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Now playing: One Love/People Get Ready – Glee Cast

In continuation of my last post.

Just a recap, I’m on a 30-Day Challenge to blog. Day 1 was to describe how my day was. I dare say it was poignant and thought-invoking.

I’m typing this in-flight, returning to Singapore after 6+ days away in Jakarta.

Jakarta reminds me of Singapore during its formative years, not that I was there then, but it’s on its way towards city growth and eventual urbanisation – but it still retain its charm in more ways than one.

I spent a few days with my friend Dan and it was pretty special to me – brought around to check out the various places (though we both agree and admit that there’s nothing much – even Ben who went last year told me) and hung out with his brothers, cousins and parents (and their friends).

I felt weird, to be honest, as I don’t come from a close-knit family as they are – brothers who would play with each other and talk about their day and happenings. I’d be lucky if TL were to tell me what he ate for lunch – and let’s just ignore the other leech at home. That’s how it is.

But anyway, partly it was their accommodation and openness that really took me aback slightly. I tried to warm up, but I guess it was difficult as dialects differ and I don’t speak Bahasa. Understanding what they talk about was minimal, I guess. I was a different me – quiet and all. >_< (I hope it doesn’t become a habit to go “Okay lor.” in my speech now. It kinda is irritating. >_<)

But throughout my stay in Jakarta, I feel free to think through many things that I need to tackle when I’m home.

People overseas spend bucket-loads of money to send their kids overseas – risking danger, severe nostalgia and severance from a life that differs from their siblings. People just think of these people as job-snatching and all, blaming the PAP and blah-blah-uninteresting-stuff, and not respecting how they feel.

Anyway, I was thinking about it and asked, “What did I do?” I basically stopped studying after a minor setback – and I let it affect me for years. I put up this tough cookie shell and what did I get.

“Oh well, You’re teaching now,” says a friend. Another said I should be lucky that I’m a Singapore citizen by birth. Despite that I can’t help but to really challenge myself to open my eyes wider and think harder. Really hard. Which is why I’m taking the first step again. I pray that God will really pull me through with this plan. I should turn my own tables, and say goodbye to the oft-overthinking Derrick and just go ahead. (Referenced from Adele’s Turning Tables. A great song, IMO. Am slightly addicted to Adele’s music at the moment.)

God help me. Things do not look bright, compared to the countless number of friends around me, but I hope it is Your hand that guides me, and eventually pull me through.

Alright, I should cut the deep sharing. Notable pictures from Jakarta. I went to the open zoo – basically some animals are free to frolick around and be fed as us vistors would drive in (YES, DAMN COOL!) and windo down our windows as often as we want to snap pictures, pat them, and feed them.

Dan’s Mum and friends and he had the fun of feeding them while I took pictures. Meanwhile in between, I was just trying to fight off the boredom by the long ride.

First trip with Dan was to the theme park, big and all, but some of the rides were scary to me. Haha! I didn’t know Danny was acrophobic too, so we didn’t take a lot of the high element rides. We basically took the viking ship, roller coaster and other rides that some of you might find boring, but it was fun to me nonetheless.

Watched a B-Film, Infestation, pretty cheesy with the storyline, but I learnt a word which I forgot… -_-”

And oh, did I say I’m a full fan of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album? The songs from the album were given a tribute in Glee recently, and boy, was I really excited. Dreams, Songbird, and Go Your Own Way – brilliant songs written – plus the plot wasn’t as cheesy. I love the producers for reviving these legends, first it was Queen, Journey to current artistes like Britney and Lady Gaga and now Fleetwood Mac! *loves Adam Anders*

Naya Rivera’s voice is so fitting on Songbird, and to hear Lea Michele rock it out on Go Your Own Way gives me this feeling that just screams SHIOOOOOK!

Though I do miss the time where they were tighter in sound, but this varied sound and wider spread of leads are wonderful too. Now, someone just needs to give the spotlight to Amber Riley (Mercedes) more!

Alright, so this was technically how I felt about my whole trip, and it pretty much sums up how I’m feeling – while flying back to Singapore. Will be finding a wireless hotspot and go home straight after posting. I have work tomorrow and I’d miss this little holiday I had.

Welcome back to Singapore!

There’s a song that goes, “Goodbye doesn’t have to mean forever.” I’ll return to Jakarta – hopefully this time better planned and all. Many thanks to all who were with me while on the trip.

Let’s get together and feel alright.