.::. Amazed .::.

I think I've gotten used to life here. It's either that, or this semester's modules are 'softer' and not as demanding. It helps when you know that you'll be going home in 3 weeks!

I've gotten used of the cold. I've gotten used to the dark skies at 3pm. I've gotten used to rainy days and gloomy skies. Amazing, but true. These things don't bother me much these days, but that definitely doesn't mean that I like these. Days when there are sunlight and blue skies (for a few hours in the late mornings), we usually try to go out for walks.

The learning experience here is...intense. Times when you do not expect to learn or realize new things, it hits you hard. I guess I've been meeting quite a few different people lately, listening to many life stories, feeling their thoughts. It's like looking at the world through their eyes - better than photography.

As much as I love listening to others' life stories, I love sharing about Singapore, especially to those who are fascinated by this small little country which does not exist geographically (a Chinese guy told me that and I was pissed). It's through talking about Singapore that I realized that I'm really a true-blue Singaporean. I'm amazed that I actually remember our history and know all the answers to peoples' questions. It gives me a chance to reflect on how precious or fragile we are. Most people are interested in 'Singlish' and I usually do my little show, "what you doing? Really ar? dunno lei.." and you can literally see amazement on their faces. They simply don't understand me.

I miss speaking Singlish and I'm proud to say that I can speak Chinese fluently and switch between 'Singlish' and English effortlessly. It feels really good to be able to communicate in languages confidently and I think it takes a long time to be able to internalize languages and use it right. Earlier on, Lee Kwan Yew admitted that he was wrong in the billingual education policy and that it 'was not possible' to learn two languages well at the same time. I beg to differ. I learnt both languages rather well and I realized how precious it is now.

I think it's ridiculous to complain about how difficult Chinese is as a language or how pointless it is. These are just excuses that people give when they do not put in enough effort or put it as their priority. I've met many Europeans here who could speak easily three to four languages fluently. Chinese as a languge is so important now that China is up-and-coming. It really makes a hell lot of difference when you are able to speak Chinese to fellow asians here. I am acutely aware of the cultural differences between Asians and 'white people'. Sadly, many of them still have the mind set that Asians are less competent or that they are superior. There were times that I wished I spoke English with an American or British accent, people probably think alot more about you. Languge skills ain't the problem, it's just the impression people have of you.

It's apparent that many are wary of the rise of China. I secretly hope that one day, they will be the one who feels insecure and wished they spoke Mandarin, or know how it feels like to feel 'inadequate'.

Well, as a Singaporean I jolly well know that I should not generalize or discriminate. It's just that cultural differences are acutely felt here and certain mindsets are deeply entrenched, whether or not people are willing to admit it.

I still believe that it's not where you came from that matters, it's who you are as a person.

I'm amazed by my own thoughts and 'transformation' after spending barely four months here. Something within me has changed, and I would like to believe that I've became stronger and more sure of what I want from life. My greatest fear is to be sucked into the daily routines of climbing the corporate ladder, so much so that I lose sight of the bigger picture. I've enlarged my vision here, but I might easily narrow that vision once I get back.

I hope that I remember all the thoughts I've had here, remember all that I've felt and learnt here. There are people who are proud of skipping classes and not paying attention in class, but I'm this nerd who haven't missed any classes since I'm here and mostly pay attention and suck whatever I could. Sometimes, it's the attitude that makes you a better person. I almost regret those times when I did not try hard enough in the things I do. Almost.

There's something to be learnt from everything. Wisdom and knowledge needs to be cultivated and internalized.

Contentment comes from being able to appreciate life and what it has to offer. There's really nothing much I yearn for now, except to go back to the place I call home.

Mental note: improve Chinese, improve English and hone my Japanese.

.::.北方之旅.::.

