Home Sweet Home

5 months of traveling, independence and freedom, I must say it was a tough emotional struggle when it's time to pack up and go home. I know there was little opportunity to have the luxury to travel around the globe like this again. It was truly a one in a lifetime experience. Nevertheless, I also know how dearly I was missed by my parents, and there's of course the responsibility of going back to school (after skipping two weeks of classes).

Yet, whatever (little) anticipation I had of going back to this sunny island was dismissed when my luggage didn't appear at the airport conveyor belt when I touched down in Singapore. From jokingly laughing at myself that my luggage must be too heavy, to impatiently shifting the weight of my feet, to cursing and swearing silently, to desperate moments of praying, to ... despair.



ALL the 5 months worth of memories containing my Europe travels were gone. To me, it's not about those tangible belongings like my DSLR camera and handphone (which I stupidly left in my luggage in order to squeeze more things into my hand carry). Rather, it's souvenirs for my family and friends, little momentos I got for myself and ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE MEMORY CARD. How could I ever be compensated for that, even if I file for insurance claims? I was so looking forward to seeing the happy expressions on my friends' faces on receiving their souvenirs, but no, that's not gonna happen already. It certainly didn't help that my parents chided me for being "careless". Felt like I was blamed for something that wasn't entirely my fault, no?

/update So I got my luggage back intact after a day's delay - it was sadly being left behind in Shanghai when I transited there. Thanks to everyone who showed much concern, encouragement and gave me hope when I was at the brink of giving up!

東京ディズニーリゾート! | Tokyo Disney Land

It was a crazy idea to begin with, to forfeit our return ticket from Milan back to Singapore and flew to Tokyo instead, but we did!

One of the highlights of our Tokyo trip besides the crazy shopping bargains at Shibuya/Harajuku during the Japanese New Year holiday, praying and writing our wishes at Meiji shrine, doing cheap thrills like overspending on UFO catcher machines just to get the cutest soft toys and anime collectibles at Akihabara, eating oishii authentic Japanese food, is of course, TOKYO DISNEY LAND!

Happiest place on Earth

Disney merchandise are too cute to resist!

So are Disney mascots!  (Notice that they are always "armed" with kids!)
Woody!
And his cowgirl, Jessie
Captain Hook!
And because the mascots are too busy with the continuous influx of kids to entertain youths/adults, here's a solo of me and a non-impersonated one:

Japanese kids are so adorable! I JUST have to capture their faces on my camera

He's my favorite!
Start of Daytime "Jubilation" Parade!
Here's Minnie!
My favorite Disney couple - Beauty & the Beast!
Eeyore, Pinky & Pooh!
Aloha! It's Stitch!
And Lilo!
Pinocchio!
Donald and Goofy
WALT DISNEY CASTLE ♥
DISNEY FIREWORKS!

Disneyland is indeed a magical place. Once you step foot in Disneyland, you will be transported back to your childhood almost instantaneously. It makes you feel like you're a kid again, getting you excited over anything and everything that is cute, and makes you willingly queue long hours for the rides. Still, it will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope to visit DisneySea sometime soon!

Ciao Italia!

I wouldn't exchange anything for this once in a lifetime opportunity, really. This study exchange program has been nothing but spectacular. It's more than just a dream come true.

I still remember how I was compelled to reject my offer last semester due to parents' concerns, even though deep down I knew I really wanted it. And how I applied for exchange again this semester, but had to be taken to the second round. It was such a tormentous wait before the result was released, but at the end of the day, I got it. Everything seemed to be planned- despite the emotional turmoils, I still managed to get my second internship and a study exchange program to Europe. It was a much needed break for me, away from school, and away from Singapore.

Then came the daunting uncertainties. Of whether I could step out of my comfort zone, be independent, get along with my exchange partner whom I didn't know of his existence prior to exchange, settle accommodation with him, and the list goes on. Yet, all worries were unfounded as everything was sorted out one by one when the time came.

