Journey

Hello people! Long time no see huh? :) 

Wanted to blog this since last 2 weeks but was always hold  up by something else. So, here it is!



WARNING: This is going to be a very long post.




Here I am now, sitting on a couch in Room 201 in Ross Hall, one of the residence halls of Drake University in Des Moines (Pronounced as Dee Moin, or something like that), Iowa, US. Once in a while this whole thing still seem so surreal to me. Sometimes I wake up and took a few seconds to realize that I am in US instead of in my lovely room in Malaysia. All the farewells are like yesterday, and I just couldn't get used to the fact that I can't talk to my mum face to face everyday.

My last semester in Inti ended 3 weeks before my departure to US. In that 3 weeks, I was busy preparing for this journey. And also, I had my first surprised farewell! Okay wait I don't think I'll have a second one but... this is how my day went.


It was a Friday evening and I just got back from work. My brother went home with me, and he took his shower after me. I immediately felt that something was wrong because normally he would not shower until it is 10p.m.. He showered, and went out!! And I waited for bf to come and fetch me to Sunway Pyramid. When we reached there, I was so hungry but my bf tried doing so many stuffs other than bringing me to eat. And he kept receiving calls and msgs. So I started to become suspicious. There is definitely a conspiracy going on! So I asked him, is my brother here? He kept on avoiding my question and would not allow me to ask more, which confirmed that there was something going on! And then finally, he received a call and FINALLY willing to bring me to eat. He took me to Fullhouse, and I said I don't want to eat there (to test id there is REALLY something going on) and he said cannot, I must eat there LOL. So we went in, and guess what? There's this 1 2 3 4 5 6 people sitting there trying to cover their faces with menus! Lol! Yup, the uninvited guests!

The very first person I want to thank is actually my brother. Not because he is the most organizer who plan this surprise (I'm not sure who is), not because his presents are the best, but because he is the one that has spent his most of his entire life, at least til now, with me. I live with him since I was born, we used to fight when we are little kids, but now we are all grown up and I think both of us appreciate the presence of each other. He and I are only 1  year apart, and that makes us share a lot of common similarities. We talked to each other on basically everything, and he knows WHO I AM. Okay, stop the long winded-ness, and these are the presents he gave me!

A very cute PINK ear muffs! :D 

Oh he actually gave me a pair of heels too, but I don't have a picture of that :P

Yup, not fancy gifts, but something I will need in the future. So thank you bro, if you are reading this, I would love you to know that I miss eating supper and going to watson with you :)

Next up is my dearest boyfriend! :D

Boyfriend :) 

Then my seat-mates for last two years in high school, Jia Ying! :)

Jia Ying :) 

A pair of earrings! So elegant :) I want to thank her for being next to me (physically and also mentally) for quite a long time in my life, and I am so thankful I have her. I always ask her to check my English for me, and I used to borrow a lot of novels from her. Didn't get to sleepover at your house before I come to US! :( We MUST do it next year kay? :D All the best in United Kingdom, and keep in touch!

Next we have the sampat group leader Vivi!

Vivian :) 

A jar of stone- and lego-shaped candy!

The one very important thing I want to thank Vivian is that she always fetch me to our hang outs and gatherings. THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. Next time, like few years more, I will fetch you back! :P

And then the tall girl of our gang!

Yi leng :) 

The bear who is currently on my study desk! 

Thank you for umm.. Celebrating my 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th birthday? LOL just kidding! Thank you for being my roommate in the 3A2 class trip! And thank you for introducing me to English songs! Fall for you!!

Last but not least, my dearest Orange, a.k.a Xue Ying! :D

The mug I am using right now!

Thank you for participating in the 30-hour famine with me, thrice. Thank you for being my faithful listener, and thank you for believing in me and sharing your life stories with  me. All the best in UK too, and ALWAYS whatsapp me, but do get enough rest no matter you are in Malaysia, United States or UK! 

It was an unbelievable night. I was literally the happiest person on earth. Thank you again everyone! 

You all might be wondering why didn't I elaborate on my bf's part. Well cause I'm going to do so now! 

On the 12th of August, my bf came to my house in the evening to fetch me. However, he asked me to blindfold myself when I got into the car. He forced me to! Lol so I did, and he drove me to I-don't-know-where. He drove for so long! Like an hour?? Haha I almost fell asleep. And I ended up in his house! And when I entered the living room...

I stare right into this. Yeap! Candle light dinner :) With th-cooked food!

The chef with the chicken :) And I have to tell you, the food is really really nice! I had salad, chicken with potato, and cheesecake :D

A bit blur but I like the color :) 

Red roses! I love roses but one thing about them is that they wilt quite fast :(

Sweet eh? :P 

When people ask me about my relationship, I am never shy to tell them that I have a bf in Malaysia and we have been together for almost 3 years. I know I have said thank you to you numerous times dear, but I want you to know that every time I say it, I mean it. Please wait for me, I'll be home soon <3 p="p">
The last farewell I had was on 18th August, one day before my departure to the states, in my house. Most of the guests are my family, but some of my friends managed to turn up too!

Happy family :) 

Thanks for those who attended, thanks for the wishes and thanks for the angpau's!

On the 19th of August, my family and I went to the airport at 8 in the morning. My flight was scheduled to depart at 11a.m.. Three out of four of my "bodyguards" came to send me off too!

Protect me!! XD

I didn't really get to say goodbye to them :( Rushing to check in and all. But one thing that I will never forget, one thing that always make me cry is the hug that I got before I start the journey alone. Mum's gentle hug, telling me that everything is going to be okay, dad's strong hug, giving me the courage I need and bf's hug, telling me that he will be waiting for me to go home..

During our orientation, one of the officers said to all new international students: "One thing all of you have in common is that you all have traveled a long journey to reach here. And what I mean is not just the flight, but the emotional and mental journey that you all have undergone."

Yes indeed. From choosing the uni to applying to that uni, doing visa, booking air tickets, preparing and packing. And on top of all is that I won't be seeing my family and friends in Malaysia for almost a year :( 

I miss home, I always do. But in this new place, I meet new people, learn new things, adapt to new culture. And I will still be me. The values I bring with me and my love towards my loved ones will never be lost. The first thing I go home next year is to hug mum and dad and tell them I really, really love them.

Having their love for me and my love for them, I'm pretty much settled down in this small town. Drake is a small school, but the people here is nice, helpful and friendly. My classes had started and life goes on. I share this apartment style hostel with 3 other girls from Malaysia and we walk to class everyday. We are doing well! :)

My journey has started, and I will make the most out of it before I reach  my destiny.

p.s. Always check my Facebook to see pictures and for more recent updates! :)

xoxo,

Shi Yi