A friend recommended this gem to me..

The Alvera Court in North Yorkshire

Garden

I could so totally imagine the morning scent when I walk out of that door. The cool breezy air must be exhilarating!

Look at the reception!! It is oh-so-lovely!

Dining room

Ah…I would love to have breakfast there every morning. Imagine the aroma of a warm cup of coffee, a warm greeting from fellow residents, good conversation…fantastic!

Look at the rooms…I love the wallpaper! And the bed looks cosy..(my friend said that the beds are indeed wonderful)

Does it remind you of some romantic movie filming set?? I wish I could stay there and take heaps of picture. *I know..I started to sound very “bimbotic”*

Well, I hope it would be my next travel destination, would love to stay there for at least a week though.

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“I wish I can go somewhere, alone….just by myself..” followed by a deep sigh.

Whenever I hear this comment, it always creates some sort of ripples in my head…

A very typical runaway statement.

It is funny how we react to difficulties and challenges. Is it our default survival instinct that we would look for an exit whenever we face a problem?

Awhile ago, I told a friend that I hoped to move to a country for x period of time. The reason I gave was that I wanted to see the world.

Then, he asked:“Really?”

“Yeah…why not? I love to travel, remember?” I answered.

But later that day when I was on the way home, I quietly reflected on why I “felt” the urge of moving out. The key was the “urge”. I don’t think anyone would feel that “urgency” and “desperation” to travel if one is genuinely just interested to see the world.

Then I realised – I was running away from a problem.

The problem was not obvious to me then, it was just subtly affecting me emotionally. As usual, a quiet time to be still is all I needed to think, talk and reflect. Surprisingly, the “urge to leave the country” subsided after I recognised and rectified the problem.

Sigh…not sure if it is because of those dramas and Hollywood movies that show people “romantically” travel to far far land when they have problems, leaving their loved ones behind, backpacked and starting a new life at some deserted land…bla bla bla…

And every time I heard the similar comment, I would just laugh to myself…because I am also like that. I hope time would change me…to face the problem boldly and not just “leaving the country”. HAH!

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I am not a techy person and it was only yesterday that I discovered such wonderful tool from Google- The Google street view map!

I could literally “travelling” along the streets that were once familiar to me. So the first thing that I searched, was the street that I used to live on. Unfortunately, you could only visually see those roads that “Google van” has travelled. The estate that I lived at is not captured by the van. -_-

The place that I used to hang out during lunch break

So I “went around” the city, the route that I used to take from home to work/school. Surprisingly, Perth has not changed much since I left in 2005. I can still remember how to “go around” and the facade still remains recognizable.

I bought my first bed here..

I felt very good….may be because I know that the place that once captured my heart has not abandoned me. I hate the feeling of not able to feel the sense of belonging to a place that was once dear to me.

My summer job at this hotel – Seasons of Perth. I was hired just to talk to people everyday.:D

It’s funny that even after 4 years of living in Singapore, I could hardly know how to get around. I guess that’s the difference of NOT HAVING A CAR!

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I have not one, but TWO unforgettable experiences using toilets outside Singapore in 2009. Of course, the ultimate one was still in India.

The first thing that I shared with my friends and family about my trip to West Kalimantan was:

“WOW! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I DID NOT USE TOILET PAPER FOR 1 WEEK! BROKE MY RECORD TOTALLY!”

The immediate responses were the same. “You mean you didn’t do your big business for ONE WEEK????!!!”

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Let me explain.

You see, it’s not a NORM to have a “proper” toilet in a small town like Pontianak. The “proper” here means, “a bathroom fixture consisting of a bowl (squat/sit), usually with a device for flushing with water, used for defecation and urination.”

Using toilet in Singapore is such a wonderful experience. So wonderful that we often take it for granted.

Like this:

And it comes with TOILET PAPER.

Sinks with liquid soap!

In this little village that we stayed in Pontianak, it is considered a luxury to have a “proper” toilet. But we were very blessed that the orphanage built 3 toilets for us last year.

