Back after a long hiatus!
It has been a refreshing blast of activity since the exams ended. I am actually hugely more busy now than during the exam period! I guess that hints at the mindset i hold towards taking exams now... haha. I studied maybe eight, nine hours total for each paper? The rest of the time, I have been indulging my passions...studying Go, reading Herman Hesse's books, taking long brooding walks, thinking about what I want to do.
After returning from overseas, I have been enjoying my new perspective on life.
Things like appreciating the simpler things in life, thinking up little projects like creative presents for friends, taking time out to admire a thunderstorm, and slowly chewing my breakfast despite being late for lessons.
Understanding and forgiving our weaknesses, observing people for who they are, and consciously giving praise and encouragement to close ones around me.
Dissolving my temper and negative feelings away, being more patient with things, seeing things from different angles, asking more questions about everything, and being thankful and amazed to know the answers.
Making dinner at home a priority, to talk more to my brothers, to cry more during sad movies, and laugh more during funny ones.
Taking charge in projects, learning to pay attention towards my teammates rather than the task at hand, giving myself hard chores and being hardworking for once... and rewarding myself after :)
Well.
Graduation is coming up soon, and job searching has been fruitless so far... ha. And i have just myself to blame... having applied to, say, 5 firms in total?
Guess i'm really stubborn about it. I swore myself to a life not of success, but of fulfillment. And I try to act on it. I realized that success-oriented, competitive environments or jobs that do not serve the greater part of society will not go with this. Hence I chose not to apply for financial, tobacco firms, etc.
I also aspire to be challenged in open and collaborative environments, to be pushed to reach new levels in my knowledge and skillsets... and so didn't apply for starting jobs in governmental, rigid organizations either. I'd love to hear from people who can share their experiences to refute my stereotyped views, but so far all my working friends have affirmed my beliefs in this.
Who's to say I won't conform to the rest of society and 'wake up' to reality? Nine out of ten friends around me absolutely adore bank jobs. The remaining one is already working in it. I've seen encouraging movements in the U.S., but the odds are stacked against me here in the zeitgeist of Singapore. I just hope to retain the new perspectives and mindsets I gained from my european friends, and be brave enough to fight for them.
Keeping my paradoxical aim of doing something challenging in a less success-oriented environment in mind, I have been actively tossing out competitive thoughts and ambition from my mind, and yet pro-actively seeking out opportunities to challenge myself in a fun, fulfilled way.
I find that strangely, my initiative towards things has actually increased as a result, while trying to be driven not by achievement but by fulfilment. To be pushed not by thoughts of myself, but of others as well. To be excited not by the chance to earn money but the opportunity to make a difference.
I set myself a midterm goal: to set up a nonprofit tech firm, something like Convio.
In the short run, I've recently made contact with Singapore's governmental agency in charge of volunteer orgs in Singapore, and managed to convince them to do a collaborative project with me and maran!
I have a dream of regular people, each and everyone of us, volunteering every so often for causes we believe in, people we want to help. I have a dream of reaching out to people, especially youths, to create a kinder, more caring society. It's an easy dream as far as dreams go, isn't it?
At least i know Technology can do this.
We're creating a mobile application that serves as a platform for people to freely logon, check out the latest volunteering events, and signup for them. Users can search for causes they're interested in, for events they have the time and energy to help out in. The best part? After using it for sometime, the app will smartly recommend the user what he's interested in, based on a model the app has constructed of him. That's what I call Artificial Intelligence :)
And to engage the youths and keep users going back to the app, we're making use of fun and social elements, such as achievements and reward points, and sharing on FB and twitter to invite friends to join the same event. How's that for viral marketing?
I'm really aiming to create something impactful and useful to society. We're in the heat of the action now, and some of my friends are joining me in this too, though we're still tight of manpower. Hopefully our creation will nudge up Singapore's volunteerism rate by at least 0.5% within the next six months. I'd really love to see that realized!
I don't think I would have gone this far in this project without my new perspective in life gained from my exchange in europe. I like that the lessons you learn, you experiences you gain, the people you meet, the memories you hold from traveling...they don't disappear the moment you leave, but simmer in your mind slowly, absorbed into your soul like little bits of your life.
Ah, what am i saying? Doesn't that apply to everything in our lives? Ha...
Anyway, that's all I have to rant for now. I guess it's a good enough update for these few months! Well, time to get back to work on my coding.
P.s.
It feels so good to realize that life is long, and meant to be good.
Thank you for teaching me that.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
A Networking Dinner
A break from my travel posts! I still have a backlog of travel logs from Copenhagen to Rome...it's going to last me till next year haha.
Tonight we attended a networking event with alumni from a couple of industries: a full range of financial sector players as well as the accounting Big 4. I roamed about and spoke to many different personalities... (one of whom was drunk, haha!)
I wanted to jot down some of my after-thoughts. Firstly, i felt that i could observe the 'comfort circles' they have built for themselves. It shows pretty clearly, from the things they talk about, the attitudes they portray towards certain issues such as career choices and development paths. It appears that based on the values and mindsets you hold towards the world around you, the same environment can provide different insights and knowledge for different people. You even absorb information selectively, to support your pre-existing perceptions perhaps. It's very interesting. I acquired some very valuable AND different advice from different personalities.
Of course, it makes a difference that they are from different industries. Yet I feel that these people have actually drifted towards the place where they feel they belong. And once they fit in snugly in these comfort circles, it reinforces their attitudes and perceptions towards things. I guess this is probably necessary for a stable, happy life: to find somewhere you belong, and mould your environment as you see fit. The environment may be simply the decor of a home (this is big for my dad!) or the way you make out the world to be.
I cherish my student life now, because we have the time to explore our passions and interest, to forge and reforge ourselves in a continual journey of learning and growth. To constantly be able to throw ourselves into new, uncomfortable places. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to go on exchange in Europe, and to travel alone around the US and Europe. I just had the intuition that i could not find the next stage of self-development in Singapore. And i was right. I wish that i am able to convey the lessons learnt in my travel logs.
In the meanwhile, though, I will continue striving on, in this next phase of learning. Let me pray that i will never fall into a comfort circle - yet. It's just too early to stop learning, to stop failing and making mistakes, to stop doing what i love, to stop having fun...
It's too early to stop living life the way you want it. Differently.
... and farewell, Steve Jobs. Your life will be forever remembered as an inspiration to all.
Tonight we attended a networking event with alumni from a couple of industries: a full range of financial sector players as well as the accounting Big 4. I roamed about and spoke to many different personalities... (one of whom was drunk, haha!)
I wanted to jot down some of my after-thoughts. Firstly, i felt that i could observe the 'comfort circles' they have built for themselves. It shows pretty clearly, from the things they talk about, the attitudes they portray towards certain issues such as career choices and development paths. It appears that based on the values and mindsets you hold towards the world around you, the same environment can provide different insights and knowledge for different people. You even absorb information selectively, to support your pre-existing perceptions perhaps. It's very interesting. I acquired some very valuable AND different advice from different personalities.
Of course, it makes a difference that they are from different industries. Yet I feel that these people have actually drifted towards the place where they feel they belong. And once they fit in snugly in these comfort circles, it reinforces their attitudes and perceptions towards things. I guess this is probably necessary for a stable, happy life: to find somewhere you belong, and mould your environment as you see fit. The environment may be simply the decor of a home (this is big for my dad!) or the way you make out the world to be.
