Yesterday, it was the 4 of us together again to Chateau de Versailles (castle). It is just 30 minutes from Paris. It was a very beautiful but really cold day of -2 degrees celcius and it feels worse than usual for me because I was sick. We did not really do or walk much, but I enjoyed myself as we laughed and joked around and had much fun.
the window latch
beautiful sunset
It was Chinese dinner and home later.
On a random note, I would like to say that Paris is getting colder and colder each day. It's totally crazy. Today, it was -3 degrees throughout the day. I would never survive without my gloves and beanie. Without my beanie at Versailles yesterday, my ears suffered serious torture and were extremely red and hard by the time I got home. Well, can't wait to go back! I hope I don't get more sick though, considering that it will be a sudden jump of temperature from below 0 degrees to 30+ degrees!!
My dear friends, see all of you soon!! Date me for coffee and I'll bring my laptop so you can see all the pictures! A bientot.. ciao!
Yesterday was Disneyland with T, K and Y! It was my first time ever in Disneyland. I totally felt like a kid again but the joy I felt was indescribable. You feel very carefree, happy, getting all excited and waving at Mickey, Donald etc because they are just soooo cute!
Herby!
motor stunt show
no need for introduction for this character
the ride that drops you down vertically in the building. great thrill!!
this room is where all the costumes are made
a movie set
the parade at night
facade
part of the huuugggee interior "land"
I only managed to take 3 heart-stopping rides as the queues were all very long and spent the rest of the day on a few other rides, watching shows and the parade. All in all, I enjoyed myself greatly as this was such a magical experience!
Friday was a really, really sad day for all of us. I went to school to have the last lunch with the peeps. It was many of them's last day. And then someone started a chain reaction - L started crying at the lunch table and everyone started tearing too. And this was just the start. Later on, everyone started crying at the smoking corner and all of us were in such an emotional mess.
The worst hit came when we all walked Borja to the school gate and we all burst in tears - even T (a guy) was crying. Oh gosh it was such a horrible scene that really breaks my heart. I kept having flashbacks of how we first met, the fun and laughter that we had, the house parties and nights out that we had etc...
Even though it was just 3.5 months together, everyone really, truly bonded and supported each other. It hurts so much to see all of us break up. Well, at least most of them live in Europe, so it's not that bad. But for me, it's impossible to see them soon. I decided that I might try to save money in a few years to come back for a gathering, especially to see Tania. She is coming to Asia too in a few years.
Now for some pictures on the last day:
red eyes and trying to smile
with the Germans at our very last party
with a Japanese-Korean-Canadian, American and Argentinian-German. lol.
I am really dreading the 29th - the last time I will be seeing the people dearest to me - Tania, Thomas, FP, Sophie and Leighai (who coincidentally happen to be the people who haven't left yet, or they are French). I guess I'd most likely have a major breakdown on that day.
Well, making the most of my time here. Have been meeting Tania up. We went shopping at Champs-Élysées yesterday!
I'm beginning to dress Parisien
playing with foam at Saint Michel
sadly those wallets are not mine! :(
We had really good and cheap dinner - ultimately delicious and tasy. Shaved chicken meat in panini or pita with chips for 5 EUR. It is one of my most favourite food in Paris.
With 12 more days to my departure, I now look back and think about how I've lived my life here. Although it was only 4 months here, it was a different, exiciting, challenging 4 months. I have sooo many stories to tell when I get back! So, if you wanna know, date me out for coffee! Hehehe!
So, if you ask me, what are the most interesting facts about Paris? Here are the Top 3:
1. You can do anything you want in the Metro (train). ANYTHING. I've seen people scream, shout, laugh loudly, hold parties (yes you heard me right!), buskers, sing, play hide-and-seek (this is a very popular game among TEENS, where you jump around carriages), fight etc.... Oh and to pee in the Metro station is very common.
2. Parisiens are NUMBER ONE in parking skills. Really. They win anyone HANDS DOWN. Just look at their parallel parking:
And if, like me, you're wondering that it's impossible to get out, think again:
And on how to get IN:
I see these happen all the time till there is no kick in seeing anymore. Lol. On top of having superb parking skills, they have "great" driving skills.
Traffic jam? No problem, just drive up the pavement to cut the queue!
Need a U-turn? No problem, just drive over the divider!
Oh, and if you are like Paris Hilton and her chihuahua or the Japanese, this is the place for you.
3. Treat your dog as your (human) companion! No problem! He could go on the Metro with you, to the supermarket, bars, restaurants, shops, departmental shops... anywhere!
On Sunday, Y and I went to La Vallée Village to do some shopping. It was a village with rows of shops where you can find branded stuff at factory price. They are not defected goods - just goods of the past season. There was Burberry, Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo, Agnes B, Armani etc... I bought a Burberry wallet and 2 Polo Ralph Lauren Polo-Tees!
After that, we met up with the rest of the Singaporeans and their French friends. It was just the usual house party but with an Asian touch - Mahjong. Woohoo! After most of the people left, we played rounds and rounds of Mahjong. Luckily, there was no bet. Being super lousy, I wouldn't have played if it involved money. Not willing to 交学费...
TY teaching Cyril how to play. He learns fast because he knows how to read Chinese!
my shitty cards at the start of the game. but i still won. hehehehehe We stayed over at their place as it was late. The next morning, C drove us to their school as it was near the RER. Their school (ESIEE) is so big and nice!
with Reyes and Faizal
Had a really fun day with them! Oh and some other random pictures taken in school during the last lesson:
the one and only French girl that I like - Sophie
the 3 guys who made our stay so fun - Borja, FP and Thomas
I reckon I will take loads of other pictures tonight and on Friday. We're trying to squeeze as many gatherings as possible. I am gonna make the most of my remaining days here spending time with the rest, especially with Tania, who is like my mother/sister. She is always protecting me, listening to me etc... Will definitely stay in touch with her when I'm back.
I would say this "gala" was more of our own party. We didn't give two hoots about other people who were around. We just enjoyed ourselves thoroughly - laughing, drinking, dancing... It was a great, great time.
Before the gala, everyone came over to our place. We talked and laughed and had some drinks first. Thankfully, the crazy neighbours of ours weren't in. They came back right after we left. We made our way to Tapis Rouge by metro. The gala wasn't a gala - it was just expensive clubbing. It would have been considered bad and boring if weren't for all the fun-loving international students. We made our own night.
at my house
with Thomas & Tania - freakin tall people
with Thomas :)
with Sophie
i love these people
For more pictures, I have the full album on my Facebook. It was one of my best nights ever in Paris. I will definitely be so sad to leave them.
After the shit that happened to me on the ski trip, I am in fact very happy and very touched now. When I told T and some others the story, they were so upset and word soon got round the international students. I was very surprised that everyone was very, very concerned and angry. And I was even more surprised that I was not alone - shit happened to 2 others too.
They were so upset that everyone decided not to go for the Gala night. T even walked up to R for a refund of the ticket; telling him "You know what? We're all gonna stand together and if this is the kind of attitude we are getting from this school, fuck it."
Well however, HS, me and the Chinese already bought the tickets and R refused to refund. And so, at the very last minute, the dear international students decided to go for the Gala. We're all going TOGETHER. I really, really am so happy and appreciative of everyone here. The Chinese, Spanish, Italians, Americans, Germans - I never expected everyone to be so united and so supportive of me.
Tonight is our night. Fuck those French. We'll have our own time before everyone leaves. I'm sure I'll miss them loads... Have taken lots of pictures these few days with the dearies. Will post them up soon.
beautiful sunset
