Sigh. So here I am, at the end of my stay back over here in Melbourne. Sad? Not quite, it's more a dreamy wistful sort of feeling. It's the last night I'm going to be spending in this city, this house, my room, my bed. After tonight, I won't be seeing my old school friends, my family, and now to add on to it any new friends and people I met during my stay here. It would actually be quite regrettable under different circumstances. The renewing factor in all this is the fact that this time around, unlike the last time I left home, I'm not about to be plunged into some facet of malignant chaos, pretty much alone and completely at it's mercy (in case you haven't guessed, <--- perception of NS). But yeah, so thankful and glad for the fact that this time, there are people I can look forward to meeting again, and a place and a purpose awaits that I chose. It's an incredible feeling, in contrast to the last time I was in this position.

Hmm, this week's been comparatively quiet, there hasn't been much that's been going on at all. Which is great: I need my rest before everything starts, whether over here or back in Singapore. I did go shopping though, it seems to have become a necessary ritual for me to undertake before flying somewhere, together with packing my bag and the rest. But it really is fulfilling, if I may repeat myself here. Especially when you know it'll be appreciated =)

Went on Tuesday, down to Glen Waverley (it's a suburb, where my school was (and consequently, hang out spots)). Went together with my mum and sister, who was getting dropped at school on the way to work. Spent most of the morning there pretty much, just walking around The Glen (the local mall), enjoying the space and lack of crowds (really felt refreshing btw, for those who haven't known the joy non-crowded shopping centres, I highly recommend it. Makes for a great therapy experience), meanwhile looking at/choosing gifts. Met up with my sister after school and went to see The Dark Knight. Ok, if you haven't seen this, and you're reading my blog, I recommend you go see it (I have great faith in my reader base!). While the action and effects were definitely up there, it's not even what I would recommend it for. It's for the sheer concept and storyline, and also the depth of ethical considerations it managed to confront and raise with regards to a realm governed by a system such as one employed in fictional Gotham. Serious food for thought, after the show I sort of zoned out in my own thoughts until my sister woke me from my reverie near the end of the credits. Which was when I woke to notice the little tribute they put in for Heath Ledger at the end, in his memory, which I thought was... Right. Don't know how to describe it, but it felt like the right thing to do, which was great.

Wednesday night went out with family for steak, and damn I miss a good steak. Haven't had much of a chance to eat the stuff I like for quite a time... Not that I didn't have a chance per se, but it was more like I had no reason to treat myself or go out with anyone to a nice place for sumptous meals like these. My mum's been making extra effort to cook the stuff that I miss so much from home, appreciate that a lot. I've never considered myself one for food (i'm an eater to live, primarily), and yet it's strangely satisfying to taste my mum's cooking again (Yeah, it's true lol... There's actually a difference! You just don't know it until you've been gone a while >.<).

Oh yes, while I was here, paid a visit to Monash (Berwick) Campus' Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) on Thursday night, who are actually attached to the church my parents and sister currently attend. Was nice meeting the Uni students who attend there. Won't be able to associate with them much, but it's still nice knowing another group of uni students over here. And they're a nice bunch, really. Good to know the group my sister/parents their going to be attending church with I suppose too =P.

Then Friday, I somehow managed to arrange (Ok I didn't do it, the idea was mine but really it was Ji-yoon who did everything again, she's an angel) a final meeting with most of the group before I fly off on Monday. Met up with David and Greg earlier for dinner, ate at this Vietnamese rice noodle place that apparently Bill Clinton himself had two bowls of the stuff. Honestly, it wasn't bad. Then we went down to Crown! And I went into the casino! For the first time in my life xD (I sort of turned 18 while I was in the army in Singapore... Not only is there no casino in Singapore, but... You get the point =P). It was just for the experience really, walked around, watch money go down the drain (and rarely, come out). Played at a slot machine as well! Too bad I didn't manage to get a Crown card where you can store credit. Apparently it's free and easy to get... Oh well, next time =P. Then we went to play pool/arcade games at Melbourne Central at about 10ish. The parting was the saddest part, always is I suppose. But like anything, it gets easier every time. Maybe once again it has to do with the destination in mind. Spent the night at David's because it was too late to get home by then (I sort of live... A bit far, from Melbourne City). Played WoW, Dota, just talked in general really. It was good though. No sleep once again. That makes the third night now in this trip without sleep for a night, the first being on the plane here, the second at the lan party and the third at David's place. And I anticipate a fourth. Look out for it... I'm actually getting pretty adept at it I think. Almost went the second night in a row after David's place, I only slept at 3am the following night after getting back from his place... But I'll get to that.

Anyway, I got home from David's place roughly at 12pm in the afternoon, had a little time to recouperate, before guests started arriving =O. Yeah well, basically my parents called a whole lot of friends and stuff (of theirs) over for a party, pretty much in my name -.-". I love it when it's my parents' party, and I'm stuck in it for purely obligatory reasons. Did end up talking to people though... Wasn't as boring as I had anticipated, perhaps the whole adult thing is growing on me =P. Yeah, I sort of slept at 3am that night, simply because guests left at 11pm, so my own time that night started from then. Ok fine, I got carried away gaming. But isn't that always the reason. (Afterthought: Not quite! It's 3am right now and still up, with no game in sight!)

But one thing that I'm actually quite sick of! Every other person (and quite possibly more) who I meet and hears I'm doing Medicine has the ingratiating habit of asking what I'm specialising in. And each time, I've got to explain, with more and more teeth grinding each time, that I haven't decided (who decides what they want to specialise in before they've even started their bachelor degree? Even if I did, it was probably a premature and ill-informed decision at best at this point in time...).

By the way, my lips are terribly swollen around their perimeter from dryness, and have painfully been cracking and peeling, and worst of all swollen red around my lips. It doesn't just look odd, it's really irritating. And because I was stubborn enough not to do anything about it, my tongue is now cut and damaged from licking my parched lips. Not to mention the numerous ulcers that have spawned in my gums. Most would blame dehydration due to the difference in humidity and other factors from Singapore to here in Melbourne, but I beg to differ. Somehow, I recall that this has happened on trips the other way around too. It doesn't make much sense, but it's either due to the fact that I'm actually not drinking enough water when I travel (due to the disruption of my usual schedule I mentioned before), or perhaps the stresses of adjusting levels of fluid absorption on my body due to the environmental weather change are just manifesting themselves in this way. Whatever it is, I hope it goes away. Soon. Now.

But yeah, all that said and done, soon i'll be back home, and reunited with my OG (who hopefully haven't outlawed estranged old me). Tonight's the last time I'll see my sister before she comes over, possibly at the end of the year, she has school tomorrow and won't be back home until I've checked in at the airport... And my goodbyes to my parents will be the last, they'll see me off at the airport.

I'm actually feeling terribly irresponsible at this point, because my luggage is still empty and unpacked as it has ever been, and I really don't have much time anymore to pack it, given what time it is. I could wake up earlier tomorrow, and risk being really tired on my flight back (where I probably wouldn't sleep much, if at all), and consequently being knocked out for the rest of Tuesday, thereby missing Rag and my University matriculation and perhaps my long overdue Hepatitis B immunisation, as well as seeing people again.

So you may ask... What am I still doing up? Well, I was writing this a second ago, but on second thoughts I think I'll end it here for now and do myself (and ultimately, everyone) a favour and go now. Wish me a good flight, and I'll see everyone from back in Singapore =).

Au revoir.