Today the weather was exceptionally sunny. Much more sunny than I expected, in fact. The temperature was around 15 deg C, but it felt rather warm. The wind was comfortably cool though, just like air-con, but without the stale air. Au naturel...
Went grocery shopping, and decided to replenish my supply of drinking water (only Aquafina for me, thanks to a friend who used to study in the US and got me sold on it....), so I could not take the bus but had to push my shopping trolley from the supermarket all the way back to my apartment.
Anyway, I realised that I was wearing the exact same clothes as when I first arrived in Ann Arbor last year (sometimes I remember strange things like that), and as I was pushing the trolley along the pavement, I somewhat recalled my first day here, when I had also gone grocery shopping and a sense of deja-vu washed over me, as I looked around. Has it been so many months now? It's such a cliche to say this but it feels as if I was walking down the pavement just days ago, and yet it's actually much further in the past.
Do I still feel the same sense of excitement? Honestly, I cannot tell. As I've always said, I cherish the opportunity to be independent and to lead life as a student abroad, and I believe I will continue to enjoy the next few months. But I think I would very much like to see my loved ones when the time arrives. Family, friends, even the duck rice aunty....(ok, maybe more the duck rice...).
Conflicting thoughts? Not really, more like just strange feelings.
In any case, I'll just continue the rest of my adventure here for the moment.
Saw this video of a new song recently, bittersweet feel. Great for a day like this.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
April
And so April has arrived. Soon, it will be May, June, July, then August.
I'm nearing the end of my second semester here, and it's all starting to get pretty hectic. Many people here are looking forward to the end of the semester, as they will then go for their 4-month holidays before they return for the Fall semester.
Not me, though. I will be taking summer courses so that I could complete my course in "double quick time". But it's fine, I guess, I think I still have the stamina to continue.
The sun's been going down later this week, and there is generally fair, sunny weather all day. Reminds me of the time when I first arrived. Was it really that long ago?
Time flies.
I'm nearing the end of my second semester here, and it's all starting to get pretty hectic. Many people here are looking forward to the end of the semester, as they will then go for their 4-month holidays before they return for the Fall semester.
Not me, though. I will be taking summer courses so that I could complete my course in "double quick time". But it's fine, I guess, I think I still have the stamina to continue.
The sun's been going down later this week, and there is generally fair, sunny weather all day. Reminds me of the time when I first arrived. Was it really that long ago?
Time flies.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
New York, New York
I love the pulsating beats and sounds of the city. So vibrant, so energetic! I’m in New York!!!!
On the invitation of a friend, I decided to spend my Easter in the Big Apple, and was I in for a real treat! The city is just so full of life, and I’m reminded once again why I am very much an urbanite. This probably makes me sound very deprived, but all the sights, sounds and smells of the city were calling out to me from the moment I touched down at La Guardia airport. The excitement in me simply burst out in joy (thankfully not in fits) as the airport shuttle traversed the highway and took me right into Manhattan, the heart of New York City. I have never felt so delightfully overwhelmed by the city before….
Anyway, for the next two days, I managed to take in quite a lot of sights in NYC (New York, baby!). Navigating around the city was really easy, with the sophisticated subway network and the streets that were all numbered sequentially. I had planned a rather simple itinerary for myself, in addition to meeting up with friends, but I surprised myself (and my friends) when in the end I managed to take in more places than expected. Superb, indeed!
Of course, being in NYC for the first time, I went crazy with the camera, and recorded about 240 shots. Here’s a sprinkling of the photographs I took.
Central Park
On the invitation of a friend, I decided to spend my Easter in the Big Apple, and was I in for a real treat! The city is just so full of life, and I’m reminded once again why I am very much an urbanite. This probably makes me sound very deprived, but all the sights, sounds and smells of the city were calling out to me from the moment I touched down at La Guardia airport. The excitement in me simply burst out in joy (thankfully not in fits) as the airport shuttle traversed the highway and took me right into Manhattan, the heart of New York City. I have never felt so delightfully overwhelmed by the city before….
Anyway, for the next two days, I managed to take in quite a lot of sights in NYC (New York, baby!). Navigating around the city was really easy, with the sophisticated subway network and the streets that were all numbered sequentially. I had planned a rather simple itinerary for myself, in addition to meeting up with friends, but I surprised myself (and my friends) when in the end I managed to take in more places than expected. Superb, indeed!
Of course, being in NYC for the first time, I went crazy with the camera, and recorded about 240 shots. Here’s a sprinkling of the photographs I took.
