New chapter of life

After Chinese New Year, here comes my new journey of another phrase of life.

Before I start blogging about this 2014, let me do a conclusion for what I have achieved for 2013 :)

1. A case
2. 3 violin performances
3. 2 piano performances
4. Election
5. Not-too-bad-but-not-so-good results
6. A part time job to wrap hamper during CNY in Singapore
7. Learn and understand more about teaching in Buddhism
8. Attended 2 LLDS, 2 National Conferences
9. LCM
10. Wrote Transcript and being an interviewer
11. LEAD project
12. Home visits
13. More thick-faced?

But overall, it is a great year. Although it leaves me a deep scar at the beginning of the year, it is indeed a fulfilling and life is so much better and meaningful, when I get to meet so many good people along the way. :))



The very initial reason of me joining AIESEC is to go for an exchange in overseas. Coming out from secondary school to this big uni, it is something that I get fascinated about when I first heard that. However, when I really become an AIESECer, this beautiful dream was somehow buried by all the reality that gives you thousand excuses of not doing something.

In the middle of this 2013, this little thought came out again from nowhere when I was down. I still remember vividly that, I really want to escape to somewhere where no one knows me to start a new life. It was a kinda heart broken period, and, I want a change in myself. So, finally, here I am in Hanoi, Vietnam. :)

It was not smooth sailing for me to travel all the way from my own country, which is 2806.3 km away to a new place that I have never been to. But, this is not the main point. The challenge is that, I came here alone, without knowing anyone, to work in a new project, with new faces, to create a life-changing experience.

My family really looks down of me being able to do things on my own. I am a really selfish person, without putting others before myself. Not to mention, I am willful. If I want to do something, it means, no matter what I must make it. Not to mention all the general things that they would object, money was another issue. I raised my own form with my own hard earned money. However, if I were to really sponsor myself whole journey, it would have costed an arm and a leg to me, leaving no saving.

But, Lady Luck is with me. ;) My family is still one of the open minded ones. They have no choice but to compromise me who is not helping them during holidays but instead spending their money away. Changing the world might seem nonsense to them, but this is what I really believe and keeps me holding on until now from the very beginning. I believe in whatever I do, one day, one day it will bear fruits and come back to me, with blossoms of happiness. =)

Therefore, I really thank you that, with all the Lady Luck I have, I am here in Vietnam, as an Exchange Participant of Global Passport. :')   

Vietnam is a peaceful country, with all the friendly and happy-go-lucky people. :) In Hanoi, it is full of historical colours. And the most surprising fact for me is that: IT IS REALLY COLD! I really underestimate their power of weather and coldness of 8-9 degree (Although I checked the weather forecast before I came). I didnt bring any think winter coats. The only winter clothes that I have bought are one or two cotton-padded cloth, with some jackets. Whatever is exposed out there, that is what makes me shiver more. :/

I have a lovely host family. My host sister, her parents, her elder sister, her brother-in-law and a 5-years-old kid. My host parents do speak English, so most of the time I smile at them (should have learnt Vietnamese beforehand :o). But my host sister, together with her elder sister and husband, are able to speak English. So I always ask my host sister to translate what they have said, haha. And the 5 years old kid, does not really play with me too. Sometimes when I talk to him, he gives no reaction. But sometimes out of somewhere, he will steal a few of glimpses of me and sneak away. Kids being kids.

So after reading so many words, here is the photo of my princess room:

So, this picture tests your common sense. In case, you dont know, it is a net to prevent mosquitoes from kissing you from your sweet dream~ It is such a brilliant idea, which I wonder why I have never thought of this back in Malaysia;)

In Vietnam, people dont drive a car. Instead, they use motorbikes and bicycles as the modes of transportation. So the traffic is really a wow for me. Motorbikes and bicycles will come from all directions, and you wont even have 1 second where there is nothing on road for you to cross ahead. Besides, it is very common to wear a mask when you are out! As the smoke billowing from vehicles might be frightening o_o.

I have attended a meeting near National Economics University, Vietnam. After meeting, a little girl (50kg) cycled me(49kg) all the way back home. OH MY GODNESS, HOW DID SHE DO THAT?! She cycles to school and back home everyday, with the time of 20-30 min each trip. Gosh, I really feel that we are really lazy people, not wanting to use our own energy. Not only that, she even said thank you and asked me how was I after got home. I couldn't ask for more to meet kind people in da world.

The food prepared by my host family is awesome! They always prepare more than enough, with their warmth and love. And the Vietnamese really love sweet stuff! That's why my host sista always adds sugar to the sauce, vege and French Fries. And and, they are really too kind. I dont get chances to do much chores (literally like a princess in the house ^^), and the house is really clean. :) This is a rare chance where housework is not on my to-do list, and food will come to me without me preparing. It feels so good right. But I am glad for what I do now, so that I know how to take care of myself, a home, equipped with all the necessary living skills. Nonetheless, I feel so pampered :3

(Food that you will never finish ;)

As my internship has not officially started yet until next Tues, now I still have some time for myself, some time to chill. Although I dont know how busy I would be in this coming weeks, I just have to enjoy the moment!

On the other hand, I am very glad that my members have successfully experienced how it is like to run a project. And I am so proud of my EPs as well. Finally, we managed to pull things out. :')

Soooooo, it's time for me to sleep. I shall stop here. And, there will be more exciting internship stories coming! Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day ahead :)

(One of the streets in Hanoi. Sometimes, it is better, to see things in blur.)

It's a long long journey,

till I know where I'm supposed to be.

It's a long long journey,

I don't know if I can believe.