But whatever it is, I've been thinking a lot about what I want to get out of my 5/6 months live and study experience in New Zealand. I think it's about time to share it here with you guys coz I really don't have much time left. If you realise, exactly next week's CNY. SO fast.

Here are some of the things I want to do and hope to learn from this whole experience. Sorta like a bucket list and here it is,

1) Putting myself out there to see the world

I've always wanted to do this since I was 14 and I've always wanted to study in some place foreign. I want to learn about what the world is like OUT THERE. Not only will I get to immerse myself in a different culture in New Zealand, but I'll also get to meet people from ALL OVER THE WORLD. International students. I want to meet and talk to them, learn from them so many things and hear their perspective of the world that will be very much different from mine. Share our stories. Breathe their air.

Reading the book, "Sushi and Tapas", which I recently bought and am about to finish, has inspired me and made me so anxious to want to get out there to see the world. It shares perspectives and stories of women from all walks of life who come from many different countries. MANY of them very well-travelled and have so many insights to share... it has truly inspired me to want to do the same... and to see the world on my own. 

And being a soon-to-be 21 y/o WOMAN myself, I think it really is one of those coming-of-age things that I need to do. To broaden my horizons and see what's out there for me. Am not afraid to make mistakes and do the things that I really want to do in life.

Which leads me to my next point

2) Learning to be Independent

I've never really done things on my own before. Nothing big. So I guess, heading off for a 6 months exchange will be one of those things that will help me with that. No more relying on anybody else. I'm here to fend for myself and do things on my own. Down to the simplest things that we take for granted everyday when our mothers do them for us, like washing clothes and cooking meals. Buying groceries. Paying up for fees. Falling sick and taking care of myself (choy!)

I've thought about this and sometimes... I think that if I'd gotten my first choice to Israel, whatever that happens will be very different. Coz I'd be with Jasmine. I won't be alone. There'd be less of that insecurity. I really think it must be the f word, fate, that got me New Zealand, my second choice. I wasn't happy at first, in fact, I was devastated, but now I thank God for that. Very serendipitous indeed. 

It's time to spend some time alone. And do things alone. And really, be independent. It sounds easy, but I know I might have a tough time at the beginning. Hopefully, I'll learn and get used to it. Probably I will learn to appreciate a lot of things AND people while I'm there... 

I thank my parents like crazy for allowing and giving me such freedom to do something like that. I needn't even ask for permission... I knew they'd let me! Not that I'm taking it for granted or anything but they've always given me so much freedom. They've always let me do what I want. Where ever I went, they let me decide my paths to say, which secondary school I went to, what major I wanted to undertake... They'd advise me at times when they knew some of the things I wanted to do were on a whim, like wanting to take up ice skating/drumming class in sec 2. Those lofty aspirations when you were a teenager and you'd wonder whatever for, now. Haha. 

And I know I'm very lucky. Monetary wise, my parents are using their savings just to let me do this. I truly am thankful. Whenever I think of this, I'd always tell myself that I'll give back 10 times. Or at least half of what they've been showering me all my life. Though... it does sadden me to know that there isn't much time left I have with them on Mother Earth. 

They're letting me see the world. In a way, I guess living their own dreams by sending me over. Like an envoy, yes. Our generation is really privileged. We get to make our own choices and do things our parents never got to do or dream of, in their early years. I'm bloody blessed and I know it.

3) Bringing back with me whatever I learnt, to Singapore

I've been reading a couple of Facebook shares by people on their thoughts about living in Singapore. Some I agree with... others, not so. Like that of Pamela Low. Whatever she mentioned is pretty balanced.. but I still don't get it. If you do love your country, and if you do wish for native Singaporeans to still be living here in Singapore in the next 5, 10, 20 years, WHY STILL MIGRATE???? I DON'T GET IT!?!?! 

What's the point of explaining to us how lovely the other side of the world is and how you haven't regretted your decision to migrate, yet make the last statement saying that you wish to still see native Singaporeans here in Singapore? I DON'T. GET. IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She's making a contradiction no???? Yet, so many people are doing the same! Shouldn't you, like what she mentioned, be sticking around in Singapore to ensure Singaporeans are giving back especially when times have changed? I don't see the loyalty to a country like that. I really don't.

