Written while Drunk on Thoughts

16 Sept 2013

One Year

Today (down to the very minute, give or take a 10 minutes) marks the one year anniversary of me setting foot in this country once again. The goal is to earn a Master's degree, mend a broken heart and if possible, travel as much as I can and of course, try my hardest in getting a job. Everything else seems secondary.

I still remember the feeling when I got off the plane. I was too tired to feel. I waited for hours for the university transfer to bring me into the city. The first person I met is an American transfer student doing his third year. I got to the university and a really helpful student ambassador (do they call them that?) helped me drag my huge & heavy luggage to my accommodation across the road. You wouldn't believe how grateful I was, I gave her a huge hug and check into my new room for the year. 

Nothing sink in, absolutely nothing, even when another nice younger girl helped me with my luggage to the room and said "welcome, this will be your home for the next year." In my head, I knew I had a list of errands to run before shops closes. I managed to get everything done (including meeting my neighbours for the year) before the sky gets dark and finally had a breather. I sat down in front of my computer and stare out the window. Slowly, it seep in. All the thoughts and all the joy, it sank in bit by bit. I didn't miss home. I am so eager to get back to this wonderful city that nothing hold me back. I was excited to make a home out of the standard student room. 

However, one thing did creep me out. I had not been studying for the past 2 years and my brain behave differently. I freaked out but did take things slowly, one thing at a time. But at the same time, I am excited to explore this wonderful beloved city of my once again. With what had happened in the past 2 years, moving to a new city injected some fresh perspective and views. But of course, you can never run away from your problem.

Then I get to meet new people, face new-never-encountered-before problems, try new food. By writing this post, it makes me re-think what I've been through this year.

Ipek 
She is my very first friend in university. As usual, I was the first one to poke my nose while she is minding her own business. I still remember the day very clearly. Its on a friday afternoon, we were both waiting to meet our Head of School to give us speech. We started talking and the rest is history. She introduced me to Turkish food and Turkish culture, a culture that had previously been so alien and far to me. I've learnt to say "Thank you" in Turkish and will be visiting Turkey in the near future. Its been more than a month since she left and I miss her very much.

Gavin
My ever so kind flatmate. I met him on the very first day when we both move into the flat. He has all kinds of kitchen utensils, while me, I settled on a knife, ONE plate, ONE mug, ONE bowl, ONE fork, ONE spoon, ONE cutting knife. You get the idea, basically ONE of everything. So, Gavin is always the victim when I decided to steal someoneelse's kitchenware. He is also quite a listener. We chat and talk nonsense, bonding over The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family. Though its not until I almost finish my exam that I started going on drinking sessions, or else I might not have pass my exam at all. Now that we've moved out of the flat, I am lucky to have know Gavin, the gentle, kind aggressive-violent-plastic bag-throwing flatmate.

Fon
She is the last one to "check-in" to our flat, when another flatmate of mine told me there is a girl moving into the same flat, I was delighted and even excited to find out she is from Thailand (because its closer to home). Our interaction had always been polite and diplomatic. I would classify her as "Hi-Bye" friends. She's always just the girl down the hall and nothing more... Not until when she decided to tag along for my jogging session (How Pretty Girl and me get to be so close). I appreciate the kindness, sincerity and warmth she brought me. Most importantly, she opened up new opportunities for me. I would never ever dine in Ladurée if not for her. 

D
It all started with Pretty Girl agreeing to go jogging with me, one thing lead to another, I get to know D via Gavin. He changed my perspective in life, about having a good time does not necessarily involve shopping and paying obsence amount of money for dinner. He taught me life could be simple yet fulfilling and the occasional bad French. 

Human are greedy, we constantly want more. Even though we have more than we expected, we are never content and satisfied and is constantly chasing for more. This is why I have to kept reminding myself that even if the future that I wanted does not work out, I have gained more than I've previously planned. I have more than what I had in mind a year ago. I am really glad that more than one year ago, I decided to embark on this journey, this amazing and fulfilling journey that brought new, fresh perspective in my life. 

One year ago, happiness is my goal, temporary happiness is when that handbag I've always wanted arrived in the post, happiness seems almost impossible. Happiness is now a feeling, a way of life. 

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