Avalon

さよなら友達

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Just went to T3 yesterday to send a camp mate off to Australia. He's heading to Melbourne to study medicine. (Another doctor in the making... Ten years down the road things will really be different.) I was informed only two days prior to his scheduled departure, and personally I don't know him that well since he didn't really bunk with me before and we only exchange greetings when we meet.

But it was nice to see him off in search of his dream. The firm handshake, warm smile that holds a common understanding between guys, a*my lingo, and the feigned hesitance to buy a parting gift that guys always have. A friend who boarded the same bus on the way home with me (by the way bus 53 really takes very long from Bishan to Changi..) suddenly asked me what happened to my plan to go study in Beida. I was rather surprised to know he actually remembered, but then again, I am really glad I have these group of a*my friends around me. Truth be told I don't see them often (in fact sometimes maybe not even once a year) but somehow some of them do remember certain things I have brought up to them before, like how another friend mentioned out of the blue that he will root for me if I were to really become a DJ during one of our rare outings. (I remember I only said once..)

Back to my friend and his question on my "Beida plan", I had to say there wasn't really a plan. It probably was just an impulsive desire to go to Beida to study, something, as I explained to him, that I have spent the past two years evaluating and finally come to a conclusion. (which some of you already know) It wasn't really a dream either, since I don't really want to romanticise something that has faded away with time and a considerable amount of deliberation. It was probably just a sudden thought then, of how it will be so different to study and live for a prolonged duration in a different place. But I realise that what I actually want to do is just to travel, take in the scenery and learn more about the cultures of a place, a role more befitting of a traveller, as to a student. I sort of mentioned too that although undeniably there will definitely be differences in terms of opportunities and environment, but overall, the past two years have made me realise that ultimately, how one's educational experience will be shaped depends on him/herself. I guess I will just strive to go for exchange.

Anyway, T3 is such a nice, peaceful place (and it is not crowded YET). Maybe I can suggest that place as the next proposed venue for a gathering, a change to town, which has become boring with time.

All the best Clement, and the rest of you too..

Envoy of the Stars @ 8:09 AM
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