Or maybe it's coz I just watched Ah Boys to Men 2 yesterday, so I'm all Singaporean up in the head. It was a pretty good show by the way hahahahaha. Didn't watch part 1 tho! Always thought Jack neo produced ah beng shit and all that. But it was okay and I really liked it.

I really do love this country. It may not be the most democratic country or relaxing of places to live in but I know I will live here for the rest of my life, and die if I have to when the need arises. I wish I were an NS boy sometimes. I'd go to OCS I swear. HAHAHAHA Ballz if I could do pull-ups if I were a boy.

So, I'm going to New Zealand myself. To see if that really is the case. I'm giving detractors a chance to prove their point. I'm reasonable like that. Really. Hahaha. I'll see if it really is true... to be enchanted by another's land. I will definitely be charmed by the beauty and tranquil of the country, much like what happened in Laos, but I've always thought that, nothing else will lure me away from where I was born and grown to love. 

I love travelling, and exploring. My curiosity and energy for that is boundless. I dream of going so many places, visiting every corner of the earth before my soul leaves me. I have plans to live my dreams and I will take what I learn and always return. I'll never leave home ground! Even when there are 6.9 million people by the year 2030.

Enough rambling, on to my next point.

4) Have FUN AND LOADS OF IT. 

Heaps, I mean. Kiwi lingo

I'm FREAKIN FREAKIN excited about all the omfg fun over there in New Zealand. Am gonna do so many things. I will tell you what.

- Bungey Jumping duh.

- Skydiving if I can

- Skiing in winter

- Hiking Tongariro Crossing and other mountains available hahaha.

- Kayak in one of the lakes

Yeah, mostly extreme stuff that you can only do overseas. What's more, NZ's known for all that. And I hope I can find people and make friends so that I CAN DO ALL THAT.

I reallyyyy wanna hike a mountain. Something I've never done before and OF ALL PLACES NZ IS THE BEST TO DO SO!!!!!!!!!! Jump at opportunities I tell ya.

I found this website called http://twoguysaroundtheworld.com 

As you can probably tell from the url what the website's all about. SUPER INTERESTING. Not just on NZ but on SO many countries they've been to. Videos, blog posts, all I can say is WOW. I spent one night just watching and reading. Insightful. And wow.. if only I had the money to do all that.

And I also hope to do the day to day things that normal Kiwis do. Like,

- Spending time in a cafe

- Cycling/jogging in one of their parks

- Clubbing. I think it'd be nice to see how clubbing's like in other parts of the world. 

- Public transport. Omg so exciting hahahaha. Especially railway trains and stuff like that.

- Falling snow. Something I've never seen in my life. Except maybe in Beijing when I was 4 or 5. But it was measly and I was so young then I don't even remember.

- Studying. I wanna learn stuff I'll never get to in NTU.

- Going for a music festival or concert with NZ music live. Gin Wigmore please!!! YES HER!
- Taste NZ's cuisine

I really wanna do all of these and strike them off one by one before I return...
If only we had all the time, money and energy in the world...


Last but not least, my final point on my bucket list.


5) Preparation for OCIP Laos 2013

I know it hasn't really got anything to do with NZ. But I will always have Laos at the back of my mind. I will always be preparing for it while I'm there. Getting proposals done and all the admin stuff. I will ready myself for Laos.

I don't want to lose sight of it, so that when I get back, I can get right back on track to get down to doing things.

And I'm gonna take whatever I'm gonna learn.. for what's to come in New Zealand, in preparation for OCIP Laos.


Guys, it's less than 2 weeks. And a few days after Chinese New Year when I'll be embarking on the journey of my LIFE! Thus far, I believe this will be the most exciting thing that's gonna happen to me. I dunno what will lie ahead, but I am all set to go. AFTER I pack my luggage and backpack haha. Yehahh... I have yet to pack anything. But Yes. The world is waiting for me, and so am I for my flight out of Changi.

I will cry, I will laugh and I might die of loneliness there, but whatever it is, COME WHAT MAY, I'M READY, Take me now!