.::. I love Snow! .::.

I spent the whole day working on my damned take-home exam. This has got to be the most 'disgusting' exam ever! The questions were so open, e.g. What do you think is the future of management consulting? Then there's the no upper word limit and it is encouraged that we look for other sources or articles outside the course materials. *sigh. I shall leave that rant for another day.



It was snowing outside while I worked on my home exam. You've no idea how much I longed to go out for a stroll. The snow totally melted once it hit the ground though it snowed throughout the afternoon.

Then, at almost midnight, my roommate suddenly exclaimed how 'white' it was outside. I was in shock! There was totally no snow when I went to the supermarket in the evening - I had a headache after working on the essay for the whole day and sneaked out to get a coke. Somehow, a coke perks me up when I'm tired. It's as if the gas fills me up if you get what I mean.

*tadah! Upon looking out of the kitchen window, I was roaring to head out! There was so much snow and it was beautiful.

The snow was like 5cm? Ther was really quite abit of snow, totally unexpected since everyone here tells me that it's quite impossible to have snow-covered ground in this part of Sweden.



It was still snowing quite heavily when we came in. Our neighbourhood is instantly transformed, I almost can't believe my eyes. I wonder if the ground will still be covered in snow when I wake up tomorrow morning.

I'm still extremely excited when I see snow. Ridiculously so, seriously. I just can't help grining and feeling really happy. Swedish people must think that I'm crazy.

I'm happy. Very happy.

I'm going up north with Anny to visit her Taiwanese friend up north tomorrow. It's a 15-hour train ride and there should be more snow over there! We might be able to see the northern lights or go skiiing too. I'm excited!

And after the short trip, I'll be heading home! I've packed my luggage, filled with my books and notes for the past 4 months. I'm looking forward to home! I miss sunny singapore. I miss the boy, the dog, the girls and my home.

Then again, there is this tiny part of me which can't bear to leave. It must be the snow, it's too beautiful.

Honestly, I'm contented. Awfully so. There's nothing more I can ask for.

I can almost say I can die with no regrets. Almost.

.::. Snow .::.

Amazingly, it was still snowing when classes ended at 5pm.



It was quite heavy!

I'm totally excited, though snow makes the floor really slippery!

Very Christmasy once it snows.

And we had dinner at the Thai restaurant again. Brought one of our classmate, a Swedish guy who was borned in Canada to try Thai food. Hahs. Hot and spicy Thai food on a snowing night is really great!

Gonna rest early tonight and continue on our home exam tomorrow. By tomorrow night, I'll have finished all my exams. *yayyyyy!!!

Till then...

.::. Last Lesson .::.

Today was the last lesson of the term. We had a 5-hour seminar in this beautiful building. It's the presentation and discussion/comments for our group CSR report.



I used to walk past this building, thinking that it was beautiful. It was still sort of sunny abeilt with grey skies in the noon.

Halfway through the seminar, it started snowing outside! It snowed quite heavily throughout the afternoon and it's the first time I've seen such heavy snow!



Only I was crazy enough to grab my coat and head out into the snow during the break, basking in the moment. Well, it's the novelty of new experiences. Perhaps after a few more times, I'll simply shrug when I see snow. Hahs.

It really snowed quite abit.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! *loves.

.::. Climate Change Rally .::.

We went to the Bright Green Expo today and headed to town for the 'peaceful' demonstration.

It's the first time I 'took part' in such a demonstration for the obvious reason that demonstrations of such scale is impossible in Singapore, and it's illegal anyway.



There was alot of energy in the air, it was electrifying really. There were so many people with banners, in costumes, waving flags and props. There were even parents bringing their kids along in bicycles.

People climbed up the bus stops, roads were closed and it was almost like a big carnival. I was basking in the atmosphere and feeling rather excited being in the middle of all the action.

That was until the 'explosion'. We took pictures of this 'cool' group in black which were just slightly infront of us. Then after awhile, we heard a loud noise. I thought it was gunshots. And when it sounded again and again, we got rather shocked as people started moving away from that group. Amidst the chaos, I actually witnessed some of these people in black throwing black metal-like eggs towards the police along a small street.

Before I had the time to panick, Anny was already pulling Jessica and Henry was asking me to hold onto his bag tight. We managed to get out really fast, unscathed, apart from the shock. Police started closing in really quickly and blocked the road for awhile before letting the people continue. We looked on by the bridge and saw many police cars started unloading armed special forces into the crowd. The rest of the demonstrators behind seem oblivious to what just happened and they continued.

We stood by the bridge for abit to look on, and there was an obscene number of people. But we were in shock and really didn't feel very safe and fled the scene after awhile.

When we were away from the demonstrators, along the shopping street, it was a totally different atmosphere. Police were in sight EVERYWHERE but people were happily shopping.

*sigh. What an experience. I'm still reeling in shock somewhat. We were so close, and it's my very first time witnessing such a thing. I reckon the most important thing is that I'm safe at home, away from the chaos.

We came back and checked the news, something like 700 people were arrested and there don't seem to be any mention of those 'bombs' from the 'people in black' though. There were people throwing stones and smashing shops, resulting in mass arrests.

It was quite a cool experience, but it just makes me aware that nothing is really what it seems. At the end of the day, what is the point of such demonstrations? Does it really bring awareness and influences policy makers? Or does it result in a loss of lives, waste of resources and destruction?

I really don't quite get it.

