I have been dreaming about this day since day one when I stepped foot on the Evergreen campus at Loyola, Study Abroad was here! Finally a Junior I will spend my fall semester somewhere new and exotic. What better place than Singapore? It took a lot of anxiety and "freaking out" to finally make it to my first day.
In hopes of passing out on the airplane ride, I decided to sleep at 2am (American time) and wake up at 7:30am. I saw down on my phone that I had two missed calls from my friends Kelley Dolan and Libbie Gerham. To know that I have friends back in the US who comfort and support me is a feeling that is irreplaceable. After my shower, I quickly called them back. I did not realize how much I was gonna miss my friends after the last few calls. As the nerves started, I tried to calm myself down with short breaths and telling myself, "you will be okay." Airplanes freak me out. It's too small; it smells; the food is not great; and I just prefer to be on the ground.
The car ride there was quite a ride. I kept rambling on how nervous I was to my mom as my mom slowly started to ignore me. My grandpa in the front seat was reassuring that things were going to be okay and he was instructing me step by step on what to do and how to do it (it being the layover and such). Meghan was passed out in the back seat. Dad was driving away.
When I walked into Dulles Airport in DC, the nerves not only got worse but created a pit feeling in my stomach and head thinking to myself, "you can't do this, turn around, and go." My mom and I got in line to grab my plane tickets. "Alright (I thought to myself), this is it, no turning back, we're here." We walked to the entrance of security as I kept looking at the clock to not be late. I kept wanting that clock to freeze in the moment or go back because to be honest, I was not ready. I was not ready to leave my family and friends and embark on a new independent adventure in Singapore. "Why on Earth did I pick Singapore?" (I thought to myself), as the tears went down my face as I hugged my family away.
I went through security safely and got what I needed to get done. Riding on Korean Airlines taught me a lot about Koreans. They love to dress up and look good, as I sat there in my Old Navy yoga pants and a red Miami college shirt (from Aziza Alaoui). Grandpa had given me money for "hungry #1" he called it, so I got up and bought myself a whole wheat grilled chicken and pesto panini since I had no eaten breakfast or anything because of my anxiety. It tasted so good, I wanted more, but my stomach could only take half of it. I sat there in front of the gate, panini in hand and cellphone in the other (this was going to be my last time using my phone in America). I quickly dialed Kelley Quinn's number to calm myself down (since she has expertise in flying back and forth from Baltimore to Rochester). Once again, I realized how much I was going to miss home....
Airplane ride #1 was HELL---13 hours in a crammed seat that did not recline so well. I was uncomfortable, unhappy, and overly exhausted. I tried getting through one movie which was "No Strings Attached." I could not get through it so I decided to pass out (hoping the medicine would soon kick in). I woke up a couple of hours later and lunch was served. It was horrific! Little cubes of beef with vegetables, I wanted to die. I drank coffee to get the taste down my throat. Movie #2 was up, "Just Go With It." This movie was comical but once again I could not get through it, so I slept. Few hours go by, I decide to go for Movie #3, "Toasted." I had never seen it, got in a hour into it, and passed out. I wake up and there was still 6 hours to go! I thought I was gonna bust that window open and jump off the airplane. I sat there, praying to God that I could make it. Overly exhausted and nervous, I slept. Basically, I slept through Airplane ride #1.
The layover in South Korea went well. It was barely 2 hours long. I went through security with flying colors and decided to sit in front of the gate and not buy any food or drinks (nerves were kicking in..). My gate number was called and off to Singapore I went. It was a crowded plane ride and a cold one too. As we were slowly landing in Singapore, the plane started to do weird things, a feeling in my stomach that was unbearable. I thought right then and there I was going to vomit (I did not luckily!). I decided to have Korean food on the plane for dinner, but I ended up just eating plain rice. My stomach had caution signs all over it. I was not feeling well AT ALL. 13 hours on Airplane ride #1 plus a layover, now this!
Finally, I see a familiar face, Patrick (my program director) was waiting at baggage claim. I patiently waited for my two 50lb. bags. Patrick got a taxi and away we went. Singapore is not hot, it's REALLY HOT and sticky if I may add. My poor face will break out with blemishes and pimples in no time. NTU campus is soo large, it could eat up Loyola in one bite. It's huge!!
My dorm was very confusing to get to, it was like a maze. As I opened the door, my roommate was already there and unpacked. Her name is Joanna. She is a 1st year from Malaysia studying mathematics. She is this short Asian girl with short black hair. Joanna has a twin sister who stayed back in Malaysia. I can't wait to get to know her better.
I decided to shower since sweat was dripping all over the place as I unpacked. There was no AC in the room because apparently you have to pay before you get the AC. I have never had to share a communal bathroom so this was interesting. This dorm is not indoor too, it's all outdoor, meaning I was walking around naked in my towel getting from my room to the bathroom and back. Loyola spoils me, so I can see already that it's going to be a bumpy ride. I'm pretty sure when a few weeks go by, I'll feel like a regular.
It's 3:18am Singapore time and 3:18pm America time. I should be going to bed or at least trying. I already miss America and my friends and family, but once I get myself busy, I know I will focus on the great opportunity in Singapore... until then! MUCH LOVE from the Chatty Chong!
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