祝你一路顺风

那一天知道你要走
我们一句话也没有说
当午夜的钟声敲痛离别的心门
却打不开我深深的沈默
那一天送你送到最后
我们一句话也没有留
当拥挤的月台挤痛送别的人们
却挤不掉我深深的离愁

我知道你有千言你有万语却不肯说出口
你知道我好担心我好难过却不敢说出口

当你背上行囊卸下那份荣耀
我只能让眼泪留在心底
面带着微微笑用力的挥挥手
祝你一路顺风

当你踏上月台从此一个人走
我只能深深的祝福你
深深的祝福你最亲爱的朋友
祝你一路顺风

那一天送你送到最后
我们一句话也没有留
当拥挤的月台挤痛送别的人们
却挤不掉我深深的离愁

我知道你有千言你有万语却不肯说出口
你知道我好担心我好难过却不敢说出口
当你背上行囊卸下那份荣耀
我只能让眼泪留在心底
面带着微微笑用力的挥挥手
祝你一路顺风

Another visit

Presenting to you the entrance
The lake with fountains and ducks
Kings Park function center and restaurant
View of Perth City 1
View of Perth City 2
Cute trees
The view from the park overlooking Swan River
The bridge
The Swan Brewery
A tree which I think is quite nice
What about you?

My saga so far

I would not, in the ordinary course of event, have thought that I would come to Perth this winter of 2008. When I disembarked for the first time ever, the weather was about three degrees and it was misty all over. How ironic, I thought. It portrayed well the feelings I had exactly when I took the first step on Australian soil and breathe the first breath of Australian air. I was not particularly thrilled, nor was I exceptionally sad. I was, above all else, tired.

Here, I do not live in a mansion, nor do I travel in a convoy of cars. When I was shown the place that I would reside for the rest of my academic year, there were no loud cheers or confetti to give me a joyful welcome. I traveled with the heavy luggage to my room and unpacked within twenty minutes. It was comforting, to know that all my possessions were safe in place, and I had been able to reach this place in one piece. It was an achievement.

First five days here were the most difficult days of my life. I had no internet connection, no one familiar to laugh with, no money and no soul. All I had was my faithful laptop to keep me sane, and I immediately thought I should have postponed and came a week later, when semester officially begins. I felt literally alone, although my days were not filled without companionship.

Thus the days came and went by slowly, as I borrowed a new friend’s wireless to go online once in awhile. I was not sure, what ignited the solemn feeling I have inside but kept reminding myself of the initial decision why I was here. Then I kept my head in place, pulled myself together and forced a smile. Or at least I tried.

Due to the lack of financial resources, I felt an urgent need to email every dancing school I can find online, to scout for a job, offering my services to play the piano for them, something which I was so accustomed to, back in Penang. Although I would have liked a different experience, to change an industry, it was not the right time to start something unfamiliar. Frankly, there were more rejected replies than favorable ones. Eventually on the fifth day, I got a reply from two people. For the first time ever in this place, I was able to smile a sigh of relieve and delight. There was after all, hope.

And today, after three weeks, I am able to sit here and have the peace of mind to write this. More often, when I travel alone in a train, I would observe, without much emotions, many things that until this moment, still seem very new to me.

Sometimes, wondering if I am dreaming this episode, I will look around the train station, of the many people who traveled together with me, but will only see them busy stretching their legs in anticipation of a long journey or simply just smoking, to keep warm.

It would have been sensible, if I had decided to complete my degree locally since it is less costly and nearer to home. But then a decision was made and I guess now, I have to find my own way, somehow. I would very much like to conclude this piece with a more positive tone, but I don’t think I am capable of that at this moment.

Sometimes I think, opportunities are about to open up for a different experience, and I should see this as a blessing. But when there is a blessing, there is always bound to be an attack. Even so, I think I should be prepared for the direction from which it will all come.

A visit to the city

Train station board
The view inside the train

The view from inside the train

Some building in the city
The London clock
The CBA
The post office
Myers shopping complex
The way back home
The view from the city train station
Some daging from the daging shop
Big and cheap pretzel from some bakery
My lunch for the day, teriyaki chicken from Taka

Finally

I’m back here after adjusting myself here at a foreign place. Have not really adapted myself very good yet so far, but it is coming in. I might not be posting anything much for the coming weeks I guess. Uni classes are starting next week, and am very grateful to let you know, that I have found a job here.

Will be playing the piano for the WA Conservatoire of Classical Ballet School and the WA Dancing Company. The latter offers much higher wage, but I get a heart attack very often because it is an open class for professional dancers and I need to play like about seventy thousand songs in an hour, which is with tango, waltz or any rhythm suitable for arabesques or plies or tendus in mind.

But I get to play on a grand, which is so cool. I tried for my first today at the Regal Theatre. Not bad for a start I guess, although I probably need more music than what I have now. Any nice sheets please do send over.

Have done my tax file number and medical insurance coverage and bank accounts all ready last week. Can you imagine, for every dollar I earn here, I get taxed for 30% of it?

Anyway, this is what I can update you five readers out there about myself after a week here. Will keep you posted.

Until then, cheers.