Bye hongkong

Bye Hongkong. Bye 203B. Bye Hall 7. Bye Homey Kitchen. Bye exchange life. Bye to all the GREATEST friends I've met the past 5 months - and SEE YOU ALL again, hopefully soon.

Less than 48 hours to home sweet home

I'm currently blogging from one of the computers in the Run Run Shaw library, where I have been studying hard for my final exam, corp finance 2, since 5 hours ago. Surprisingly, I'm not bored or feeling stressed despite studying for 5 hours in a row, which is something I have never quite done before, and in the library as well! I never had the habit of going to libraries all my life, but somehow, it is so conducive right here :) I've been busy going around running final errands such as major shopping for work clothes, settling accounts etc, studying for my papers(which have been rather alright so far, thank God!), and of course, catching up with all the good friends I've made here, and livin' it up in Hongkong to the fullest.

Less than 2 days left. It's all starting to sink in for Ame and I. Before we slept last night (or rather, this morning), we talked, for the countless time, about the past 5 months and how surreal it is to have reached this point in time at the end of our exchange. She's such a great roomie, such a blessing, and as we sat together and prayed, I felt this sisterly bond between us and for sure, she is one of my closest friends ever. I really thank God for all my experiences and all the blessings, and also for the many temptations and little down periods. Being away from home these 5 months has given me a fresh start to life, and I feel recharged and renewed to start a new phase of life when I get back to Singapore on sunday. What makes this experience even more special, is the fact that I turned 21 here, which is such a a significant milestone in life. I know nothing happened by chance or accident, and at this moment in time, I feel very safe, comforted and blessed knowing the future is in His hands despite whatever obstacles and challenges to come. Returning home on sunday morning will be a challenge in itself, it seems as if I'll be leaving a part of myself here in Hongkong. Maybe Ame is right, maybe when I finally sit alone on the plane for the 3 and a half hour plane ride back, maybe I'll be crying cos this part of my life is gone for good. But of course, I'm looking forward to returning to my beloved family and loved ones and the many little joys and pleasures that home has to offer :) I hope at least on that plane ride back, I'll be able to get down to penning down my reflections while events are still fresh in my mind. haha. I hope I dont fall asleep on plane rides like I always do!!!

For now, it's back to studying. Then, I'll have my final exam tomorrow morning, do some last min shopping, packing, partying! And then I'll be flying back on SQ857 sunday morning. I keep picturing the scene of arriving at Changi Airport now, and looking for my family through the glass windows, haha, it's so surreal, really. And I will finally get to reunite with my wonderful extended family for dinner on sunday, buffet dinner at a hotel! =) Thanks to my lovely parents who want this to be a welcome-back party for me as well as my grandma's belated birthday celebration. I cant wait, really. Then of course, on monday morning 830am, I shall have to report for a 10 week internship at DBS Building at Shenton Way, dressed from head to toe in work clothes. Gosh, I really feel 21 now!

Pictorial updates to come =)

Bits of the past week.

4 May - Irene's birthday party at KTV

Irene is one my best local girlfriends here. She's incredibly nice, sweet and always laughs with me :) I had a super fun time ktv-ing with my exchange friends. It was interesting because when the hongkongers were singing cantonese songs, half the room of americans, singaporeans and china friends couldn't understand a thing!

Us with the bday girl. haha! she had 3 cakes that night!

Leena, who's actually an Indian citizen living in Calcutta! But she's really like a Singaporean who speaks fluent english, cantonese, mandarin and hindi!!! how cool is that!

Having fun together!

7 May

Fantastic weather in hongkong again. I love summer here. I had to study for exams so I didnt go with ame and all to Repulse Bay for some suntanning. haha. But of course, as usual, life here wouldnt be as boringg. Joined my neighbours and some of their friends for a relaxing time of sunbathing.

This is how we study here :P

Sampson - one of the funniest guys around

Under the shade. This is life.