这次的北方之旅，实在让我非常的震撼。大自然竟然能如此的壮观。那迷人的景色真的让我感动得好想落泪。可能真的没想到我这一辈子会有机会去到那么美丽的地方，或者它真的美得我难以置信。也有可能这是梦想实现的眼泪。

船上真的很冷，但我还是在室外站了很久，看这两周越过的冰山。实在太美了。

我们看到了极光，虽然不是在它最漂亮的时候。这大自然的景象实在太奇妙了。天空好黑，星星有上万个。我还看到了我生平的第二个流星！我许下了愿望，希望能实现。第一个流星许下的愿望真的有实现。

我们还跟团去了北角。坐巴士上北角的路途上，那景色也非常迷人。有被雪盖的山，还有半结冰，半有河流的湖，真的是无边无际的美景。就仿佛我们在云海中漂着。


第一次看到的雪景真的让我十分兴奋！第一次看到那么多雪。看这树枝上都盖满了雪，湖也都结冰，那一目真的无法形容。我们在机场外，照了些照片，也打了些雪战。那时的我，真的很快乐。我想那一幕是我这一辈子都不会忘记，也不想忘记的
吧。

挪威真的太漂亮了。怎么都没有听到有人要去那里旅行?！ 我看到了其他挪威的照片，真的让我好想在去呀！那美丽的景色深深地在我脑海里留下了烙印，让我难以忘怀。有机会一定要在去一次！

谢谢两位陪我创造了我生命中这段难忘的旅程。

.::. Kirkenes .::.

Beautiful little town covered in snow.

Really pretty.

Super excited at my first sight of snow.

.::. NordKapp .::.



The 40minute bus ride to the North Cape was breathtaking.

I've been to the Northest most part of Europe, probably the northerst part of the Earth I'll ever set my foot on.

.::. Enroute .::.

On the ship, cruising by snow-capped mountains.

.::. Northern Lights .::.

We weren't that lucky, only managed to catch it on the first night. It was beautiful all the same. The power of nature is amazing.

.::. Tromsø .::.



Approaching Tromsø.

Outside the airport.

View of the harbour from the restaurant.

The bridge.

.::. Oslo .::.



Signs of a city - high-rise buildings and expressways.

The romantic road lined with botak trees.

Lots of 'feel'.

Pretty skyline.

.::. MILO .::.

I commented about Haoting's status about Milo (she cooked green beans with Milo) some time back and she actually sent me MILO all the way from Singapore because I said I missed it. *aww. Very very touched.



The package.

One packet of MILO!! I really miss MILO, it's something I drink practically everyday back home. They don't have many brands we are used to (i.e. not many U.S. brands, mostly their 'home' brands from Scandinavia) here. Even Lays is rare here! The famous chocolate drink here is O'boy, but it's very dilute and I don't quite like it. It's not too bad if you add milk to increase the thickness, but I still miss prefer MILO.

I'm packing for the Oslo weekend getaway. I hope I don't freeze and hope with all my heart that we can see the Northen lights. *cross fingers.

P/S: I really don't have much winter wear and my roommate is borrowing me here coat. *thankful.

.::. Coursemates .::.

At our union house today.

Every faculty has their own union house, equipped with TV, sofa, tables, kitchen and all for students. It's where we heat up our lunches and drink tea or hang out.



For some reason, there was a 'celebration' and they made Glögg. It's a traditional Swedish drink, alcohol that is drank heated up together with rasins and almond. There are also non-alcohol versions.

And yea...'cooking' alcohol in the school's kitchen in between classes - something which will probably never happen in Singapore.

This is the cup of deadly Glögg. I couldn't stomach it, just drank a mouthful, and I felt it. =_="

Alla from Estonia love it.

The lovely coursemates.

.::. Seminar Aftermath .::.

I've finished reading the whole 500 pages of the textbook for CSR and have concluded our group seminar today. I'm not that great with group work and I'm not a natural public speaker. Alot of the times, I'd just rather blend into the background as an observer. I do get nervous but I've got to say that preparation makes alot of difference. I'm thankful that our seminar went well and I didn't screw up. It helps that our group is rather tight. =)

So yea, I'm trying to convince myself to be more confident and brave.



It's a relief to conclude the seminar really. I'm not that worried about the written report.

I rushed home to cook today. My roommate invited 3 of her friends who also live in Malmo over for an Asian dinner. I'm not sure if it's really that Asian though. I cooked krapow, curry chicken and sauteed mushrooms. My roommate cooked ginseng chicken soup and red bean soup for dessert. Sauteed mushrooms is my new dish and I love it!

I love having dinners and long chats. The conversation gets interesting when people of different cultures come together. You really do get to learn things and see things differently. It has been a great night.

CSR has been an interesting subject and the seminars in which we students host about different topics involves alot of group work. It sometimes gets crazy when the class is 60 people big.