I cherish my student life now, because we have the time to explore our passions and interest, to forge and reforge ourselves in a continual journey of learning and growth. To constantly be able to throw ourselves into new, uncomfortable places. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to go on exchange in Europe, and to travel alone around the US and Europe. I just had the intuition that i could not find the next stage of self-development in Singapore. And i was right. I wish that i am able to convey the lessons learnt in my travel logs.
In the meanwhile, though, I will continue striving on, in this next phase of learning. Let me pray that i will never fall into a comfort circle - yet. It's just too early to stop learning, to stop failing and making mistakes, to stop doing what i love, to stop having fun...
It's too early to stop living life the way you want it. Differently.
... and farewell, Steve Jobs. Your life will be forever remembered as an inspiration to all.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Experience, Barcelona
The Media always gives you a distorted picture of the truth.
A brief snapshot, to be precise, of a long chain of events, bits and pieces that form up history. If you didn't know any better, you would probably come up with a perception shaped exactly by pictures, videos of the dramatic incidents shown by the Media. Yet the only way to feel and understand the present is to be there at that very moment.
The world, 2011, has seen the Arab Spring, and in Europe, a long summer of discontent arising from the financial crisis' still ongoing reverberations. I was there, ignorant and unaware of the historic Spanish protests recently. All over Madrid, and later Barcelona, young people demonstrated against high unemployment and the political establishment. What better way to feel the current situation than to live with my 20-ish host Joan, who is a university graduate and yet, like many of his peers, can't find a full-time job in one of the economic capitals of Spain! He had to accept a pay-less internship now for months, and survived on his own savings over the years.
With his friendly, happy-go-lucky predisposition, however, Joan isn't pressured into signing up for any of the protests - yet. But who knows how many disgruntled young adults facing the same predicament are readying themselves to take the streets. Spain's growth is lagging behind that of Central European countries and unemployment is at over 21 percent, the highest in the European Union. While unemployment under 25-year-olds in Spain is at a staggering 45 percent. 45 percent! That is a LOT of unhappy people, folks.
My first few days in Barcelona, I explored the city with a different slant. Walking down from the Arc de Triomf to Ciutadella Park, I witnessed a labor demonstration against the Catalan government, with blazing banners, loudhailing crowds, guards with tommyguns. Chatting up some of the protesters, I found out they were showing their discontent with some of the labor laws being proposed in Parliament today.
After all the MPs entered the building, they dispersed without any fanfare. Hum. So that's what a protest is about. It sure looks scary, but it really didn't feel so. In fact, just a few steps away, the protestors marched past a group of toddlers at play.
I feel that there is so much information lost, from being in the moment, to written and visual media. Even an accurately captured video footage cannot convey every nuance of the atmosphere, the tone, the feelings at play. There is never a substitute for personal experience, i guess.
Anyway. Back to Barcelona. I scurried through the city with the local walking tour groups, and was lucky enough to get to know a Spanish guy from Madrid, here on vacation! That's basically the first thing i do - grab someone who speaks the local tongue (well, sort of... Barca speaks a closely related Catalonian actually). It just makes it so much easier to explore and understand the city, the culture. We managed to get a great tip on a local food joint (from an old lady, no less!).
I still count it among my favourite food experiences...Especialidade de la Casa during lunch time, a completely crowded little shop that is absolutely hidden from the masses of tourists filling the streets of Barca! In fact, it doesn't even have a signboard outside. I ordered (well, my friend helped to order - ) a sandwich: Lomo, Serrano, y Pimientos, with some Morcilla and fruity rose wine to go with it. All less than SGD10, too.
In the evening, I got to meet and know Yana's two Barca local friends, Eduard, an archaelogist, and his girlfriend, a singer. They treated me to an evening at the Poble Espanyol, admiring the musical fountain performance, Font Magica, and having an amazing Tapas dinner (at a cheap joint for students of course!), with dishes like Jamon Iberico, Tortilla espanola, Morro del Cerdo, and of course Sangria for drinks. A perfect way to spend a comfortable evening with new friends, local food and simmer in the culture. Oh, and they reminded me to grab some preserved ham for Yana, and to send their regards to her back in Munich!
Sometimes I wonder why all these european friends I've met seem to hold such interesting jobs and interests. I mean, archaeologist? Singer? Not to mention: DJ, Madagascar teacher, etc, etc... Singapore's career choices seem dismally woeful by comparison. I'm pretty certain a standard of living should be measured not just by economic well-being and freedom, but also socio-cultural freedom, personal freedom. Just by being here and talking to people, I feel like i'm slowly being weaned off on my ignorance of the wider range of choices out there, be it in work or personal aspects. It's a liberating feeling... and I feel happier just by this knowledge that I can live out my life in so many, different ways.
Well, to sum up the rest of my Barca trip...i went to the beach with a couple of female couchsurfers (pictures censored), caught Messi in action at Camp Nou, hanged out with leather-clad tough bikers at the Harley Days exhibition, then took the train to Reus to meet a very, very interesting host...
But that's another story, for another time :)
A brief snapshot, to be precise, of a long chain of events, bits and pieces that form up history. If you didn't know any better, you would probably come up with a perception shaped exactly by pictures, videos of the dramatic incidents shown by the Media. Yet the only way to feel and understand the present is to be there at that very moment.
The world, 2011, has seen the Arab Spring, and in Europe, a long summer of discontent arising from the financial crisis' still ongoing reverberations. I was there, ignorant and unaware of the historic Spanish protests recently. All over Madrid, and later Barcelona, young people demonstrated against high unemployment and the political establishment. What better way to feel the current situation than to live with my 20-ish host Joan, who is a university graduate and yet, like many of his peers, can't find a full-time job in one of the economic capitals of Spain! He had to accept a pay-less internship now for months, and survived on his own savings over the years.
With his friendly, happy-go-lucky predisposition, however, Joan isn't pressured into signing up for any of the protests - yet. But who knows how many disgruntled young adults facing the same predicament are readying themselves to take the streets. Spain's growth is lagging behind that of Central European countries and unemployment is at over 21 percent, the highest in the European Union. While unemployment under 25-year-olds in Spain is at a staggering 45 percent. 45 percent! That is a LOT of unhappy people, folks.
My first few days in Barcelona, I explored the city with a different slant. Walking down from the Arc de Triomf to Ciutadella Park, I witnessed a labor demonstration against the Catalan government, with blazing banners, loudhailing crowds, guards with tommyguns. Chatting up some of the protesters, I found out they were showing their discontent with some of the labor laws being proposed in Parliament today.
Scarryyy.. maybe not.
Cute!
I feel that there is so much information lost, from being in the moment, to written and visual media. Even an accurately captured video footage cannot convey every nuance of the atmosphere, the tone, the feelings at play. There is never a substitute for personal experience, i guess.
Anyway. Back to Barcelona. I scurried through the city with the local walking tour groups, and was lucky enough to get to know a Spanish guy from Madrid, here on vacation! That's basically the first thing i do - grab someone who speaks the local tongue (well, sort of... Barca speaks a closely related Catalonian actually). It just makes it so much easier to explore and understand the city, the culture. We managed to get a great tip on a local food joint (from an old lady, no less!).
