The End :)

一眨眼, i’ve been back in Singapore for over 2 weeks. My past 3+ months in the States really do feel like a dream. An unforgettable and memorable one. I’m truly am grateful for having such an opportunity. Coming home and reflecting on my trip there, I’ve been asking myself what have I taken out from my stay there. Have I grown to be a better person, more mature and independent? I guess I would never really know the answer as only time would tell.

But being immerse in a very different lifestyle and environment, I got a chance to know more about myself, be exposed to a very different education system and come to know about the things I like and dislike about Singapore.

~~

Being a 3 months exchange students without a need to worry about grades, I was able to go all out to explore Seattle, even though at times I was alone. Not say I wasn’t worried about my safety, but I learned to be alert and be aware of my surroundings. My attitude was that since I’m already here, I should make full use of my time and I realized I do really like exploring and discovering new things and places everyday! Now I’m armed with the skills to plan my own oversea trips :)

I also came to know that personal space is very important to me. That I must have a small little space I can go to at the end of the day to be alone. Something which I didn’t know means so much to me.

I also came to learn not to be too stress out when it comes to planning because most of the time, nothing would go according to plan. Something which I experience a lot during the last 4 months, but have learned to cope with. So just relax and play by ear :)

Through the wide range of subject I studied in UW (from geography which led me to appreciate the beauty around me, to sociology which gave me an understanding of issues pertaining to education, globalization and conflict; from architecture history which led me to understand why certain buildings are built as such and the history behind it, to learning more about construction materials), I came to be interested in stuff like the US history and many other topics. Guess I have a wide range of different books to read for now! :D

~~

The education system for both Singapore and America is very different. I cannot say that my view represent the whole of US since I was only in Seattle. But based on my study in Seattle, I could say that both systems have their pros and cons and if only they could be combined.

In UW, I got to experience how vocal Americans are in class. Hands would just rise in the middle of lectures, and questions and views would just be voiced out. In class, only a notebook and pen is needed, no sight of any lecture notes or pencil box. Study sessions are organized at night by the UW for most foundation classes. (Something I did not expect to find in a university.) Field trips are organized to let students come in contact with what they have learned in class. But what was disappointing was the structure of the exams as they are really just 死背. Singapore has always been criticized about route learning but I guess we are actually not as bad as we thought, especially when it comes to exam. At least we have to try and apply what we have learned to the questions. So if only how classes are conducted in UW can be combined with the exam style of Singapore, I guess it would provide a very good learning experience for the student.

Another thing that surprises me was that a lot of people are interested in graduate studies back in the States. It is quite common to hear people mentioning that they would be entering graduate school after they graduate from college.

~~

On my way back to Singapore, from Narita Airport, the plane was filled with Singaporeans and I heard the familiar Singapore accent. And I have to admit it actually felt weird and doesn’t sound nice. I came to realize how foreigners must have felt to hear Singlish. I guess being away made me more conscious of it and the importance of speaking good English. But I can say trying to speak proper English for the last few months is not an easy thing to do but it would be good to keep it up. :)

Leaving Seattle means leaving behind good customer service (and the tips!) and meeting friendly people that would strike up random conversation with you. Even so, to befriend Americans, I realize Asians must generally always take the initiative to go up to them and get to know them.

To foreigners, Singapore is just a country that bans chewing gum. To tell them more about Singapore is a manageable feat, but I learn that it becomes a dilemma when explaining about politics in Singapore. I will always remember the question Cynthea’s professor asked her: why Singapore is ranked no. 1 in anti-corruption, but yet ranked one of the last few for human rights.

But nevertheless, home is always the best no matter what. Especially the food. :p

~~

My experience in Seattle had definitely made 2008 an eventful one for me. I’m truly glad I created this blog to record down my experiences, even though I had to discipline myself to really sit down and blog. :p It would definitely be enjoyable to read through it in a few years time!

For now, I know I want to keep up my Seattle spirit of exploring even though I’m back in small Singapore and not in a vast piece of land surrounded by mountains. No matter how small Singapore is, there are definitely places to explore! Looking forward to my next venture into a completely foreign country!

Welcome 2009! Happy New Year to everyone and thanks for reading!

