i was on a train, overlooking the passing landscape, gliding across my eyes like a neverending river of beauty.

Of snowcapped mountains.

Of wintered trees.

Of wooden houses.

The old man beside me was reading a book with a quiet and peaceful smile. His faint reflection was mirrored on the glass windows, as I stared into space the wonderful painting of nature as the train choo-choo on.

I thought about growing old. It’s like sunset. The last rays of light are always gentle and charming.

I hope to be a happy old man rather than a grumpy one. I hope to be a quiet old man with plenty of insights rather than having too many stories to tell. I hope to be sitting on a train reading a lighthearted storybook in between forty winks rather than reading the wrinkled newspaper.

22-23 December

In Oslo. Nothing much to hoohaa about. The sunset at Bryygen was brilliant.

24th December

In Bergen at the wrong time. Everything’s close on Xmas. This tourist town has never been emptier. Even the hostel owner has gone home for Christmas dinner and forgot about our checking-in. Luckily someone opened the door for us and we found our room keys in the bin. Met a group of Singaporean students studying in US here.

Walking aimlessly on the streets of Bergen around the hostel at night since there’s pretty much nothing to do. The silence speaks so loud. What was it like this time last year?

Thinking of home, the christmas dinner at church with family, the christmas carols during service.

Thinking of HI paddies, of Xmas SS, the gift exchanges and the fun.

Thinking of SA paddies, the stayover and the gift exchanges.

Thinking of Linköping paddies, Hansil, Mijung, Sungyun, Souhei & friends..they’re probably having a big party right now.

Thinking of Laos Part II paddies, whether if they’ve returned from the recce trip in Pong Song.

Bitterness of winter makes loneliness of Christmas eve bite hard.

25 December

2nd day in Bergen. Christmas day. Everything’s still close. The only thing that isn’t close is the nature – this mountain call Mount Fløyen. It’s around 400 metres above sea level. Climbed to the top and saw God’s wonderful creations. The first time i felt like my ears are falling and my nose flow like a tap.

Got to know the Singaporeans staying here better and we started to talk cock. haha been a while since talking cock with anyone in Singlish =D Christmas Day itself didn’t ended too bad.

26 December

It’s boxing day and everything’s still closed. Climbed Mt Fløyen again, out of sheer boredom. Reached the top and shouted my lungs out. There’s a nagging thought that kept my mind occupied the entire day…

Alas, on the way down, Dubliner pub is open and watched Liverpool’s game there.

27 December

There begins the 18 hours back home to Linkoping from Bergen. 6.5 hours picturesque train ride from Bergen to winter wonderland then to Oslo. The withering green of the forest of trees juxtaposed perfectly against the snowy white mountain range. Can’t help but feel – God made this world beautiful, and humans made it ugly. Wonders of nature. 4 hours of time-killing in Oslo before 9 hours of bus ride home. The grand finale is the 1 hour walk back home from train station to Ryd. Woot!

finally done with my last exam for this exchange. but it wasn’t one of the top priority this time.

most european friends are leaving this week or start of next week, as Christmas is usually spent with the family.

this whole week was filled with farewell party, goodbye dinners. like there’s one happening right above me now. the mexicano fiesta. they really have powerful amps. even my table is vibrating haha.

and when meeting them on the street, it’s always about ‘takecares’ and ‘goodbyes’

it’s so hard to say goodbye.

started a daily jogging regime last week with Mijung and Jo. now the troop has expanded to quite a few people. everyone wants healthy life! =D

never knew jogging in subzero winter is this fun. argh..should have started earlier.

the time of the year to reflect and reminisce.

it’s a tad premature, but yes, the ticker clock is ticking down and year 2008 is coming to an end quirky soon.

/-/-/-/-/

came across this piece. beautiful.

do I know me?

Love After Love

The time will come
When, with elation,
You will greet yourself arriving
At your own door, in your mirror,
And each smile at the other’s welcome,
And say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was yourself.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
To itself, to the stranger who has loved you
All your life, whom you ignored
For another who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
The photographs, the desperate notes,
Peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

- Derek Walcott