One of my favourite photos of the entire oip experience (: thought it'll be nice to use it to sum up my 2 months adventure in the states, the longest I've been away from home- an experience I was quite apprehensive about in the beginning but emerged with many things to thank God for. 

Time really flew by, like many said it will. And I return home, with a heart full of gratitude for precious friendships formed,  fun memories created, amazing sights seen and valuable life lessons learnt. 

Not all was fluffy and rosy though- like being evacuated from the hotel room in the middle of the night cause the fire alarm was triggered (and freezing in the cold wind, with semi wet hair and in my Aunty pyjamas), being the target of jokes and crude/senseless remarks in a really horrible comedy show and having the energy drained right out of my body on the day I was leaving for home by baaaaaad service everywhere I went.. 

Having experienced that much in the past 2 months, yet, some of the most precious things I take away from the trip, are the simplest: a time of prayer I shared with a friend, conversations about dreams, passions and the future with classmates, #dormlife, crazy moments singing and dancing at the muddy river, memories of laughing with (and at) one another (prof included), running to the bubble tea truck for a 5usd cup of goodness, ukulele and karaoke sessions (with an actual mike for recording-credits to the prof), handwritten cards and messages from prof and classmates, the extra smiles and hellos from new friends made, and more new friends made with a pack of starburst and many hours trapped on the tourbus. 

On the whole, I learnt valuable lessons of:

Letting go and letting life- a lot of things and experiences are better enjoyed when we learn to relax a little. It's okay to get lost, and it's alright doing and trying things not originally planned; let go and let life. 

Kindness- Kindness is a conscious decision, and I want to become and be remembered as a person who chooses kindness even when it's difficult to, even when it doesn't make sense to do so; above all else, choose kindness. 

Compromise- 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空。even though a part of me knows that I need to be more assertive in conflicts, the larger part of me shouts compromise as a mantra. To me, friendships are kept, hearts are left intact when we learn that life is a process of give and take; forgiveness, understanding, patience- sometimes we receive, and sometimes we give. 

All in all, I'm more than glad to be typing this post on my bed, snuggled up in my old but now washed blanket (mum had to take the chance) 😅 and that I've returned home especially to a mummy who whips something up when I say I'm hungry, a sister who bothers explaining details of tv shows I've missed over the past 2 months, a boyfriend who changes my guitar strings for me (but who would not sell me his guitar at a reasonable price) and a cat who (I believe) misses me. 

8th June to 27th July 2016 will be a period in my life I look back with fond memories, and a bunch of smiles and laughter. Thankful for the experience, and for those who have supported me through it (monetarily and emotionally) 😅 

Anne is home ❤️  

One of my favourite photos of the entire oip experience (: thought it'll be nice to use it to sum up my 2 months adventure in the states, the longest I've been away from home- an experience I was quite apprehensive about in the beginning but emerged with many things to thank God for. 

Time really flew by, like many said it will. And I return home, with a heart full of gratitude for precious friendships formed,  fun memories created, amazing sights seen and valuable life lessons learnt. 

Not all was fluffy and rosy though- like being evacuated from the hotel room in the middle of the night cause the fire alarm was triggered (and freezing in the cold wind, with semi wet hair and in my Aunty pyjamas), being the target of jokes and crude/senseless remarks in a really horrible comedy show and having the energy drained right out of my body on the day I was leaving for home by baaaaaad service everywhere I went.. 

Having experienced that much in the past 2 months, yet, some of the most precious things I take away from the trip, are the simplest: a time of prayer I shared with a friend, conversations about dreams, passions and the future with classmates, #dormlife, crazy moments singing and dancing at the muddy river, memories of laughing with (and at) one another (prof included), running to the bubble tea truck for a 5usd cup of goodness, ukulele and karaoke sessions (with an actual mike for recording-credits to the prof), handwritten cards and messages from prof and classmates, the extra smiles and hellos from new friends made, and more new friends made with a pack of starburst and many hours trapped on the tourbus. 

On the whole, I learnt valuable lessons of:

Letting go and letting life- a lot of things and experiences are better enjoyed when we learn to relax a little. It's okay to get lost, and it's alright doing and trying things not originally planned; let go and let life. 

Kindness- Kindness is a conscious decision, and I want to become and be remembered as a person who chooses kindness even when it's difficult to, even when it doesn't make sense to do so; above all else, choose kindness. 

Compromise- 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空。even though a part of me knows that I need to be more assertive in conflicts, the larger part of me shouts compromise as a mantra. To me, friendships are kept, hearts are left intact when we learn that life is a process of give and take; forgiveness, understanding, patience- sometimes we receive, and sometimes we give. 

All in all, I'm more than glad to be typing this post on my bed, snuggled up in my old but now washed blanket (mum had to take the chance) 😅 and that I've returned home especially to a mummy who whips something up when I say I'm hungry, a sister who bothers explaining details of tv shows I've missed over the past 2 months, a boyfriend who changes my guitar strings for me (but who would not sell me his guitar at a reasonable price) and a cat who (I believe) misses me. 

8th June to 27th July 2016 will be a period in my life I look back with fond memories, and a bunch of smiles and laughter. Thankful for the experience, and for those who have supported me through it (monetarily and emotionally) 😅 

Anne is home ❤️