling not so well

ok its not THATTT bad, but I do miss everyone back at the red dot. Merry Christmas people.

Freedooommmeeee!!!!

THURSDAY IS OVER! Weihnachtsferien here I come! =)

Anyway lets recount Wednesday and Thursday carefully.

So Wednesday went fine, except for incident in class mentioned in previous post. But Prof Margaret is so super duper nice that she brought us all Glühweins, which despite the Brezen I had, I was feeling really tipsy when I got back home. And promptly fell dead asleep on my table until like 3. And then I went to the kitchen and made a Tiramisu! Triumph of the beginner cook. It actually tastes good! (Just tried it today.) And that took quite long. And after that, I went back to my room, slacked a bit before I went for Hauskreis. Which wasn’t really nice. Coz it was dark and starting to snow and basically, dark, cold, and wet. And I had to walk through this really dark corridor and I was getting freaked coz there was some guy behind me when I was 3/4 through. I literally ran out and straight to the uni building nearby. I was so so freaked out. And so, I had to hike up some hill and stuff. And was really tired and feeling hot after that. Not nice when its like snowing outside. You just get really cold.  But Hauskreis was really nice. I met some nice people. And we had fondue! Really good stuff! It was so so good. The cheese here is just phenomenal. Yupz. Austrian food isn’t that bad. Thanks to Swiss and Italian influences.

And after Hauskreis, I rode back home, and ride back was same as ride up. Cold and wet. Not good. After which, I got dragged down to Heimfest, which is bad techno in ciggy filled room. So Lizzy and I decided to escape after 10 mins of it. I fortunately met Monika at the stairs and hung out in her room with Betsy. But poor Lizzy got dragged down for more bad techno again. Haha. I really admire her. She sees good in everything. =) And so, I returned to my room only at about 1.40am and took a shower and konked out. 

Not for long though. Woke up at 6.45 to go for class. And it was a painful class. Plant physiology class. 8 presentations. 8-11.30, 2-6. Ouch. The problem is, I didn’t find it particularly interesting, coz I know quite a bit of the stuff. And also some of them were really boring. And I was just plain tired. I drew the most scribbles ever. Haha. But I am glad, coz its FERTIG now! All finished. I just have to wait for my grade. Which I hope is acceptable. I didn’t participate that much, but I hope my presentation was good. Being the 1st presenter does have its advantages.

After class I was just hopping around with joy. Added to the fact that my roommate was gone home and I had the room all to myself!!! Hurray!!! Back to the days of sleeping late and loud obnoxious music I like and doing whatever I like and trashing the room upside-down with my big messes! I first went to disturb Lizzy and Katie and went on to Betsy and Monika. =D And talked rubbish and watched a bit of PotterPuppetPals when Charlie came in. Which was hilarious! And shortly after Charlie whisked Betsy off to cook Spinach Spatzle, I went to cook a yummilicious dinner with Lizzy. And highlight of the day. Dessert.

Dessert was decadent. Think 6 people, a bottle of rum, Tiramisu, spiced cookies and random kekse, oranges, hot chocolate AND normal block chocolate. I was like in heaven. I made hot chocolate, with a shot of rum (its really really good with rum, no kidding) with chocolate shavings in it. Omg to die for. Kakao here is just just amazing. I think its Spinellis grade. And a quarter the cost of getting hot chocolate from Spinellis back home. And of course the rum made me haappeeee. =) And added on the fact that my tiramisu actually tasted like tiramisu! Creeemmmyyyy and slightly rummy and coffee-laced. I was like doing a Dessert Decadence Dance in my head. And we sat around and talked rubbish and it was really nice. =) I really enjoyed it! Should do that again soon! I heart Schokolade.  

And so that concludes my day. I am so happy the hols are here!!!! =)  

Christmas is coming!!!

Okay this is a long post. Be warned.

Firstly, my Schones Wochenende post, it was meant to be a nice happy post. But I sort of got distracted. But anyway, the reason for my really good weekend was coz of skiing. I would like to post pictures but the internet won’t permit me to post any bigger than text. And so, you, dear reader, shall have to make do with imagination.