Central Park
The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
Views from the famous Empire State Building. My friend and I decided to go up at night, so that we could get a different picturesque view of New York City, and we were not disappointed. The observatory was opened till 2am, and it was very very crowded when we went at about 9pm. This experience was made more interesting by the fact that the observatory was outdoors, so we were there on the 86th floor, with the freezing wind blowing, admiring the stunning night views, and snapping pictures away happily.
On board the Staten Island ferry (free), to see the Statue of Liberty (located in Liberty Island). Having heard so much about it, and read about it as well, it was a surreal feeling to see the real thing, even if I was some distance away.
On board the Staten Island ferry (free), to see the Statue of Liberty (located in Liberty Island). Having heard so much about it, and read about it as well, it was a surreal feeling to see the real thing, even if I was some distance away.
Scenes from Times Square, day and night. Yes, the famous Times Square, where 7th Avenue meets Broadway. The illuminating and illuminated billboards were impossible to ignore, and standing in the middle of the square (which is more a triangle….), and just looking around, all parts of your senses are hit by the lights and sounds. A truly spectacular visual and aural encounter. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
It is no wonder that throughout history, many musicians and writers have paid tribute to this city. This has been the best Easter in my living memory. Thank you, New York, I will be back!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring REALLY hath cometh 春天里
春天里来百花香，郎里格朗里格朗里格朗。。。 记得小时候学会唱这首歌，虽然很喜欢它的曲，也觉得歌词写得很不错，但是，我无法真正感受歌中所要表达的情感。毕竟自己没体验过什么叫作春天，什么百花香，太阳照，也只能以我在热带岛国长大的经验， 从中发挥想象力。
直到今天。
终于的，我感受到了生平中的第一个春天。原来，春天就是这样的， 阳光普照，树叶还没长出，花儿也都没开，而气温其实还相当低。然而，穿着夹克和长裤， 走在路上，冷中带暖的春风，迎面而吹， 别有一番滋味。
原来，春风吻上我的脸，就是这样的。
And so the spring really has arrived. For real… well, according to the calendar, anyway. The weather channel couldn’t wait to make the announcement as well. This signals the third change of season for me here, and the first one which doesn’t seem as drastic. The changes from summer to autumn and from autumn to winter were much more binary in nature, whereas this one appears quite fuzzy. Maybe it’s because I have never experienced what spring weather is like. In fact, I honestly do not have much of a concept of how spring should look like.
But I’m liking it so far. Sunny weather, but not too hot, because the cold wind is still lingering. However, the cold of the wind is not chilly like in winter, and there is just that little tinge of warmth, which escalates in intensity once you use a little imagination. Walking along the road, with my jacket on, I get this sense of something refreshing. It’s not exactly the feeling of starting anew, because the trees are still bare (the non-evergreens anyway), and there are no flowers whatsoever. However, it’s somewhat a positive feeling of je-ne-sais-quoi.
To commemorate the day, I thought I’d take some photographs. The surroundings don’t look that scenic, but they present a different façade from the white, wintry scenes of the past few months.
直到今天。
终于的，我感受到了生平中的第一个春天。原来，春天就是这样的， 阳光普照，树叶还没长出，花儿也都没开，而气温其实还相当低。然而，穿着夹克和长裤， 走在路上，冷中带暖的春风，迎面而吹， 别有一番滋味。
原来，春风吻上我的脸，就是这样的。
And so the spring really has arrived. For real… well, according to the calendar, anyway. The weather channel couldn’t wait to make the announcement as well. This signals the third change of season for me here, and the first one which doesn’t seem as drastic. The changes from summer to autumn and from autumn to winter were much more binary in nature, whereas this one appears quite fuzzy. Maybe it’s because I have never experienced what spring weather is like. In fact, I honestly do not have much of a concept of how spring should look like.
But I’m liking it so far. Sunny weather, but not too hot, because the cold wind is still lingering. However, the cold of the wind is not chilly like in winter, and there is just that little tinge of warmth, which escalates in intensity once you use a little imagination. Walking along the road, with my jacket on, I get this sense of something refreshing. It’s not exactly the feeling of starting anew, because the trees are still bare (the non-evergreens anyway), and there are no flowers whatsoever. However, it’s somewhat a positive feeling of je-ne-sais-quoi.
To commemorate the day, I thought I’d take some photographs. The surroundings don’t look that scenic, but they present a different façade from the white, wintry scenes of the past few months.
Clouds in the sky
Shadows of the day
Excerpt from DH Lawrence's "Craving for Spring"
Sunset on the first day of spring...
