ever since i got here, my brain has been working overtime trying to decipher the Chinese phrases random strangers would blurt out at me as i dined alone at a Hawker Center a block away from my HDB flat. last week, one asked me for directions to get to town, the other asked if i wanted a drink to accompany my noodles, and another completely refused to speak to me in English as i ordered chicken chop from her stall (ok, she's probably from china; but still...).

in an attempt to not seem rude (i could have easily stared at them blankly), i forced my brain to recall the chinese i once was able to speak pretty decently and ended up spouting random words that probably did not make much sense to them. but i guess the fact that i even bothered to reply in my senseless chinese made them feel more at ease because they would eventually thank me and go on their merry way. in retrospect, they probably were just thanking me for being an idiot; but whatever, i'm actually pretty pleased with myself for remembering even an ounce of that dreaded language that once caused me to constanly get my hands caned^click for failing tests.

i really am loving my stay here. it does feel rather strange waking up to a house devoid of family members; but at least this has so far given me a taste of what life would be like when i'm finally living on my own and it really isn't as bad as i thought it would be. sure, i do get lonely sometimes, but that's what facebook and my gazillion friends here are for; i might also get hungry (mostly because i'm too lazy to cook or buy food from downstairs), but at least i'm not getting fat. loves it.

i think i might just move back here once i'm done with college, provided i can find a decent job.