A month ago, on the 17th of August, I hopped on a plane bound for the Netherlands. I left behind my old life in Singapore to begin a new one in Amsterdam. I had always wanted to leave, to head to some faraway place and start life afresh. I finally had the chance to do so. Saying goodbye, however, proved to be more complex.

I spent the last few months stuck in Singapore due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Although, I would not have considered myself stuck. I did have to cancel the trips I had planned for the year but being back home gave me the opportunity to hang out with my friends for the last time. I did not have much to complain about. Life in Singapore was quite comfortable; my room was cosy and my bed was soft.

It had been quite a journey, from high-school to the military and now my friends and I were heading off to university. We planned to relive the best moments of our childhood in the days we had left together. We went bowling, played pool, threw darts, grabbed drinks, went to the beach and most importantly, played catching. I would like to think that I am a simple man and these are the little things which brought me joy. All I have to say is thank you, for the wonderful memories.

It is not easy to leave the friends you grew up with, the people who have been there through it all. I miss my friends dearly but I am also very happy with the life I am leading here in Amsterdam. Things were a mess at the beginning, as they usually are but all it takes is a little effort to make things work. As I cycle through the city, weaving around the canals, I find myself thinking, “Wow, I actually live here in Amsterdam”.

You eat, you sleep, you go to school and life just happens all around. Time truly flies. It has now been a month, living in a new city and somehow I am getting by just fine. Moving out here was a big step but I am truly content to be chasing my dreams and am thoroughly excited for what the future holds. Life is what you make of it and I fully intend on making it a great one.

I have already completed a month of study in the University of Amsterdam. Admittedly, I have not been able to write as much as I would have liked to because of the demands of my course. I must apologise for this but as I become more and more settled in the city I intend on writing more consistently.

It is my wish to explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam and share my adventures with you.