and so i'm back.
not single. but i feel like i still am.
why the distance?
because we aren't anonymous in this city anymore.

i need a new travelling partner. this one's too quiet. and a cynic. and boring.
it's so sad that he can climb, because that's a really big factor for travelling partners.

i'm tired. and i don't know why.
i've still got to
1) upload photos (guilin + hockey MGMs + new york)
2) research for places to go during my break
3) research for which part of US to travel
4) skype friends
5) diary entry
6) cook dinner
7) bathe

but i just want to sleep. maybe it's the "depressing new york" mood.

so here i am, sitting on an airport couch at 1.30am in the morning.
I'm transiting to JFK from Taoyuan International Airport, and still got another 7 hours to go till the next flight. we already killed 10 of it.
where am i going? to NEW YORK! for 3 months (work and travel program). woohoo!
my travelling companion? daryl - fellow climber/socsci student/namastee
employer? Nathan's Famous (Coney Island)

so, basically, the 17 hours of transit was a blessing, as i got to see and experience the famous Shilin Night Market and Xi Men Ding (harajuku of Taiwan), and eat fabulous food (despite the rain).

here's the start of my journey, i just hope i can continue it with such a happy note.

i'm back from Krabi - a SMU rock climbing trip, and here I am obsessing over BAGS :D


Presenting the potential candidates:

1. Gregory Tarne 36 Backpack

2. Gregory Serrac 45 Backpack 

3. Gregory Inyo 35 Backpack - Women's

4. The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag 

5. The North Face Flyweight Duffel Bag

6. The North Face Flyweight Rucksack Travel Pack

7. Gregory Jade 40 Backpack

sweet stuff ain't it. can't wait to get them in the US man.

it just occurred to me that between the hiatus of 11 months on my blog, i missed out mentioning two very significant points in my life.

1. I'm in SMU(Singapore Management University)
2. I'm climbing.

why is it so important for me to declare these as part of me?
I do strongly believe that my time in SMU (not even a full year yet), has changed me in little ways, and will most probably affect most of my future life choices and directions. Also, they are right now, the loves of my life. especially climbing. just like gymnastics, I'll regret not ever being part of the sport.

Some (like my dad) ask, "what's so fun about climbing?" People may just think we climb up the wall full of tiles, come down, and go up again. If you think that's all to climbing, think again and read on.

We climb plastic holds on the wall, yes. But one needs to figure out where to put one's hands and legs, in what position, in what sequence? It's challenging having to figure out a puzzle before one pounces on the wall. And then there's the adrenaline rush when you're climbing. Can I reach for the next hold? Can I hold on to that shitty tile? If I put my leg there, can I jump for the tile? Can I finish the problem? And then you listen to your surroundings. Have you got people shouting and encouraging you from behind? Cheering you on. Going "awww" when you missed the tile and fell on to the soft mattress below. They feel your excitement for you, and you feel theirs, to carry on climbing. It's dependent on each other. Climbing is an individual sport? Don't ever say that again, because it's definitely a team sport, it's just up to you to decide how big you want your team to be.