One door closes, another door opens

We have finally finished our thesis defense and discussants for the other 3 theses on the 15th January 2008. The following day marked the unofficial graduation dinner with the other MSPME students, lecturers (yes, two of the course director flew from Milan and Edinburgh just to be with us) and the course staff. The day filled with laughter, tears and good wishes amongst the 26 of us from 13 nationalities. During the dinner, I had the honor of sitting beside one of the course coordinator, Professor A.S, whose remark has created an impression on me: “We (the course coordinators) took years of sweat and hard work from the initiation stage right up to bringing 26 of you here to Edinburgh, Milan and Umea, and finally you all are here, being the first batch of the MSPME graduates. It’s amazing to see the strong bond that you guys have shared. You are like one big family!”. Yeah, Prof. A,indeed we can testify that through our actions.We have studied, stayed, traveled, partied, cried, laughed and even missed flights together. We have celebrated all the festivals together: Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidifitri, Deepavali, Christmas, St Lucia. Without our closest families members to share our happiest and saddest moments,fortunately we have each other. How can we not call ourselves one big family? But without your effort, along with Prof A. and Prof. P;all these experiences would have been impossible. Thanks a zillion!!

In a way, 16th January 2008 marked the end of our 16 months amazing journey. They say, "All has to come to an end". But I believe it is just th beginning of yet another chapter of our lives. As we slowly close the door of the pioneer batch of MSPME 2006, I believe new doors are awaiting us-hopefully the doors are the ones that eventually will lead us to our goals and aspirations. My heartfelt wishes and prayers to all of my course mates out there, no matter which part of the world that you are in right now,may success and happiness be with you.

Brain Drain?

I read with a great interest the article “Brain Drain is Color Blind” by Dina Zaman. I was caught by her words: “One must be practical. Sentimentality only works in fiction” (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/20/focus/19820231&sec=focus). It makes me contemplate on my future. I am on the verge of my studies and inevitably at the crossroads of making one of my biggest decisions in life. Perhaps I might be one of the potential “brain-drainers”, leaving my own country for a different (better?) life abroad. Felt guilty? Maybe a tinge. Not too sure of the term “different”(or "better" as some claimed) because in my opinion the term is very subjective. I guess part of me is still Asian-rooted, despite being exposed to many Western cultures and norms. I am definitely open yet I hold to my Asian values too. However, one thing I am pretty sure is that I am always looking for challenging experience, professionally or personally. No, I never thought of my country as being “not the better one”. Neither have I ever thought of forsaking my motherland. How could one compare an apple with an orange? They are just different in their own unique ways. But again, quoting Dina’s phrase, feasibility should be the priority; sentimentality comes later. Despite the love for my country, family and friends, somehow, the practicality spells career, professional and personal goals. Yet, I do desire stability, security and a real home. On the other hand,exploration has always been part of me. I guess,you’ve just got to know what you really want in life, regardless where you are. They say, a home is built on dreams and hopes. I have my dreams and hope. Most importantly, I believe in God and I have Faith in Him.

A Place called Home

Suddenly, I am just overwhelmed with the warmth of a home. They say "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. A home is built with love and dreams." Perhaps in the coldness and darkness of the winter in Umea, a sudden twinge of loneliness swept me. I longed for the warmth, laughter, understanding, joyous and sharing moments with my family and loved ones. I guess I am seeking for a home with warm love and dreams. It doesn’t matter if your family is miles away in another continent. It doesn’t matter if your friends are busy with their lives or away. It also doesn’t matter being a nomad since where one lives is of no importance. But it matters where you can be understood, loved, cared and belonged. It matters where the place are built on the basis of unconditional love, dreams and hopes. It matters when you know there is someone who will care, accept, understand and love you for what you are. "Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to." You just know that the place u can call a home-not a house, mind you, where you feel just right. I seek for my home.

