And so, today is D-day. Am I excited? Yes. Am I happy? Not exactly. Leaving Singapore and my family behind for 6 months generates mixed feelings. While I want to enjoy my exchange, a part of me worries about the things that would happen at home. Now I hope that the blessings that my mum have got from the temples that I visited on 2 days of the last week in Singapore actually do benefit my family. Skype often, I suppose.

Much preparations that I have done comes boiling down to this day, to travel to unknown lands and experience the unknown. Many plannings are not done, but I am not worried because things usually fall in place when the time is right. Road trips would be planned when I am right in Australia, with a map in my room, circles demarking the places that me and my exchange friends would want to go, and things we want to do.

I would be living in a room of my own, which is a first in my life even though it has been what... a drag of 24 years. Finally time to get some freedom and peace. Goals are to exercise self discipline. Know what is good for yourself. Manage your resources wisely. Time to do things yourself and help others where possible.

For this exchange, I have already told myself that there would be no holding back. Go out to every single activity I know of, try everything that I have a chance to, bring out the inner extrovertedness in me, while at the same time, spare a thought of the people around me.

Make the best out of the exchange. Australia here I come.

The blue-haired angel still guards and cares for this blog after such a long time while I was busy with my pursuits in university. It has been a long time since I made any post at all, but due to the popularity of people wanting to document their overseas exchanges, I have reopened my blog for this very purpose! So, here are some thoughts to get the blog starting for the exchange to Australia, in Australian National University! Oh by the way, I have lost the motivation to attach a geeky joke to every single post I make haha. Just pure thoughts and pictures of gemicer now.

Saying Goodbye is to Say Hello Again
Sending so many friends off makes me feel a little sad, not only because I would not be seeing them for the next 6 months, but also there would be little contact, if at all, with friends... For my friends going on exchange, hope that you would experience lots and learn lots, but at the same time, don't lose yourself, change for the better! I would think about, worry and miss all of you. We shall see each other again in our final year.

CNY 2014 Year of Horse
The year of the horse brings bad luck in everything to the horse, which was tested and proven hahaha. I could do favours for others and things still goes smoothly. Had the same big reunion dinner. I got to try out Cordon Bleau! Went visiting to the usual places as well, but this year, I got some advises for surviving in an exchange. Today is CNY Day 2, but also...

Today is D-day -6. Preparation for exchange has already started since a year ago, with much effort into researching into places to go and modules to take. These few days revolve around more specific activities like packing luggage, applying visas, and planning on where to go in Australia. Most things are settled. Australia, we shall meet again in 7 more days.

The Jungle Hat
Lol, too long never post anything, and now a big milestone in my life, so I shall talk about it. Finally, the rough part is over. I got the well respected Jungle Hat and my 3SG rank will soon follow. Talk about, finally! After almost a year of being an SCT! Haha. I guess the theory aspect was easy for me, so I scored a lot of points, making me the Silver Bayonet. I don't think my Recce skills are that good actually, lol. Made lots of good friends from other units. Took some nice pictures. Will miss them. They have lucky NS lives.

Joke of the Post
What do you get when you react Calcium with Nitric Acid?
2Ca + 2HNO3 -> 2NaCO3 + H2
Sodium Carbonate and Hydrogen gas. It balances.

Reflections
Suddenly felt like writing my thoughts after my 2nd field camp. Look at the tagboard, the last thing I said was when I was going for the first field camp lol. Field camp is just horrible, my most hated thing inside there! No bathe, no lights, and also, heat rash!! waaaaa! Oh but well, we do learn many things inside, including how we behanve when we are tired, who are the nice guys, and most importantly, team bonding! Because we can chat before we sleep! haha!

I am so really happy that I have such a nice bed buddy Eric Tay. He helps other people so much, preparing for the field camp and during the field cap as well. I am glad that he helps other people, so nice :D. He helped me a lot, both helping me with action and also with thought, the though of, my good jc friend is with me in field camp together through this shit. My section is very cool too, I know much more about them through this field camp, especially our password. Anyway this is over, the next big thing to look forward to is our weeeew poom grandslam, where we will do more missions, grrr, can already feel the tiredness.