P.S. All posts for my last 2 weeks in Seattle have been properly recorded, including my trip to Vancouver. :) [http://joyceinusa.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html] Happy reading!

I'm Back!

Yup touched down in Singapore on Monday Morning (15th Dec) at about close to 1a.m. Half an hour later then expected cause my plane was delayed at Tokyo Narita due to passengers’ connecting flights being late (which included mine)

Can say it was an ‘eventful’ journey home. Early morning of 13th Dec (U.S. Time) I was still packing my bags, trying to squeeze everything in and ensuring that they do not exceed the weight limit. Finally manage to get everything in at 5a.m and I only slept for 2 hours before waking up at 7.00a.m to clean up my little corner and throw away all the things I’m not bringing back. (Which is like tons of stuff – about 10 over plastic bags. Too bad I didn’t have a chance to take photo of the bags before it was being cleared away by the cleaners)

Checked out with the TA, and with the help of Rita, I managed to get my 2 big heavy luggage to her hall where she went to get hers and I continued to slowly pull my 2 luggage (carrying my heavy backpack and lap top bag) to the pick up point for the shuttle bus that wld take us to the airport.

One last photo with the loft door..

We reached the airport 2 hours before departure to check-in.. BUT… my luggage was freaking overweigh! More than what it weighed on the scale I used in Hansee Hall and outside the airport. The cost of checking in a luggage that was overweight was US$150! Not the US$50 that was stated on Northwest website, which I was gg to pay cause I knew one of my bag was overweight. So I had to repack my luggage on the spot and check-in a 3rd bag (my backpack), which wld only cost me US$109. At least it is much cheaper then sending my books home through postal service, and lucky I ask them what was the cost of checking in a 3rd bag. Else they insist I pay them US$150.. blah.. Grateful that Rita was there to help me!

So finally we were on the flight to Tokyo, Narita and we could tell that the pilot was flying super duper slow!! Dunno is it because there wasn’t any free space in Narita. But because of this, we reached Narita much later then expected and the queue for the internal security check was sooo long that by the time we were done, both our flight gate was already boarding for quite a while. Me and Rita could only say a quick goodbye before rushing off to our gate :( But Rita did come back to find me cause there was still a queue at her gate but too bad she only saw my back as I was already walking in :( :( But lucky Rita got changed to Business Class seat!!! *jealous* hee.. but at least I got 2 seats to myself on my flight home :D

My plane home was delayed for quite a while because they were waiting for some people that were also late due to their delayed transit flight. So I took some photos with the bear bear that Rita gave me :D But what made me super duper happy was the 2 quarters that was in the bear’s pockets!!!

Sidetrack.. During my stay in USA, I had a small little hobby - collecting the 50 designs on the US quarters. I would change money at the bank, ask people if I could look at the quarters that they have to see if they have any of the designs I wanted. But before I left Seattle, I was still short of 2. Was kinda sadded that I could not complete my collection.. But Rita, through her friends, helped me find the other 2 coins!! So happy!! Thank you Rita!!! Thank you!!!!

- My Quarter Collection-

-Me and Rita on the flight to Narita-

-Emo photo of the bear that Rita gave me.. haha the bear is missing Seattle cause it is looking towards that direction :p -

So the flight from Narita to Singapore was my first time sitting a plane alone and because there wasn’t anyone sitting next to me so it was not that bad. Finally reached Singapore after 7 hours of flight and then headed home to eat Meepok! Yummy! :D Slept at 5a.m and woke up at 12.30p.m before eating Nasi Pandang.. wahaha.. no jet lag!

think i wld just be lazing around at home for the next few days and blog my remaining posts before meeting my pfm gals on fri! *excited*

-~-

When i left Seattle, the weather was already 0 degrees celsius and the weather forecast said it wld snow on either fri night or on sat. But i only got to experience a little ice rain on fri night. It did snow in Seattle on Sunday itself.. :( sad that i did not get to see the first snow of Seattle. But guess i was lucky i wasn't in Seattle this week cause the temperature just went below O degrees, the lowest being -9 degrees (even though it is bright and sunny)!! i dun have the suitable clothes to go through such cold weather!!!

i'm coming back!! In the process of checking out of the loft now.. wld be heading to the airport soon... with all my big HEAVY bags.. the flight to me wld take 2+ days due to all the different time zone.. but to ur it will only be one day? (i've no idea :p)

anw.. taking northwest again :D wld be back in Singapore on 15th Dec (Mon) at around 12.30a.m... so cya guys!!

