Hope all your new years started well and had a good break over the holidays. I spent my Christmas and New Year in Singapore, in between few days in Tokyo. So here is a little summery... you can see all the pics
here.
Singapore
This was my first time in Singapore, and I hope is not the last. The city reminds me of home; the smell of the hot weather and humidity, and that special smell you get the in the taxis all reminds me of Taiwan. Kinda made me home sick actually. I was surprised at how many people spoke Mandarin Chinese, and was glad to have the opportunity to use it, as it makes me feel less like a foreigner seen that I don't speak the local dialect of Singlish.
Singapore is a country that is undergoing a lot of changes, and they are desperately trying to inject some art and culture back into the country, and I can see why. Everywhere you turn you are surrounded by shops after shops, and most of the shops are not even 'local' as such... they are mostly international stores you get in most countries. People also don't seem to have a real individual identity, they all tend to dress the same; in t-shirt, shorts, jeans and flip flops. Though to be honest, Taiwan has pretty much suffered the same fate... BUT, this is not to say Singapore is like any other country; what sets them apart is the cheap, local foods and the amazing wide variety you can choose from! After 9 days I was sure it was time for me to go, because if I had stayed any longer I dont think I could have fit back into my skinny jeans!
Architectural wise, I was delighted by the variety on offer. I went into Singapore expecting it to be similar to the current Dubai, just sky scrapers after sky scrapers, no real identity, but I was pleasantly surprised! They had preserved enough of the old colonial architecture for you to get a little glimpse of what Singapore use to be like, such as areas like China town and little India. The distinct contract between the old and the new is what makes Singapore really interesting. Though, they are obviously not a country that's not afraid of change (Half of Sentosa island has been demolished to make way for the new developments).
Would I go back there? Of course! Just the chicken rice and the carrot cake alone is incentive enough. :) Though seriously, I would love to see how Singapore develops and see if the governments big push towards art and culture will make a real positive difference among the people.
Tokyo
well, I have to say I have a real soft spot for this place. Before 2007, Tokyo was just one of those places that seems like a pipe dream to me, then along came 2007 and that was my 3rd time in Tokyo! Every time I go back I fall in love a little bit more with the place; the architecture, the people and just the general feel of the city. Though I DO have to brush up on my Japanese, as everyone just presumes that I am and speaks super fast Nihongo to me, and is then shocked when I say I actually don't understand what they are saying.
Why do I love the place? Well, their 'anal-ness' when it comes to construction is just amazing; every new building sits on the street like a perfect object to be admired. I sit there, stare at each one of them with a silly grin on my face. The details and finishes are just perfect; the buildings in the world of construction/architecture are like Macs in a world of PCs. Sure, you get the same attention to details in Swiss buildings, but not in such a high concentration and the Japanese can pull off kitsch with style and conviction! Oh and their food! High quality and relatively cheap! Their high end dining experiences are comparable to the top restaurants in London, and you can get very good cheap lunch sets in those places too! If I lived there, I could easily eat well on a tight budget by 'splurging' on good lunch sets for £5, then eat ramen for dinner... sorted! Though they DO need to cut down their love for mayonnaise (or as I call it, chef's 'special sauce').
Oh and special mention to the January sales there... they are freakin awsum! If only I had little more energy and less self restraint, I would have bought lots of stuff! ... Though sometimes I do feel like I am shopping in the kiddie's department or that I am waaaay to fat by Asian standards. ('healthy' is how my mum describes my figure...translation: lil podgy.)
2007
2007 turned out to be the 'unexpected' year; many things that happened were way beyond what I could have imagined. Some good, some not so good, but I took them all in my stride and took full advantage of all situations that I found myself in. I don't regret anything. I understand myself that little bit more now, and many thanks to all the friends who listened during my troubled times. I am the kind of person who 'talks' through problems; only by verbalising them can I then see the logical solutions, so my poor friends had to sit there and listen to me figure out allll my problems. I am sooo sorry!
2007 certainly was an eventful year, and even though physically I find myself pretty much in the same place a year ago (plus few more friends) ... I would like to think that emotionally I have gained that much more knowledge, about myself and about how I conduct myself around others.
2008
What does this year hold for me? well, I have got my 'age 28' plan to work on; the deadline is less than 22 months away! I got to keep up the Japanese , and come this September I will be back at university part time to start my part 3 course. Will this architecture study thingy ever end?!?!111 oh and on top of all these I hope to progress further work wise and learn more more more!
I am hoping that all these stuff will keep me occupied and out of trouble... keep me away from pains and sorrows for a while... while I am still
in repair...
