Calming down in April

April started off languidly, I had to begin by shaking myself to rouse my mind back to reality. After a crazy March jam packed with travelling, a kind of translucent film covered my existence - but it can't be that way, our lives can't always be a series of holidays. I've been feeling a little lonely of the late; going back to lessons & readings, spending some time by myself. Really haven't been doing much though, mainly reading and experimenting with food once in a while. Life has been rather tranquil and I suppose there's nothing for me to complain about. I will come to miss this blanket of quiet, it's always too busy in Singapore - not that it's a bad thing, it's just nice in a completely opposite way.

Glen & I have booked our tickets for our last leg of travel in June. From 8th-19th, we'll make a round trip to Germany and travel down to Italy; hoping to cover Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Venice, Rome, and Milan. If possible, we'd like to squeeze Switzerland in as well, but it seems a little tough for 10 days. We plan to be back in Uppsala on 20th-21st since the Midsummer's celebrations will be in the works and we hear it's usually amazing. Then we'll be off to the south of France and Spain until the 29th. On the 30th, we'll hop back onto the plane and arrive home in Singapore on 1st July.

My only regret is that there won't be enough time for me to make it to the few cities/countries that I really really wanted to visit: London, Scotland, Ireland, Prague, Austria(not exactly sure where), and Budapest. It really can't be helped because my schedule has been packed to the brim with school, visits, and other travelling plans. I just feel slightly wan because I don't think I'll ever be this young and carefree again, especially while living in such an accessible part of Europe. Exploring the world is different when you're at different stages of life I suppose. Then again, never say never.

In any case, I'm still incredibly grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way. I've never dreamed that it'd be possible for me to make it to Europe at this age, let alone travel across it at whim. I think I'll be ready to face whatever awaits me back home when I'm done with this (:

For now, here's what I've been up to (i.e. mostly hobo-ing at home):

Huge stash of Asian-ess that Sam got me :3 

Last week I went back to Engelska Parken for my first Irish Love Poetry class. It will be the last literature course I take for my bachelor degree and I can't help feeling bittersweet about this. Entering university as an English Lit major was nothing short of a terrifying and perspiration-inducing roller-coaster, but I've learnt so so much - none of which I could've found elsewhere. Though I don't regret switching back to the Communication field for practicality sake, it's still so close to my heart. 

Solo lunch, which I've been having a lot since Glen and I only have one class in common so we don't see each other as much now ): 

 Decided to try an item out of the stash, was most excited about this Japanese curry stock.

I know the result doesn't look like much, but it was absolutely beautiful. Chicken + potatos + corn + mushroom. The cuisine that I miss the most here is Japanese, followed by Thai. Both of which are easily available in the city, but it's so expensive to eat out here that I rarely do. I miss salmon sashimi the most though; sadly, this is the one thing that doesn't seem to be available in good quality (i.e. freshness and thickness), and it can't be homemade either. I think it's one of the first things that I'm going to eat when I'm back home :3 

I've been making my way through this masterpiece of Marquez for the past 3 days, it's been an amazing ride. I'm almost done.

On the mechanisms of love. 

Having some video fun with my favourite cousin. 

It's been getting sunnier, but in true erratic Uppsala fashion, the cold comes and go - still not possible to be dressed thinly without some kind of back up. 

Trying my best to give myself a manicure, I miss having it done for me. I have no idea how to say this without sounding spoilt :P

One night I was feeling a little under the weather, had a super bad throat as well so I decided to try my hand at making porridge. 

With the help of some maggie chicken stock of course, also included in the Asian stash :3  It was very much a success, perfect for my bad throat. 

 On Saturday, we woke up late so I decided to cook a big breakfast and add the leftover porridge from the night before and call it lunch. Glen and I had trouble finishing this. 

In the evening, our landlady had some friends over. Her husband insisted on making a kebab for Glen and I before we left for our dinner engagement. 

It was heavenly (: 

We had a lovely reunion at Sean's place after not meeting for almost a month due to our individual travelling plans. He whipped up risotto, chicken and broccoli for us. 

For dessert, we had the traditional Swedish "Princess Cake" (fondant, cream, jam and sponge), Whittard's tea from the UK, and some grapes! The meet up was lovely, as it usually is - plenty of laughter and a good time catching up. It only just occurred to me that we didn't take a group photo though :< 

Came home absolutely stuffed, but was greeted by this homemade dessert by our landlady. It consists of crust which covers an assortment of berries, bananas and pear; served with icecream. We managed to have a little despite our full tummies, it was so so yummy. 

Managed to cook myself a nice brunch today because my class started in the afternoon. I love afternoon lectures because it gives me enough time to have a proper meal at home (otherwise the odd hours always leave me starving), also it gives me time to walk to school. Couldn't walk today though because it was drizzling the entire day, still is now. 

Ending off with a selfie because.. I don't really have a good reason other than the fact that I like the cardigan I'm wearing in this picture. Also, I desperately need a haircut. Okay, ciao!