“Ni hao ma?” & “Zai Jian!” aren’t enough
Today I went to Sentosa with other international students to enjoy our Outing, a gathering event organized by ISC (International Student Club). I left my flat with my flatmate on 8.15 to meet other international students that are staying in the same apartment as me. After a short time, we walked to Dover MRT Station and took the East-West Line’s train that’s heading to Tanah Merah. After a few stops, we alighted at Outram Park Interchange Station and transferred to North-South Line’s to get in to Harbour Front.
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After we were arrived at Harbour Front, we met other students that had came earlier. Then we were splitted into smaller groups. I was in group six. There were only two Indonesian students in my group; me and Kenry. There were also two students from China, and the other were from Malaysia. They all use Chinese to talking to each other. Later on, I realized that only me, me who couldn’t speak Chinese. T_T Before that Outing, I had thought that on such event that was attended by international students, English was probable the major language that would be used. But I was wrong… Chinese was the majorly used language. As I had just started to learn the Chinese language two weeks ago, I only had a very few Chinese words to be spoken. "Ni hao ma?" and "Zai Jian!" were not enough to get into their conversation. I was speechless and apart from the crowd. So sadly enough for the people who was realizing my loneliness, but happily enough for me. 
Sometimes I really enjoy my loneliness, sometimes not. Luckily enough for today, I enjoyed my loneliness. 
I spent most of my time there alone. While the other students were playing soccer, captain ball, and having great talks, I sat down on the white beach sand under the shade of the palm tree, gazed to the horizon…
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The outing was ended on 4 pm. Some of the participants went back home, while the rest preferred to stay there longer, waiting for the Musical Fountain show on 8 pm. I decided to stay there for the Musical Fountain show. Although I’ve watched this show last year with my family, I still wished for another show. I was impressed by the fountain’s dancing, laser show and the fireball when I watched this show last year. That’s why I still wished for another show. Hehehe…
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The show ended on 9 and we took the Sentosa Bus to the Visitors’ Departure Center. Then we walked cross the bridge to get back to the main island. We were tired and hungry. We hadn’t eaten anything since our last lunch on Burger King at 12.30 pm.
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The Harbour Front MRT Station is inside the Harbour Front Mall. So we chose to have our dinner on Harbour Front Mall’s Foodcourt before going home.
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I had Nasi Padang for my dinner. Then for the drink, I bought watermelon juice. A ridiculous thing happenned. I had placed my order on the cashier and I was waiting for my drink. When the juice came, I sipped it. It was not so sweet. I hadn’t left the stall when I saw a cup of white powder in front of me. "Sugar!" I thought… I add two teaspoons of the sugar on my drink and walked back to my seat. On my way back to my seat, I sipped my drink once more. It tasted different than before, it wasn’t sweeter, it was salty!! Oh noo!! I put two teaspoons of salt on my watermelon juice! >.< It tasted like seawater! I ordered another juice and would not add any "sugar" on my juice. T_T So silly, so embarrassing…
3 Comments
Chrisnawan on June 24th, 2005
Wow! Thanks for your advice! I’ll try that.
ToRch on July 2nd, 2005
wow..i was thinking about you last few days.Now,i felt u must be confidence with yourself. Maybe u can’t speak or listen mandarin very well now,that’s not mean u can’t in the future. I’m trust u can improve the language with urself.;p
When i was studied in malaysia,i also can’t speak any language very well,but if u have willingness to do that ,u will success!! So,dont give up!
Edwin on June 22nd, 2005
oh well.. thats what would usually happen when we first time come to a new place.. no friends.. feel loneliness in the middle of crowd.. But dun worry! I know its kinda difficult for you if they start to talk with a language that u dont even understand.. but still, try to get close to them with what u have, with english! that happened to me too before when i came to the temple here, cos the majority speak cantonese right, even though they know how to speak english & mandarin as well. But I never give up trying, since Im used to this kinda situation already.. always try to use english with them. Now, they try to apply english everywhere, for the lecture, the meeting, and any other fields..especially when Im there. Try to think that u’re the one that special! Dont ever turn it to be the opposite way..mm.. maybe i can only say this with my mouth, cant really do it by myself, lol..
btw, why do u take “jogging” for ur enrichment program?? u can learn lots of new things u’ve never learnt b4 if u take other programs/sports.. maybe like canoeing, or rock climbing! that would be fun, wouldnt it? or if u dont like challenging sports, u can try yoga! hehe.. still makes u healthy too..always find new experiences!