I still count it among my favourite food experiences...Especialidade de la Casa during lunch time, a completely crowded little shop that is absolutely hidden from the masses of tourists filling the streets of Barca! In fact, it doesn't even have a signboard outside. I ordered (well, my friend helped to order - ) a sandwich: Lomo, Serrano, y Pimientos, with some Morcilla and fruity rose wine to go with it. All less than SGD10, too.
Self-shot Fail.
Sometimes I wonder why all these european friends I've met seem to hold such interesting jobs and interests. I mean, archaeologist? Singer? Not to mention: DJ, Madagascar teacher, etc, etc... Singapore's career choices seem dismally woeful by comparison. I'm pretty certain a standard of living should be measured not just by economic well-being and freedom, but also socio-cultural freedom, personal freedom. Just by being here and talking to people, I feel like i'm slowly being weaned off on my ignorance of the wider range of choices out there, be it in work or personal aspects. It's a liberating feeling... and I feel happier just by this knowledge that I can live out my life in so many, different ways.
Well, to sum up the rest of my Barca trip...i went to the beach with a couple of female couchsurfers (pictures censored), caught Messi in action at Camp Nou, hanged out with leather-clad tough bikers at the Harley Days exhibition, then took the train to Reus to meet a very, very interesting host...
But that's another story, for another time :)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Travel, Portugal
One fantastic thing that travel does to you is to free you from your comfort circle and your old self. I feel most at ease speaking to strangers then, who of course no longer feel like strangers... since now the whole world is your home, and all its peoples your family. So it came to be that in Guimaries, the birthplace of Portugal, I got to meet Atty and Hieke from the Netherlands, who brought me licorice, Dutch pancakes and good company :)
We explored Guilmaries, a quaint medieval castle town, as well as nearby Braga. There we crashed a regal church wedding and listened to riveting, melodious choir music... till humorless guards chased us out. Crap. And then off we were to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal!
I find that it always makes things easier traveling when you have someone who speaks the local tongue. But we can't all travel with some hyperpolyglot! My favourite solution: just keep looking till you find that person :) In this case, Joao, a brazilian named after John Paul the Second, fell right into our lap. Speaking Portuguese fluently, he led us through the town and introduced us to some cultural tidbits: Brazil's history with Portugal, (in)famous kings and rulers, 5-years-old tuna, fava beans and famous salted codfish. We ventured to a meaningful district, Belem, where we tasted the Original Portuguese eggtarts (Pasteis de Belem), and refind the excitement of the Age of Discoveries, where luminaries like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama paved the way for the New World... the Americas.
Somewhere along the way, I realized that my knowledge of European and American history and famous figures was essential for me to understand, appreciate and enjoy the sights and scenes all this while. Now where did i pick this up from? Not from school, where I hated history lessons. No, i have historical games like Colonization and Civilization to thank for teaching me about everything from the discovery of the New World, the European Wars, even cotton-growing, to wonders like the Colossus, the Sistine Chapel. These were perhaps the most educational games I have ever played. Games that make history come alive.
Anyway. At night, we had a most memorable meal of Dutch pancakes with bacon and cheese, and my very own veggie soup dish :p
The next day, I was already off to Barcelona. Sunny weather, beautiful beaches and FC Barca, here I come!
We explored Guilmaries, a quaint medieval castle town, as well as nearby Braga. There we crashed a regal church wedding and listened to riveting, melodious choir music... till humorless guards chased us out. Crap. And then off we were to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal!
I find that it always makes things easier traveling when you have someone who speaks the local tongue. But we can't all travel with some hyperpolyglot! My favourite solution: just keep looking till you find that person :) In this case, Joao, a brazilian named after John Paul the Second, fell right into our lap. Speaking Portuguese fluently, he led us through the town and introduced us to some cultural tidbits: Brazil's history with Portugal, (in)famous kings and rulers, 5-years-old tuna, fava beans and famous salted codfish. We ventured to a meaningful district, Belem, where we tasted the Original Portuguese eggtarts (Pasteis de Belem), and refind the excitement of the Age of Discoveries, where luminaries like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama paved the way for the New World... the Americas.
Somewhere along the way, I realized that my knowledge of European and American history and famous figures was essential for me to understand, appreciate and enjoy the sights and scenes all this while. Now where did i pick this up from? Not from school, where I hated history lessons. No, i have historical games like Colonization and Civilization to thank for teaching me about everything from the discovery of the New World, the European Wars, even cotton-growing, to wonders like the Colossus, the Sistine Chapel. These were perhaps the most educational games I have ever played. Games that make history come alive.
Anyway. At night, we had a most memorable meal of Dutch pancakes with bacon and cheese, and my very own veggie soup dish :p
The next day, I was already off to Barcelona. Sunny weather, beautiful beaches and FC Barca, here I come!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Leader, Portugal
On the spur of the moment, I borrowed some money, packed my bags and flew off to Porto, Portugal, where I started on a two weeks long trip across Portugal and Spain, right smack in the middle of the semester.
I arrived at twilight, and met with Carlos, who ran a chain of gaming hardware shops in Porto. I felt his kindness and considerate hospitality in no small way, and we talked freely, randomly I might add haha. Carlos had just started to host, and had not actually ventured to travel afar often. Yet I sensed his budding wanderlust and interest for travel, and expect him to come by SG in the future!
To me, the most astonishing thing about Carlos is that he is completely close pals and buddies with his employees. In my last night, I was introduced to them over dinner (which they had nicely treated me, a most memorable traditional northern Portuguese food Francesinha!) Miguel, Favio, Daniel, all colorful characters that I will have a hard time forgetting! It was so much fun talking to them, and picking up tidbits about Portugal along the way. We even played Texas Holdem poker at night, where I got eaten like a newborn lamb :p
Regardless, I wish to take away this simple principle of his: there is no more effective leadership than that which bonds your people with you. I remember vividly my experience in chairing Hall FOC, where I worked hard to forge my own leadership style. I later identified it to be servant leadership, when I saw how it resounded deeply with Pat Williams’ book The Paradox of Power. Yet I still have a long way to go, to bond so closely that there is no difference between the leader and the follower; only you and I.
I also meditated on the past times when I was led, both good and bad. The last time was traumatic, perhaps one of the worst experiences in my life; yet it enabled me to personally feel the effects of bad leadership, and to strengthen my resolve never to fall in these footsteps. I admittedly committed the same mistakes before, and I may have regretted it then but now I swear to myself: Never again. Never to alienate, to put down, to injure.
We all learn, and forge our own identities. I recognized myself to act at times like a driver type too, forceful yet tactless, or an analytical worker, methodical yet unassertive. Now I aim to abandon all rigidness, and to adapt my style to the situation, the cards in my hand. There are no bad cards, only bad players. And though everyone might know this principle and be able to spout it freely at the tip of their tongue, few ever internalize this truth of life in the way they think and act, or realize the full significance of its meaning.
When we played poker that night, I survived till the very end, then lost with my hand of cards and all my chips.
Well.
Not bad, for a start.