Ah come, come quickly, spring!
come and lift us towards our culmination, we myriads;
we who have never flowered, like patient cactuses.
Come and lift us to our end, to blossom, bring us to our summer
we who are winter-weary in the winter of the of the world.
Come making the chaffinch nests hollow and cosy,
come and soften the willow buds till they are puffed and furred,
then blow them over with gold.
Coma and cajole the gawky colt’s-foot flowers.
Excerpt from DH Lawrence's "Craving for Spring"
Thursday, March 13, 2008
spring hath cometh
I think.... There is still snow on the ground and temperatures still slip to sub-zero from time to time. But the days are getting longer, especially with the start of daylight savings. Also, the wind feels much less chilly, and I can finally walk on the streets without wearing a beanie.
It's funny how one gets used to the weather. I remember when the temperatures first went below 10 deg C last year, I was shivering and all wrapped up, but now with temperatures just slightly above zero, I actually find it very cooling and comfortable. Am I prepared for a "meltdown" when I return to Singapore later in the year?
It's funny how one gets used to the weather. I remember when the temperatures first went below 10 deg C last year, I was shivering and all wrapped up, but now with temperatures just slightly above zero, I actually find it very cooling and comfortable. Am I prepared for a "meltdown" when I return to Singapore later in the year?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Self Renewal...
A good friend sent this poem to me recently, as a form of encouragement. Feels like a good call for self renewal....
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and to be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion."
Walden or Life in the Woods - Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and to be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion."
Walden or Life in the Woods - Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Six months
Exactly six months have passed since I set foot on this country. It’s a cliché to say that time flies, but I guess that’s really the phenomenon. It certainly has been a unique experience so far, academically and in general. Certain assumptions have been disproved, as I interact with people here and have a better understanding. One thing for sure, life at the moment isn’t too bad. I’ve always enjoyed being a student, and after a few years working, this much welcome break is doing me some good I believe. Without a doubt, there is a better appreciation of my current status, but more importantly it also reminds me that there is much more to life than just being in a rat race (not that I was really in one). Nevertheless, lest people think I’m too keen to remain permanently a student, I actually want to return to work. If there is one thing I’ve come to understand about myself from these six months of studying, it is that I have pretty much the mentality of a practitioner. I do not necessarily eschew theory and research, but I think I prefer to get all “down and dirty” by trying out the different methods and strategies.
转眼间，已经在这里生活了六个月，想起来，这一段时间的体验，确实相当不错。工作了几年，暂时将它搁一边，再次过学生生涯，交新朋友，感受新事物，休息一下，同时给自己一点反思的机会与时间，不亦乐乎。以前工作的时候，每天忙忙碌碌，到了某个阶段，也不知自己在忙些什么，到底是在忙，还是在“盲”？常言道，当局者迷，旁观者清，这六个月里，我真正感受到这两句话的深远意义。这一次的留学体验，肯定会对我在回国工作时有所启发。（我恳切希望！）当然，在这里的路途还没走完，但愿接下来的六个月，能够更加充实，有趣！
Quick summary of things I’ve done so far:
Number of US cities visited (besides Ann Arbor): 4
Number of modules completed: 5
Number of books read: 10
Number of journal articles read: too many to count
Number of countries from which my new friends hail: 12
What I hope to do in the following months:
To visit at least 3 more US cities
To visit at least 1 country outside the US
To read more books
To watch more telly and DVDs
To finish up all my modules (but of course!)
Here’s to the next six months...
转眼间，已经在这里生活了六个月，想起来，这一段时间的体验，确实相当不错。工作了几年，暂时将它搁一边，再次过学生生涯，交新朋友，感受新事物，休息一下，同时给自己一点反思的机会与时间，不亦乐乎。以前工作的时候，每天忙忙碌碌，到了某个阶段，也不知自己在忙些什么，到底是在忙，还是在“盲”？常言道，当局者迷，旁观者清，这六个月里，我真正感受到这两句话的深远意义。这一次的留学体验，肯定会对我在回国工作时有所启发。（我恳切希望！）当然，在这里的路途还没走完，但愿接下来的六个月，能够更加充实，有趣！
Quick summary of things I’ve done so far:
Number of US cities visited (besides Ann Arbor): 4
Number of modules completed: 5
Number of books read: 10
Number of journal articles read: too many to count
Number of countries from which my new friends hail: 12
What I hope to do in the following months:
To visit at least 3 more US cities
To visit at least 1 country outside the US
To read more books
To watch more telly and DVDs
To finish up all my modules (but of course!)
Here’s to the next six months...
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