*oo.. i wld have to start getting use to using hp again!! so if u're to sms me i might take super duper long time to reply.. (i might also be sleeping one whole day away~ hee)

bye Seattle!! bye to everyone i've met here :)

Shopping at Northgate & Japanese Dinner

12th Dec 2008 (Fri): Last Day in Seattle

On my last day in Seattle, i was blessed with Seattle rain for the whole day -_-'' (not forgetting it was also quite rainy during my last wk there)

Guess i shld count myself lucky that Seattle had been pretty sunny during my stay there.. which was a very rare sight. It is very seldom that one can see clear blue sky in November.

But sad to know that directly after i left, the whole of the week after is just sunny all the way... and snow!

So initially my plan was to go to Bellevue, another city of Washington State. (something like Downtown Seattle) But with the crapy weather and some surfing on the web abt the place, i decided not to head there. Because i would be alone and i wasn't interested in shopping at all the high end shops there, moreover to visit other attractions, i would take up more travelling time to and fro.

I ended up helping Rita and Sila in moving to their new dorms for a while (also to see how their new rooms look like), and then headed to the convenience store to spend the rest of my dining money.

Last group photo of us in the super slow lift of Hansee Hall.

After that i had to say goodbye to Sila :( won't be able to see her again by the time i got back at night..

Headed over to Cynthea's place to pass her some of my stuff that i wld not be bringing home before she accompanied me to Northgate to do some last minute shopping. But by then, the wind was blowing crazily.. umbrellas are useless!! they just would get blown out of shape.. and the wind was so strong that if u step forward, the wind would push you back one step!!! it was just plain crazy.. which could also explain why the weather forecast said it would snow on fri night and sat..

Spent quite some time in Northgate before heading back to the Ave to meet Darius (Singapore Association Pres) for dinner.. As we were kinda late and Cynthea had another party to go to after the dinner, she headed home first to put down her bags while i went to meet Darius first.

And then... it started raining ice!!! lol.. not snow.. but ice! Lucky i just happen to take out my glove and saw some white thing falling on it.. hee.. but the ice was kinda being blown into me cause the wind was so strong..

What was left of the ice that fell on bag when i went indoors..

Me, Cynthea and Darius then headed over to this small Japanese restaurant in Wallingford for dinner.
It was a small little place but the place was full with a queue outside. But the food was worth the wait! Me and Darius had all kinds of raw fish over rice (:p dunno what's the Japanese name for it) and Cynthea had the bento set.. *yummy* even the rice itself was delicious!

After dinner we said our goodbyes.. wld only be able to meet up with Cynthea when she return next year and as for Darius, when he returns to Singapore in dunno how many years time..

Fremont/Gaswork Park/Thai Dinner

11th Dec 2008 (Thurs): A Day of Exploring

Completed my finals and being my 2nd last day in Seattle, the 3 of us (Rita, Sila and I) plan to go to Southcenter mall (a shopping center that is way South of Seattle) to walk walk and shop shop?? lol.. but in the end after i came back from closing my bank account, gg to the admin office.. the 3 of us decided that there wasn't any point in gg all the way there. It took too much time to go back and fro. Moreover, Rita and Sila needed to pack their stuff to move over to their new room.

So after Rita has collected the keys to her room, we headed to eat Pho along the Ave. My last American Pho!

Then Sila and Rita headed back to the loft to pack and i headed to Wallingford and Fremont (districts that are near UW) for a little exploration on my own! :) been wanting to go that place to hunt for some statues/sculptures and do some photo taking :)

First stop, bottom of Aurora Ave. Bridge...

The Fremont Troll!

Walking along the streets of Fremont, i came across these planet-like sculpture.

And across the road from it, there was the Statue of Lenin!




Walk a few blocks down, and there was the Fremont Rocket...



