Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sri Lanka
Hello all,
I just got back from a week away in Sri Lanka! I meant to post yesterday but was just too darn tired to do so. Sri Lanka is the tear-drop island off of India in the Indian Ocean, in case you don't know. It's independent, though it has some political alliance of sorts to India.
A major highlight of the trip was going to tea country. Sri Lanka is famous for Ceylon tea, and tea plantations make up 10% of the landmass. We stayed in this amazing hotel called Heritage Tea Factory, that had actually been a tea factory in the past. To differentiate between the original building and the modern supports, different colours were used. Red was modern, and green was original. They actually ran the machinery in the evening for atmospheric purposes, which was fascinating. That night we had dinner in a train car, which was amazing. However, it was six courses of delicious food- by the end we all thought we were going to explore.
Another interesting activity was going on safari. Technically, safaris. On safari we saw various animals such as water buffaloes, elephants, peafowl (so many of them), birds and bugs. The evening safari was easier to deal with than the early-morning one the next day. I kept falling asleep during the morning one- it was far too hot to bother staying awake! Oh well.
I can't say if it is the best part of the trip, but one of the most enjoyable things I did was go swimming in the Indian Ocean. We stayed at a nice beach resort so naturally I splashed around in the waves for a while. The waves were really strong and I worried that my bikini was going to wash away. All and all, the beach was pretty clean.
Sri Lankan food is easily the most boring I've ever had, at least after a week of it. The rice isn't as good as East Asian rice (though remember I'm extremely bias). Then most of the food is some form of curry. Curry chicken. Curry beef. Curry veggies. Curry something else. SO MUCH CURRY!
At least the poppers were good. Poppers are these sort of pancake things made in a special pan that are really thing, except for the middle part of the "bowl" which is thick and pancake-like. Those went with sambal, spicy veggie based stuff.
Sri Lanka was a really beautiful country. Even though we were in the van a lot (with our awesome driver Maharoof who did not drive us off a cliff), it was a great trip.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Getting Lost
This post was written yesterday, but I forgot to post it. Here it is!
Today I did a fair bit of site seeing around Singapore. Not intentionally in the slightest, of course. My friend's birthday party was today, at it started at 5pm. However, I am writing the start of this post at 5:50, on the MRT, dead late and highly irritated.
It started out that I forgot his birthday present, which isn't good. However I should have just told him that I was going to give it to him on Monday. Instead I took a taxi home, picked up the present, and attempted to take a taxi to the right place. But I didn't know exactly where I was going, and I ended up in the NTU west campus. After a nice panic and general irritation, I got on a bus and found myself at Pioneer station. So now I'm sitting here with 2 more stops to go, hoping I'll get there eventually.
Things I've learned today:
1. Never go home for a birthday present
2. Never assume the taxi driver knows about what you're talking about, or where you're going.
3. There are definitely places in Singapore that I am unfamiliar with
4. Being lost sucks
Friday, March 15, 2013
Next Chapter
There are things everyone has to go through- it's part of growing up. Breaking up with someone you've been dating for a long time is one of those complicated things. It may have happened two days ago, but it doesn't feel like it. It sort of feels like time has sped up and slowed down at the same time. It hurts, but it doesn't hurt at the same time.
Though it's hard to close that chapter of my life, the next chapter looks pretty interesting. There's not much time left for the Seniors anymore, which means potential turmoil and drama. It sort of feels like I'm entering a new playing field. I think I know the rules, but I don't mind breaking them. I'm trying to win, but I don't want anyone to get hurt too badly. At this point, life is for fun. There's no purpose to looking back and trying to rewrite the past. We can only accept it, turn the page, and keep writing our stories.
In regards to playing games, this year's prom theme is "Casino Royale", ironically enough. I don't know if this involves James Bond sorts of things, but I hope it does. Nothing is more dangerous than games, women and guns, after all XP
So even though this was a personal post, I think it says a lot about what being a teenager is like these days. Sure, the issue of breakups is timeless. However, with social media (that's so heavily used by kids at my school), there's no break from the questions. There's no break from anything here. Living in Singapore feels like everyone is a teen. You've just got to move forward.
Though it's hard to close that chapter of my life, the next chapter looks pretty interesting. There's not much time left for the Seniors anymore, which means potential turmoil and drama. It sort of feels like I'm entering a new playing field. I think I know the rules, but I don't mind breaking them. I'm trying to win, but I don't want anyone to get hurt too badly. At this point, life is for fun. There's no purpose to looking back and trying to rewrite the past. We can only accept it, turn the page, and keep writing our stories.
