here and there she meets people who are older than her, (who are already working) talking about their uni friends, "oh i met him/her in uni and we've been very close since then..", "my best friend and i met in our uni days..", "the bunch of us met in uni..".
how do you get close friends from uni? let alone best friends, that's insane. "you don't get close friends from uni, especially in this sucky uni and in this sucky place, you just don't".
three years sound short, but truth is, it is really not short, not short at all. it has only been 2 years now and i can feel all the difference in the world. think of all the things i have missed out in every aspect; missing out being a part of my friends' and family's life, missing out growing in and with singapore.
the first point is fairly intangible and you probably cant feel as much the impact when you read it. i can elaborate on the second point though, by just tangibly listing how much i've missed out in growing with singapore. before i left, there is no Orchard Ion, no Marina Barage, no RWS, no Sands, no Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital, no Northpoint extension, no F1 race, no YOG and no circle line. magically each time i return, something new just pops out like popcorn chicken (yums).
that is how long two years can be (measured by the number of changes/activities that took place), and how the world still transforms rather dynamically regardless of your wish for it to stay stagnant for you. went for Contact Singapore's overseas career event in melbourne this afternoon and they were introducing Singapore as a young, growing nation full of opportunities. how true changes are everywhere right under our nose. it probably won't be that obvious if i've never left though, because like i said, i've missed out growing with it. that's why any subtle changes just jump right out to me everytime i return. it's sad in a way, when i read articles or see comments about YOG thinking i have no idea how it is like in singapore, to be basking in the YOG-is-now feel.
anyhow, as much as i've missed out in these two years, i've gained as much, just like a balance sheet which always balances up (if your balance sheet don't balance, then you can go bang the wall cause you have to go through so much work all over to find out why, i know, its frustrating).
the 'bad holiday' turns out to be the best decision i've ever made. and if i were to choose it one thousand times over, my choice would still be the same.
yumin then realises there is no fast forward button in life for a reason. time painfully/unknowingly shapes you, toughen you, like fire does to steel. yumin thank God for widening her narrow mind, for shaping her incomplete values and personality and for bringing her her melbourne buddies, best friends from uni, from melbourne which she never thought she will ever have.
"you do get close friends, best friends from uni, because you just do."
because we were late, most of the graduates have either already returned their gowns or were gone
yumin loves you val dear, you are too cute to forget :)
will i sound too insincere if i say, "yumin loves you cheryl dear, you are too cute to forget :)" again? but i mean it!
awesomest neighbour
sexybabe charl
the non-graduates
graduation is such a joyous occasion, and i feel so proud of each and everyone of the graduates. it got me thinking about my graduation, i think i will so miss this place when its my turn to graduate and leave, like for good.
melbourne, the place i use to distaste so much has sneakily creeped in and found a place in the heart.