Turn around a corner, and the Epicenter Apartments came into sight! Quite a cool building! I personally find it quite pretty :)




Cross a street and across the road is the famous 'Waiting For the Interurban' statues.

These statues would normally be dressed up by people, but for my trip there, there was only one bunch of flowers in one of the statue's hands.. the last time i pass by them was during the presidential election, and they were wearing clothes with obama words on it :)

If you look closely (the top left hand picture), the dog has a human face!





Then a few steps away was the 'JP Patches & Gertrude Statue'



I was in a hurry to take photos of all these statues before sunset, but at least i cover all the main statues in Fremont :):) there are many more but i guess that wld require more time to explore.. which i don't have!

After my statues hunting, next stop is the Gas Work Park that is a short walk away from Fremont in Wallingford. The place is quite ulu, which explains why i was in a hurry. It was only 4pm but it was getting dark and i was alone (again) hee..but i don't want to regret not going there..



Walk past Aurora Ave Bridge again..

And i finally reach Gas Work Park!
*It contains a plant that was originally built to produce gas from coal in 1906 but was rendered obsolete in the 1950s with the import of Natural Gas. In 1975, with its 19 + acres of surrounding land, it was turned into a public park. *

No time to really explore the park.. so i immediately went up the small little hill there.. one of the main attraction of the park..

The small little hill:

Climb climb climb.. and tada!
A sun dial at the top..


And a magnificent view of Seattle!! (too bad the sky was so full of rain clouds)

This place would normally be filled with tons of people during 4th July when there is fireworks display. And this place would be a very good spot to catch the sunset and night scene of Seattle. But.. no nice sunset for me that day.. and it is too dangerous for a gal to stay at this place to get the night view.. :(:( sadded..

So time to head back to the loft..

Took quite some time to locate the bus stop and by that time it was soo dark and cold.. Waited for quite a long time for the bus before it finally came and by then it was freezing!! Glad to finally get on the bus and get back to the loft..

But shortly after, i had to go out again because i have dinner plans with Noon, Sila and Rita :):)

Headed over to this place called 'Thai Family Kitchen' which sells authetic Thai Food.. reallly authetic (that's what Noon says)

and the meal was delicious!! :D

After dinner, we walked home from the restaurant.. and past U-Village.

the whole place was decorated for Christmas.. so pretty!

and we realised that the temp was 0 degrees celsius!! no wonder we were all freezing on the walk back home..

Overall, it was a pretty good day.. even though plans for that day was completely changed.. lol.. :):)

Exams, Exams, Exams then Buffet!

10th Dec 2008 (Wed): Exams and then Buffet!

Had 2 exams today.. CM313 and SOC110.. the soci one was horrible cause i did not manage to finish reading the readings so left quite a bit of questions blank.. but anw..

By the time i was done with my exam, it was already 5.30p.m.. Went back to the loft and met up with Rita and Sila. Finally left the loft only at 7p.m and headed to downtown for a buffet dinner :):) my farewell treat from Sila.. it would also be my last time gg to Downtown Seattle..

Dinner was at Todai, an international buffet place like Sakura..

The food i ate:

(they have a lot of variety for their sushi.. and the cakes were good!)

After dinner.. was group phototaking time outside the restaurant.. hee..

Walking to the bus stop, we spotted this display.. so weird to see a male mannequin doing the [v'o'] sign.. lol..

So i cannot help but take a photo with it!! [v'o'v]

Loft Christmas Party & Study

7th Dec 2008 (Sun): Loft Christmas Party

Been studying for the whole day for my ESS101 exam the next day.. and the little break i took was during the loft Christmas party at 6pm.

As everyone in the loft had been allocated a permanent room by this time, ppl wld be moving out soon after their exams. So one of the loft gals decided we shld have a Christmas party before everyone left. They even made a Christmas tree out of the ladders for the double decker beds.

During the party, can say it was quite weird cause it feels like their own little party with all their friends there in the loft and not having the full attendance of all the loft gals.. so it got a little awkward.. but we did secret santa and a little photo taking.

- Me with Christina and Whitney-

- Me with Christina and Rita-

- Loft gals-

(About half of them in the photo)

Then it was back to studying cause my exam was early in the morning. Decided to study downstairs in the lounge instead of in the loft.