Today marks the second day in NSW Sydney where I have slept without any blanket, bolster or pillow. Each night before I rest, I put on three layers of tops and ensure a dual layer of pants covers the area below the hip.
ALL TO NO AVAIL. I still wake up several times throughout the night feeling cold, lonely and miserable.
Okay, I jest. But seriously, the nights here can be really cold if you're not careful. No more worries on that though, since I finally forked out a horrific, whopping amount of cash to purchase my pillow and "soft fabric quilt"aka blanket. AUS$140 to be exact! The materials used in the production of such bedstuff must be fit for a king. I'll put it to the test later..
Australia seems to be a melting pot of immigrants from many different countries. According to Bringing Australia to Life - Synovate Research:
Approximately 24% of the Australian population were born outside of Australia
Approximately 85% of Australia’s population is of European descent
Australian consumers have a European rather than American sensibility
US influences are visible through the arts and fast food, but most Australians are keen to distance Australia from the US
European preference for uniqueness / authenticity over “mass culture”
Prefer ‘understated cool’ and subtle; not ‘in your face’
Don’t want to bring attention to themselves or look like they’re
Australian’s are generally ‘open minded’ to other cultures and integrating aspects of other cultures into their lives, notably, foreign cuisines
Australians are proudly independent – British heritage is no longer a significant source of pride or difference (except maybe, the British sense of humour!)
Australian consumers are very diverse and unique thus making it harder for the “mass” advertising
I'd have to agree with these observations, and I'm only in my third day here! The Australians seem really tolerant towards other cultures. In fact, an overwhelming number of them are friendly and will not hesitate to assist you should the need arise. I can see why my mom was afraid I would not want to go back home to Singapore.
Well, today was uneventful as usual. Woke up a little over 10, freshened up and immediately headed downstairs to purchase the linen set. Upon lugging it up to my room, off I went to Western Eastgardens shopping center for lunch and shopping. Sartorial elegance is the least of my concerns of course, I needed a reliable frying pan and a pot for Masterchef Wong to showcase his culinary skills.
I nearly forwent everything when I chanced across a kitchen appliance called a "convection oven". The description stated that it allowed its owner to "boil, steam, fry, cook, heat" any food you wanted. OH THE POSSIBILITIES. I mulled over it for a good half hour while walking aimlessly around the supermarket. In the end, I decided not to splurge on it and went for a non-stick frying pan and a pot. I don't even think my mom uses a convection oven, and if mom doesn't, I'm not going to. Hmm, maybe I'll get it tomorrow...
A word of thanks to me girlfriend Kaisi for encouraging me to keep an online journal. The thought of regularly updating it was indeed a daunting one, but upon starting on this venture, it does seem really manageable! If writer's block is really oppressing me, I can always fall back on good ol' www.goodreads.com/quotes for some inspirational quotes as a substitute post.
It's strange, suddenly having so much time to myself. And it feels oddly comforting actually. It's comforting to know that I am at peace with myself. It's comforting to know that I am no longer that impressionable young kid back in secondary school. It's comforting to know that living independently is a really realistic possibility.
I mean, once I get around to paying off my debt to my parents. Shouldn't take too long, very manageable within my lifetime. Wait, what was I.... :|
“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” - Mark Twain
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