Singapore and others!: November 2012

Can't believe how fast time has gone by during my stay in Singapore. I would have never expected when I arrived in July for my study abroad experience to have gone by this fast. haha and I was thinking how long 5 months was going to be back then.

Looking back...I would have to say this was probably one of the best times of my life...the whole study abroad experience in Singapore, being able to travel to all these S.E. Asian countries which I would have never imagined of at the start of this program, along with the great friends/experiences I have made throughout my stay. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life, and just can't believe how fast this is coming to an end. I mean I have less then 2 full weeks in Singapore along with +10 days of traveling in Vietnam after finals. Also, due to finals coming up, hard for me to actually explore/hang out as well...so the study part of study abroad is actually kicking in.

Definitely enjoyed my time at NUS, despite how competitive it is, and how much i'm behind in all of my readings, I shouldn't even be writing this at the moment, but thought I should update.

Also, last weekend, was able to enjoy Bintan, Indonesia with Jay, and was nothing like we have expected. Was one of the most unplanned trips ever haha, maybe that's why it was nothing like we have expected. Going to Bintan has confirmed my previous notion that Indonesia isn't very big on the tourism sector. Not much tourists in Indonesia, or foreigners in general, besides Bali really... Also, I realized how big Bintan actually is, as we can't really walk around anywhere, and had to call a cab in advance to take us to town/resorts/etc. which ended up being more costly than we had expected. But all in all, thought it was a pretty chill trip, got a foot reflexology massage, shot fireworks, slept in huts literally on top of the ocean, and snuck in to a resort and was able to enjoy some white sandy beaches. haha...

Now just need to study/cram for my finals, take it, pass my classes, pack up, head to vietnam, and then head back home. Kind of bittersweet to be going back home, but really looking forward to some friggin mexican food, real chinese food (panda express), and of course snowboarding now haha...

It's been a while since my last post...and personally it's been a lot harder for me to update these days....mainly cause of my laziness so my fault on that part...but hope fully I can update quite a bit more often as my time in Singapore is coming to a end REAL SOON.

To start off, last weekend, I had the farewell UC EAP dinner with our NUS Advisor Daisy at this really nice buffet, with the rest of our UC EAP students one last time as a big group. Was kind of our farewell dinner, since it would be a lot harder for us to get together quite often now, with finals approaching, people travelling and such. It was all covered by our wonderful eap director Daisy of course haha, always down for a free meal especially a buffet you know! It was quite a memorable night, because it's been a while since i've seen some of our UC Eap students, actually talked with some of them, and kind of hit me that, we would be leaving very soon, and going off on our different paths once again. Whether it would be back to our respective UC's ( go irvine!), or entering the work force/grad school, or even for the few that are staying one year here as well! Was kind of a bittersweet night, but made me really cherish these moments we had here, the outings we had, the people I've met, and all the amazing new things I tried, and can't forget the travelling experiences as well!
Definitely made me realize how short time is, and I just need to make the most out of it, and this definitely was one of the highlights of my life. Deciding to come to UC EAP Singapore 2012, to study abroad. I really will miss everything about this, but very excited to be going back home as well, so BITTERSWEET, in everything as of the moment. More Importantly, so excited to be having REAL CHINESE FOOD (Panda Express)!, can't believe they don't have orange chicken, and chow mein here, so disappointed, when I first came to Singapore haha...

Enough of this jibber jabber..haha to update more on what's going on as of the moment, it is currently my last week of lecture right now. Yes I know it's only early november, and I don't come back till the 15th haha... After this week of lecture, I have a week off until finals officially begin, they call it Reading Week here, where it's a week off just for studying for finals, or travelling :). I will be travelling to Bintan just for a short weekend starting this Sat from (sat - mon), so off to INDO again, i'm sure it'll be better this time, and not as sketch since i'm not going there alone haha.....

- After this reading week, we have 2 weeks of finals, but for me, I don't start until December 1st - till the 4th, which is quite stupid because I have Finals on the Saturday.. -_-...friggin a, this shouldn't be allowed even in Singapore haha....

So I feel very unprepared/screwed for finals, because one, there's so much reading to do/catch up/start on haha....and these Singaporeans scare me sometimes, on how much they study, making me feel like I should be reading/studying something else, though I don't really know what... sigh.... -_-

Well Besides the upcoming finals coming up/being screwed/panic mode/mental breakdowns about to occur sometime soon, still have a lot to figure out even back home, such as registering for classes back home, finding a place to stay in Irvine, so i'm not homeless when I go back to school for winter quarter. Along with that, my travel plans for after finals, since I end on December 4th, plan on travelling from either the 4th/5th - 14th. Plan is to go to Cambodia/Vietnam once again, though I've been there before, really excited to go there outside of the missions field, see what the culture is really like/ interact with the locals/ and experience more of these countries. Mainly just end my Study Abroad exp. with a bang before I head back home haha....

Think that's about it for now, and for those still keeping up with my blogs, Thanks! and i'll try to update more often, and with pictures as well!