I arrived at twilight, and met with Carlos, who ran a chain of gaming hardware shops in Porto. I felt his kindness and considerate hospitality in no small way, and we talked freely, randomly I might add haha. Carlos had just started to host, and had not actually ventured to travel afar often. Yet I sensed his budding wanderlust and interest for travel, and expect him to come by SG in the future!
To me, the most astonishing thing about Carlos is that he is completely close pals and buddies with his employees. In my last night, I was introduced to them over dinner (which they had nicely treated me, a most memorable traditional northern Portuguese food Francesinha!) Miguel, Favio, Daniel, all colorful characters that I will have a hard time forgetting! It was so much fun talking to them, and picking up tidbits about Portugal along the way. We even played Texas Holdem poker at night, where I got eaten like a newborn lamb :p
Regardless, I wish to take away this simple principle of his: there is no more effective leadership than that which bonds your people with you. I remember vividly my experience in chairing Hall FOC, where I worked hard to forge my own leadership style. I later identified it to be servant leadership, when I saw how it resounded deeply with Pat Williams’ book The Paradox of Power. Yet I still have a long way to go, to bond so closely that there is no difference between the leader and the follower; only you and I.
I also meditated on the past times when I was led, both good and bad. The last time was traumatic, perhaps one of the worst experiences in my life; yet it enabled me to personally feel the effects of bad leadership, and to strengthen my resolve never to fall in these footsteps. I admittedly committed the same mistakes before, and I may have regretted it then but now I swear to myself: Never again. Never to alienate, to put down, to injure.
We all learn, and forge our own identities. I recognized myself to act at times like a driver type too, forceful yet tactless, or an analytical worker, methodical yet unassertive. Now I aim to abandon all rigidness, and to adapt my style to the situation, the cards in my hand. There are no bad cards, only bad players. And though everyone might know this principle and be able to spout it freely at the tip of their tongue, few ever internalize this truth of life in the way they think and act, or realize the full significance of its meaning.
When we played poker that night, I survived till the very end, then lost with my hand of cards and all my chips.
Well.
Not bad, for a start.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Pause
It is a silent, silvery night in Dubai, where I await my flight back to Singapore after having arrived here from Munich.
These past six fleeting months have been the most fruitful, growth-inspiring period in my life. I have scarcely a moment where I am not tormented, excited, stimulated by events, environment and the people around me. I will hopefully pen down my learning thoughts over my travel journals in my next entries, but it is hard to contain the rush of ideas, the recall of memories and experiences so alive they seemed to have happened yesterday.
It feels strange now, to reflect on my past self, a distant person, a blurry image of haphazard purpose and characteristics. At this moment, I have never felt more defined, as a person, a living thing. They say travel is a journey of self-discovery and exploration. For avid travelers, it might not be the most magnificent of stunning views that stimulates the mind, but rather the simplest of thoughts. Thoughts that inspire, thoughts that are inspired.
I guess, this is the path that I took in my exchange. I ventured, I sought new experiences and inspiration across Europe, deeply engaged in introspection and conversation with people from various cultures, various spheres of society. In return, I sacrificed many things which I deeply regret. I lacked the time to fully know and understand my newfound friends from all over the world. I lacked the commitment to pursue various computer science classes, which had finally began to interest me. I lacked the focus to truly develop a particular skillset, be it coding, socializing or leadership.
But I have grown, in a deeply meaningful way. And I pray to retain this modicum of wisdom in the journey of life ahead.
These past six fleeting months have been the most fruitful, growth-inspiring period in my life. I have scarcely a moment where I am not tormented, excited, stimulated by events, environment and the people around me. I will hopefully pen down my learning thoughts over my travel journals in my next entries, but it is hard to contain the rush of ideas, the recall of memories and experiences so alive they seemed to have happened yesterday.
It feels strange now, to reflect on my past self, a distant person, a blurry image of haphazard purpose and characteristics. At this moment, I have never felt more defined, as a person, a living thing. They say travel is a journey of self-discovery and exploration. For avid travelers, it might not be the most magnificent of stunning views that stimulates the mind, but rather the simplest of thoughts. Thoughts that inspire, thoughts that are inspired.
I guess, this is the path that I took in my exchange. I ventured, I sought new experiences and inspiration across Europe, deeply engaged in introspection and conversation with people from various cultures, various spheres of society. In return, I sacrificed many things which I deeply regret. I lacked the time to fully know and understand my newfound friends from all over the world. I lacked the commitment to pursue various computer science classes, which had finally began to interest me. I lacked the focus to truly develop a particular skillset, be it coding, socializing or leadership.
But I have grown, in a deeply meaningful way. And I pray to retain this modicum of wisdom in the journey of life ahead.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Travel
Due to a strange twist of events, I am now crashing in Paul's room, stranded on a narrow, musky mattress :p It feels that time is fleeting by so fast here on exchange... 5 months in the blink of an eye, and a month left for exams and my last bout of travels. I just have to to write something about my thoughts and feelings before i forget them.
Why am I on exchange? Why do I travel? What do I seek? These have been constant questions plaguing my mind since the start. I don't know why, but despite my parents' lax upbringing style, i have grown to constantly enforce pressure on myself. To be conscious, judgmental of my thoughts, cognizent of my actions. Perhaps it was those Enid Blyton books i read during childhood days, and their traditional value system ringing throughout. Or RI's environment and high achieving culture.
Regardless, i am not satisfied with the typical answers: We travel to see the world, broaden our horizons, for the cultural experience, to understand and appreciate similarities and differences between people. Blah blah blah. To me, these are mere words with surface meaning, simply fashionable statements that should make anyone with sense go nodding in agreement. "Ah true." "Yes indeed."
What does it actually mean? How much truth does it actually hold? Among all the friends and travel mates that i have met here, i have seen more the desire to sightsee than the hunger for cultural knowledge. I have wandered for hours alone in Barcelona's museum of Catalunya history, but been almost trampled at London's daily change of guards. I have been 'wasting my time' joining locals at outings to their favourite, unknown places rather than fulfilling completist dream checklists of things to do, places to see.
What do they want, what do they seek?
Well, I am glad to couchsurf. To me, that is the loveliest point of traveling, to meet the locals and really get to feel the local culture. More specifically, i want to crash headlong into a little microcosm of life within that society, to get a glimpse at my host's life.
I saw how free some led their lives; my last host never worried about how to get rich, only how to live richly. She never worried about her future, only how she can help herself and others in the present. She never worried about how to make it big, only how to do something small with great love. She is one of many who have taught me about what life is like, what we can, ought, must, should, would, and most importantly, love to do.
She is one of many, and they are all inspiration in my life.
Why do I travel? What do I seek? Perhaps i will never stop asking these questions. I might never be satisfied with the answers i give myself. But i will always find consolation that i have seen more now. I have seen so much more, and understood a little better.
Thank you.
Why am I on exchange? Why do I travel? What do I seek? These have been constant questions plaguing my mind since the start. I don't know why, but despite my parents' lax upbringing style, i have grown to constantly enforce pressure on myself. To be conscious, judgmental of my thoughts, cognizent of my actions. Perhaps it was those Enid Blyton books i read during childhood days, and their traditional value system ringing throughout. Or RI's environment and high achieving culture.
