:)

is when your friends visit you during your lunch break on a working Sunday and make you laugh like mad.

Departure | Arrival

Aug 7, 1.15am (Malaysian time)

Currently: kilometers above sea level, a sky full of stars, too awake to sleep.

The amount of stars I'm able to see through the window is ridiculously amazing. The main reason of my love for night flights. That and the sunrise. I can never explain my obsession over the sun and the sky. But they're so huge and distinct and hold no selfishness. What's not to love about them?

I'm hungry.

Aug 15, 12.31pm (Melbourne time)

En route home, to summer and reality.

I've come to accept that if my trip does not have an end, it won't be a trip, and it won't be as appreciated as it is right now. I like how it ended. Traveling to South Melbourne for a local market, up north for fish and chips, then down south again for the coast. Seeing the entire city reflect the golden sunset, the sun sinking beyond the horizon of the South Pacific Ocean. Winter fireworks lighting up the (very) cloudy night sky, with fine raindrops falling on my hoodie, and squeezing in packed Friday night trams back for a late dinner. 

I remember the first time I saw the waters of the Pacific Ocean, my mom told me that this very sea can bring me to anywhere I want to go. Since then, I'll always feel a certain sense of excitement and awe when I stand facing that magical surface of salty liquid as if it's a magic carpet. I never understood why people would want to settle and remain on the same ground all their lives while they are free to go to anywhere they want. Maybe it's a blessing to be able to find satisfaction at where they are, but I can never get over how large the planet is, how small I am, and how much the world and its wonders have to offer. I'd pick different cities and worn sneakers over owning a car and being the boss of a bunch of working adults any day.

Till next time, Melbourne.

Good morning Melbourne city

This can-be-considered-solo trip was one of the best decisions I've made this year thus far, or maybe one of the wisest decisions I've made my entire life. I've been wanting to visit Melbourne since I set foot in the land of Aussie last winter, because I really enjoyed Brisbane (Gold Coast not so much) and I wanted to see what a bigger city can offer. Partly also because I'm aware that I might never get to study here in Melbourne. Sydney and Tasmania maybe, but not Melbourne. And having friends here made it a much better choice, since I was very sure that I wanted to come alone. Not that I didn't want company, but I wanted it to be a step that will bring about growth, and this isn't something I can achieve if I have people sharing my fears and struggles that comes together with a foreign country with me.

This trip had brought about growth and a whole lot of learning. It's more like an opportunity to experience what it's like studying abroad. It's not glamorous or anymore convenient than being at home, but it has inspired me in so many ways. I used to think that it was just for the quality of the education in developed countries that matters, and the 'experience' was just something parents and students hang on to in order to make themselves feel better of the money spent.

After these few days of wondering around, getting lost, stumbling across campuses and accommodations, I realised that maybe, just maybe, the experience will have more impact on the students themselves rather than the education. I don't think anything can replace the opportunity of being overseas on your own, and having to shape and create an entire life in a foreign land. Nothing can ever open your eyes to the possibilities and the different paths the world has to offer. Being in a vastly international society made me realise how small I am, and how narrow my window to the world has been at home. 

I think, I've spend way too much time and energy on patty elements that will not even affect 1% of my future. What mattered to me the most at that time isn't want that really matters. It's hard to explain. As much as I love being at home, surrounded by comfort and convenience, I have never wanted to be away so much. I may be wrong, but I think that if I continue to be where I am, and be who I am, I'm just static. I miss home, and everything else that comes with it, but I'm in love with learning something every single day, and being amazed by different ways of life, technologies and cultures.

The grass is not always greener on the other side. But so far the other side hasn't disappointed me yet, except for cold toilet seats and 30km/h winds.

Hi I like walking in the woods with you.

These few days of post-exam agenda had been nothing short of happiness and fullness.

Thank you for being my Santa, for the warmth and fuzziness, for putting up with my nonsense (mostly by creating more nonsense).

I'll miss your forehead kisses and your never-ending teases.

See you :)