Meaning

Dreaded exams are here.

In some way I guess the meaning of exchange would be lost if I did not have to study or have to pass any exams. Yes I know some people who have to do neither, either cos they're here just to write a thesis (i.e. do it at your own pace), or they have no credit transfer whatsoever.

But yes the end of exams would seriously mark the end of exchange for me for my actual work here would be done. Right now I'm just seriously feeling the pressure of reading a ton of backlog and memorising chunks and chunks.

Help!

Scenic Ireland

This trip was by far the best I've had in terms of coastal scenery, mostly the Glens of Antrim in the North (near Belfast), and Glendalough / Wicklow Mountains in the East. If I ever do go back, please remind me to rent a car and go crazy.





Spanning a chasm some eighty feet deep is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, it's construction once consisted of a single rope hand rail and widely spaced slats which the fishermen would traverse across with salmon caught off the island... The area is exceptional in is natural beauty, to the left as you come down the steep hill is Larrybane headland which once stretched out towards Sheep Island and had a promontory fort on the top dating to 800AD, underneath large caves once served as home to boat builders and a safe resting place from winter storms.

- http://www.northantrim.com/carrick_a_rede.htm




At the Giant's Causeway

The coastal scenery adjacent to the causeway is some of the most beautiful and awe inspiring that you are likely to find anywhere. The majestic cliffs and inaccessible bays combine with myth and legend to inspire, but look carefully amongst this breathtaking landscape and you will find echoes of another reality, isolated ruins, kelp walls and shoreline fields bear testament to the harder life of subsistence farming and fishing endured by past generations.

- http://www.northantrim.com/causeway.htm





Behind me was a location which was used in the filming of Braveheart. Our tour guide (cheeky Irish man) entrusted a bottle of Jameson's Whiskey to Liz to pour for the rest of us weary travellers. Needless to say, it served as a nice social lubricant. Very beautiful scenery.

Glen-da-lough, Irish for Glen of two lakes.

Round Tower, standing 110 feet, standing strong and erect since the 7th century. Apparently many people come here to be inspired by it.







Only thing I knew about Glendalough before this was because of the Viking Ship Sea Stallion of Glendalough, which made the journey from Roskilde (in Denmark, one of my super early posts) to Dublin, where it is exhibited at the National Museum of Dublin currently. I do think it would be an experience of a lifetime to have been part of the historical voyage.

Ireland is truly a wonderful place to visit for its sheer amount of natural beauty. I just can't really put it down in words, the whole experience being magnificent, and knowing that this would forever be embedded in me.

Days of Sunshine

Plenty of daylight and sunshine these few days in Aarhus, essentially a rare occurance. And its not the super humid, omg get me into an air con room type of heat ala Singapore. Seems like everyone decided to move their activities outdoors - lay down a sleeping bag, take their top off, read a book, take a nap etc.

Unfortunately, Aarhus seems colder than ever to me.

Maybe its the super long romantic holiday with a loved one that lifted my spirits up high, and now that she's gone, my mood has dived to a new low.

Maybe its the fact that after nearly 9 months away from home, I just want to get my exams over and done with and be on the plane home but my last exam had to be as late as 27th June.

And finally just maybe, that despite being in Aarhus for some time now, I still feel like a foreigner in a foreign land, unable to appreciate that sunshine means prancing about outdoors.

For now, the flickers of sunshine in my heart is kept there by memories and photos.

A Sad Moment

Kyle Lee Wei Chiat

Departed: 19th April 2008, 1435 hrs

Age: 22

Will be missed by the brothers in Europe

SAFE TRIP DUDE!!!

Memory Lane

I think I was supposed to have seen this thing before many many years ago but I'M SORRY MOM AND DAD I don't remember it. All I remember from that Europe tour was sitting in a coach all day, eating in chinese restaurants every night, popping out once a while to take a photo and go to the gift shop. But of course I'm eternally grateful that you chose to bring little ol me along on the family vacation and put up with my whining and restlessness, and the fact that many years later I'll return to the same spot and not remember anything :D



The flagship LV store is soooooooo nice. It's like walking in some posh palace / throne room inside. Can't take any photos otherwise security would have manhandled me.

Contrary to popular belief, the French people I met were not particularly snobbish or unhelpful just because I could not speak French. But still, a part of me wished I knew the language.

Time Extension...

It's crazy how time passes so quickly on exchange, and in less than 3 months I will be back in Singapore.

In between now and then I still need to pass some exams, book the plane ticket home and see some places with some people.

But first it is time to enjoy Barcelona :)))

Band of Brothers

Present this photo and get a 50% discount on Tris' service. Which works out to about 10 baht. Hur hur.

Felt really nice chillin in Amsterdam with the guys and gals from Utrecht. The surrealness of it can just, sadly, never be replicated in Singapore.