hello, goodbye, and everything in between.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

south-east asia → malay peninsula → singapore → tampines

sept 15, 2009

i woke up today lucidly, a few minutes early before my alarm was set to sound. i disabled it so as not to disturbed my still reposed roommates, and continued lying down on my bunk bed completely aware that today is going to be different. leaving the hostel and knowing that this would be the last kiwi hostel i’ll be, it feels strange. i will be sleeping the forth coming night in a different place, in a different country, and i guess i was just so embraced in the nomadic lifestyle i had in my 9 months stay down under.

i was early at the airport, and the procedures are all coming back to me. this is my first flight of the year, so i was more cautious not to miss anything (especially my passport, as i’ve stupidly done this before and have to sleep for 2 nights at HK airport). checking-in was brief save for them being so strict about baggage weight allowance, and even on hand carry. i ended up having to pay 7 more kilos rated at $22 (USD) each. that’s a grand total of about 7,000 pesos. again, i was so confident i could sneak the extra weight in as i always do before. i guess i had too much confidence and self-esteem in this nz adventure over all. and again, i was wrong. i’ve been wrong in a lot of things really, but that doesn’t mean i regret any of my decisions.

well frankly, it has been down for me financially. i even owe this flying ticket to my sister, and I’m much more indebted to my ever loyal credit card, but everything has been short-term for me in my last few week in nz. i could have worked continuously at the casino and fly directly from auckland to singapore. doing this would obviously give me more money, and needless to say, the chance to get at least some of my money back,  but i didn’t. i decided to leave auckland earlier and do more things, and go to more places i haven’t been. yes, it’s not the most practical thing to do, and i spent money, but i did things.

and now, i’m crossing the indian ocean and writing this draft at 37,000 feet in a desperate attempt to do something reasonably. i like flying, beginning with the roaring sound of engine and its sudden loudness as it prepares for take off. i enjoy the brief moment of walking down the narrow aisle as i look and head for my economy seat. occasionally (just like now), i have the privilege of owning a personal in-flight entertainment with movies, music, and games. and most importantly, i love being here just sitting down and doing nothing but eat, drink, watch movies, and look at the window from time to time. i’ve seen 2.5 movies (i didn’t finish the 3rd one), gastronomically welcomed all food and refreshments offered, and been to the toilet twice.

it was nice to meet again palahniuk’s single-serving things. single-serving plates at meals. single-serving cups, spoons, forks, and knives. even single-serving packets of butter, a single-serving shot of milk, and single-serving tiny sachet of salt and pepper. this includes my single-serving kiwi seatmate who’s on her way to an authentic greek holiday in the island of crete.

the 10.50-hour journey will be finishing, and i’m back north of the equator, closer to home. of course, i can’t deny  the fact that i failed career-wise. new zealand, maybe, is still something too big for me to get just that easy. i did not even last for a year, and my 9-month stay accounts for approximately only 3% of my entire life on earth (at the time of this writing), yet it gives me so much time to realize and learn a lot of things. i know for myself everything is not the same, and it brings me smile when i view things completely different as i would before.

i don’t really know what i’m talking about here, and i ‘m sure none would have cared much about this shit but what i’m trying to say is that i had a great time, and it’s nice to move on. perhaps it’s because we always find hope in all things new that somehow i feel glad. i’m happy.

jeremy is back on the road!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

   

my dear readers, it’s 3 o’clock in the morning of september 1st, and in 5 hours from now, i’ll be leaving auckland via a 12-hour journey by bus to wellington. i’ve just finished my packing, and the last thing to squeeze in my pack is this laptop obviously. there is really much more to tell about my last days in the city, which i will probably talk about as soon as i can. i don’t know if i’ll still have the luxury of internet in a few weeks, but ‘will try to say anything if i have the chance. it has been a great moment being here in auckland, and now, i have this always same feeling in leaving a place but still, i have to go.

’see you around the globe!