Regardless, i am not satisfied with the typical answers: We travel to see the world, broaden our horizons, for the cultural experience, to understand and appreciate similarities and differences between people. Blah blah blah. To me, these are mere words with surface meaning, simply fashionable statements that should make anyone with sense go nodding in agreement. "Ah true." "Yes indeed."
What does it actually mean? How much truth does it actually hold? Among all the friends and travel mates that i have met here, i have seen more the desire to sightsee than the hunger for cultural knowledge. I have wandered for hours alone in Barcelona's museum of Catalunya history, but been almost trampled at London's daily change of guards. I have been 'wasting my time' joining locals at outings to their favourite, unknown places rather than fulfilling completist dream checklists of things to do, places to see.
What do they want, what do they seek?
Well, I am glad to couchsurf. To me, that is the loveliest point of traveling, to meet the locals and really get to feel the local culture. More specifically, i want to crash headlong into a little microcosm of life within that society, to get a glimpse at my host's life.
I saw how free some led their lives; my last host never worried about how to get rich, only how to live richly. She never worried about her future, only how she can help herself and others in the present. She never worried about how to make it big, only how to do something small with great love. She is one of many who have taught me about what life is like, what we can, ought, must, should, would, and most importantly, love to do.
She is one of many, and they are all inspiration in my life.
Why do I travel? What do I seek? Perhaps i will never stop asking these questions. I might never be satisfied with the answers i give myself. But i will always find consolation that i have seen more now. I have seen so much more, and understood a little better.
Thank you.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Inspired
I feel blessed to have the Englischer Garten in my backyard. And today i went for a jog, watched a herd of sheep graze, fed a goat freshly plucked leaves from a tall branch, and silently let the waterfall wash my morning sickness away.
My ode to nature and the world...
My ode to nature and the world...
When I roam freely in the forest,
I follow not the path of roadsigns,
but the whispers of a waterfall.
I stop not where the road ends
but where my heart feels at peace.
When I pause before a herd of sheep,
I admire not the pristine white pedigree
but the black sheep of the herd.
I worship not the shepherd;
Yet I love the sheep.
When I listen to the silent Earth,
I hear the universe roaring.
I join the multitude of voices
crying in both joy and sorrow.
And among people, I watch.
Till the happy day when one asks,
"Let us share about the world we know."
Monday, June 20, 2011
An Exhange Student Who Studies. (somewhat)
Technische Universität München, one of the finest institutions of technology and engineering in the world.
Sometimes I wonder, how much time do i actually spend studying here on exchange? Probably just five, six hours of classes per week, maybe throw in an hour or two for the sporadic tutorial...
Yet, how much exponentially more do i feel that i learn and experience much more than the typical lessons back in SG! Here, the independent style of teaching has been a huge challenge to me from the start, from catching up on presupposed knowledge that i do not have, to the take-it-beyond-the-classroom approach that leaves external readings and exercises up to the learner. Lectures and tutorials give you completely different sets of teachings and stimulation. And i guess you could say the level is pretty high, if a double deans lister feels like an idiot in every class :)
I am lucky, of course, to take some of the most interesting modules available in computer science now. Admittedly, there are also professors here who have found the cure for insomnia, course materials impossible to arouse any form of interest. My solution is to go for classes very, very discriminatingly :p
Anyhow, the modules i go for are pure fun and amazement, and i'm constantly thinking of ideas to incorporate them in my research project this coming year back in SG :) There's Machine Learning, that enables the evolution of computers based on data fed in. It is perhaps the most important discipline for things like Google, Facebook. Or Algorithmic Game Theory, a cutting-edge field where computing truly is empowered to solve complex human, real world problems. As well as Social Networking: User Modeling and Personalization, again a highly fascinating and useful area of knowledge that I'll be phasing into my research algorithm.
I once asked my mentor back in NTU...Why is computer science so boring? To which he replied, you just haven't gotten to the fun part yet. And it is fun. At the higher levels, i can see Math, Economics, Psychology, and perhaps any other field and discipline, being melded together to form useful tools, machines, by the forge of Computing.
Now that's what i call Technology.
Perhaps now, my friends back in SG are experiencing the same euphoria and excitement with these higher level subjects. If not, then i should point out this serious gap in teaching and curriculum standards to the school. It is a sin to let students graduate in Computer Science, or any other course for that matter, without the same sense of curiosity and excitement for the unknown that propelled them to enter this vast, unexplored world in the first place.
Sometimes I wonder, how much time do i actually spend studying here on exchange? Probably just five, six hours of classes per week, maybe throw in an hour or two for the sporadic tutorial...
Yet, how much exponentially more do i feel that i learn and experience much more than the typical lessons back in SG! Here, the independent style of teaching has been a huge challenge to me from the start, from catching up on presupposed knowledge that i do not have, to the take-it-beyond-the-classroom approach that leaves external readings and exercises up to the learner. Lectures and tutorials give you completely different sets of teachings and stimulation. And i guess you could say the level is pretty high, if a double deans lister feels like an idiot in every class :)
I am lucky, of course, to take some of the most interesting modules available in computer science now. Admittedly, there are also professors here who have found the cure for insomnia, course materials impossible to arouse any form of interest. My solution is to go for classes very, very discriminatingly :p
Anyhow, the modules i go for are pure fun and amazement, and i'm constantly thinking of ideas to incorporate them in my research project this coming year back in SG :) There's Machine Learning, that enables the evolution of computers based on data fed in. It is perhaps the most important discipline for things like Google, Facebook. Or Algorithmic Game Theory, a cutting-edge field where computing truly is empowered to solve complex human, real world problems. As well as Social Networking: User Modeling and Personalization, again a highly fascinating and useful area of knowledge that I'll be phasing into my research algorithm.
I once asked my mentor back in NTU...Why is computer science so boring? To which he replied, you just haven't gotten to the fun part yet. And it is fun. At the higher levels, i can see Math, Economics, Psychology, and perhaps any other field and discipline, being melded together to form useful tools, machines, by the forge of Computing.
Now that's what i call Technology.
Perhaps now, my friends back in SG are experiencing the same euphoria and excitement with these higher level subjects. If not, then i should point out this serious gap in teaching and curriculum standards to the school. It is a sin to let students graduate in Computer Science, or any other course for that matter, without the same sense of curiosity and excitement for the unknown that propelled them to enter this vast, unexplored world in the first place.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
UKulele in UK 3: Encounters with the Hairy Coo
Twenty-seventh May, 2001.
I stumbled out of the overnight bus, frazzled and bewildered, a tad tired from the long ride. Time to begin grabbing bus and train brochures, then to decide what to do here in Scotland. I had originally planned to go to the Isle of Skye, a far-off island off the northwest coast via one of the greatest railway journeys of the world. Still, I decided to wait till i first met my host here in Edinburgh to make further plans.
Walking out of the station, i stood awed by the sight of the city. Scotland proudly presented its crown jewel, Edinburgh, Athens of the North, to all who entered its wild lands. The architecture and layout, the way the streets ran up to the Royal Mile was, to me, the most beautiful and refined of my travels thus far. I walked up the streets full of Gothic, neo-classical feel; later I found out i was in the New Town, a rich, intricately planned district still built centuries ago. I reached the railway station, and in the distance, Edinburgh Castle loomed majestic atop a sheer cliff, reigning over the picturesque Princes Street Gardens.
