Reflections from my trip to the Land of Smiles

Just a week ago, I was MBK with some new friends, searching around for my usual thai foodstuff shop (to no avail :p), having a whole new experience of being abroad on my own..on a work trip:)

So last Thursday I set off on my trip to BKK, a 3-day International Baccalaureate Math Standard Level course awaited me. It was the first solo trip for me, I had flown alone on a few occasions, but this time I was going to be staying alone and running about alone too.

Was nice meeting up with J and J, we went to a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms, sound super sleazy doesn't it?! But truth is, it's not one bit like that at all:) An introduction from their website:
"As one of the most unique restaurants in Metropolitan Bangkok, the Cabbages & Condoms (C&C) Restaurant has attracted international attention. Conveniently located near one of Bangkok's main business districts, C&C is very popular among local and foreign clients.

Our restaurant was conceptualized in part to promote better understanding and acceptance of family planning and to generate income to support various development activities of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA)

We also provide catering services to meet all requirements. And remember, our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy."
Cool huh?

I had SOOO much to reflect on, many things that I learnt about myself, many new and interesting insights which I hope I haven't forgotten after 4 tiring days of work upon return..

I had always wondered what it'd be like to go on a solo trip, to take in sights and sounds on my own, to figure out routes to take, to watch my own back. I think I kinda liked the whole process, felt a sense of achievement and independence having to take care of things myself and finding my way around:)

Some things I gained about myself on this trip...

1. I really don't fancy living alone and I wonder if I would have survived taking an overseas University Course :p. don't get me wrong, I'm fine going around on my own, traveling from place to place, being a solo-shopper, but it's living on my own in the hotel room which I didn't enjoy one bit. Somehow living alone gives me the creeps, but once morning comes and the sunrays shine in, I'm all happy and chirpy again :p

2. I really do not mind and in fact enjoy shopping alone! Haha, perhaps because I am always bothered by the fact that others are "waiting aimlessly" while I look at my stuff in a shop, which makes me feel bad..so usually I will keep things short and sweet if I'm the only one interested in the stuff I'm looking at, even if I really wanted to spend more time there.

3. Taking public transport is a good time and space for reading and reflection. Usually it'll take me at least a year (or maybe never) to finish reading a book which I start on. But just on this short trip in BKK, thanks to my hotel being 10 000 miles from the city centre, I had loads of time to read while on the train:) I actually completed about 80% of an e-book, which I only started reading while in BKK. Which makes me realise how much reflection/reading time I'm missing out on because I drive back in SG.  But alas, giving up the option of driving is not really an option as I have gotten used to the convenience of it.

4. I love Singapore:) I was actually really happy to be home, to be able to let down my guard, to be back in my room and sleeping on my own bed. (I had always thought of myself as being independent and able to survive without the comfort of my bed and bathroom..afterall, I've camped in tents and bathed in rivers and enjoyed the whole process) Somehow, the darkness in my room felt more familiar than that in my hotel room, it felt, a hundred times more comfortable :) and my conclusion is, I really do have a need for companionship when in unfamiliar territory when night falls, and with companionship, it didn't really matter the physical environment.

So, would I travel alone again? Hmm, I'm not too sure actually. Though I love the independence of it all, and the time I have to myself, but staying alone at night really isn't my cup of tea..thankfully the hotel had free wifi, and I was able to use WhatsApp when I'm back in the hotel at night :p

Off to Land of Smiles on a sunny Thursday afternoon

So here I am at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on a Thursday morning! :P

Feels incredible actually...I suppse I would hardly get a chance like this if I was still where I was previouly..
It's 3 days of IB course in BKK for me, fully sponsored and the first that I'm travelling alone...all by myself.  Wooohoooo :P

Feels exciting but yet at the same time worrying since I have not had time to really go sniff out all the routes to the different places that I want to go to...thankfully taxi fare is relatively cheap in Thailand.  Haha..

Will be meeting J, J and B tonigt for dinner..so looking forward to it!  (Provided I don't get lost trying to meet up with them :P)

The only downside is my hotel is really miles from the city, in fact it's only 19 minutes from the airport :S
But oh well..

Million stacks of marking awaits me on my table when I get back, but like my colleague said, "enjoy yourself first, come back going to die anyway".  Hahaha..so enjoy I shall, though I did pack 2 stacks of quizzes into my luggage to mark there -.-'  No matter what I shall complete those stacks in BKK! (plus set a common test, and prepare revision papers, etc..)

Shall head off to get a pack of biscuits in case I get hungry before I get my hands on food...next post shall be from BKK ;)  Half an hour to take off! *waves*

Out of sight, out of mind...

And so Cher's Day has come and gone, my very first in the new environment...celebrations were pretty entertaining, the kids certainly put in a whole heap of effort into the whole Oh-lympics themed games and all, kudos to them for a job well done:)

As expected, there was but a trickle of appreciation from the new place, expected, since I've only crossed over for 8 months.  The best gift was the big card from my silly form class, full of little words from the kiddos..heartfelt words are still the best gift after all these years :)

I didn't expect much from CH either, or at least I told myself not to...but at the bottom of my heart, I guess I really hoped that I was remembered.  Not through fancy gifts, nor elaborate surprises, but just a simple sms that told me that though I was far away, I still occupied a tiny corner of their hearts.  Perhaps I'm the only one missing someone...and no one else feels the same..."out of sight, out of mind" is such a depressing concept, but yet so true.  Yes we don't work for praise nor rewards, and the job really rewards intrinsically...but sometimes the simplest external reward goes a long way, and warms the heart and powers it for another 1000 miles.  Or maybe, I'm just being greedy.

I guess being sentimental will kill me one day...

I have gotten used to being at my new place, but most I would still call colleagues, at most good colleagues, and not yet friends..okay perhaps one or two.  A part of me still blamed myself for pushing through with my own decision to go.  But yes, it's irreversible so just stop it.

September break is half over, and I have done 10% of my work.  -.-''  I'm so dead, haha.
I'm so going to finish setting my draft EOY paper by tonight.  YES I AM!!  (*self-motivational thoughts*)