The night before departure

It's always the night before the departure that makes one's emotionssuddenly swell up. 3 weeks in Shanghai is nothing compared to 6 weeks in Paris, but somehow I just don't feel like sleeping yet.

I really like the travel opportunities offered by my job. I get to meet different types of people, learn from them, see their culture, tour around during the weekends, train to be independent, and also, get away from Singapore for a while.

Don't get my wrong, I don't hate my country. Getting away from Singapore means getting away from all that I'm familiar with - family, friends, and even colleagues.

Sounds rather isolationistic, but sometimes getting away for a while is good for the mind. It gives you a chance not to have to care about anything, except work. Family problems, friendship problems, and even management problems are just thrown aside.

Until I return, that is.

This is not running away from problems, but allowing yourself to have some time to yourself. The problems still come back eventually, though after you've taken a break to free yourself of all worries for a while.

Right now, I just look forward to a fruitful trip to Shanghai.