I enjoy this term alot more. It helps that these subjects are alot 'softer' and more interesting than accounting regulations. And it's great that I get to know more people and work with different people.

Although getting to know more friends wasn't exactly on the top of my list when I came here, it is certainly a bonus. You really get to learn when you open up your heart and learn how to work with different people. I shall be more open and get to know more people!

New Moon is going to be screened here!

It's winter...I got myself a thick wool scarf and hat from H&M at a really good price. I realize that people wear hats for a reason, it really do keep you warm, so do scarfs. It might sound stupid, but I have never thought of things like boots, scarfs and hats to be so functional (to keep people warm) since we wear it most of the time just to 'look good'.

November has been busy, but great.

.::. 我的另外一半 .::.



我的心。。。在新加坡。

终于明白‘另外一半’的意识。

自己就真的只剩一半，另外一半在他那儿。他可能也一样吧。思念真的不好受。

One of my all-time favourites.

Anyone who knows him knows how difficult it is to get him excited or to take that 'straight' expression from his face, making pictures like that is really precious.

一起加油吧！加油,加油,加油!

.::. H1N1 .::.

We're all included in the Swedish insurance and could take H1N1 injections for free. Went with my roommate to take the vaccination sometime last week. It was at the more rural area in Malmo and we took quite some time to find it!




It was a building with a big sign in front. But it was so dark around that area, or most areas here anyway.

It was really quick. You just go in, fill up a form, they'll check your identity and explain about some side effects and stuff before the jab you. It took barely 5 minutes, then you had to sit there for 10 minutes, in case there are any side effects.

I didn't take the jab though. I avoid medication as much as possible and I heard about the controversy surrounding the jab, like how it was not tested thoroughly. During dinner tonight, Emma who studies biology was saying that there's alot of mercury in this vaccine and there wasn't enough time to really test it, so nobody really knows if there will be any long-term side effects.

Sometimes medicine really scares me, you don't really know what's in it. Mercury is something so toxic yet it is added into many vaccines to make it more effective. Seriously, what the hell is in medicines and I wonder if they are really really sure about the effects on our bodies.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Choo for H&M just hit the stores and ads are everywhere. I love it.

I had a great Friday night and Saturday night. Need to mug really hard to finish my textbook and to prepare for my seminar tomorrow.

.::. Learning .::.

I felt like I've learnt so much since I've been here though it's barely 3 months. It's so difficult to pinpoint exactly what, but I reckon my vision is alot wider.

I'm taking electives this term, Corporate Social Responsibility which is alot about business ethics and Management Consulting. CSR has brought many issues in our everyday life, problems about the environment, consumerism, economy and the sort while MC is something I thought that I might be interested in since it sounds cool.

Perhaps the most important thing I learnt after the first few lessons of Management Consulting and listening to real consultants from big consultancy firms is that - I do not want to be a consultant. It's such a political industry, high stress, high uncertainty, high work load, cruel and ruthless. I think I'll totally hate myself. Then I hear about so many issues such as strategies implemented which requires laying off alot of staff. Despite knowing that it's a reality of the economy and business, it doesn't make it easier to accept and I don't think I could live with myself.

CSR has made me aware of many issues, issues which I think are impossible to resolve or find a solution to. Would you really pay more for 'ethical' products? Are 'ethical products really 'ethical' or beneficial for the environment?

These 2 electives have the luxury of many vocal classmates who engage in all sorts of debates in class all the time. Listening to these different opinions on a wide range of issues makes me think alot. It makes me feel very small and ignorant in a way, because as a Singaporean or an Asian, we seriously do not take such matters into heart or really bother having opinions about it.

Coming here has made me realize how precious Singapore's prosperity is today. It made me realize that it wasn't such an easy thing to come thus far. It made me cherish the fact that we managed to develop and gain such international recognition without being suceptible to too much manipulation today. If we were dependent on international loans and funds, the picture would have been totally different. It's amazing that despite being this small, without any natural resources, we managed to grow this strong. However, we all know that we have to work extra hard to maintain these success.

There were times when we dreaded being this competitive. It is ingrained in us that we have to study really hard, go to top schools and get good results to survive and to be 'successful' in future. Gap years are non-existent and we might well be the country with the youngest graduates who step into society and start climbing the corporate ladder, spend most of our waking hours slogging hard.

