New year, new home

Hello!! It feels so good to be writing again. I've been here in Brisbane for 10 days now and what a crazy 10 days it has been!

Perhaps it would be best if I write a shortened recount of some of the happenings.

Last week my extended family and over 100 others celebrated the life of my amazing grandma. We had known for many years that she was very sick, but for so many people to come and celebrate her life was absolutely beautiful. I shared a personal poem and some family members played music and shared their most fond memories. Even though this week has been incredibly emotional, I was so grateful to be apart of this as well as my grandmas life.

Apart from slowly unpacking our boxes of belongings into our new home, my family has been able to fit in a small amount of sightseeing!! 

I have been visiting Queensland all my life as I have family living here but they live in the country side; a few hours out of the city. Therefore, I have never really seen Brisbane properly before. Everything here is new to me. As we have been staying in the heart of the city we have been able to get up to a lot of shopping, from the Myer Centre in the city, Indooroopilly and the massive Carindale mall. 

It has been quite a suprising experience shopping in Australia after spending the last year shopping in Singapore. There is a lot I never took notice of when I lived in Australia. The shops close so early here!! I have now realized how much I miss being able to go shopping at night, it's so convenient! Additionally, the shops are nowhere near as busy here in Australia. People here can just stand wherever they want on an escalator as they are so empty; no more single file! 

Except I do have to say, I miss the extensive range of shops in Singapore. 

My family were at a loss when we first arrived in Brisbane as to what we could possibly go and visit in a short amount of time. Just walking distance from our hotel are the botanical gardens. I adore walking through pruned and well kept gardens; there is just something so wonderful and almost calming about it. I feel so inspired when everything around me is full of life. The gardens here are worth the visit. They are also located alongside the Brisbane River so you are treated to a wonderful view of the city, the iconic Story bridge and water decorated with an assortment of sail boats. 

A few days ago I went to explore South Bank. It was so nice to walk across the Victoria bridge and see a panoramic view of the cityscape. 

After a year of absence I was finally reunited with beautiful strong, cool gusts of wind which carried us as we walked along the bridge. I really missed this cooling weather. 

There are many lovely, vibrant gardens surrounding the South Bank area. There are even board walks, eateries and a Nepalese peace pagoda. I was especially surprised to come across the pagoda! This intricately carved pagoda is actually one of three Nepalese pagodas located outside of Nepal. I was amazed by the detailed carvings which grasped the exterior. 

I am greatly looking forward to seeing how the rest of this year will unfold. I intend on taking advantage as much as I can whilst I'm staying in the city to see all of the sites at my finger tips!

Till next time Singapore ...

Tomorrow I am leaving to Brisbane where I will be spending the next few years.

To be honest, I'm not quite sure how I feel. I'm excited for the future and the new experience, but I'm also sad about having leave somewhere where I was so comfortable to have to start from scratch once again. I can only keep reminding myself that moving somewhere new means new experiences, adventures, maturity, a fresh start and the knowledge that you are embracing all life has to offer. What's the point of living in one place forever?

Leaving Singapore a few days ago was much sadder than I ever thought it would be.

We arrived at Changi airport at about 8am, all ready to check in when we spotted our Singaporean church friends waiting for us. We all rushed over hugging each other and had a final catch up before we boarded our flight.

As I was chatting to some of my friends I noticed a familiar face appear out of the side corridor. I was so excited to see that a few of my Uni friends had surprised me and come to farewell my family!! I have always loved the idea of having friends farewell you at the airport, but it had never happened to me before.  For the first people to be my Singaporean friends, I was very very pleased!

It's hard to describe how I felt in these final moments before we boarded the flight. I was just so happy to be with the people who had made my time here so much better than I could have ever imagined. I am incredibly thankful for them. I tried to push my sadness as far down as I could, just so I could really savour these last moments.

To think that even though my family had been living in Singapore for just two years, let alone myself for just one year, and we had around 20 people at the airport farewelling us is really and truly amazing.

We all said our final goodbyes and my family moved through to customs. As we looked back for the last time at the amazing people who had filled our hearts with so much joy over the last few years I couldn't help but just cry. Even one customs men said to my mum, "Wow, I've lived in Singapore my whole life and I have never seen expats farewelled with such a crowd, especially after only two years."

To be able to now look back at my time in Singapore with no regrets and only love and happiness in my heart really is the most perfect way to end my time there. I did not initially want to move to Singapore when my dad told the family we had to leave Australia. I was petrified of starting from scratch, moving to a foreign country and knowing noone, but I am so so thankful I dived headfirst into this new experience. I can't imagine how much I would have missed out on if I decided to stay in Sydney.

It has been an absolute privilege to come to Singapore and meet these amazing people. In addition I have had my eyes opened to other cultures, people and the ways of communities around the world which is something priceless.  I got to see and experience some amazing things whilst living in Singapore. I got to travel around Asia and visit some of the most incredible countries from Japan to Indonesia (I will miss travelling SO much!!!). I attended university in a foreign country and I even got my p's (drivers licence)!!

Coming back to Australia I now realise even more how blessed I was in Singapore with my friendships and my surroundings. I am certain I will long for the beautiful country of Singapore for many years to come.

I hope I will continue to be reminded and be humbled by my experience in Singapore, especially as I begin to settle into my new home. I will treasure this experience and the knowledge I have gained forever.

For now it is sadly goodbye to Singapore, but I have no doubt I will be visiting very, very soon.

Thank you to everyone who followed my journey in Singapore. I loved seeing how many people would read my posts each week. I'm hope to continue this blog as I move to Queensland.