All is done with orientation. Definitely one of the best weeks I have had in so so long, I must admit that I really do miss it. From wearing our gorgeous flourescent yellow caps (all personalised of course), to being woken up at 0630hrs every morning (even if you were up till 5 in the morning), to the crazy stuff we do all week, both on and off campus grounds.

Waking up has been hard of late, perhaps the lack of music blasting down the corridors and fun stuff to do together has made life a tad bit more boring. But all good things have to come to an end no?

On a good note though, things are more or less settled. A change of degree? Yes. Something where the learning curve will be very steep for me. Alot of reading to do, alot to adjust, adapt, settle in and do well in as well. I am fortunate enough to have met kind souls who have made this tiny but draining adventure end on a good note, making me feel that hey, I made the right choice coming here.

College wise, blessed to have a wonderful wing leader who has made settling into college so much easier. Birthdays are going to be celebrated throughout the year, with mud cake and shout outs from everyone! Don't you just love my wing?

The girls are brilliant as well. Made some really good friends to my left and right, and around college. Making friends with seniors as well. While it feels strange to be older than everyone else, it's funny to know that everyone thinks I'm 18. Gotta love looking younger I guess. *grins*

HEading out now, need to get some stuff settled. Managed to get up for breakfast today. Bacon, eggs, toast, cereal, fruit and yoghurt.. I just love it!!!

It was Market Day today! All the sports, club and societies all set up booths in the Great Court and boy was there a crowd! With students cooking up a storm with the many bbq pits around, the smell of grilled sausages and onions filled the air. There was also excitement in the air, as freshmen roamed around finding things to sign up for to enrich our uni life.

While I have yet to be homesick, I have fallen ill. Came down with a fever yesterday and thus stayed in my room the entire day and night. Unfortunately I had to miss out on scavanger hunt last night, and I really regretted that. But oh well, at least I'm slightly better now, without a fever but still down with a sorethroat and runny nose. I think this is the bad part about being away from home - no one to show you TLC when you need it.

Toga party's tomorrow night. Think we are going shopping for stuff prior to that. And oh yes, I think I lost my camera memory stick the night of bush dancing, and only realised it last night. This sucks.

Meanwhile, I'm rather loving it pretty much here in college, and I wish school would not be starting so soon. But logically speaking, if there wasnt school, there wont be college would there? So sadly enough, back to the books we must head too soon too soon.

O week came early for me, with Emmanuel starting orientation on Saturday. So far it has been really great fun, with formal dinner, games and crazy antics by the leaders.

I like what college life has been so far, but my joints are acting up again so I unfortunately had to forgo the morning bootcamp session today. It looked extremely fun, with the rolling in water and down a tiny slope and all. While I have not exactly made that many friends here in the college, I am glad to say that there are some pretty good ones so far. Hopefully I will have the cahnce to get to know more people before school starts proper.

Things started at school, with all the talks to schedule between programmes at Emmanuel. but it was really good to see faces like Sean, Ira and Emilyn who I have not seen for almost a week!

Was chatting with Sean earlier on in the day, and the topic on friendships came up. I guess it is true to say that one would need to realise that friends do come and go. Nothing lasts forever and not everything remains how you once thought it to be. I was naive in the past but then things that happened in my life made me understand it all. One can try really hard to hold onto everyone but if the other party either takes advantage of your friendship and love for them, or just does not treasure you that much, then maybe it might be better to just learn to let go.

I won't change who I am because I love the way I am and most importantly, how I treat my friends. To me, they mean the world to me. They are in a way, family. If you can't trust friends on turn to them and share joy and woe, who else can you turn to?

This one week, I have witnessed generousity and sincerity from a jolly old man on the train. The openess and friendly chatter amongst strangers seem so infectious that it's rubbing off on me. I am learning to embrace the changes that one will face on their own, and at the same time, never to forget who I am. All things take time, and I guess settling in and moving on to this exciting awesome new chapter won't be any different.

I may not always be there for you guys like I always have, and I may not always be free to write and call. But do know that everyone I know and love back at home will always stay in my heart and I hope I do stay in yours too.