I love everything about exchange. I love being independent and being in control of myself. Learning and experimenting how to cook with the limited ingredients found in the university town's supermarket is just so satisfying (minus cleaning but we have a dishwasher!). I love washing my clothes and how fresh and nice they smell after that (with the help of a washing machine!). Living in a non English-speaking environment and attempting to speak with the locals in Italian was challenging and fun at the same time. I didn't like school and my timetable, but studying in a different culture was all part of the exchange experience and I'm glad I have forged friendships with classmates of different nationalities and dynamics. And of course, the best thing about exchange- travelling. Europe was awesome. I've heard so much about this beautiful continent, and after seeing all these amazing sights and creations myself, I must say I'm even more intrigued by the blend of old and modern architecture of grandeur and enigma. Just learning and immersing into the countries and cities, appreciating their culture and living like the locals, was a joy in itself!

2010 has been a blast. There's a balance of study, work and play- 4 months of studying, 3 months of working and 5 months of playing, and I've enjoyed myself tremendously. Cheers to 2010, may 2011 be an even better year ahead!

Xmas in Paris!

Paris, the city I've always been dying to go since I don't know when. When I knew that my exchange destination was Italy and I would be travelling around Europe, I told myself the first city I would travel out of Italy must be Paris. Little did I know that it became my last trip for my 2010 travels instead, ending exchange on a high note! As compared to our past trips to other cities where we only spent a weekend or at most 3 days in one city, we spent a grand total of 7 days in Paris! For once, we had the luxury to learn more about the history and culture, as well as observe the people and their lifestyle, instead of merely doing a touch-and-go of the city.

I must admit that I was a little disappointed with Paris initially, probably due to the bad weather that was plaguing majority of Europe. On the first day when we arrived in Paris, the skies were so dark and gloomy that we couldn't even see the tip of the Eiffel Tower. And the very next day, it was raining ice (which was damn painful when it hits your face) and totally dampened our spirits while walking along Champs Elysees and Christmas Marché de Noel. The worst has yet to come as we were supposed to meet a friend but her flights were constantly being cancelled due to the snowstorm and almost couldn't make it in time to Paris for Christmas. Thankfully, just when I started to think that what people say about Paris being "romantic" and "beautiful" was just a facade, things started picking up- the skies cleared and sun was out, our friend finally made it to Paris, we had our Christmas dinner and gift exchange, people we met were nice and not 'snobbish', Je T'aime Paris!

Snowflake caught in my hair!
Eiffel in the day wasn't as magnificent as in the night but exuded its charm nonetheless
Louvre
PIERRE HEMME!
To-die-for macaroons
It was damn cold on this day! The wind was piercingly chilly!
Arc de Triomphe

Notre Dame
EIFFEL AT NIGHT WAS GORGEOUS!
Excited quad queuing to go up Eiffel in the cold


IT'S GLISTENING!
Spectacular view from the second level of Eiffel

X'mas exchange!

And this trip concluded my study exchange program in Italy. It has been a ride- so awesome while it lasted! :)

It's snowing in Castellanza!

View from outside my window!

Awesome London!

London was amazing! It felt so good to be back in a English-speaking country again and I absolutely love the British accent! Even though the sightseeing attractions fell short of expectations, London is a happening city with excellent shopping, lovely people, awesome musicals and good food. I wouldn't mind visiting London over and over again or even living there just because there're so many things to do, especially if you're a Manchester United or Liverpool fan- you can almost visit Old Trafford or Anfield as and when there are matches! It's so accessible to venture out to other cities in UK too!

The highlight of the trip was Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It was the best Christmas carnival I've been to- completed with rides and an ice skating rink! As the wind was too strong and we were already freezing in the cold, we decided against going up the rides and chose to ice skate. It was yet another experience for me because I haven't ice skate since secondary school days! Skating on real ice was exhilarating! I would want to have a go at it again even though I'm a noob at it!

Full English breakfast!
Watching the best musical ever. Love the twist from Wizard of Oz!
So wickedly awesome!

You know you're in London when you see this telephone booth!
CHINATOWN!
BUBBLE TEA!!
London Eye
Big Ben

Westminster Abbey





Tower Bridge
Along Queen's walk