Saturday and Sunday: we started off meeting at the uni sports institute, and it was just a horrible dreary day. It was wet and cloudy. And just plain BAD weather. It was raining and so I was rather sad. But we went up Axams Lixam, the skiing place. And it was SNOWING! How fun =) It wasn’t like perfect perfect weather but it was good enough for me. Coz it wasn’t wet at least. And what an experience it was for me. I have never ever seen so much snow in my entire life! It was really all white and pretty and you could see people going up the lifts and skiing down. And there is this whole snowboard subculture. The skiing people were well, just skiers. But snowboarders, woah they are different! Their boards, covered with different designs, and totally bright jackets. Its not like your plain stuff but it was all bold colours and just like the skateboard subculture, just even more flamboyant. One thing I learnt though, never wear white stuff. Coz on Sunday, we went up again, and it started snowing too, although it started snowing later. (The snow machines were on during the morning) And the sky was really a dark grey, really really ominous colour. And it started snowing. Not like a lot of snow, but big flakes. So it was like totally white. And you couldn’t really see all the way down, maybe 300m infront of you or something. So that was quite scary, preparing to go down a non-visible slope knowing your turning abilities are not fully developed haha. And I really love the exhilarating feel of rushing down a slope, and being able to control (more or less haha) your turns and everything. I didn’t like the ice chunks though, coz you don’t glide over it, but bump over it. So basically whole Sunday, I was hoping hoping snow more snow more haha. But yah. Totally awesome. I realised if there is no ice, I can do everything perfectly, but given ice, it makes things so so much more difficult. But still. I had so so so much fun. I love it.

And so yah that was my schones wochenende. And it left me with a skiing/snowboarding bug, and I just can’t wait to hit the slopes again. I really wanna try snowboard, even though everyone says its damn tough to start and everything. I love snow sports!!!

The other thing I want to blog about, has something to do with the schones wochenende post. I went for class today, and I got upset and really irritated. Coz my prof, who by the way is really really nice. But it really really got on my nerves. Because she was talking about writing the take home exam in either german, or english, and she ended by looking at me and said whichever is more painless for you. And I tried to tell her ENGLISH IS MY MAIN LANGUAGE. And she totally passed on. And it is such an ignorant/insulting thing to do. To me at least, its a horrible insult to my language abilities. And after that she also said something about the readings being in german and english and she was again, looking at me, as if she was sorry that it could not be in like what Chinese or something. I mean yah, I am Chinese, and I am glad to be Chinese. But my Chinese isn’t that good. Its good enough for me to get by with a B4 in my GCE ‘AO’ levels and thats IT. I am not proud that I am really bad in Chinese, on the contrary its been really a pain being bottom of Chinese class and everything. And I do wish I was better in Chinese. Its just that I grew up with English, and its the language I am more familiar with. And if someone thinks I am a Chinese speaking person, please RETHINK. I mean, there is plenty of American Chinese who speak perfectly good english. So why can’t most people broaden their minds and realize that the world may not be that uniform as you think. Yah its true that most chinese speak chinese. But there are also people who are fully bilingual, trilingual, quad-lingual and more. And it really upsets me, when people think my english is inferior to theirs. I see that as a big insult. So yah. I was visibly pissed in class. The 1st time she did that, I tried to interrupt her and tell her English was my main language, coz I was sick of her language jokes. And the 2nd time she did that I was really boiling under and rolling my eyes at her. Sorry Prof Margaret, I really like your class and I really like you coz you are so nice and motherly and always offering nice tips about life in Austria. But that was really really a big insult to me. I SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH, with a Singaporean accent, but nonetheless, ENGLISH. I might have some Singlish grammer thingy, but I understand perfectly well what you say. And just because I look Chinese and come from some obscure little island, you should actually check before you assume I come from Taiwan or China or something like that. I have only been to Guangzhou in China and thats IT. And Singapore is NOT part of China. I hope you know that. Seriously. Coz Singapore is actually a big US partner. Like we are actually cooperating with you guys for all those anti-terrorism stuff. And free-trade agreements. And I know about Pop-tarts, and I love Rocky Mountain marshmallows and like you guys I eat bread and cereal and milk for breakfast. And I listen to all your American music, MTV and so on. America culture is spreading around the world, but you guys aren’t reaching far enough into other people’s cultures.

And thats the kind of attitudes I have to deal with almost everyday and everyone I meet here. I am sick of it. PEOPLE, widen your minds and go on Wikipedia more. Thats all I can say. The world is gonna turn around and surprise you some day. And I really would like to propose world voting for America’s government. I am sure if the world voted, Iraq would not have happened. Stop starting wars, and stick to governing yourself if you are unwilling to learn more about other cultures.

