SG Escapades - St. John's Island

First stop on my island hopping day trip was St. John's Island. This island was bigger than what I had expected. There were so many areas to explore! You could simply enjoy the waters near the jetty, roam back further into the island, or take a walk to Lazarus Island. We saw people lugging bags of things to the island in the ferry all ready to spend a day there. It was then that I stated to wander if my small backpack had enough "supplies". But back to the island. 

Titans of The Past - Dinosaurs and Ice Age Mammals

A few weekends ago, I decided to hop on down to the Art Science Museum to delve back into prehistoric times. I get geeky sometimes and develop this need to learn about stuff. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find such an extensive collection of fossils and paintings. Yes paintings. Of which some astounded me. I found myself staring at works of art, as they seemed so surreal. 

This is home, truly.

As much as I love to travel, nothing beats coming home after a trip. Home is where my family is, my friends are, where the roads are familiar, and memories lurk around every street and turn.

Today is Singapore's birthday! So Happy National Day to us. As much as we complain about this tiny island, it's still awesome. Peace, stability, occasional great sights, and lots of gastronomic food.

:) 

Choosing to go on Exchange

In 2012, I went on exchange to Maastricht University. I was overseas for a period of 6 months (end Jan to end July) and it was, without a doubt, the best time of my life.

I knew that I wanted to go on exchange since starting university. It was just a matter of making it happen. Going on exchange changed me. I learnt so much more than I ever would in any classroom. I got to marvel firsthand at structures made by mankind centuries ago. Soak in the culture and traditions of a country so far away from home. Meet people from all walks of life. Live independently for 6 months where I was responsible for no one but myself. Travel as and when I wanted. Learn history lessons where history took place. And most importantly, embark on a journey of self discovery.

When I returned back from Netherlands, I was no longer the same girl who had left Singapore a few months ago. I was bitten by the travelbug, badly bitten. No longer was I content to stay in one place, and dream about trips. I now knew that I could make it happen with a little planning and foresight. I had learnt how to navigate, plan timetables, book tickets and accommodation and other important skills. No longer was I the sheltered girl, it was as if I was a bird set free and could not wait to see the world.

Exchange taught me that I could survive and live on my own. The experience taught me that the world out there was bigger than I'd ever imagined, and that I had to wise up to survive. It taught me to appreciate what I had back home, and at the same time, be grateful for where I was at the moment.

Yes, there were homesick moments, but the thrill of visiting new places, and expanding my knowledge made up for that. I hated history back in my younger days, but Europe taught me that history is something that I should learn from. I came back richer in knowledge, with a thirst to find out more about the past.

Exchange taught me to open up, and take risks, because that's how you enjoy life to the fullest. Yes, I have certain regrets from exchange - not doing more, not visiting more places etc. But I remind myself, that one day, I'll be back in Europe.

Go on exchange, take flight. Your world might be changed forever. You learn so much that no classroom will ever teach you. It's a time to discover yourself. Make new friendships, lose old ones. While some may be afraid that going overseas for so long can change your life back home, my advice is, your true friends, will always be there waiting for you. No matter how long you take to come home. Open your heart, mind and soul, and the rewards will be boundless.

Given a second chance, I would repeat the whole experience all over again.

Travelogue - Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore

I figured it was time that I wrote about this little island city that I reside in - the sunny island of Singapore. Singapore officially gained independence in 1965 after the world war, and a merger with Malaysia. Since then, the country has steadily developed over the years, and is now (i would say) fairly well-known globally.

While many may gripe about the cost of living, and lack of things to do in Singapore, at the end of the day, it's home. Home is where the heart is. Whenever I am overseas, I feel heartened when I hear someone with a Singaporean accent.

Anyways, as you may know, in the past few years, Singapore has built two integrated resorts, with Sentosa playing home to a Universal Studios theme park (USS). I have been to USS several times, and I love this place - despite its pricey entrance fee.