‎”Become like a sheet of blotting paper and soak it all in. Later on you can figure out what to keep and what to unload.” — Haruki Murakami

That is the state of my what-used-to-be blank canvas.

Utterly soaked and inundated with again, many questions and uncertainties and the ever-compounding “what-ifs”. I always thought it will be a nice picture, at the very least, but now I realise it is never going to be this way, which is good, because when it has been reduced to that state, even if  it exists in that figment of your imagination, you will stop pushing; stop learning and just stop.

Nevertheless I dream of  my next holiday destination. The last one in Bali was not that bad.

Bali with Cais and the gang

I still wish I can spend more time in cafes, dreaming, chatting and people-watching.

My feeble attempt at food photography

Catching up with Globetrotter before she zips away to another faraway land

Or holding birthday surprise parties for people who matter.

greengirl's 23rd birthday. she felt like a princess

I’ve never been really a sporty person. I like doing individual sports like running, swimming and hiking. I just don’t get balls. (haha) That said, under the influence of my siblings who would tune into watch NBA, tennis, football and so on, I have acquired some kind of interest at least for football and tennis. They’re more of erm, social “lubricants”  to me. I’ve never been a great fan of basketball although my sister was playing basketball competitively for a few years and my brother, blessed with his height of 182 cm (tall for Asian men) will shoot hoops with his friends now and then.

So today, the entire SMU contingent of exchange students gathered at M’s place to watch World Cup. It was also a way to welcome Val. I’m really sorry I couldn’t go with him to Amsterdam. Blame it on the Dutch exam on Tuesday. (;

I cooked fish with butter sauce and paprika, spiced up with dill, pepper, salt and lemon juice for dinner They turned out surprisingly delicious even though I had never cooked them before. I’ve started to think maybe I have a flair for cooking.  We watched World Cup — Brazil against Ivory Coast with a true blue Brazilian (M’s house-mate) and had Ben & Jerry ice cream for dessert. We roared out loudly at the idiocy of the referee’s decisions, Ivory Coast’s ploy at “camouflaging” with their jerseys and also after discovering that Group G is touted to be the Group of Death not only because of the presence of outstanding soccer teams in the group but also perhaps literally due to some other reasons. (;

Life is good and simple here.

“Can I not go back please?” a part of me whimpered.

At the very back are the grades that I have to; and want to pull up, internships to do so that I feel a bit more ready, a marketing plan that I have to eventually roll out, the concert that I have to help prepare and probably the morale that I have to assist in boosting… It is akin to stepping back into a world of responsibilities. I feel well-rested and ready to charge and to work at least for the first two. Now I just need to summon enough courage and energy for the rest.

On a lighter note, I was secretly supporting Japan amid all the Oranje fans here in Netherlands. It was so hard trying to suppress my anxiety. Please, please, I hope the Japanese would take the Danes by storm.

why are koreans so funny (:

I don’t like to stereotype but I think South Koreans really do have their own brand of humour. I find them hilarious when they speak English. No, I’m not mocking them. They’re really just naturally very funny! Jae Hoon, the dude from Korea reminded me of my professors in SMU. Those professors (my FA prof and my marketing 101 prof) made me chuckle in class all the time.  When JH said the F-word, he didn’t even sound vulgar at all.  The F-word sounded comedic. Why aren’t there more Koreans among the exchange students! I like Koreans.

I will have to blog about my trip to Amsterdam and to Barcelona soon. Such terrific and memorable experiences. They include me overcoming my fears and resorting to desperate means to survive. I fully understand why I will possibly  be very much more  independent  after six months in Europe. My parents would freak out if they know what happened. On a lighter note, I think I might start a cooking section here in my blog! Perhaps, after I shift to my new place in February.  I hope I have nice housemates at my new place. I do quite like Gabi. She’s sweet and we do get along. It’s good to have someone to talk to; or complain to. Then again, the place is too cramped for both of us. I look forward to have some nice personal space soon. (: