Finally accomplished something that a friend, Veron, and I planned ages ago and went rock-climbing yesterday at the new Camp-5 place in 1U. Needless to say that it was tiring, exhausting, muscle-aching, and totally fun at the same time. I thought I would be scared and afraid of getting up there on the fake rocks and holding on for dear life, but once you get up there, all you can think of is the stinging pain in your arms and how you want to get up there by manouvering through the nooks and crannies of this fissure. Paid RM30 for a two-hour beginners session which was a little steep for me but worth the experience, I think. Now I know how Spider-man feels when he starts wall-climbing around buildings. In my case, it was artificial rock structures and harnesses to make sure we didn't break our necks when your hands untimely slip and you plunge slowly downwards to the ground. Veron was much more apt than me at the rock-climbing business as my arms tired out faster than her. I felt like the muscles in my forearms, biceps and triceps were never used before and it felt so tense after the two hours. My upper body was aching throughout the day especially my back and lifting my arms is quite a chore even. The instructors were fun and very friendly and I'd say that I would return there again for a few more sessions and classes if the prices weren't so undesirably expensive. Maybe I can get my dad to sponsor me a few classes when I show him the place. But, yes, conclusively when you do get the funds and time to do this, go do it.
Enough of daily ramblings for now and on to more important things to be discussed.
The tuition fees are paid up and I should be affirmatively leaving for Melbourne come mid-February. The student visa, medical, and accomodation are not done yet but the real final hurdle of it all is deciding on where I want and should be making my abode for in the next two years. My rock-climbing buddy and I are planning on staying at the same residential college or College Square depending on the endless deliberation and discussion we've been having with each other and the parents. They're both equally expensive but near to the university campus. The residential college seems to appeal more to us because of their dorm-like situation and it would be a real experience to stay there. The fun factor seems to be the attractive quality in the residential colleges. But then again, the fees are inclusive of meals provided and we may get tired of the food there after two months or less. And did I mention shared bathrooms? There are a number of colleges to choose from but getting a place there is competitive and application should be preferably done as soon as possible. The most appealing ones to me are Newman, International House, and Whitley.
The College Square is a safer choice because most Asians (meaning Malaysians) stay there and the style is more of like apartment-rooming and privacy is definitely most secured. However, I think it would get boring after a while when mingling with the same type of people that you've been around with for so long and the typical Asian student would much rather hide in the comfort of their own room studying than explore and have fun. The rents definitely would prefer the Square as you get to cook for yourself and once again there's the privacy thing again being emphasized.
I never thought that even after with exams over, I'd have to be doing more research and studying again. Bring back the books, I say. The adrenaline rush most people get of living abroad hasn't exactly hit me yet but I'm getting there. Maybe it's the steep living costs that's dampening my spirit and the contemplation of the pros and cons of living in either residential colleges or College Square that's making my head spin.
I was watching 'Before Sunset' the other day and I really want to watch 'Before Sunrise' now. As usual, recommended highly by the cousin, I only managed to catch it on HBO of all places and times. Loved it. Am in love with the idea of meeting a stranger now and just talking endlessly with hardly a point to be made. Aimless conversations will take you anywhere and any place. Ideas, feelings, and thoughts that never come up ever in conversations with others will pop up and delve into deeper issues which tears open the over-protected soul. Sometimes I feel like I'm drifting about aimlessly as well when I sit or rest in my room, listen to music or just flit about in a barren shopping mall alone. We seem to be finding this point in life where once you reach it, you feel satisfied and have this sensation that everything is complete and there is no desire to continue searching for another particular materialistic being. But most of us never get to reach that point. It is probably the only thing that a person searches endlessly and tirelessly for with no complaints or make any bones about it. I wonder when and if that point in my life will ever come.
Well, that's that. Switching off the pondering side of me. Anyway, only three more days till jolly ol' Santa arrives with the presents under the Christmas tree. Only thing is that I don't have one so it'll have to be presents given personally and not found sitting comfortably under the tree.