What a city. What a city, really. I made a call to my host Andy to arrange a meetup time, then headed off into the Royal Mile. (An old man who curiously served in the British Army and was in Singapore before WW2 showed me the way. He promised to come visit Singapore again and witness its modern transformation.)
If there were ever an equivalent of les Champs-Élysées in the UK, this would be it. A fine, cobbled avenue, ageless yet modern, running down churches, restaurants, souvenir shops up to the Edinburgh Castle. Dozens of little streets, or closes, ran by its side, waiting for the adventurous to venture and explore. Each told a different story, as derived from its name; Fisherman's Close, for example, used to lead to a seafood market.
I hitched onto a free walking tour, and it took up through delightful tales as we wandered through the Mile. From the Eleventh step, to the national food and drink, right down to the reason the Nor Loch was drained to form the Princes Street Gardens (and why a hundred female corpses were found decaying inside!), we relished the deep, interesting history of the city.
I met up with Andy, and putting Edinburgh aside for the moment, we took off on a train headed for North Berwick,which used to be Andy's hometown. I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting a small seaside town :) We explored much of the place, trying out local foods and checking out the sights. Wish i had gotten onto Bass Rock, where seabird colonies lay breeding at this time of the year. I did climb up to a volcanic rock ridge though, where i spotted puffins nesting among crashing waves! But i couldn't get too close to them, since it would disrupt their breeding environment, so i left after a glimpse.
Along the way, Andy and i had a great time sharing cultural information, from politics to economics to lifestyles. I am still amazed that he is just 18, the same age as my younger brothers! Now if only they were as mature and knowledgeable...
Edinburgh remains one of my favourite cities, not least because it is just so easy to lose yourself in its winding alleys and dingy shops, where you always expect a lovely surprise, perhaps a rustic book shop or a hidden foodie heaven. Its old city quarter is so small I have probably ventured through it at least eight, nine times, each being a different, riveting experience. Edinburgh, on foot. A must.
I shall always remember, too, a most memorable trip through the Highlands of Scotlands, foraging through spiny forests, luminous Lochs or lakes, and medieval castles, all on a bus modelled like a cow. Introducing... the Hairy Coo, the most amazing FREE tour ever. Comes with highly knowledgeable, humorous and friendly guide. Lunch at a wee bit town with fantastic local food. What's the catch? Nah, there's no catch. Where did your faith in mankind go? (p.s. Remember, don't follow the herd!)
My cousin-in-law Chen recommends Edinburgh at New Year's Eve, where the fireworks blast majestically over the Castle. Andy and Jack propose August till September, when the world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival takes place, and the Royal Mile is transformed into a bustling street of arts and performances.
Well, just take it from me. Edinburgh is good January till March. Also July to September. Maybe October to Dec. Let's not forget April to June too.
Heck, come any time of the year. You will still fall head over hairy coo in love with it :)
I stumbled out of the overnight bus, frazzled and bewildered, a tad tired from the long ride. Time to begin grabbing bus and train brochures, then to decide what to do here in Scotland. I had originally planned to go to the Isle of Skye, a far-off island off the northwest coast via one of the greatest railway journeys of the world. Still, I decided to wait till i first met my host here in Edinburgh to make further plans.
Walking out of the station, i stood awed by the sight of the city. Scotland proudly presented its crown jewel, Edinburgh, Athens of the North, to all who entered its wild lands. The architecture and layout, the way the streets ran up to the Royal Mile was, to me, the most beautiful and refined of my travels thus far. I walked up the streets full of Gothic, neo-classical feel; later I found out i was in the New Town, a rich, intricately planned district still built centuries ago. I reached the railway station, and in the distance, Edinburgh Castle loomed majestic atop a sheer cliff, reigning over the picturesque Princes Street Gardens.
What a city. What a city, really. I made a call to my host Andy to arrange a meetup time, then headed off into the Royal Mile. (An old man who curiously served in the British Army and was in Singapore before WW2 showed me the way. He promised to come visit Singapore again and witness its modern transformation.)
If there were ever an equivalent of les Champs-Élysées in the UK, this would be it. A fine, cobbled avenue, ageless yet modern, running down churches, restaurants, souvenir shops up to the Edinburgh Castle. Dozens of little streets, or closes, ran by its side, waiting for the adventurous to venture and explore. Each told a different story, as derived from its name; Fisherman's Close, for example, used to lead to a seafood market.
I hitched onto a free walking tour, and it took up through delightful tales as we wandered through the Mile. From the Eleventh step, to the national food and drink, right down to the reason the Nor Loch was drained to form the Princes Street Gardens (and why a hundred female corpses were found decaying inside!), we relished the deep, interesting history of the city.
I met up with Andy, and putting Edinburgh aside for the moment, we took off on a train headed for North Berwick,which used to be Andy's hometown. I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting a small seaside town :) We explored much of the place, trying out local foods and checking out the sights. Wish i had gotten onto Bass Rock, where seabird colonies lay breeding at this time of the year. I did climb up to a volcanic rock ridge though, where i spotted puffins nesting among crashing waves! But i couldn't get too close to them, since it would disrupt their breeding environment, so i left after a glimpse.
Along the way, Andy and i had a great time sharing cultural information, from politics to economics to lifestyles. I am still amazed that he is just 18, the same age as my younger brothers! Now if only they were as mature and knowledgeable...
Edinburgh remains one of my favourite cities, not least because it is just so easy to lose yourself in its winding alleys and dingy shops, where you always expect a lovely surprise, perhaps a rustic book shop or a hidden foodie heaven. Its old city quarter is so small I have probably ventured through it at least eight, nine times, each being a different, riveting experience. Edinburgh, on foot. A must.
I shall always remember, too, a most memorable trip through the Highlands of Scotlands, foraging through spiny forests, luminous Lochs or lakes, and medieval castles, all on a bus modelled like a cow. Introducing... the Hairy Coo, the most amazing FREE tour ever. Comes with highly knowledgeable, humorous and friendly guide. Lunch at a wee bit town with fantastic local food. What's the catch? Nah, there's no catch. Where did your faith in mankind go? (p.s. Remember, don't follow the herd!)
My cousin-in-law Chen recommends Edinburgh at New Year's Eve, where the fireworks blast majestically over the Castle. Andy and Jack propose August till September, when the world-renowned Edinburgh International Festival takes place, and the Royal Mile is transformed into a bustling street of arts and performances.
Well, just take it from me. Edinburgh is good January till March. Also July to September. Maybe October to Dec. Let's not forget April to June too.
Heck, come any time of the year. You will still fall head over hairy coo in love with it :)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
UKulele in UK too: family bliss
Lichfield, a short, fun detour to enjoy quality family time with cousin Eileen, her husband Chen and my lovely nephew and niece Kieran and Caitlin :)
I still remember fondly the fun times i've had with my cousins during our childhood days. Playing real life-scale checkers with Janice, Diane etc, sleeping to softly playing classical music with Joshua, being showered in a rickety tin hut by Sis Ah Girl, and playing hide-and-seek in a black room with glow-in-the-dark stars with Jason, Ben and my brothers...
But i remember nothing with cousin Eileen. Non, nada, nein. Well, she is many, many years older than me!
