It's Been A Long Time

Its been a while since I posted something. I had problems with connections remember? Well, good thing we have internet now. A lot of things happened to me in just the past week. I can't remember a day where I didn't got into an accident or hurt myself. I don't know why I'm so clumsy... Maybe its a reflex action? The sign of me missing you?... Well I came up with this idea to put up the things that happened to me this past week. In that case, nothing will be left out.

May 5, 2010

Today is the official day we moved here in our new apartment. Its a bit messy, but I'm glad that at least now, we have a place to live in. When I know I have so man things to catch up on here. I don't even know where to start. I really miss Singapore. My friends. My best friend specially.

May 7, 2010

It is multicultural today at my school. Coincidently, it was also St. John's 100th anniversary - the elementary school beside us. It got so crazy at school and let me tell you, it wasn't any ordinary day. Trust me! We had first period, then we went to the gym for an assembly. It was a like a rehearsal for the concert that will be happening that night. Anyway, I was part of the drama class and so one of our activities or assignments? project? (whatever) was to come up with a skit and perform it for the multicultural concert. As far as I know, we will be graded according to our performances. I think I did okay... I mean I was in the minor roles so, I don't think there is a problem with that. I thinks that my classmates did a pretty good job. I had to admit, I was tempted the others perform while I was in "tablo". After that we went back to our home rooms for some pot lock lunch. I brought chocolate chip cookies. My other friends brought pasta, cassava cake, vegetable pasta, spring rolls, and many more. I didn't eat that much. I guess I didn't really had an appetite. So, school ended and I have to be back in school at 7pm for the night show. I had to wait for my sister as usual to go back home. So I waited... But I told her I might have a rehearsal. She went to main street library while I was stuck at school because the practice was cancelled by my drama teacher. So I had to wait for my sister for 2 hours. I was so mad because I thought she actually went home without me. She just actually went to the library.

When we got back home, I only got like 1 hour rest then I have to go back to school for my play. I didn't bring anything as my plan was to go back home quickly after my part. When we were on the way, we rode bus no. 12 and the bus driver didn't accept our transfers. He said that it was "not a valid transfer" even if I saw my other friends doing the same. I was really late and so i decided not to defend myself as I didn't want to be kicked out of the bus. Another agenda... The bus was so crowded as everyone in the bus are on their way to Notre Dame high School for the play. I thin that the bus driver was not having a good day so basically, he was being petty about every single thing that he see on the bus. He told people to move in the bus, but there was no space. A guy then shouted at him and he felt insulted, so he pressed the "insult button" that they guy was referring to *laugh*. In the end the guy who was "rude" to the petty bus driver had to apologize, before the bus could proceed. He did. I mean who wants to pay another $3 for a bus ride? Anyway so when my play ended, heavy rain started pouring down so hard. Thunder, lighting started rumbling one after another. I wanted to get back home so badly... Its really late at night and do not have a car or any sort of vehicle to transport as back home. Note to self - there are no more street cars so we had to walk in the rain not forgetting we don't have umbrellas and our jackets were cardigans! Imagine how cold that would be. Luckily, I saw Lilac my classmate from drama and she kindly dropped me and my sister at the main station. Thank God, there was Lilac and her dad. They were really nice.

So that's how my day went. It was really crazy, huh? Luckily, when we got home, we bought our mom a mother's day cake. After that, her panic subsided.

May 8, 2010

I went to a Child Christening. The baby's name is Pipoy and his mother loved eating McDonalds chicken nuggets when she was pregnant with him. Pipoy is a really cute boy. I mean he is adorable! We had to wear semi-formal for the event, but we didn't have any semi-formal clothes that could protect us from the extreme cold weather here in Canada. So we had to wear casual. On our way there by subway, it was really sunny, but when it came to taking bus and walking on our way to find the church, it started pouring... Again! That's why when we reached the place, we were drenched and tired from all the running. Anyway, so you know how cold it is in Canada right? Imagine how cold I felt. The worst part is, I didn't have any thick jackets with me because I thought it was going to be a sunny day just like the weather in the morning.

After the christening we had to go out of the church again to go for the reception at "Mandarin" - a buffet place. I was so full. Bloated! After I ate sushi, calamares, terriyaki chicken, salad, chocolate marshmallow, leche plan, fruit tart, etcetera, etcetera and so forth... We were given fortune cookies. After all, the place was called "Mandarin" very Chinese. I was so excited as I cracked my fortune out. My sister got " you'll be successful, if you concentrate on what you are doing", my brothers is "you will be rich and powerful", my dad has the funniest "Love is waiting..." That was really unexpected! Mine was "Your romance is true and everlasting..." oh, how I hope its true... I hope...

I ended up going home early because I've got a presentation due Monday and I have to finish the script. We still have to go to Niagara Falls the next day and if I stayed, I would have been dead from all the work I need to catch up on. So as I was flipping through pages of my work, I had this paper cut which was so excruciatingly painful! I get cuts from time and again. at least one in a day. I'm too careless and clumsy. My mind is like somewhere else these days...

May 9, 2010

Today is mother's day and we also went to Niagara Falls. I have school tomorrow, crap! Anyway, I had so much fun. I guess I don't really have to emphasise on how fun it was because it was really fun. Okay... I'm getting ridiculous! Anyway, an accident happened to me today. At dinner just now, while I was about to finish eating my food, I was cutting this pork rib which by the way was really good. My fork flew up for I don't know what reason, so without thinking of any sort of precaution, I catch the fork with my two hand HORIZONTALLY. The fork then went inside my hand. I mean literally went right through my palm. It bled so badly! It was really bad the I started crying because I thought that I poked my wrist. I wonder if the scar will be huge...

I'm really sleepy now so I guess I'll end here.

More things actually happened to me this past week, but I wasn't able to write them somewhere. But, as soon as I remember things that happened this week, I'll post it here...

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