I woke up this morning at 7:01am precisely. It's been the earliest I've woken up since nearly two months ago, because I had to pop down to MOE for a briefing.
Sitting with a cuppa by the window, I was suddenly reminded of my blog's existence, or rather non-existence for the same amount of time. Gripped by an impulse to write and type, I started to mentally draft out this post.
"So here's just a quick narcissistic update on the owner of this blog post. Hopefully I'll come up with more exciting the next time round, and till then take care everyone!"
Well, I'm sure glad that many things have happen since 5th of May, which was when the previous post was, so here's a quick update!
I spent a few weeks, reading up, buying stuff, and generally preparing for my epic journey to Australia. I'm not going to pretend that I'm a seasonal traveller, with many countries under my belt and this is just yet another to add to my extensive collection.
In fact, it's the first time I'm going overseas in nearly four years, travelling alone to the furthest country I've been to date.
Australia was simply a huge step out of Singapore, into a brand new playground, with the slides and swings. I deeply enjoyed every moment of living in a different country, immersing myself into the famously relaxed culture, tasting the morsels that the streets have to offer, and spending a splendid time with my girlfriend.
I admit, though I'm the perhaps one of the more homely guys you can find, that during the trip, the thought of migrating to Australia when I'm old, rich and retired (or IF I'm old, rich and retired) did filter into my mind more than once.
The next trip out was to Bali, with a group of six other friends this time round. I went there expecting a lot more, but we weren't the millionaires we thought we were, and the social setting was much more slow paced than the club-like vibe we hoped for.
Still there were many mountains, hills, rice padi fields, and beaches that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing for my own eyes. The water rafting experience was perhaps the most exhilarating outdoor experience thus far.
After which, I've been leading a rather sedentary lifestyle. Facing my computer far more often than I should, and far more often than my father's temper would last, I've been toying with my new laptop, toying with my new ukulele, toying with the expectations of university life.
Recently I'm picking up my notes and books again, trying to recall the knowledge that have slowly eroded and withered into nothing during my two year stint in the army (Modern Warfare 2 has been catalytic in the process too- I admit). I've also attended the meeting at MOE this morning, informing us of the future duties we hold and the expectations of our performances in university.
I can safely conclude that the days of Nuah-ing at Home are near the end now. With a little more than a month from today, I will be starting school and I sure hope I can hang on for dear life.
Just a last bit of thought.
It seems to me we're at the age of leaving.
I see friends leaving for overseas CIP programmes and exchange programmes for half a year. I see friends leaving to study in overseas universities for a few years. I see family leaving to start new families, this time for good. I see myself leaving intermittently in the next few years for trips, studies and even work. I can't help but feel a certain sense of nostalgia, longing but not without a sense of purpose and adventure.
I spoke to my mother about this, and she said to me "Sooner or later, we have to get used to you all not being around."
I guess this is somewhat true. Gotta get ready for more adventures for the epic years ahead.