I'm glad then, that we made new memories in UK, as we shared the tremendous ordeal of the day: babysitting little rascals Kieran and Caitlin :) I'm still pretty sure they were more well-behaved than i ever was though. Anyway, i hope they will remember these times when...
-the tent fell down on us.
-they got thrown high into the air when i jumped onto the trampolin.
-i trickled water from a watering can on them in the local pool.
-they watched (and i listened to) the 247th viewing of Toy Story.
-we learned the trades and lifestyles of 18th and 19th century English industry at Shugborough. (they probably only remembered the goats and cows)
Thanks to Eileen, Chen and their bundles of joy, i felt completely refreshed and at home, the first time since i left Singapore in Feb/March. Nothing comes closer than family, and i fully enjoyed every moment of their hospitality :) Also fulfilled my dream of going to a small English town with brick houses and countryside greenery!
Anyway. If you ever visit Lichfield, the must-sees are: the Lichfield Cathedral, Shugborough Working Estate, and two of the most adorable kids in the world.
I still remember fondly the fun times i've had with my cousins during our childhood days. Playing real life-scale checkers with Janice, Diane etc, sleeping to softly playing classical music with Joshua, being showered in a rickety tin hut by Sis Ah Girl, and playing hide-and-seek in a black room with glow-in-the-dark stars with Jason, Ben and my brothers...
But i remember nothing with cousin Eileen. Non, nada, nein. Well, she is many, many years older than me!
I'm glad then, that we made new memories in UK, as we shared the tremendous ordeal of the day: babysitting little rascals Kieran and Caitlin :) I'm still pretty sure they were more well-behaved than i ever was though. Anyway, i hope they will remember these times when...
-the tent fell down on us.
-they got thrown high into the air when i jumped onto the trampolin.
-i trickled water from a watering can on them in the local pool.
-they watched (and i listened to) the 247th viewing of Toy Story.
-we learned the trades and lifestyles of 18th and 19th century English industry at Shugborough. (they probably only remembered the goats and cows)
Thanks to Eileen, Chen and their bundles of joy, i felt completely refreshed and at home, the first time since i left Singapore in Feb/March. Nothing comes closer than family, and i fully enjoyed every moment of their hospitality :) Also fulfilled my dream of going to a small English town with brick houses and countryside greenery!
Anyway. If you ever visit Lichfield, the must-sees are: the Lichfield Cathedral, Shugborough Working Estate, and two of the most adorable kids in the world.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
UKulele in UK: I'm Londoning!
Wow... i'm finally back from ten days in UK! Still can't believe it, every moment still seems so fresh in my mind, from watching a musical about cross-dressers to babysitting my adorable nephew and niece down to being gored by a hairy Coo :p
I cannot begin to describe how much i have enjoyed traipsing across England and Scotland, all without a single plan in mind! I have been incredibly lucky and spoiled along the way, meeting great new friends and hosts, and having loads of new and fun experiences :)
It all began at Memmingen airport near Munich, when i had hours to spare before the flight. And what better way to while the time away than meeting new friends... so i turned around, introduced myself to Heidi and Archie, and had a fun time chatting away till we split in London! There, i orientated myself around, caught shuttles here and there to get to my host, Dan's place! He works till night as a bartender, so his housemate Dean settled me in. We shopped and cooked dinner, and i chatted with his other housemates, like Emre from Turkey and Mario from Columbia. Exchange of cultures!
The next day, i harried down for the free walking tour, and met the brother-sister-and-her-bf group, Dan, DL and LX from SG. I connected easily to them, and in the end spent the next two days attached to their itinerary :p Anyhow, the tour was a quick, interesting whirlwind adventure through the city, loads of stories on London's history and culture. Everywhere you turn, there is a monument, an artefact of culture. Still, it does get a little kitschy somehow, seemingly touristy at times.
Personally i loved the nation's commitment to the arts scene: keeping the best museums in London free is a fantastic idea, and we made the best of it by immersing ourselves for hours in myriad museums of art and history. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent in the Tate museum of modern art, especially the beautiful yet sobering exhibition, "Burke + Norfolk: Photographs From The War In Afghanistan", and emerged with some new perspectives towards truth and beauty. "Beauty is a useful tool," Norfolk surmised, as he masterfully crafted beautiful lorelei photos to entice the masses into the ugly truth within, like moths to a flame... Only then are we baptised by the blazing truth, of war, death and destruction.
Night after day, a memorable musical to wow. Personally, musicals felt way too arty-farty for my taste, and I thought i'd be getting over my head by going down for the new award-winning musical, "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert".
Yet it completely blew my mind.
Within the ludicrous premise of a group of crossdresser friends searching for a place they can call home, a ton of magic happened and vivid characters came to life and danced and sang to their hearts' joy. Ours, too, leapt countless times in thrill and amazement, sorrow and sympathy, love and heartfelt gladness towards the end. It was not a production; it was a dream, a lovely dream that we all woke up from feeling refreshed and alive, saying to each other, 'That was great, wasn't it?'
And it truly was.
Two days later, after going through various tourist hotspots, Harrods, Primark, Camden market, a model agency, and a goddamn missed train!%#$*... I left London for Lichfield town near Birmingham, bringing with me solid memories of London and the new friends and experiences i've made.
I cannot begin to describe how much i have enjoyed traipsing across England and Scotland, all without a single plan in mind! I have been incredibly lucky and spoiled along the way, meeting great new friends and hosts, and having loads of new and fun experiences :)
It all began at Memmingen airport near Munich, when i had hours to spare before the flight. And what better way to while the time away than meeting new friends... so i turned around, introduced myself to Heidi and Archie, and had a fun time chatting away till we split in London! There, i orientated myself around, caught shuttles here and there to get to my host, Dan's place! He works till night as a bartender, so his housemate Dean settled me in. We shopped and cooked dinner, and i chatted with his other housemates, like Emre from Turkey and Mario from Columbia. Exchange of cultures!
The next day, i harried down for the free walking tour, and met the brother-sister-and-her-bf group, Dan, DL and LX from SG. I connected easily to them, and in the end spent the next two days attached to their itinerary :p Anyhow, the tour was a quick, interesting whirlwind adventure through the city, loads of stories on London's history and culture. Everywhere you turn, there is a monument, an artefact of culture. Still, it does get a little kitschy somehow, seemingly touristy at times.
Personally i loved the nation's commitment to the arts scene: keeping the best museums in London free is a fantastic idea, and we made the best of it by immersing ourselves for hours in myriad museums of art and history. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent in the Tate museum of modern art, especially the beautiful yet sobering exhibition, "Burke + Norfolk: Photographs From The War In Afghanistan", and emerged with some new perspectives towards truth and beauty. "Beauty is a useful tool," Norfolk surmised, as he masterfully crafted beautiful lorelei photos to entice the masses into the ugly truth within, like moths to a flame... Only then are we baptised by the blazing truth, of war, death and destruction.
Night after day, a memorable musical to wow. Personally, musicals felt way too arty-farty for my taste, and I thought i'd be getting over my head by going down for the new award-winning musical, "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert".
Yet it completely blew my mind.
Within the ludicrous premise of a group of crossdresser friends searching for a place they can call home, a ton of magic happened and vivid characters came to life and danced and sang to their hearts' joy. Ours, too, leapt countless times in thrill and amazement, sorrow and sympathy, love and heartfelt gladness towards the end. It was not a production; it was a dream, a lovely dream that we all woke up from feeling refreshed and alive, saying to each other, 'That was great, wasn't it?'
