INSTEP: New Zealand

Warning: This is a very very long post and it is mainly for myself so that when I get old and my memory starts failing me, at least I still have this.. Heheehe.. So read only if u want.

5 more days and I will be back in Singapore.. How fast.. These few months flew by like that.. I truely enjoyed this trip and I learnt a lot of new stuff, grow mentally and emotionally and most importantly, found what I thought was lost for years- my independence..

Going overseas for an exchange programme has always been what I really want to experience.. I finally got a chance.. Of course thanks to my parents for their monetary support.. Without them paying for everything, I would never have the chance.. And thanks to my bf for allowing me to go. When I told him I have decided to go for exchange, he didnt stop me at all.. Instead he told me that he thinks that it is a really good opportunity and I should cherish it.. And weirdly, my parents were not worry about dumping their daughter to some other country.. Considering the fact that I am so short and tiny... They didnt even help me with the preparations.. The only thing they asked was for an estimated total amount.. :S But I am glad doing all the prepations myself.. (**Oh the thing that my dad help was to help me book the air ticket).. How great right? He did the easiest job.. What if I screwed up something?

I know it is going to be hard leaving my family, my bf, my friends and all the familar things behind. Stepping out of my comfort zone not knowing what to expect. Not knowing if I could really survive out there all alone and in a totally unfamiliar place. Some even said I was crazy.. especially to leave my bf like that and to be away for months.. They told me there is just too much uncertainity.. My friends told me that they wont do that as they will die leaving their girlfriend/ boyfriend for months.. (Yeah, a guy told me that too.. Hehehe..) I am aware of all the things I am going to face and all the uncertaintity... But.. Hmm I just want to go.. I want to know if I will die.. Hehhe.. (Oh well.. I managed to live and I think my life has gotten even better..) **I remember I seen a banner at BMTC saying "Its not what you left behind.. Its what you gain" Hahaha..

My family, relatives and friends came to send me of.. I wasnt feeling anything at first but when my gong gong started crying (it was quite loud), I cried too.. Hahaha.. I then hugged my sisters and in I went.. That was then I realised "Oh shit.. this is real" hahha.. And I was worried for myself.. Thinking what if I really couldnt take it half way through? Got on the plane, and I met my first obstacle: Not tall enough to put my luggage up the plane! hahahah.. The person in front was kind enough to help me.. Then fly fly fly.. Transit at Brisbane for an hour and continue flying to Wellington..

I reached there in the noon and I was excited.. Lugging 30++kg of luggage with me, I headed for the railway station by cab... The railway station was where I am suppose to take my 2+hrs coach to Palmerston North.. But I had 5hrs before the coach arrived and I was so excited to explore the place.. I then went to ask if there was anywhere I could keep my luggage and they told me I could at this backpacker.. So I lugged my luggage and went there.. It was a difficult chore!! SO HEAVY!!! And far.. Ok I finally safekeep my luggage and started roaming the streets and taking pictures! But I looked so ugly in the pictures as I was really tired.. I am not one who could sleep anywhere outside my room.. So by the time I reach Wellington, I was awake for 30hrs.. The coach was at about 8pm.. Before I got on the coach, I bought some bread and water to bring along with me.. The sky was completely dark by then.. I was so tired but I didnt dare sleep as there were a lot of stops in between and I didnt know which was my.. After 2+hrs of bus ride, I finally got to the town area of Palmerston North.

It was 11+PM by then and the entire town was dead.. Not a single soul.. I then had to find my way to the University. I had to call the campus people to let them know I am here so that they could pass me the room key. So I went in search for a public phone. Obstacle 2: The public phone was ribbed off the phone booth! And by the time I realised that, everyone who alighted from the coach was gone.. There was this one guy left.. So I approached him to borrow his hp to make a phone call.. After getting the details of where I am suppose to head for, I looked out to the road and realised it was EMPTY! Great! How am I going to get a cab? I then approached the guy again to asked him if I could dial for a cab here.. He helped me look around the place and we found the number to call. This time, he automatically took out his hp and handed it to me. And after I was done, he left. **Really grateful to him man.. And I was even more grateful now as I know the cost of making a call out! 89 cents a minute!! HAahaha..

By the time I got to my room, it was almost 2am.. And I broke down and cry for a while.. Reason: I was so tired! And everything was so heavy! Was awake for 2days.. But weird enough, my crying lasted for only 5 minutes.. Hahaha.. I then set up my laptop, used my credit card to purchase the internet plan, unpacked and hit the bed..

To be continue...