Schönes Wochenende

I have officially decided to eat less. Because 1. food here isn’t as good (and cheap) as back home. And 2. money spent on food can be spent on something else. Like skiing. I love it. To speed down a slope, the feeling is amazing. Mind you, I still have lack of control sometimes, but still, I really really like it. I can’t can’t wait to try more stuff. Its totally fun and awesome.

And the other thing I want to blog about. I think every Westerner should go read this. Singapore 101.

1. No hands are coming off for littering!

2. Chewing gum aint gonna get you no ass-whipping! You may bust your jaw chewing in front of a cop and he ain’t gonna arrest anybody. Well, maybe if you spit gum on his face…. hahaha!

3. We are as far from China as London is from the United States. Not in China. Not near China. Very far. Very. very. far.

4. We all speak English and a second language (Mandarin, Tamil, Malay). We take all our classes in English, all our street signs are in English. That may explain why “we speak English so well for someone who just learnt it recently”.

5. We can get food cheaply all hours of the day… except 5-6 am in the morning. Food is us, we are food, FOOD MAKETH SINGAPORE. We dont “only have Chinese food”, we have Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Cantonese, Sichuan, Vietnamese, Italian, American (think Hooters P), Spanish, Indian, Japanese, Korean, French… ah I think you get the point….

6. We have more clubs than one could possibly go if one went every single day of the year…. with new ones popping up like popcorn (such as the Ministry of Sound and St. James Power Station)….

7. And yes… we actually DO have alcohol in Singapore. Copious amounts of it…*hic*…*burp*…

I met some really nice people yesterday, but the whole weekend, I was just explaining to different people, that I speak English. And that I can speak Chinese (barely). And that Singapore is far from China, small but 1st class city. And I had people asking me about Chop Suey. Like really, what is that? Personally, I have NO IDEA what Chop Suey is. Do we eat Chop Suey as Chinese? No I doubt it. Yah we do have our versions of fried noodles. And its not Chop Suey. NO CHOP SUEY. Gosh. Sometimes I feel for these poor people. Eating potatoes and sausages and bread all the time. Like how some people hate fish. Like they have never tried anything interesting. And gosh, I saw these swedish people mixing coconut milk into those white shanghai noodles. And it wasn’t like coconut milk based soup. It was supposed to be some kind of mixed noodles with veg. I was, rather appalled. Like I spend most of my life eating Chinese food, but I do know what French cuisine is like. And American, or Italian or Japanese, Korean, even German and Austrian cooking. The only places I might not know is South America and Africa. But people here, just because the supermarket has Asian ingredients, they mangel it badly. And I think I can do better Italian cooking than the average student here (other than the Italians themselves). So. Food here, is just not comparable to the little red dot of foodie paradise. My conclusion? Eat less. Ski more.

I want my Milo Dino and Prata.

I want to celebrate!

Skiing is SO FUN. Thats all I can say. I really like it. I can’t describe why it is so fun. But it is! And I think the german thought I was crazy. Coz she was like, Why do you laugh so much? I just like it I guess. I think its funny and fun. Even if I did fell flat down once. But it was so soft and powdery. =) Snow makes me happy =) I didn’t take any peektures today. But mind you, I WILL tomorrow. Coz I want to remember those goofy moments trying to learn how to ski. And how I look like I am FREEZING. (I wasn’t by the way. Thanks to Patagonia I was actually toasty HOT.) And how beginnerish I look with my helmet, and unsteady feet and really so awkward in skis. The kids know how to turn better than me haha. But all fun =D Didn’t hurt myself, something I am thankful for. And yah I am looking forward to more skiing tomorrow. We are gonna tackle big slopes tomorrow. I just wanna know how my braking goes. I can’t stop very well. Which makes it oh so fun. =D I am liable to crashing into random people haha.

And the other thing worth celebrating. Is something NUS will probably cry foul over. I got my 1st sehr gut. Which equates to a 1 in Austrian grades. Which equates to a A in Singapore grades. Which equates to a 5 in SG CAP system. And that is something I have NEVER gotten before in SG. Never ever and probably never will. But here I am, in Austria, having free time to go skiing, and my 1st sehr gut. I was surprised though. Coz I though, okay maybe my presentation went fine, but I didn’t really actively participate in the seminar. So yah. I am happy and thank God for those blessings, coz I never expected them, and after all, I am not the most hardworking kid here. I think I slack even more than the Notre Dame people and the Austrians. But yah, thank God for that 1st good grade. That sort of motivates me more. The real test will be the exams for the lectures. Which, mind you, I WILL gonna start after Christmas break. I have a 10cm thick Microbiology book to translate. =) Wish me luck.