its christmas.

It is a big accomplishment.  AY served as a tour guide today. To my one and only faithful foreign friend which Ive kept in contact with. haha.  As usual, there was apprehension, fears of awkwardness, silence, finance and other miscellaneous worries.

Today was a many FIRST TIME for AY. It was AY's first guiding stint around Singapore. First time utilising the selfie stick, and learning that its called a 셀카봉 (selca bong) in Korean. First time eating Chilli Crab with a Friend; First time trying a new flavoured cookie (triple choco nut?) at Ben's other than my staple orange chocolate; First time visiting a Christmas lightup at Gardens by the Bay; First time skating at Kallang Ice Rink; First time visiting Singapore's new sports hub; It was indeed an eye-opening day for me today.

That coffee shop which Ive brought my friend to have chilli crab at was near home and recommended by my other friend HS. It did not disappoint! Korean friend loved the atmosphere. I taught her how to differentiate it from a food court in Singapore. Well, in Korea, every coffee joint aka cafe, is also called a coffee shop. Theres an informal, downtoearth, neighborly feel of Singaporean coffee shops. She also admitted that she/or any tourist would never have visited such places if they traveled to explore on their own. :)  Somehow, recently, Im reminded that scenes in Singapore do resemble that of Korea. Our humble coffee shop, reminded me of the angsty but efficient ahjummas in neighourhood Korean food joint.  The dirt, lack of air-con, locals. Its actually very much similar. :) and our trains. You might say that the rural parts of Korea are lined with villages which are sparse. Well, the red NS Line MRT which I ride on so frequently nowadays from AMK to Bukit Gombak also passes by long stretches of industrial sites, forests and sparseness between stations.  The feel is similar. It is rewarding(?) to discover these new feelings.  The longing for Korea seem to have been substituted.  Its a good thing.

Gardens by the Bay. Christmas at a park/garden has never been this magical.
The hype made everyone excited. You could feel the jumpy feelings of excitement as everyone hurriedly headed for the end of the tunnel at Bayfront station to enter the wonderland.  There were arches of light suspended overhead along dragonfly bridge.

 

Music beckoned which progressively chimed louder and louder, reassuring you of the right path. Then, right before your very eyes, a carousel-like structure of lights dazzled you. You thread cautiously, in case that 1 step would grant you entry into a different land. And then, you get absorbed by the myriad of colors; I cant even recall how the lights had looked.  Where they countless lightbulbs strung together? or ... I dont know. It began to snow. and everyone imagined they were catching snow.  It felt like a trap. The music luring you and puts people into a trance within the carousel of lights.

 
Korean friend wowed and woahed numerous times. I am Proud of Singapore.  What we have achieved and the national status we have sought to maintain, no matter how deliberate things might seem to be.
 

I would say that its a simple genuine relationship between Korean Friend and I.  I learnt that Korean Friend's Dad owns capsicum farms in Korea, the produce for export to Japan. It was interesting!!!! CAPSICUMS! Seldom do we hear of them. haha.  I was urged to practise my Korean. Korean language which couldn't really make it but I tried my best. I really needed opportunities like this, where someone could correct me and it was alright to make senseless mistakes.

I had to complete my task of tour-guide. I'll send her off at the airport tomorrow. Despite how tired and hesitant I am. I felt that it is a duty that I have to complete and I think I'd really love it after all.

It always feels as though a great feat has been overcome whenever a task is completed, against all my assumptions, presumptions and hesitations.  Sometimes I really doubt myself but seldom do I back out. I'll just go ahead and if it fails, at least Ive tried.

잘 했어, AY.
Good Job, AY.


I love the night lights, the cityscape. The pigeon hole units that were still alight around 9 plus in the night. Are people still working inside? Or had they just left the lights on???  I pondered.
The city that never sleeps.
I feel protected, somehow. Knowing that the world goes on...