Yo. I know it's been a while, actually a week probably since I last posted. But you see, when I get hit by changes in environments, habits like these get killed. Too easily. No matter how many times I've been hit by change, it's one thing I find I've never properly been able to adapt to: being able to shift easily between environments. The individual elements of the change itself could all be overcome somehow, but the change itself still disarms me every time.

Anyway, enough with my excuses. Yeah, I've been in Melbourne the past week, and it's been great. Ok, too many things have happened for me to do full recounts (I probably could have if I tried and blogged regularly throughout my trip, but the thing is, why bother? This blog's dropping lower and lower in terms of priority, which is a bad thing, but probably has to do with the number of people who even read it, and the people themselves. Probably should propogate my blog more), but I'll try my best to give recap, overall view sort of things (which most of you probably realise I'm bad at doing) (I shall attempt to anyway).

Ok, I arrived at some messed up time on Monday (was actually about 1am), to find that my Singapore SIM card didn't have autoroam (which enables it to connect to any mobile network in pretty much any country). Win. Had to find some payphone, get change from some counters, and ring my dad who had come to pick me, waiting in the car somewhere (too much effort to park and come all the way to the arrivals area just to see me walk out of the gate). My sister was there too, warm hugs all round. It was quite nice actually. Didn't occur to me before, but I realise now that it had probably been about 6 months since I'd actually hugged anyone, or got a hug that said "I love you". I don't mean holding on to some person, whether for practical reasons or for some questionable game, I mean actually hugging someone, and getting one in return. It's actually rather sad =(. Ok before I start getting mushy... It just got me wondering, when I come back again, probably next year, will it again be deprived of what I suppose could be called affection, this time for a year? Lets just say I hope not.

Anyway. Took me a few days to get hold of a local number, just so I could get in contact again. It actually was pretty traumatising, if I may use such a strong word, being out of contact. I was on MSN 24/7, checking my email constantly etc. I somehow don't think that's a good sign, neither is it normal. Hmm, I wonder. Another topic filed away for further exploration some other time. Hey, I guess it was because Ji-Yoon, who was probably trying to contact me before (on my old Australia number, which I have lost/probably expired anyway), had to resort to calling my home just to get hold of me. Good thing she did though, I was plesantly surprised to hear that she had organised a gathering for my friends on the Wednesday for dinner already, just awaiting my notification.

On Wednesday, I actually was dropped in the area earlier in the afternoon by my dad, so I took the opportunity to visit my now old school, walking distance from where I was going to be meeting everyone. It was really nice seeing my Year 12 teachers again, each one of them welcomed me with open arms, started chatting non-stop, pulled me right in. Probably spent about 30 mins talking to each one that I met. But I must admit it, it was really nice. Telling them of my endeavours and accomplishments thus far, and where I am now, in turn hearing how their classes are this year. Heart-warming and pleasant time, I'm glad I brought the presents for those who wrote testimonials for my application to NUS too, on such short notice and from overseas.

After that, I just went to the LAN shop nearby and met up with David earlier... Got him to play my druid, after our countless arguments on how I could have done something better. To put things simply, he did it better. I guess I learnt a bit from that experience... He also rebound my keys, something which I should have done a long time ago, but never got around to it/was too lazy to get reused to the amount of control I had. Was probably for the better though.

The restaurant was just next door, and it was really wonderful seeing everyone again, the old gang. Same bunch of them who saw me off when I left... Feels like no time's passed at all since I saw them really, as if the last 6-7 months didn't happen. But then when I say it, it all comes crashing in. Well, what actually comes crashing in is my time after the army, with my OG and the good times. What happened in the army has been shoved into some remote crevice, so it won't be dug out by accident. It was... Unpleasant. That's how I felt, anyway. Still do. But dinner was great, had steamboat/hotpot (they call it different stuff in different places) buffet. Like we used to do. Brought back the memories, and company I sorely missed. Everyone's grown sort of apart after this time though, probably because of the different unis and courses people are in. Still, it was nice getting together. I actually over-ate by a long shot by the way, and had that terrible feeling in my tummy you get when you eat to that extent. We did go for drinks after, and I couldn't finish mine ><. But it was nice talking to everyone again. Glad once again for the gifts I managed to get, would have felt odd going empty handed.

The next thing that happened was on Friday, and into Saturday. Went for an overnight LAN with David and the rest of the Dota guys in the city, but the turnout was shocking. We just ended up playing WoW after a while, when there was like barely anyone left. Still, it was fun. And then at like 6am, caught a train from the city to a train station near my place, to get picked up by my parents for a trip to Mount Baw Baw, to see the snow (it IS winter here in Melbourne, though it doesn't actually snow in the city, it does on the peaks nearby). Went with the church group my parents and sister are in at the moment, which consisted largely of uni students. It was cool, literally as well as figuratively, and I got my hands on a snowboard for the first time. Quite proud actually, I reckon I picked it up pretty fast =D 2 hours in, no one teaching, I was tackling the basic slope pretty well, even got the ski trail (that thing took ages to get... It's actually a lot harder than it looks >.> I had to hike up and fall down the hill until I did get it for practice lol). I was just starting on the harder slopes when we had to go. Great fun by the way, especially after you get it. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't had a chance to try so far.

Also, just to point out something you might not have realised... After spending the day snowboarding, I only realised after I stopped: I hadn't slept since Thursday night. It was fast approaching Saturday night, and after an afternoon snowboarding. It sort of kicked in as we were wrapping up. Kicked in hard, especially because of the dehydration too ><. But I was ok after skulling 1 litre of water. And then suffering in the long car ride back all the way to some restaurant where we went for dinner, which upon alighting, I made a beeline for the toilet. That aside though, I was pretty much revived after that. Would have managed that night without sleeping if I had wanted actually, if I was crazy enough (No, I wasn't... Relax).

So yeah, here I am, Sunday night (though it's actually Monday morning by now). Went to the new church my parents and sister are attending, since the time I left for Singapore. I had met some of the people on the snow trip yesterday, but there were a few I hadn't. All in all, it was a nice church, lots of pleasant people, as well as those I could talk/relate to. It's colonised by people from the nearby University (Monash University (Berwick)) since their Overseas Christian Fellowship is linked with this church. Met lots of nice people, who, if circumstances were different, would probably make close friends. It's odd though, meeting these people, yet knowing that you wouldn't be seeing them again, probably for another year, that you were just on different paths. Interesting feeling, the subtle brushing of other's lives, knowing that you pretty much won't be a part of each other's lives, except remotely, of course.

Well, it's really late, and I've got some stuff to think about seriously since tonight ;) especially in terms of actions I should be taking as a result. It's a weakness of mine, and I don't plan to let it be my downfall this time.

So with that, I'm off, I'll try to post more frequently, though I don't really have much planned out for this coming week. This is by no means a promise. If you don't see another post for the next week... I'm sorry, that's just the way it is. Any other communication/arrangements prior to then deemed important enough to me will be settled on a personal basis~.

/wave.

SodoI.