And it truly was.
Two days later, after going through various tourist hotspots, Harrods, Primark, Camden market, a model agency, and a goddamn missed train!%#$*... I left London for Lichfield town near Birmingham, bringing with me solid memories of London and the new friends and experiences i've made.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Walpurgis Nacht
Woodstock happened here in 2011.
No, really. Here in Thingstaette, Heidelberg, a little castle town off to the west of Munich. On the last night of April that beckons on the eve of May Day, we celebrate the coming of Spring with dancing and bonfires. German tradition dictates, too, that on this night, witches congregate and eagerly await the arrival of Spring... Walpurgisnacht.
That night, we, like witches under the power of the pagan gods, came under the dark influence of ... alcohol. Tens and thousands gathered in Heidelberg, drawn by an unknown spell. We and the others scrambled our way in the dark, across the river Neckar, then slowly ambled our way up the mountain Heiligenberg. Up there, the allure of a great altar awaited, and thus the pagan followers climbed obediently, up wooded trails shrouded in blackness. Below us, the innocent city lay glittering like a starry galaxy.
The summit beckons..
Oh, how long the path winded! And how many stragglers fell by the wayside, how many unfaithful followers we saw retreating from above, succumbing to fatigue, to sleepiness. No, we would not fall to these corrupting forces! And we strove on, to hike up the uneven, rocky mountain road.
An hour later, our faith was rewarded. A million times over. For that were the number of fellow disciples that had gathered there in unison too, disciples of the magic of Walpurgisnacht. There they sprawled across the Thingstaette, a gargantuan coliseum that stretched across the mountain summit, surrounded by creepy, towering woods. It was surreal, it was crazy; yet how real it was! Fires burned and glowed like eyes in the dark, and the people brimmed and bristled like they were struggling to keep the energy within them. And i thought, it was the energy of the Universe.
The fires burned. The people sparkled.
And I felt, this was it. A million souls swirling in unity around these fires, and i was but one of them. The feeling was powerfully humbling, and yet infinitely redeeming. I felt liberated. From myself, from society. I felt a deep sense of acceptance. By whom? Well, i can only guess: the Universe. The God that surrounds us all. And it was such a life-changing experience to me.
I wandered around alone. And i spoke to ex-strangers, Germans mostly. Ex-, because i bonded with them in the short time we spoke, about German culture, about nuclear energy, about life. If that sounded a tad weird, you may consider that i was drunk. From a quirky girl, about how to turn your body like a barbecue spit in front of a bonfire, to keep warm. From a friendly guy, about how much Germans love and hate their country.
From everyone, how to be happy being ourselves. It's ok. It's really ok being me. You are loved for who you are. Because there is just so much love in this world, you are accepted without question, without judgment.
There is no God who does not love.
If we had a mic to speak to all these souls gathered here in unison, what would we say?
My message would be...
I'm pretty sure that rang close to Woodstock, didn't it.
I learnt tonight, that perhaps of all the things out there, i treasure basic, simple kindness the most. How should i put it? I now know that i aspire towards kindness. What a strange ambition that would be! "My dream is to be a kind person." Haha. To me, i feel some people (some very few people!) are naturally kindhearted souls. Not me. Yet all i can do is to travel, experience and learn. To talk to people and understand the cultures of the world. Because...the more i know about this world, the more i want to protect it.
...
Someday, i will come back here again.
And i will say to myself, this is where it all started.
My own Woodstock in the Spring of 2011, on top of a billowy mountain, surrounded by a shimmering nightsky, darkened woods and a million beautiful, beautiful souls...
No, really. Here in Thingstaette, Heidelberg, a little castle town off to the west of Munich. On the last night of April that beckons on the eve of May Day, we celebrate the coming of Spring with dancing and bonfires. German tradition dictates, too, that on this night, witches congregate and eagerly await the arrival of Spring... Walpurgisnacht.
That night, we, like witches under the power of the pagan gods, came under the dark influence of ... alcohol. Tens and thousands gathered in Heidelberg, drawn by an unknown spell. We and the others scrambled our way in the dark, across the river Neckar, then slowly ambled our way up the mountain Heiligenberg. Up there, the allure of a great altar awaited, and thus the pagan followers climbed obediently, up wooded trails shrouded in blackness. Below us, the innocent city lay glittering like a starry galaxy.
The summit beckons..
Oh, how long the path winded! And how many stragglers fell by the wayside, how many unfaithful followers we saw retreating from above, succumbing to fatigue, to sleepiness. No, we would not fall to these corrupting forces! And we strove on, to hike up the uneven, rocky mountain road.
An hour later, our faith was rewarded. A million times over. For that were the number of fellow disciples that had gathered there in unison too, disciples of the magic of Walpurgisnacht. There they sprawled across the Thingstaette, a gargantuan coliseum that stretched across the mountain summit, surrounded by creepy, towering woods. It was surreal, it was crazy; yet how real it was! Fires burned and glowed like eyes in the dark, and the people brimmed and bristled like they were struggling to keep the energy within them. And i thought, it was the energy of the Universe.
The fires burned. The people sparkled.
And I felt, this was it. A million souls swirling in unity around these fires, and i was but one of them. The feeling was powerfully humbling, and yet infinitely redeeming. I felt liberated. From myself, from society. I felt a deep sense of acceptance. By whom? Well, i can only guess: the Universe. The God that surrounds us all. And it was such a life-changing experience to me.
I wandered around alone. And i spoke to ex-strangers, Germans mostly. Ex-, because i bonded with them in the short time we spoke, about German culture, about nuclear energy, about life. If that sounded a tad weird, you may consider that i was drunk. From a quirky girl, about how to turn your body like a barbecue spit in front of a bonfire, to keep warm. From a friendly guy, about how much Germans love and hate their country.
From everyone, how to be happy being ourselves. It's ok. It's really ok being me. You are loved for who you are. Because there is just so much love in this world, you are accepted without question, without judgment.
There is no God who does not love.
If we had a mic to speak to all these souls gathered here in unison, what would we say?
My message would be...
Understand each other. Understand that we are all the same, that we are all part of this great, beautiful world. Greater than all our petty differences, greater than intelligence and wisdom, art and history. Greater than success and the achievement of kings, greater than the ego and pride of individuals and society. Greater than all religions, of this "God" or that "God". We just have ourselves, and the world. So let's take care of each other, ok?
I'm pretty sure that rang close to Woodstock, didn't it.
I learnt tonight, that perhaps of all the things out there, i treasure basic, simple kindness the most. How should i put it? I now know that i aspire towards kindness. What a strange ambition that would be! "My dream is to be a kind person." Haha. To me, i feel some people (some very few people!) are naturally kindhearted souls. Not me. Yet all i can do is to travel, experience and learn. To talk to people and understand the cultures of the world. Because...the more i know about this world, the more i want to protect it.
...
Someday, i will come back here again.
And i will say to myself, this is where it all started.
My own Woodstock in the Spring of 2011, on top of a billowy mountain, surrounded by a shimmering nightsky, darkened woods and a million beautiful, beautiful souls...
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