About three months ago, I packed up my life in Singapore and moved to a charming little city in Germany called Göttingen. I happened to visit this city once on tour , and it slowly grew on me, as I made plans to move out from Singapore. As to my reasons why, I think that deserves another blog post of its own, which will come in due time.

Everything is New

Moving to a new country has definitely been stressful at times, but overall an interesting experience. There’s a lot to do to set myself up here, to familiarise oneself with a new government system in a language other than English but after a while, I can feel myself adjusting slowly but surely.

Life moves slower here. It’s quieter but somehow, each day carries more purpose. The old schedule starting with teh o kosong ice in the morning is completely gone, replaced with the sound of my coffee bubbling away on the induction cooker. Nasi Lemak for breakfast has been replaced with healthy cereal, fruits and yoghurt. From getting paid by the rag and bone man for old newspapers, I now get a little money back for returning bottles and cans at the supermarket. 

From teaching guitar, I now carry my old backpack to intensive daily German lessons at IIK Institut and try to finish assignments after dinner. When I pick up my guitar now, it’s purely for my enjoyment and that makes me genuinely excited.

It took longer than planned but I secured a place I really like and am in the midst of doing it up =) Ordering and assembling furniture for my very own pad has become a fun way to spend the weekends. Once the apartment is all done up, I’ll be glad to get back to finishing more songs for the Terrible Luck record .

Though I haven’t made any friends of my own here, I have Laura and her group of friends who’ve made me so welcome. Sometimes we get together and make dishes from back home. It makes me appreciate all the hawkers who make amazing food in Singapore!

A Fresh Start (What It Feels Like)

Being here, I’m presented with a new reality and with it, a chance to have a new perspective and a completely fresh start. My body is keeping up with the new habits but I find that my heart is taking longer. 

Sometimes I feel discontent with the transition, like I wish that more could’ve been completed before I started the language course though honestly, some things were out of my control. Sometimes I worry. After all, a major life change like this at my age feels like a huge gamble, one that I must win despite the odds stacked against me. It isn’t easy to get rid of that aspect of the Asian upbringing, where we need to achieve certain milestones by certain ages, despite the fact that I am so removed from that environment now.

I think the lesson for me here in the next few months is to let go of the past, to accept and learn from both my mistakes and triumphs and to truly move forward. I have to remind myself not to rush, to embrace this new chapter in my life and to remember that every thing has its place and time, that everything will be okay. 

A huge thank you to all friends who’ve checked in on me now and then. We might be hours apart now, but I do think about you and hope you are keeping well. Sending you virtual hugs till the next time I can hug you in real life =) I’d love to share my experience finding accommodation in Göttingen and offer tips in another post, if anyone is interested. Write me a comment below! 

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