Christmas Candle Light Dinner

Missed the last CNY and Christmas reunion dinner with my loved ones made me felt really grateful having spent a nice, memorable candle light Christmas reunion dinner with my corridor mates in the cozy kitchen of Block 9B in Alidhem. .Swedish crackers, sausage, meat balls,cheese, salad, 'glogg', boiled ham, Swedish 'sushi' (herring in mustard),black granite Shiraz and Swedish liquor were placed for our savouring. The dinner went well with nice chats (mostly in Swedish though;)) along with the tradition Swedish 'bottoms-up' with the 38% alcohol liquor in between meals. It's rather funny to see Swedish being talkative during parties while they are drunk, in contrast to the steroptype of typical Swedish being reserve and quiet:) Nonetheless, the night amazingly went by with a rather cozy and merry mood along with the Christmas songs played in the midst of our laughter. I have retired early,however, despite the fun, I guess due to the alcohol. Haha..an excuse for me to sleep early-I don't wanna get hangover the next day, despite the invitation of going to Corona after drinking. Nonetheless, it was a great dinner!My first typical Swedish Christmas Dinner with my lovely Swedish mates.:)

Heaven is a place nearby (Lene Marlin)

One of my favourite song. Specially dedicated to MSPME 2006/2007.Cheers.

Nobel Prize in Sweden

Today is the award day for the Nobel Prize winners. This award is given every year on the 10th December in memory of the Alfred Nobel's death anniversary, the creator and also the contributor (94% of his total wealth= SEK 31 million) [Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize#Alfred_Nobel.27s_will]. Being close to the venue(Stockholm and Oslo) where this award are presented to the 'noble' people globally, and also witnessing the grand event on the TV over here in Umea, somehow makes me wanna mark this day in my blog.This day reminds me of the great works of great people towards the betterment of our society. The Noble prizes consists of the prize in Peace, Economics (we have met Prof Eric Maskin, one of the Nobel Prize winner who visited Umea University a few months back), Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Literature.Ironically, this award has been transformed from a traditional local Swedish event into a renowned international events.Ha, I do marvel at the extend of pulicity media can do today. It makes me think though; what genuinely motivates people to make great contribution to the society: sincere inner desires or mere awards and recognition? Also, has the world really becomes a better place for each human being on the earth to live in? Honestly,I am still wondering...

Ginger Cookies in the making

P, our host picked us up at the Aildhem Centrum for the ginger cookies baking session. We were warmly greeted by A and P's daughter, C. We had 'Glogg'-the Scandinavian version of mulled warm red wine,a typical traditional drink for the Swedish during Christmas.Almonds and raisins were also mixed with the beverage. It was indeed an excellent 'welcome drink' for me as it warmed me up from the cold, and it tasted especially superb in the warm, cosy kitchen of P, despite my empty stomach. Oh yeah, we also had traditional Swedish Saffron buns with the shapes of cats (well they were supposed to look like one at least;)). Pretty delicious and a perfect complementary to the 'Glogg'.We made ginger bread after the "brunch"(for me),and we had great fun.A,B,A, I,C and P ; all teamed up to make ginger bread of many different shapes: Love, star,man, angel,pig, moose,women and lots more. Then we started baking and decorating them with M&M candies and sugar cream. All in all, it was really something being able to immerse into a Swedish family, baking Swedish ginger cookies.Our day was capped with a nice dinner (toasted bread with seafood toppings, cabbage soup with meat balls, Julmust (another Swedish typical drink during Christmas-the taste is like cola+beer) and Swedish waffle.. Ah, we also played the compatibility game before we called the day off.Speaking of A, she's just so cool.Being probably in her forties or more, she has an amazing collection of music!!Anja and I saved some songs in my USB including some Swedish ones for our listening pleasure.Also not forgeting Christmas songs to keep me company during the festive season:)We also chatted with 2 of P's daughters and it was really interesting to learn about Swedish social welfare. Honestly, I am amazed by how Swedes are taken care of despite the high taxes. Additionally, I've grown accustomed to the warmth and generosity of this family.Oh, did I also tell you that A lent me her 'super warm waterproof' red trousers, to keep me warm during my coming trip to Kiruna? I am speechless-I just love this family: warm hearted, nice,kind, friendly and open.