Hongkongers having a study discussion. They were having an exam the next day. haha. I dont think all hongkongers are this relaxed when it comes to studying, maybe it's just those I happe to meet :)

guys doing some body building exercise. haha. SO many people could see them cos we were right below 2 blocks.

10 more days to go.. and the countdown begins...

Dream come true

Hocc's fanclub Birthday Party 5 May 2007

I joined the fanclub in feb after I was totally swept away by her awesome concert in Jan. I never expected to be able to attend her 30th bday party, and there were only about 350 fans! It was held at this traditional chinese restaurant at TST. Cheryl, Claire, and Claire's friends Kristine and Cheryl, all flew down for this special event. It was a dream come true for me, I actually came SO close to hocc and guess what, the most UNBELIEVABLE thing happened! haha, see, hocc's father was so uber friendly to us, maybe cos we were fr overseas, or the fact that we were dressed so differenly from the other hongkong fans (who were in tshirts and jeans while we were in our tanktops and nicely dressed), so we took advantage of the situation and asked to perform for hocc! It was Claire's brilliant idea, and I actually got down to asking hocc's dad! To my amazement, he said "SURE!" and went off to inform the MCs that he wanted us to perform. And he came back "Ok you're up next. quick go prepare." OMG. I couldnt believe it. hahaha. so claire, cheryl and I went up in front of 400 people, including press, and sang hocc's signature song "zai jian lu si ma li" She was like 10 metres in front of us, and clapped along and gave us approving nods all throgught the song! This is an incredible experience and I will NEVER forget this in my whole lifetime. I love hocc!!! heh. And I felt like a superstar.

I uploaded the video of 3 of us singing on stage on youtube. The quality isnt good at all, I'm in the middle. Cheryl li has a really clear and good video of the whole son, maybe i'll post it when i get it from her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Rll9I9GaM

My Hongkong friends couldnt believe I performed in front of a superstar, the 2nd most popular female singer in hk! hahaha. I cant believe I did it too. and I actually spoke to her, on stage, and wished her happy bday in cantonese!!

Just some pics I took using my not-so-good camera...

Overseas table

It was an unforgettable night. I still cant believe I did it.

Taipei

Taiwan with Ame,Mel, Zhuomin, Jingli, Ceminata and Tem.

We were backpackers in a foreign land. It was an experience and I'm so glad I went for this break out of busy hongkong life, haha, and just right before the exams as well!

Day One:
Airport - Hostel - Wu Fen Pu shopping - Shihlin Night market

Taiwan no. 1: FRIED CHICKEN CHOP

Day 2:

National Palace Museum - Si Men Ding - Danshui - Lovers Bridge

Again : Fried Chicken Chop :)

I was so tired, I fell asleep on the bench while waiting for the bus.

Danshui Night Market : one of the many night markets in Taipei. Full of food stalls.

Smelly Tofu for me and mel! =) HAHA. we kinda liked it! The rest especially Tem and Ame stayed away from us the whole time.

YUM.

Christmas Tree right in the middle of the year? heh. Taipei is half a yr ahead of time maybe?

Lovers' bridge - romantic!

Girlies I love.

I love this picture! and I love my roommate! Muacks! :P

My turn to piggyback her.

On the empty MRT train back.

nice picture

i was so tired, but still gathered enough energy to smile for the camera.

Day 3 :

NY Bagel Breakfast - Yang Ming Shan - Taipei 101 (only the shopping centre below)

Calla Lily Season. Absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen any nature so beautiful. Truly enjoyed the moment just soaking in the sun.

Like a scene out of a korean movie?

Girls in pairs

Running across the lily fields

Plucking the flower (trying to at least )

Taipei 101!

Haagan Dazs!

Our lovely cosy hostel room. Looks kinda like an IKEA ad.

Day 4 :

Shabu shabu lunch - Shopping - Airport

With Addy and Ruby - Tem's 2 Taiwanese friends who make such a perfect couple.

Backpackers outside our hostel.

In total I spent about sing$500, everything inclusive. It was a good trip. Thanks Ame and Jingli for the pics =)