First Day At Notre Dame High School

When I finish school today, one of the teachers at Notre Dame High School (NDHS), who by the way teaches religion, congratulated us for "surviving the hardest day in school".

My first day was not that tough. I was actually quite lucky that my first day had a special schedule and so I did not have to spend too much time in school and I could go lunch with my sister. Its really weird for me to be in a girls school. I mean, I don't know what to expect. I've stayed in mixed boys and girls school my whole life.

I met new friends. There were too many people saying out their name I could not remember all of their names. I remember this one particular girl who take two of my subjects math and drama. She was really nice to me and he showed me around, even went to classes with me. Even though I'm in grade 11 and she is grade 10, I'm still happy because at least I know, there is someone out there who cares about new comers... Now I know how it feels to be a new comer AGAIN.

Homework wise, I've got tons to catch up on, but I know I can do it once I get the hang of it. I'm determined. I'm just not sure on what pathway should I take accountancy, nursing, musician, singer... (as if) I hope that I get to finish my school as fast as I can. I also hope I could wear the kilt, but its too expensive here. Uniforms cost you a fortune!

I think going to this school will lead me to posting more experiences and stories about my new life here...

abimere

Still feeling home-sick... If there is only a way for me to come back...

My New School

I went to Notre Dame High School today. It is an all girl's catholic school and I'm going to be starting school tomorrow as an 11 grader. I wonder what's school like here. All I could say is that I know, its nothing to what I can ever imagine... The uniform, is totally different from what I expected it to be. The people are different... (sigh)

I think I have to end here. I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. I'll tell you guys more about it after my first day.

abimere

My First Biking Experience In Canada

Just came back from biking with my brother. All I could say for now is "what's up with me and bicycles anyway?" The first time I learned how to ride a bike wasn't so good. I mean, I almost got bitten by five really disgusting stray dogs! Now, I come here thinking everything would be fine as I already know how to cycle due to of my traumatic experience before. But I was wrong...

As a was on my way back home, a lot of kids from the neighbourhood were playing outside a house. They were chasing each other right in front of me. I was biking remember? Thinking of the little children's safety, I tried my best controlling the movement of bicycle (without thinking of my own safety and what was around me). As I "biked my way" out of the kids, I didn't notice there was a huge ramp right in front of me. I think I don't have to explain the rest of it right? You probably would have already guess. Now, my but, my legs, my... (never mind) is hurting so badly!!!

dannimere

ouch... but still not as painful as what is really happening to me...

School Assessment

I just came back from an assessment today. I took an English and a Mathematics examination for approximately two hours. We went to a school nearby Bathurst subway station. Education system here in Canada is very different from Singapore. You have to have a high school certificate here in Canada for you to move on to University. I could go to college if I choose to. But, I want to obtain a degree from a University. The examination was nothing from what I expected. I didn't think the examination would be like that.

Before I end this post, I'm going to share my experience with the first token I had here. If you don't have the TTC card or metro pass, meaning monthly pass or weekly pass, you have to use tokens which cost $3 each. Now, my dad bought tokens for my whole family and we had to insert the token at the coin hole (if that is what you call it) just beside the place where you can swipe the metro pass. But, there was a bin just in front of it saying "adult drop fare $3 here". Noticing the sign and being the first one who dared to try out the "new experience", I took the initiative to drop the token at the bin. MY BIGGEST MISTAKE! I wasn't supposed to do that... My uncle was like "Nooooo!" and then the rest were like "whoooo!" For that, my mum got pretty upset because I was so "careless". I felt really bad I wasted $3 that I did not talk for the rest of the day. May be that was the main reason I did not have the mood for anything at all. I mean that could be a meal, you know? Anyway, when I see that "mystical" coin, I can't forget that moment.

I miss everything about my life in Singapore. I miss my guitar. I miss playing music. I miss my composing songs. I miss my friends. I miss my clothes. I miss my shoes. Most importantly, I miss... You...

abimere

Flurries...?

We rented a car yesterday and so we had to return it today, the same time we rented it yesterday. So, we had the pleasure to go around Ontario/Scarborough to see some of the places here, that would make that car worth it renting for. As we travelled around the streets of Ontario, at around 3pm, it started raining "flurries". I actually thought it was snowing but my uncle and dad said it wasn't. They told me it was called "flurries". I guess that is the new experience I am going to share today - FLURRIES. I wanted to take a picture, but unfortunately, you can't see it in the camera...

abimere

still waiting...

First

This is my first post here in Canada and so, I'll be writing about my first impression about her too. Canada is very different from Singapore. Some of the examples are the climate, food variety, food serving, culture, transport system, type of house, living, etc, etc, etc... But I have to admit, there are also some similarities here and there.

Canada is a HUGE country. I mean here, I'm staying in Byng Avenue at Scarborough which is inside Ontario in Toronto, Canada!!! While in Singapore, I'm staying plainly at Tampines in Singapore... Neighbours here tend to be really friendly too. They greet each other 'good morning' when they meet... But in Singapore, I haven't even seen my neighbours yet. Streets here are filled with pine trees, and withered trees (if that is what you call them... I don't even know what the name is).

Transport wise... Well, it is almost the same except that in Canada you can choose to either choose a daily pass, weekly pass or monthly pass and the rides are unlimited. But in Singapore, you have EZlink that you need to top-up every time the balance finishes up. Its pretty cool you know? Buses here also has the bus stop button. I actually thought you have to shout at the drive to stop the bus or something. Oh yeah, I remember... In trains, they say 'the next stop is Victoria Park station', 'Arriving at College'. But in Singapore, the announcement seems to be very precise... 'Next stop, Aljunied'.

If we talk about weather, its really cold in here... I mean, FREEZING COLD! I came from Singapore, a country located very near the equator and here I am in Canada like an Orang Utan stuck with a bunch of penguins and polar bears. To those who see me in my usual day, they would realise I'm a singlet/sleeveless wearing person and here, I had to wear layers and layers of clothings just to protect myself from the cold weather. Another thing to adopt into. Yesterday, my face burned due to the freezing weather and my whole face turned red. I can feel that my face is going to peel any time now...

There are many types of houses here. You can choose to either, buy a house, rent an apartment, rent a basement and live in a condominium (there might be more, but I don't know...) In Singapore, even though you can buy or rent condominiums, buy or rent your won landed property, most of the people live in HDB flats. My uncle bought their own house and we are blessed that they actually "adopted" us into their nice home.

Food servings here is not really as big as I thought it would be. When I came here, I was actually expecting a JUMBO size food in front of me, but that didn't happen because the food size is almost the same. Somehow it is bigger but not really that much of a difference. Branded items is cheaper here than in Singapore. Electronics are cheaper here too. You have to bring your own plastic bags when you shop because they'll charge you money if you want one. Recycling here is a huge part of the people's way of living. You have to put the recyclable materials in a separate garbage bag. Fast food restaurants are mostly self-service here. You have to clean up your table after you eat.

If I would write every difference and similarities, I know you guys wouldn't want to read the next few post that I'll be posting because I have already blabbered so much about what I saw in just a few days... So I guess I have to stop here. I know I have plenty more of experiences and things to say as I stay here...

Abimere