Travelogue- Beijing

Next to Singapore, Beijing must be the next city in the world that I had spent most of my humble existence thus far in.

The city has changed much since I first set foot there- like the better traffic, clearer skies, more developed train system, new buildings, etc. But the underlying heartbeat and veins of the city remains the same. It’s like meeting an old friend with a makeover- you need some time to get used to the new look for a while, but deep inside the person has not changed. And how you feel towards that old friend has not changed also.

It’s pretty surreal to be walking along the same street, now lined with new buildings, but still feeling exactly the same. Returning to the same restaurants and eating the same food. Going back to church- meeting people who are still there, and missing those who also left while we’re gone. Being back at the apartment that holds so many memories for us- of our dating days, of our dear friends. It’s like catching up.

And even more surreal the familiar questions that used to haunt you, still haunts you the same.

I think it’s being out of the daily routine and oppression of “what has to be done” and being alone, that forces you to stare hard into the mirror, and ask questions that “has to be asked”- if you do not want to wake up when you’re fifty and wonder what it is you have done with your life. This is gonna be my excuse to get away at least once a year. :) It’s not as if the questions do not arise when you’re at home. But knowing that the same answers do not come out of dread and dis-satisfaction, affirms the pursuit of passion rather than settling for a solution.

Having time by ourselves in a little apartment has been fun fun. Eating junk, whenever and whatever. Twelve Magnums over 3 weeks, excluding all the Dairy Queens out. Watching House anytime- finished 1.5 Seasons and I’m so hooked on him.. Hugh Laurie is my next hero. Cooking haphazardly- just fishing things out from the fridge and trying to make a decent meal out of them. But this had better be a holiday schedule, than a glimpse of what our life of two would be like in the future!

We haven’t been very conscientious with taking pictures. *Sorry* The only pictures we have would probably be those that Susan took for her farewell, and a few taken at the Bird’s Nest. But I’m pretty sure we’ll do a lot better in the States. :) :) Yeapz- will be off again from mid July.. Yay!!

Let’s hope my next entry wont be another travelogue.