It has become such a norm and we're so into this whole process that it seems like we're enclosed in our own world, striving for 'success'. Everything we do has to add value in our career, then there's the mad rush to get the car, the apartment...

Despite these, I'm very much nationalistic. I'm offended by racial discrimination and the way how people perceive Asians here. It might be their actions or what they say, but it can be felt. The most remarkable incident was when a China guy who told me that 'Geographically, Singapore does not exist'. Instantaneously, I feel smoke coming out from my ears. I was like, you've got to be blind not to see Singapore on the map though it's small. 5 million people live here, what you mean geographically it doesn't exist? Then he was there struggling, 'Geographi...geographically...' And I repeated myself, you've got to be blind.

Europeans are a much more relaxed lot. They value their free time and have lots of it. They spend 35 hours at work every week (that's probably half of our normal work week), come home to spend time with kids and spend weekends in the nature. They put alot of attention in supporting certain 'causes' and issues too.

Coming here made me rethink about knowledge and education. There are times that I feel that I'm so ignorant and that there are many things I don't really think of. Do I really have an opinion or stand on things? Do I really know what is going on around the world?

One thing I do know I am good at is studying and scoring for exam, and I'm not proud of it. I know that if I studied, I'll do well. But I'm clueless when it comes to doing reports and the scope is too wide. Answering a question or writing critically is fine, but I find it hard to frame my writing or approach a very broad report. I think I lack the confidence to speak up too. Somehow, I'm nervous when I speak, especially with people who speaks with those accents which makes me feel like my English is lousy. It doesn't help when you can sense people fidgiting and exchanging glances whenever someone with 'not-so-good' English speak and I wonder if it happens when I talk too.

Maybe it's an asian thing. When we learn, we usually accept and take the knowledge as it is given without really questioning it. We are not used to criticising things we are taught though we might be aware of the different approaches. Perhaps we are afraid of being wrong or 'sticking out' in our opinions since we're such a collectivist society.

All I can say is that it has been an eye opener. You don't know that there are things that you do not know till you learn those things. The learning style here is rather different and people are so much more proactive and takes alot of initiative. I might never be like that, but I've learnt alot anyway.

Everything triggers a reflection in me nowadays. Perhaps that is why new environments give you opportunities to learn yet feels so difficult to adapt to. Actually what I've learnt most about is probably myself, my strengths and weaknesses, what is important to me and what I want out of my life. I'm beginning to think that I'll never be happy if I pursue a corporate career, especially in accounting or finance. *sigh.

It has been a long week. There's so much reading to do and we're supposed to be well-versed in the whole textbook and several articles by next Wednesday, barely 2 weeks since classes started. That's probably 600 pages of information to digest in 2 weeks.

I shall take a rest tonight and work harder. =)

On a lighter note, I really liked this 'case study' in my textbook:

Nike gets stitched up

NIKE: Your Nike ID order was cancelled for one or the more of the following reasons:
(1) Your personal ID contains another party's trademark or other intellectual property
(2) Your personal ID contains the name of an athlete or team we do not have the legal right to use
(3) Your personal ID was left blank. Did you not want any personalization?
(4) Your personal ID contains profanity or inappropriate slang, and besides, your mother would slap us.

Pertti: Greetings, my order was cancelled but my personal NIKE iD does not violate any of the criteria outlined in your message. The personal iD on my custom ZOOM XC USA running shoes was the word 'sweatshop'. Sweatshop is not: (1) another party's trademark, (2) the name of an athlete, (3) blank or (4) profanity. I choose the iD because I wanted to remember the toil and labour of the children that made my shoes. Could you please ship them to me immediately. Thanks and Happy New Year.

NIKE: Your iD order was cancelled because the iD you have chosen contains, as stated in the previous e-mail correspondence, 'inappropriate slang'.

Pertti: Thank you for your quick response to my inquiry about my custom ZOOM XC USA running shoes. Although I commend you for your prompt customer service, I disagree with the claim that my personal iD was inappropriate slang. After consulting Webster's Dictionary, I discovered that 'sweatshop' is in fact part of standard English, and not slang. The word means: 'a shop or factory in which workers are employed for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions.' and its origin dates from 1892. So my personal iD does not meet the criteria detailed in your first email.

