Things I Have Realised and Enjoy in Brisbane

1. The weather. I can wake up everyday knowing that the maximum temperature of the day will never be more than 30 degrees which is so different from S'pore where almost everyday you will get 30 degrees or more especially in the afternoons. The humidity there is also a problem....imagine the sweaty bodies on the bus when the school kids are on their way home. Eeewwww....the number of times I've had to turn my face and hold my breath; I can't believe I was once like that. Of course I've also stunk a few buses back when I was going home from trainings but during those times, you don't have the entire bus squashed full of people. I love the feel of the cold air blowing at me, even though sometimes I shiver and complain. Going out seems much less of a hassle knowing that the weather outside is great and just waiting for me to enjoy it.
2. Snuggling under my quilt when it's cold. Of course, this is much related to Point 1 and I can't begin to explain how comfortable it feels lying in bed with a nice, warm quilt that cost me $70. Hahaahaha....it's well-worth the money.
3. Having my own room. Ever since I can remember, I have been sharing a room either with my parents or my sister. Back home, my sis and I share a room and we sleep side-by-side. Thinking of the countless number of times where I was rudely awakened by my sister kicking me, punching me, putting her leg over me or just plain disturbing me makes me wonder how I ever got though those days. It's heaven having a room of my own and a bed where I can roll as much as I want, take up as much space as I want and not having anyone abusing me in my sleep. I shudder to think what sleeping will be like when I get back to S'pore. Will I be able to tahan my sis again or will I simply move out into the guest room?
4. Cooking for myself and other people. Now I realise that I need to appreciate my mum more. She cooks dinner for us almost every night and we all take her for granted. Cooking a complete meal takes time and effort and I truly regret not giving her the credit she deserves and praising her cooking more often. When I think back of all the times I went out for dinner with my friends and failed to inform her not to cook my share, I'm filled with remorse because finally I have tried putting myself in her shoes and understanding how it feels to cook for a loved one or a friend and having them reject it. I swear that I will make more effort to thank my mum for all the little things she does for me when I get back home.
5. Eating out. I also used to take this for granted back in S'pore. Due to the nature of my student and temporary work life, I find that I ate out all the time. Lunch was always eaten out and occasionally, due to late nights or just going out with friends, I would take my meals outside. Now that I'm here in Brisbane, eating out has become a luxury and I only eat out when I have to or when there's a special occasion. It's mostly due to the expensive meals over here and the fact that in order to save money, cook for yourself is the logical way to go. Sigh...when I think of all the times I ate out with friends or family at restaurants...come to think of it, I haven't had any meals in a good restaurant ever since I got here. The best I've had so far is dinner at a cafe.
6. The freedom and independence. This doesn't need much explanation. It should be obvious to anyone that being out here without any adults means not having anyone to watch over you and control your every movement. I can go out any time I want and eat any thing I want or sleep as late as I want and wake up whenever I want. Freedom at last!!!
7. Being able to take a nice, long, hot shower. Water is FREE here...hahaha...I've been taking long hot showers everyday and sometimes twice a day. It helps with the cold weather we've having right now and it's wonderful to be able to bathe as long as you want and not having to worry about the water or electrical bills. This is definitely something I could never do back home. Too bad I don't have a long bath here, otherwise I would be soaking in it right now.
8. Being able to download movies and songs. In the place where I'm staying at, there is this shared network which is used by all the colleges (hostels) within UQ. We are able to download as many movies or songs as we like without having to worry about being caught and fined for illegal file sharing like back in S'pore. Plus downloading movies take only about 2 minutes each while mp3s take like 2 seconds....woohoo....shiok...I can watch as many movies as I like (as long as I have the correct codec for the file) and it helps me pass time.
9. Bus services. I don't take the bus a lot, only when I have to go to the city for shopping or out to get groceries. At least the bus drivers are MUCH more friendly than the uncles we get in S'pore. Notice how the bus uncles are always these grumpy or grouchy-looking guys who smoke every chance they get, turning the bus interchanges into a super passive smoker's nightmare? They also don't seem to like to talk unless they have no other choice, otherwise they would just glare and grunt at you. And what about the way they yell at the passengers to move in? That is so annoying especially when you're standing next to the driver and the next thing you know, you're half-deaf from the shouting which comes without warning. Here, the bus drivers smile at you (not all of them of course) and they sometimes chat with you while counting out your change and waiting for your ticket to be printed. They are friendly and don't hesitate to give directions or tell you which is your stop. They say "please" and "thank you" and the passengers will automatically thank the driver when they get off the bus. Now this is what you call courtesy. So much for S'pore being a FINE city huh?