Otherwise, we will have to do it in the wild, river or drain, like every other person does.

It comes with a squat pan, a tiny and narrow one. So you have to place your feet real close together.

About 60% of this size

There is no “flushing device” but we were given a tub filled with water. Just scoop and “flush” your waste down. Easy breezy right?

The challenge is, you CANNOT THROW TOILET PAPER INTO THE PAN. We were told that it will “flood” the toilet.

Small business is OK, but we’re talking about “poo-poo” here.

Option 1: They prepared those huge black rubbish plastic bag and hung on the clothes hook behind the door (at your eye level). Throw your toilet paper with your waste inside the bag after your business.

Option 2: Use water to clean instead of toilet paper. *OH DEAR*

And you know what option I have taken. But, it was NOT EASY.

The first day when I arrived, I cringed at the options given to me. I didn’t even want to imagine the waste INSIDE the black plastic bag of 20 people. Furthermore, I had to hang my towel and clothes BESIDE that plastic bag (because that was the only place I can hang my stuff).

Then, my experience in India gave me the confidence: IF I CAN PEE IN THE WILD with the goats munching grass behind me and wind blowing, standing in the river that we were told later that it was the public toilet… I can do ANYTHING!

The “public toilet”. We didn’t know that yet…still enjoying standing in the water

And finally, after much brainwashing done to myself, I made it!

When I reached Singapore, the first thing I did was to “embrace” the toilet paper. The touch of it gave me the exhilarating feeling. *Ohh..I miss using TOILET PAPER* That one week without toilet paper….

This must be the “grossest” entry I ever had.

Posted under Life documentaries | [2] Comments 

Remember this sun-shine of mine?

After a year, he is back in my class again.:)

In class today…

SS: Er..have you done anything to your face? Sculpting or…something? (Ya, I think I heard the “sculpting”)

Me: Aiya…It’s OK. I’ve accepted that aging doesn’t necessary carry a negative connotation. I’m happy if I’ve become mature compared to last year. Don’t worry, no offense taken!
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And there I was, feeling liberated after responding like that. In fact, strangely, it actually came from the bottom of my heart!

I used to dislike the fact that I always look more mature than my peers. I even look more mature than some who are older than me. Many guessed my age = “my actual age + 3“. Frankly, I so totally hated it.

When I first join as an academic staff, people used to misunderstand me as one of the students. Though I am still the youngest staff here, I don’t get that “Eh? You’re a staff?” anymore.

Don’t get me wrong though. I am glad that I am not seen as a “young girl” anymore. I am glad that I have “stepped up”. Imagine, it is quite worrying if I am still perceived as the “young and sweet” one (as what my ex-boss used to comment that) after 4 years of teaching here. *shudder*

Why did I feel liberated though I am officially aging? Recently, I have come to learn that it is the society and culture that put aging in such a bad and shameful light.

Aging gracefully…

from Maryland Department of Aging

I am not as ignorant as I am 22. “Aging is not just decay, it’s growth.” One said before.

I am glad that I am who I am today, and what I have been through in the past. I understand and know more about life now. I understand myself better, and have dealt with my insecurities.

You know, most people would say “I wish I am 23 again.” But seldom or never you hear “I wish I’m 55″.

Surely, we have more energy to do more things when we are younger. But I think as we grow older and wiser, we are able to enjoy the world in different perspectives and light, something that we could not see when we were younger.

Once, I told my students in class. “I think I do not have regrets if I die today..” It shocked my students a bit. But I said:“Because I think I’ve done what I could and MORE for my age. Surely I look forward to what will be revealed to me for years to come. But I’m not looking backwards and think that I had an unfulfilled lives.”

I like what Morrie said in Tuesdays with Morrie:“How can I be envious of where you are – when I’ve been there myself?”

I think I am starting to embrace aging. I hope I will revisit this entry if I am shaken again in the future.

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