In regards to playing games, this year's prom theme is "Casino Royale", ironically enough. I don't know if this involves James Bond sorts of things, but I hope it does. Nothing is more dangerous than games, women and guns, after all XP
So even though this was a personal post, I think it says a lot about what being a teenager is like these days. Sure, the issue of breakups is timeless. However, with social media (that's so heavily used by kids at my school), there's no break from the questions. There's no break from anything here. Living in Singapore feels like everyone is a teen. You've just got to move forward.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Things for New Expats/Expat Teens
Here's a proper "living in another country" sort of post. Haven't made one of these in a while, but last night around 11pm the idea popped into my head. I apologise if some of the ideas are repeated. Between listening to newer kids and laughing with the ones who have been around for a while, I've come up with a list.
1. The faster you can accept you're moving, the better. That way, you're not freaking out over the whole concept of moving, but freaking out over where you're moving and how you're going to deal with all of that nonsense.
2. Realise that wherever you are moving is different than where you are from.
3. Accept that what foods you like and such at home are probably at least three times more expensive than their old prices.
4. Use a family member who returns to home country fairly often to pick up stuff for you.
5. There's something in your new home country that is significantly better than at your old place. For me, it was the food, the MRT, and the people. The school campus is great too.
6. There's something weird about home that you're going to miss horribly. I miss my old school with the house parties, the druggies, and the really quirky people who you just can't find here.
7. You're going to get sick from something. Even if you're in a country where the water is potable and stuff, something will make you sick. I think it was the yogurt here that took a while to get used to.
8. Speaking of water, you're going to have to get used to the water. Singapore water made my hair fall out pretty badly for about a month.
9. The climate is probably going to be different, and you'll get used to it eventually. But at least for me, Singapore was horribly hot for the first two months or so.
10. You're going to meet really cool people who have lived all over the world. Some you'll like, some are spoiled, and some are remarkably normal.
1. The faster you can accept you're moving, the better. That way, you're not freaking out over the whole concept of moving, but freaking out over where you're moving and how you're going to deal with all of that nonsense.
2. Realise that wherever you are moving is different than where you are from.
3. Accept that what foods you like and such at home are probably at least three times more expensive than their old prices.
4. Use a family member who returns to home country fairly often to pick up stuff for you.
5. There's something in your new home country that is significantly better than at your old place. For me, it was the food, the MRT, and the people. The school campus is great too.
6. There's something weird about home that you're going to miss horribly. I miss my old school with the house parties, the druggies, and the really quirky people who you just can't find here.
7. You're going to get sick from something. Even if you're in a country where the water is potable and stuff, something will make you sick. I think it was the yogurt here that took a while to get used to.
8. Speaking of water, you're going to have to get used to the water. Singapore water made my hair fall out pretty badly for about a month.
9. The climate is probably going to be different, and you'll get used to it eventually. But at least for me, Singapore was horribly hot for the first two months or so.
10. You're going to meet really cool people who have lived all over the world. Some you'll like, some are spoiled, and some are remarkably normal.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Some Days
There are some days in which things are going great. You wake up and your hair looks nice, your skin looks nice, you have lots of energy, and you're ready for the day. Then the day is good, for whatever reason. Maybe someone said something hilarious in math class, or you found a dollar on the floor. Either way, there are good days.
Then there are normal days. You wake up and everything looks okay, but not great. Maybe you leave your pencil case at home and survive on a borrowed pencil, or a tiny stub from the bottom of the dark abyss you carry on your back. You eat whatever you can grab at the cafeteria, and it's greasy but still okay. Maybe it rains, but you only get a little damp.
There are also days that you might as well have given up at the start of. Days where you wake up late and have a stressful morning. You get a bad result on a test you thought you did well on. You lose something important and forget your keys, so you're locked out of your house. Days where you're lonely in a room full of people. Those are bad days.
Some days, I don't know what they are like. A whirlwind of all of those things- good, normal and bad. Most days are normal, because otherwise that would be weird. Some days start out badly and end up great. Some days work the opposite and start out good but crash and burn as soon as time wears on.
Some days you know why things aren't going well. Sometimes things just change without a moment's notice. Once in a while you can predict what type of day you're going to have tomorrow, and the day after.
So occasionally, I feel like writing abstract blogs. They don't have anything to do with Singapore, or what it's like living here for most people. But this is what it's like being a teenager here, and everywhere else I assume.
Then there are normal days. You wake up and everything looks okay, but not great. Maybe you leave your pencil case at home and survive on a borrowed pencil, or a tiny stub from the bottom of the dark abyss you carry on your back. You eat whatever you can grab at the cafeteria, and it's greasy but still okay. Maybe it rains, but you only get a little damp.
There are also days that you might as well have given up at the start of. Days where you wake up late and have a stressful morning. You get a bad result on a test you thought you did well on. You lose something important and forget your keys, so you're locked out of your house. Days where you're lonely in a room full of people. Those are bad days.
Some days, I don't know what they are like. A whirlwind of all of those things- good, normal and bad. Most days are normal, because otherwise that would be weird. Some days start out badly and end up great. Some days work the opposite and start out good but crash and burn as soon as time wears on.