Went to the city again with daddy and bro. Ate yummy porterhouse steak and got more of the stuff for my room. it isnt all ready yet. still need to get some stuff i think. at the rate im going im almost certain i will be well stocked to set up a mama store.

made friends with more pple in the college, newbies like me and my wing leader as well. tomorrow college orientation starts and will be seven days long! looking forward to meeting all the aussies who will be checking in tomorrow! heard from the staff its about 150 of them?! its going to be a mad house here with all the bags and what not! =)

chinese new year, unfortunately i would not have the time to spend it with my family here and visit chinatown as well. it's rather sad that i may not even see my dad n bro from now till they fly off. oh well. that's life i suppose.

it's nearing 2200hrs now, need to pack stuff and sleep early! the new chapter officially begins!

lotsa love!

Today, I...

Helped someone find brochures for available accommodation.

Approached someone on campus and gave directions to the library.

Things are still a little bit of a drag due to the problems I'm facing with my study. I'm very sure that this is the time for me not to hold back and start a war with the school till they give in to my requests!

But other than that, got to know some really really nice friends from different parts of asia. Will try and take pictures soon and upload them to the blog.

Visit to the city with friends tomorrow! Been a few times already but hey, it's before school starts!

All of this and what I did today, seeing the guy so relieved he finally knows the way, makes me so much better. All that is happening to me now will just make me stronger.

I feel so much happier!

And yes, happy valentines day everyone!

FYI, over here, V day is not as heavily emphasised as back home. Easter is the focus now with chocolate easter eggs just about everywhere in supermarkets.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!

I HAVE ARRIVED SAFELY!!! =)

anyway there are some issues i have to settle with regards to my degree. may have to change degree (long story and trust me, i was not THAT happy to hear about it).

but aside from that, yes i got my internet at my college!!! no pictures will be loaded up any time soon i gather, still have some things to settle!

but this is something i know many wana know...ME ADDRESS!!!

Karin Tjan YingNing
Emmanuel College
University of Queensland
Sir William MacGregor Drive
St. Lucia QLD 4067
Queensland, Australia

please do put your RETURN ADDRESS just in case ok?

anyway its time for dinner, how sad that valentine's day will again be spent without anyone to lupche here!!! muahaha

keep me in your hearts darlings! *BIG BIG HUGS*

THANK YOU to my darlings in the HTMIG for all the yummy-licious local food that you got for me for the gathering! From shrimp paste chicken, cereal prawns, to malay favourites like sayur lodeh and rendang, to indian rojak and so much more!! Desserts were a blast too, with homemade goodies and good new year goodies and chocolate cake.

Back at Mich's place getting stuff done to my laptop (shall come up with a nick for it soon). Eating this fabulous Durian Ice Cream from erm... -grabs tub and checks label- The Ice Cream Gallery @ Eastwood. It's really really good! To those staying around the east, I suggest that you try it. So yummy!

Time is really flying by way too fast, there is so much that I want to do and I doubt that I will be able to do so. Places to go, things to eat, and most importantly, people to meet. And I have yet to pack. So worrying, I know.

Craving for loads of food now despite lunch at Billy Bomber's earlier with Brian. More ice cream!!!

The days have been flying past really fast, meeting up with the same people more or less. But all is good, for these are the people that I really treasure and care for.

Chinatown and Arab St with Fairy Godma on Thursday, followed by dinner with Snuffy in Bugis. Snuffy wasn't well, so I'm very worried about him. I mean, he is, after all, MY Snuffy.

Headed to Sentosa with Mich and Fairy Godma on Friday!! Lunch at RITS, TAS, and meeting up with people like Gavin and the lecturers was great. It was then down to Orchard where I met up with my Kokomo Prince after his japanese class. We all made our way down to Chinatown for nasi lemak!!! And while he went back to watch his precious anime, Jaydee and Zoe made their way down for their weekly dose of delish piping hot porridge and frog legs! Met up to have a pretty nice chat of a wide range of things and then back to home sweet home!

I don't really know how to say how I feel now. Mixed emotions? Most definitely. The future is somehow uncertain, and all I know is that I can take one step at a time. I trust in Him and know that He has got something planned for me, in all aspects of my life.

To have feelings is human. To do whatever you can to prevent yourself from getting hurt, is also human. Moving on, is also human.

I must admit, one of the saddest things I can think of and know for certain about all of this, I don't really want to be away from you. But well, not always can we have our cake and eat it can we?

A snippet of a conversation with Poyew:

py | wheeeeeeee! says:
what do you mean i'll never know how much you love me?

py | wheeeeeeee! says:
of course i do!

I also received a very sweet sms from Dee last night.

With sweethearts like these, it's ok that part of my world seems to be going crazy.