Your web site advertises that the NIKE iD program is 'about freedom to choose and freedom to express who you are.' I share Nike's love of freedom and personal expression. The site also says that 'If you want it done right...build it yourself.' I was thrilled to be able to build my own shoes, and my personal iD was offered as a small token of appreciation for the sweatshop workers poised to help me realize my vision. I hope that you will value my freedom of expression and reconsider your decision to reject my order.

NIKE: Regarding the rules for personalization, it also states on the NIKE iD web site that 'Nike reserves the right to cancel any Personal iD up to 24 hours after it has been submitted.'

In addition, it further explains: 'While we honour most personal iDs, we cannot honour every one. Some may be (or contain) others' trademarks, or the names of certain professional sports teams, athletes or celebraties that Nike does not have the right to use. Others may contain material that we consider inappropriate or simply do not want to place on our products. Unfortunately, at times this obliges us to decline your personal iDs that may otherwise seem unobjectionable. In any event, we will let you know if we decline your personal iD, and we will offer you the chance to submit another.' With these rules in mind we cannot accept your order as submitted.

Peretti: Thank you for your time and energy you have spent on my request. I have decided to order the shoes with a different iD, but I would like to make one small request. Could you please send me a colour snapshot of the ten-year-old Vietnamnese girl who makes my shoes? Thanks, Jonah Peretti.

Jonah Peretti is a student from MIT, Boston.
'this will go round the world much futher and faster than any of the adverts they paid Michael Jordan more than the entire wage packet of all their sweatshop workers in the world to do.'

.::. My Love .::.



Super cute boy.

.::. Food .::.

Joined my roommate and her course mates for lunch nearby on Sunday at a Thai restaurant.



I went out in a rush, without even combing my hair. Changed and chiong out.

Rice served in a star-shape with tomyum soup!

Pad thai which doesn't taste like pad thai at all.

The food sucked.

Seriously, I have not really tried food which I really liked here. Pizzas and kebab are so-so, that Indian food was saltish and bad, this thai food is sweet and just simply bad.

Any hawker food tastes better back home. Nothing here really makes me go like 'wow'. There's not much of a food culture here like Asia does. Bleah. I'd rather cook myself though I'm getting lazy.



If my roommate ain't eating with me, I usually just stir-fry some minced pork with carrots, mushroom and broccoli or red peppers and eat it with noodles or rice. It's easy to packet to school too. I fell in love with red peppers here!

I'm so going home to stuff myself with food and load a luggage full of food back here.

I'm so deprived.

.::. Blue Saturday .::.

My roommate didn't come back on Friday night and I went marketing in the morning by myself. We've pretty much emptied the fridge and run out of rice. I managed to get 5kg of rice, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, apples, bananas, red peppers, and eggs. Gave me muscle aches.

But then, it was one of those rare days which we get sun and blue skies.



And days like that, you just HAVE to get out and have a walk. I can't remember when was the last time I saw blue skies seriously.

I took a very slow stroll to the beach and it's still as beautiful.

Spot me!

There are so many swans floating around in the sea. Pretty.

I spent the rest of my weekend reading 4 chapters out of 12 in my textbook. Need to prepare for presentation on 17th and exam on 27th. Hopefully I can finish all 12 chapters by next weekend since I'm going on a short getaway during the short 'break'.

It's the 9th of November already. Time passes rather quickly, doesn't it?

I can't wait for December to come.

.::. Taco pie & Movie Night .::.

Another wonderful Friday night. Went to Tobias's for movie and Taco Pie.



He has a nice pad! Bigger, nicer and cheaper than our apartment! Ahhh...Then he has those electric guitars, keyboards and sound systems with the computer linked to the TV.

He was the one who made dinner for us and did the base of the pie from scratch! It's Swedish-style Taco Pie.

The finished product, with salad (without dressing).

We watched 'Family Guy' as we ate dinner. I'm still pertubed as to why would people make such cartoons or enjoy watching such cartoons! It's somewhat like 'South Park' or 'Simpsons' - adult cartoons. I've never fancied cartoons but this was funny, in a crude way.

Then we had desserts. Emma's French Apple Pie and Tobias's chocolate pudding.

Movie of that night was District 9. I've totally lost touch with the movie scene and what's new. Ahh, I actually miss those dinner-movie nights out back home. I had no idea what movie District 9 was, but it was simply not my type of movie, somewhat gross too. Bleah.

Still, it's another great Friday evening. =)