Some days you know why things aren't going well. Sometimes things just change without a moment's notice. Once in a while you can predict what type of day you're going to have tomorrow, and the day after.
So occasionally, I feel like writing abstract blogs. They don't have anything to do with Singapore, or what it's like living here for most people. But this is what it's like being a teenager here, and everywhere else I assume.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Random Natural Beauty Ramblings
So, this blog isn't a beauty blog, and it will never turn into one. But today, while avoiding working on my AP Euro paper, I've also done some research on natural beauty.
There's this Western concept these days that everyone is beautiful in some way, both inside and out. I think that's a great concept, but I'm certainly not above playing with natural "beauty aids" for clearer skin or whatever.
Also, apparently there's a movement online called "No shampoo" or "No Poo" in which you only wash your hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. There are some variations, all using natural stuff on your hair. I'm not certain if I want to try this. Does it actually get your hair clean? Besides, I just bought a massive bottle of this great-smelling shampoo, so I don't want it to go to waste.
~~~
I "invented" a face mask today. I'm sure someone else has already come up with it, but this seems to be working pretty well with my skin.
- 1 tbsp green tea
- 1 tsp yogurt
- Oatmeal
- A bit of honey
Mix all that stuff together. It should be pretty runny, but that's okay. Apply to face and sit around with it looking like a hot mess until you're tired of wearing it and want to wash it off. The end.
~~~
Maybe I'll start a natural beauty vlog. Or at least I'll make a couple of videos. That sounds fun.
There's this Western concept these days that everyone is beautiful in some way, both inside and out. I think that's a great concept, but I'm certainly not above playing with natural "beauty aids" for clearer skin or whatever.
Also, apparently there's a movement online called "No shampoo" or "No Poo" in which you only wash your hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. There are some variations, all using natural stuff on your hair. I'm not certain if I want to try this. Does it actually get your hair clean? Besides, I just bought a massive bottle of this great-smelling shampoo, so I don't want it to go to waste.
~~~
I "invented" a face mask today. I'm sure someone else has already come up with it, but this seems to be working pretty well with my skin.
- 1 tbsp green tea
- 1 tsp yogurt
- Oatmeal
- A bit of honey
Mix all that stuff together. It should be pretty runny, but that's okay. Apply to face and sit around with it looking like a hot mess until you're tired of wearing it and want to wash it off. The end.
~~~
Maybe I'll start a natural beauty vlog. Or at least I'll make a couple of videos. That sounds fun.
Friday, January 4, 2013
My Thoughts on New Zealand
So, my New Zealand vacation is quickly coming to a close. We're flying out of Auckland on Sunday and then it's back to the heat and humidity of Singapore. Here's a list of my thoughts, opinions and observations of New Zealand.
1. The roads are curvy. At least the seaside roads. Either be ready to drive carefully and slowly, sleep the whole way through, or take some anti-motion sickness medicines.
2. It really is the adventure capitol. I swear, any crazy extreme activity you could ever think of is available here. Bungy, bungy swing, giant hamster ball things, skydiving, diving, snorkeling...
3. New Zealand is very eco-conscious. It's really nice to find a place that is actively aware of how much they are using every day. It's also pretty easy to find recycling bins and stuff.
4. New Zealand is Middle-earth. There's areas that look just like the Shire. Then there's the Misty Mountains. Oh, and then there's the woods that look like Lothlórien. And Isengard.
5. People here seem to have a nice work-life balance. It's not like America where all people do is work. People have hobbies and passions that they actively pursue outside of work.
6. People in New Zealand are fit, or at the very least they are active. There are middle-aged mountain bikers!
7. New Zealand is chilly. Bring a jacket if you've come from steamy Singapore, because you'll freeze the whole trip.
8. New Zealand has a lot of sheep. And cattle.
9. New Zealand is amazing! I think everyone should come visit here ^.^
1. The roads are curvy. At least the seaside roads. Either be ready to drive carefully and slowly, sleep the whole way through, or take some anti-motion sickness medicines.
2. It really is the adventure capitol. I swear, any crazy extreme activity you could ever think of is available here. Bungy, bungy swing, giant hamster ball things, skydiving, diving, snorkeling...
3. New Zealand is very eco-conscious. It's really nice to find a place that is actively aware of how much they are using every day. It's also pretty easy to find recycling bins and stuff.
4. New Zealand is Middle-earth. There's areas that look just like the Shire. Then there's the Misty Mountains. Oh, and then there's the woods that look like Lothlórien. And Isengard.
5. People here seem to have a nice work-life balance. It's not like America where all people do is work. People have hobbies and passions that they actively pursue outside of work.
6. People in New Zealand are fit, or at the very least they are active. There are middle-aged mountain bikers!
7. New Zealand is chilly. Bring a jacket if you've come from steamy Singapore, because you'll freeze the whole trip.
8. New Zealand has a lot of sheep. And cattle.
9. New Zealand is amazing! I think everyone should come visit here ^.^
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