As i pack my bag, getting ready to leave my hostel which marks the end of my Summer studies, a few things dawned upon me:
I've seen how narrow minded people can be. Life in an overseas program be more about seeing the world, mixing with people, making mistakes and learning from them. No doubt I do not really like talking to people but at least I make an effort because I see the benefits of doing so.
At the same time I've seen how widely read and travelled others are. This has made my more humble and curious as to how the rest of the world really is. No amount of studies in lectures and textbooks will be able to replicate this experience.
I've mixed around with many people from different cultures and being exposed to them have exposed the flaws in our own Singaporean culture. It's sad that it is evident that some of us are so stuck in our own world and contented with what we have. It's like the Chinese phrase: 井 底 之 蛙.
I'll miss the friends I've made here, the carefree live that as a Singaporean, have never experienced while in an education system. The late nights at bars, clubs and beaches getting drunk, being stupid and at the end of it all, take only 10 minutes to walk back to home.
Overall, I'll like to thank my parents and my debbie for being supportive throughout this whole program. I feel like I have finally grew up a little bit, know a bit more about myself and it's an experience that I would recommend everyone who has the opportunity to really take this by the collar and go and try it, even if it is just for a short period of a month
-Mark-
7/28/2011 10:16:00 am
I am Me. I don't have to be who people want me to be or try to pretend something that I am not. I have often wondered:"What do I want in life? Who am I?"
After countless nights of reflection and deep pensive thoughts, I have arrived at a conclusion. I am kind, I avoid conflicts and unhappiness as much as I can because I don't like them. I prefer to agree than disagree.
I love peace and harmony. I love to be challenged at work, to work to impress and be accepted. I prefer to truly know someone rather than just touch and go. I don't really care about riches and fanciful cars.
I want to love and be loved, have a happy and supportive family. Call me naive but that is what I believe and want. Up to now, I don't believe in all the riches that everyone says the banking world promises.
What profits a man who gains the world but loses his soul? It's not that I believe that I will rot in hell if I go for fame and riches but rather, its that in this world, I'm afraid to live in misery everyday and die unhappy.
We can't take our riches to the other world when we die. "Who says there is another world anyway?" Some would argue. "So you might as well enjoy life here to the max and get filthy rich! After all, you only have one life."
Exactly my point. Who are you to tell me that being rich is the only way to being happy? I know I'll be more than contented with just a supportive family, loving wife, great kids, doting grandparents and with just enough to live by.
"What a naive and girly dream that is" But who are you to tell me about how I should want to live my life and even more so, who are you to tell me that I should not go after my dream?
Yes, there were times when I feel confused. I want to know the whole world, yet I also want to be left alone. At times I want to get it all: be that charismatic person that everyone loves and be that successful person that everyone looks up to. Yet I want to be left alone at the side of the party too.
Isn't that what being human is all about? It's a never ending search for answers to questions. Making mistakes and learning from them, being pensive and being caught up in the moment. I hope that even if I discount everything else, this trip has made me more aware of myself and who I am, who I want to be and one step closer to achieving the happiness that everyone seeks.
"Because when the world quiets to the sound of your own breathing, we all want the same things: comfort, love and a peaceful heart" - Mitch Albom, author of have a little faith.
-Mark-
7/26/2011 09:10:00 pm