People ask me why did I go? I guess it was difficult for me not to go when all the 'action' in this world is focused at somewhere so near at this point of time. I didn't expect it to be violent nor dangerous and I thought that it would be a great experience. But of course, safety always comes first. I'm safe and sound, just alittle wiser. =)

.::. COP 15 .::.




Climate change sensationalised.

Advertisements are everywhere and all everyone talks about is COP 15 at Copenhaggen these days.

I've mixed feelings. It's simply ridiculous that the whole world is flocking to Copenhagen for this and it's ironic that they are emitting so much CO2 just to come here to try to negotiate a reduction in CO2. There is so much to capitalize on, so many players, so many voices. It appears that a satisfying result is elusive. I'm skeptical or even somewhat cynical, because humans are selfish by nature and I think many people talk about it but not many really take action. The complexity embedded in such issues makes it almost impossible to result in a satisfying result for all.

Nevertheless, it's THE event of the year and I'm 'lucky' enough to be at this part of the world at this time; I'm going to check it out!

I'm going to visit Copenhagen and part of the exhibitions around the conference tomorrow. Thanks to my roommate who is in the environmental programme, we managed to get free VIP passes for the Bright Green Expo. There also this demonstration around that area in the afternoon too.

It's going to be field day for pictures!

P/S: 10 days before HOME!!!

.::. Reports .::.

Just finished another group report and I'm feeling accomplished. I'm just left with the tidying up of another group report and one more home exam! *yay.

Being a 'Banking and Finance' student who eventually took up accounting, group work and such reports are not my forte. I never had to do much of these and coming here has exposed me to a whole new area, especially since it's an accounting course with a management focus. Initially, I was rather clueless and we simply didn't have the right focus nor direction. Thankfully, experience comes with practice and it seems alot easier these days.

I'm thankful that I always liked writing and expressing myself, substantiating my arguments have never been difficult. I reckon those debate trainings have been beneficial. There was a time when I lost confidence in writing reports and speaking up, fearing that I was not good enough. I guess I was just demoralized and it takes some courage to stand up tall knowing that people do not think much of you.

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

I'm acutely aware that things like the way you speak, the way you write, the language you use and tone you communicate and present yourself makes a whole lot of difference. Sometimes it's about bullshitting your way through and it's bullshit, yet another body of knowledge which you could only learn through experience.

All the word games, all the mind games, I wonder if I'm strong enough for that. Time to brace myself and be armoured for the realities of the working world.

.::. Paris Highlights .::.

Paris is a beautiful city, albeit filled with notoriously rude Parisians. It's amazing that they have such a long history and rich culture.



Surprisingly, the Louvre was arguably my favourite place in Paris. I didn't thought that I was a museum person, but I really enjoyed Louvre, especially the paintings which were so expressive and stunning. I'm seriously wondering if there's any artist who could draw like that nowadays.

Louvre was humongous, absolutely alot bigger than what I imagined it to be. Oh well, I really could spend a few more days in there. World's greatest museum is indeed impressive.

The Versailles was intriguing. The luxurious lifestyle of kings are unimaginable. I can't believe I actually stepped into the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed - it's like the history I used to study 'came into life'.

I liked Basilika of Sacré Coeur. It was magnificent. I was in awe when I stepped into the church and was greeted by this huge 'picture' of Jesus right on the ceiling. There was a church service going on and the singing sounded awfully heavenly. The view of Paris from there was also great. It was the whole atmosphere with many different street performances.

Seine river was beautiful too.

Eiffel Tower was the reason we went to Paris this time round - it's celebrating its 120th Anniversary with special light shows. The first thought when I saw Eiffel Tower was how ugly and rough it looked. But after some time, I came to realise its beauty and how elegantly it stood in the city.

I thought we were going to see grey skies and rain the whole time we were there. Thankfully, we were really lucky and there were quite abit of blue skies and some sun.

It has been a fulfilling 3 days though our feet were so tired and I'm down with flu due to fatigue and the cold. It's not that bad though, I really really took in alot this trip.

Took like 1700 pictures in all. Scary I know, but I've got quite a few beautiful shots. Despite 4 days in Paris, I feel like I haven't really 'seen' Paris.

Shall take a rest and write more about it soon. 48 hour case study and a report to submit on Wednesday. Just abit more to complete before I go home. =)

.::. Dumpling Night .::.

Joined the Taiwanese group on their dumpling night last Saturday.



The common kitchen in one of the student corridors.

All of us set around the table and started wrapping dumplings.

We wrapped about 90 dumplings.

And gosh, it was so good. I miss my Crystal Jade Sour and Spicy soup lamian and xiaolongbaos! I used to have it practically every week, and it's been more than 3 months since I've had it. *sigh!

I seriously think that I've become half a taiwanese. I speak like one now, and alot of my thoughts are in chinese. And for the first time in my life, I had an urge to read a chinese novel. What's happening to me?!

I'm almost afraid that my english would deteriorate.

.::. Home Exam .::.



Took my first home exam last Friday, munching on 'Hello Panda', drinking Coke Light and having lunch in between. I thought I would use alot lesser than the 6 hours give, yet I finished at about 5 hours (including the makan time). I can't decide if I liked take home exams, because the teacher would probably expect more from you and I get more insecure flipping through the materials, wondering if I should include this or that.

Ahh. What an experience. I've seriously no idea if it was a good attempt or not. But well...another one down! =)

.::. 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.