Chintan-manan.

So I was just looking at some old pics today of when we started uni. And how happy and carefree we were then. Of how we didn't know what the next 4 years would be like. And now more than 2 years have gone past, I have travelled to 3 new countries (well, kind of, London stopover doesn't count), and I do feel as if I've come a long way since then and have changed from who I was then.

In some ways I've changed, grown, matured; in some ways I'm still the same stupid romantic at heart.

I remember how I used to dream about going to some country for exchange for a sem. The first time I think I wanted to go somewhere to the Americas was when I saw pics of my sis' friends' on exchange, all covered in heavy jackets with snow all around. But then the whole US uni thing didn't turn out the way I wanted, so I was stuck with NUS. Which has turned out pretty good after all. There are a lot of amazing people back there. I miss you all!

But then the desire to come to the States or somewhere similar somehow never went away. I remember when we were new in NUS, we used to talk about the distant future (i.e. 3rd year) when we would apply for exchange and hopefully not be too broke to pay for it. And here I am today, actually in this place, visiting the things that we've read about.

I think travelling adds something to you in a way that studying about other places never can. Unless you actually experience the places for yourself, meet the people and learn about the things that they consider normal and you find weird, firsthand, you never really get it. I am really grateful I have been able to do that. And I hope I can go to Europe and Africa some day. Keep dreaming right..

Wonderland.

So i went to Canada's Wonderland today. Very very memorable. With rides that make you plunge vertically to those in which you go backwards over loops to those roller coasters in which you actually stand, it is one hell of a place. Literally hell-ish. Specially if you were not born with a very healthy supply of guts. Like me.

My head is still spinning. And I keep picturing myself when I was at the top of the Behemoth. And we dropped almost vertically!

Hai!

"John Abraham in Dostana gave women a lot to sigh over. He reminded us of what are boyfriends/husbands sometimes aren't: In shape. And with his strong, sinewy arms and broad shoulders, he looked like he could save us from the big, bad world. Abraham's possibly the very image of every girl's Mr Right."

Indeed!

Experiences

I've been intending to post stuff about my "experiences" at York, but somehow I haven't been able to get down to any serious writing in the past few days. So I've decided to randomly jot down pieces of information.

Today I had my first house meeting. It was, well, ok, I guess. It did send me off into the so-called second phase of culture shock, the one in which I start wondering why people here do things the way that they do.

Classes so far have been ok, I think the standard is pretty much the same as my home uni. Which means that I need to start studying soon if I don't want to fall too far behind.

People here do 3-4 courses a semester. They repeat courses like it's no big deal. If you repeat a course in NUS, everyone hears about it! Many people here are like in their 5th year, and it's perfectly fine. They can even conceive the thought of changing majors in their 5th year. I guess education systems here really are much more flexible.

And then there is the fact that sports is a big thing here.

And I haven't seen as many Punjabis here as I expected.

I love the pizzas here, mainly the fact that one slice is enough for one meal. I remember wanting to see pizzas that size in real life, instead of just reel-life, and now I have :D

And people here fill water from the washroom taps. How yuck is that. I mean why can't they have normal water dispensers like other normal places? Of course I know that the water in taps in washrooms in Singapore is also clean enough to drink, but that is like an I'm-gonna-die-of-thirst emergency option.

Question: What is it about men in uniform that makes women weak in the knees?