It's all coming to an end

I can't remember if there was a time when I was satisfied with Time,
It always passes too fast or too slow and never just.... nice.

If I asked you what is 5 years to you, most would say that it is a long time,
But why is that Day One always feel like yesterday?

Time is too fast, when holidays are ending, when exams are approaching,
Time is too slow, when no holidays are approaching, when nothing is ending.

It seems so weird that I remember most clearly of everything not related to my main purpose coming here,
But of the friend I came to know, the places I've traveled to, the number of things that I've skived.

It's all coming to an end now, I still can't decide too fast or too slow,
But no matter what I decide, I'm anticipating the opening of the new chapter of my life.

My big day

Finally, after all that I've been through for the past 5 years, not including the stress of going through interviews, writing personal statements, meeting the conditional offer, etc., it's my graduation!

We woke up so early that day just to arrive at the Guild of Students before 8am to collect my gown.

Last touches after putting on the mortarboard.

All set and ready for pictures!

The photographer had to help tame one stray hair of mine before taking my photos and my family portrait. We were the 2nd group to get our photos taken that day. Better get it taken before my make-up melts in the rain.

We took the opportunity to take photos of my Medical Faculty, Cedar House - the place where PBL took place, and of the library before the graduation ceremony. Luckily it hasn't started raining at that point.

The hood looks so elegant from the back.

The ceremony - everything felt so surreal at that time. I've never seen so many medical students dressed so smartly in my life. Hahahahah. I can't even recall what the Vice Chancellor said to me when I shook hands with him. The only thing that I could remember was my hands turning numb after clapping for hours and hours.

My father's shot of me taken with his super telegraphic lense from the 3rd last row of the Rear Circle, perfectly capturing every single smile line/ the bit of toast stuck in between my teeth from breakfast, the little crease on my shirt where I had ironed wrongly....I'm just exaggerating. This was taken by my camera from the video of the ceremony playing at the entrance of the Guild. Hahahaha.

It started to rain after the ceremony. Why, why of all times? Luckily I managed to take a few group photos with my friends.

We went to the drinks reception in the Crypt in the Metropolitant Cathedral. We had some white wine and finger food. It was quite stuffy in there so we decided to leave earlier for lunch.

Lunch at Bistro Jacque. As usual, the food was delicious.

Flowers and cakes from friends. Thank you so much!

Santarinas graduating.

I was so sad when the rain got heavier that afternoon. My 5 years dream of taking photos with my gown at Albert Dock was almost going down the drain up till 4.30pm when the rain suddenly stopped. We quickly took a cab and rushed straight to the Three Graces. Guess who I met there.....

Yay! At least there's someone to throw Mortarboard with me.

Family Photo

Me with the big anchor.

Jumping for joy as the rain stopped for 1 hour till 5.30pm for me to take photos around Albert Dock. After that, it was a mad rush back to the Guild to return the gown.

Last, but not least. My favourite photo:

I wonder who's graduating that day?

Finally, the end and a start of a new adventure

Cruise, a summary

Due to 2 VIPs arriving tomorrow followed by intensive traveling up till the end of this month, I will first provide a summary of my trip.

Stockholm - super big cup of hot chocolate.

Transformation after boarding ship.

Masquerade - where we get entertained by live performances every night.

Broadway standard.

Formal Night

Makan, makan, makan, makan.......it never stops. Spot the odd one out.

Talinn

St. Petersburg

The end.

Copenhagen Through Pictures Part 2

My morning started with a hearty buffet breakfast consisting of herrings, cheese, ham, a cup of hot chocolate and peaches.

I was very full after that.

With a full tank, we started off our quest to find what is in place of the Little Mermaid that morning. We decided to pay 23 Danish kroner to get to Osterport station as we are lazy people.

Frederik's Churcy - The marble church. At 1.30pm, tourists are allowed to go up to the dome to catch the panaromic view of Copenhagen. Too bad we missed it cause we were too lazy to walk back.

Amelienborg Palace - we were so lucky to be able to catch the changing of the guards without even knowing what time it starts. I think it was 12pm. This is one of the most quiet change of guards that I have even seen as there is no music accompaniment. Initially tourists were asked to stay quite a distance away and after the soldiers marched forward, we could move 100m closer.

M decided to test the guard's proprioception by standing 1cm too close and was told off. Hahahahaha.

Opera House. Reminds me of Oslo's Opera House as both are next to the sea.

Replica of Statue of David.

The Gefion fountain in Langelinie, one of the parks in Copenhagen.

Another view of the fountain. This fountain was donated by Carlsberg on its 50th anniversary.

Heading towards the port in search of Little Mermaid.

The Chinese art piece in place of the real Little Mermaid was actually a screen showing live telecast of Little Mermaid from Shanghai. I could even see a security guard guiding tourist group on it. Quite a disappointment for me as I was expecting a Dragon or Phoenix statue there.

Does this look familiar? No, it's not the Louvre.

 

Weird looking tunnel.

Inside the Kastellet. This citadel is shaped like a star and is still in use.

Lunch:

This small cosy Danish restaurant was our stop for lunch. We started with apple cider and Tuborg.

As usual, the mayonnaise was delicious, the open-face sandwich was really delicious too. I am also amazed by how sweet the onion rings were. Only complain was that the chef was too generous with the sea salts. I am in love with Remoulade, which was placed on top of the fish.

Portable coffee shop.

The restaurant steet of Nyhavn. Too bad we've eaten before reaching here.

A canal running next to Nyhavn.

Such lovely place to have dinner.

At the end of the street.

 

Flowers growing on the facade of buildings.

The 3 dragons of the Stock Exchange building represents the 3 contries - Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

We were lazing on a bench next to this river for at least 20 minutes as we were exhausted by then.

Another view of the Stock Exchange building.

Heading back to the town.

The Radhus (Town Hall) of Copenhagen

After intensive souvenir shopping, we sat down at the square at Radhusplasen.

M with her apple cider.

Finally, it's time to make our way back to the hotel, collect our bags and bid Copenhagen farewell.

On the way to catch our bus to Stockholm, I came across a sharps bin, a torso with a single arm and shoe lying next to it. Scccarrry.

There was no proper bus station for the bus to Stockholm but luckily we asked for directions at the tourist office on the first day therefore we could find the place easily. It's a looonnnnggg 9 hours journey starting at 9pm and ending at 6.10am the following day. Time to zzzzz. One exciting thing during the journey was we crossed the bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden within half an hour of the journey.

Next up: A quick taster of Stockholm and the start of the cruise