Joke of the Post
Q: What did the thermometer say to the graduated cylinder?
A: "You may have graduated but I've got many degrees."

Farewell Assembly 2008
As I was thinking about the past, 2 years has indeed gone by very quickly. From Orientation, all the way till now, where A levels are staring at us. I may not be so much of an emotional person, but yet, there was this sense of longing.

Maybe too much have happened. Maybe it's the teachers? They were excellent teachers really! Miss Wu, was a really great teacher who never fails help us in many ways. She has really did a lot for us! Also, I'm glad that I belong to a wonderful class, 07S41.

Do you remember the time when I propose the topic "07S41:Class of Talents" It's really true, if you think back carefully. We have talents in all aspects! Just look, firstly, on the academic side, our class has done well for math and chem, congratulations! :D We have our Mr Genius Erik, who will never fail to outsmart, hahas. Then we'll go to arts. There's Mark, geographer of the 07 batch! And Eric Tay has got the Geog H1 subject prize woohoo! For more arts, we can also look at the wonderful music makers, we have Eric Ng, Daniel, Beatrice and Charissa, who plays National Anthem and Victoria Anthem for the school, impressive! Also, not to mention Li Ying and Stepfanie, in String and CO respectively, making good music! We also have our very own Super Star Keely!!! As for great thinkers and philosophers, we have Shannon, who never fails to come up with brilliant argument points that stumbles the class, and me, in a GP discussion. There is also very kind hearted people, Cheryl from First Aid, and Ivie. They donated blood for 2 years consecutive years! Now, that makes me feel guilty... Over to sports, the best runner in VJC, and (perhaps) in Singapore! We also have Freddie, wow, man! Best Track and Field player in VJC too! Don't forget our sportswoman Natassia. Wow, her soccer just roxxx! Then, we have leadership. Qian Yu from Student's council, Nicole for CT council, and our class also have the most people in house comm, Keely and Aaron! Sorry if I have not mentioned your name, I'm sure that everyone has a talent that will be recognised someday, and I really mean everyone of you!

Now, thinking back... many memories indeed, wonder how much I will forget when I grow older... Now, it is the time for us to work hard for you know what. I wish you all the best, but of course, you have to study hard in order to do it! :D

Joke of the Post
Q: If both a bear in Yosemite and one in Alaska fall into the water, which one disolves faster?
A: The one in Alaska. It is Polar.

VJC College Day 2008
Hmm, lol. Stuff not to be proud of actually, but I got a subject prize for being top in cohort in H1 geography, umm, talk about some luck there, haha! This year, I will not get anything at all, sadly. To get the subject prize, one has to be top in cohort and get either an A or B in that subject. My condolences to Mark who got C for H1 Chemistry, but he possess a very applausable quality of honesty for admitting he didn't get A. Nice, my mum and my aunt went and took some pics, but I shall not upload them Zzz, lol. They both thought the performances were very nice, especially the Band's performance, and I totally agree with them. This year has this years targets and goals, and we all will work hard together towards our ultimate goal of our JC life.

Joke of the Post
A professor was giving a big test one day to his students. He handed out all of the tests and went back to his desk to wait. Once the test was over the students all handed the tests back in. The professor noticed that one of the students had attached a $100 bill to his test with a note saying "A dollar per point." The next class the professor handed the tests back out. This student got back his test and $64 change...

Holidays
How time flies, the holidays are already ending. The preparation of exams... I'm not quite confident, lol. Let's see. Hmm, my parents are giving me the ULTIMATE test man, they are going overseas while we are taking exams ... Aww man, I can't play 24 hours while they are gone >.<>

Birthday
Again, how time flies, I'm now already 18, like wow. I didn't have a major celebration like other people, but it is fine. A big meal is all that would please me :). Made a few wishes etc, kinda not so nice birthday actually, lols.

Joke of the Post
Q: how many times can you subtract 7 from 83, and what is left afterwards?
A: I can subtract it as many times as I want, and it leaves 76 everytime.