Life in between Travels

I had a few weeks of good rest after SSEAYP and before starting work the beginning of this year. The few weeks of rest were good, immersing myself in the festive and celebrating the new year. Of course, this kind of life has its optimal time frame, too long I don't think it is good, especially for the pocket, hahaha.

So, I got myself a job (as planned) while waiting for Chinese New Year to arrive (the reason why I choose to stay in Singapore instead of leaving straight for New Zealand) Though work life is kind of boring (this time I didn't choose an exciting job (barista) like what I did the previous time because of the short time I will be in Singapore), life outside work is still very much enriching and fun. =)

I still visit cafes.

Did picnic and kite flying.

Participated in the WWII Bunker Tour organised by NHB

Together with like minded friends, we did our own Chinatown Heritage tour

Participated in Terry Fox Run as usual

Cycled from Woodlands to Changi, nearly breaking my old bones.

Amidst of all these, I have met quite a number of friends from SSEAYP as well. Through these meet ups I realised SSEAYP is not just about making friends onboard but also keeping them after that. 

Before I know it, Chinese New Year holiday is over and I am at the last week of my work. Now, I am waiting for March to come, where I can have a bit of time to try other things before heading to Chiang Mai and Pai, and then New Zealand in April.

Today a friend shared a newspaper article with me, here are some extracts that encouraged me once again. Maybe it can encourage some people as well..

人在世间，只拥有有限的时间，能自由自在的使用它，是人活着的证据吧。

Purposeful Traveller - 人生有很多阶段，但不一定要按部就班。

Travel - Back from SSEAYP

I have no idea where to start.

My thoughts for this journey went through ups and downs. There were some point in time I asked myself if I should be on this trip, another point I was sad that it was coming to an end and I felt I have not done enough. 

Maybe to summarize it all, I would say I met amazing people in this trip.

SG-I, a team where a few Participating Youths from each participating country coming together.

DG 7 - School Education.

Yes we discussed about school education and many other random stuff. ;)

Singapore Contingent

and Everyone else.

I am thankful for each and everyone because each forms a part of my SSEAYP memory. =)

Purposeful Traveller - One journey ends, another begins.

Travel - What's SSEAYP (See-yap)?

SSEAYP stands for Ship for South-east Asian and Japanese Youth Programme.

I was first introduced to SSEAYP by W when we were having a conversation at Doi Suthep, Chiangmai. I noted SSEAYP down and checked out about SSEAYP when I was back in Singapore, however registration was not opened then. It then slipped off my mind until I was in the midst of planning my various travel trips in May and I chanced upon that memo note which I wrote "SSEAYP"

I was so so so close to application deadline and the toughest part of the application was to have a referral letter by someone of social authority (????) who can write in reference to my character and ability to work as a team. The first and only person I can think of is W, and she was so kind to write a don't-choose-me-also-cannot kind of referral letter and gave it to me within 2 days!!! She was the God sent angel.

I received notification of the interview when I was in Turkey! The interview/selection is from 9-5pm with team building activities, group interview and group discussion on a cultural performance which we need to put up at the end of the day. Seriously. -_- I felt like a student, no joke.

I attended the one and only selection when I was back from my travel, the date of selection was perfect (because SSEAYP selection date cannot be changed, if you cannot make it, you are out. -_-)

Team building activities which made me perspire like crazy!

My KIWI team during the selection!

After a week of the selection, a few of my team mates already received notification of being selected! After refreshing my email like every second for entire week. I thought I was most probably out of this and so I worked on my NZ trip and decided to bring it closer to November instead.

And guess what....?

I AM IN.

Dilemma.

I received the email notification TODAY and I literally could not focus at work because my friend has just gotten her air ticket to NZ to join me for a holiday, I felt so so bad that she has to cancel the ticket. T.T

So, what's SSEAYP all about??? 

In short, it will involve about 50 days of sailing on Nippon Maru with youths all over ASEAN countries for cultural exchange and I will share more when I experience more. 

As of now, I know the sailing should start in Japan, then to Brunei, then Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and back to Japan. 

 Wish me good luck.

Credit: http://sseaypsg.tumblr.com/

This opportunity came by because of prayers, help and sacrifices of many people. I am thankful to be selected and given the opportunity to go. 

Purposeful Traveller - Let the sailing begins.