So I have received the email about my posting in China for my upcoming OITP some time back in end October and I was posted to Chengdu. Never, ever did it ever crossed my mind that I'll get posted to Chengdu. I ranked Shanghai, Suzhou then Chengdu as my last choice. Forgive me if I sound rather superficial here, but I wanted to go Shanghai quite badly because I thought that Shanghai was the most prestigious out of the three provinces. I wanted to experience upbeat, busy city live. PLUS, Chen Xuedong and Wu Dawei are all based in Shanghai. I wanna go there and see my handsum bois. :( Even if I didn't get Shanghai, I thought at least, I would end up in Suzhou, where I could take the bullet train up to Shanghai during the weekends and explore a little of Shanghai.
At the very least, I was hoping to end up in the same province as Hayley then we could be roomies. All my fantasies all crushed that instant (since I really enjoyed myself while watching Tiny Times too).That's why I was so, so, so disappointed when I got Chengdu at first. Cause it sounded like a really boring place. The fact that it has the lowest cost of living out of the three gave me the impression that life over there would be more country side-ish, not as developed and all that you can think of. The only thing there we all can think of when we first hear the word Chengdu is PANDAS. We can't think of anymore. But it's a whole different thing when we hear the word Shanghai. And not to forget, I don't know ANYONE who are going to Chengdu with me. Means I have to make new friends. Haisssss.
But. But. But. There is always another side of the story when we all say but. I went for the OITP meeting today and our LO started off by asking the group of us going to Chengdu, "Alright, before the other lecturer starts the briefing, I want to know if any of you is strongly against going to Chengdu?" So one girl asked "Can we know how are we allocated?" Then the LO answered "Actually, if you all realised, you all are the bunch of people who have better results than the lot of people that's why we put you all in Chengdu. And you all are going to be the pioneer batch going to Chengdu." Yep, SB has been doing the Suzhou-Shanghai thing for 15-20 over years already. We are going to be the first batch of students going over to Chengdu this coming March. He carried on by telling us that the companies we are going to be attached to were more renown than the companies our peers, who are going to Shanghai Suzhou, are going to be attached to. 3 out of the 4 companies in Chengdu are NMCs. And if everything goes as planned, our accommodation would be better than those going to Shanghai Suzhou. Cost of living is the lowest out of the three, but the standard of living is as good as Singapore. Air is much better out of the three also. And all the while he told us "Go there with an open mind, and you will be pleasantly surprised."
Thankfully though, we are more or less settled with our rooming. Realised that there was this girl I talked to during the advance module that I'm taking. And the other 2 girls who are her classmates are relatively nice and friendly. So.... yep. Hope all things go well over there.
And to think I was slightly depressed that I couldn't go to Shanghai. I thought that the companies at Shanghai didn't pick my resume. After dad telling me about what I could expect at Chengdu, I was still feeling a little sore over how I didn't get to go Shanghai, but I spent a few days thinking through and I was starting to be alright with the decision because I told myself to trust in the Lord, and that I am placed in Chengdu for a reason.
Turns out that those whom I've talked to, who are going to Chengdu, all weren't really keen on going to Shanghai, and that Chengdu was either their first or second most preferred choice. Honestly, I think I was the only one who put Chengdu as my last choice. But through all these, it was able to let me see that how short-sight men are and that God's way is far more superior than all of us combined. God only gave me nothing but the best for me. And recalling on today's incident, I feel really blessed and thankful. Truly, even though we may not see it now, but His way is best.
That aside, finally squeezed out some time to go back to Bread Yard with my Vitamins. Miss BY's Hokkaido milk bread so, so much. Even though it was a really short less-than-an-hour with them but it was just so great to see them, have a meal with them, and catch up on life outside church with them.
HAM AND CHEEEEEEZE.
It was also to give my bestie a belated birthday lunch treat. Even though I'm a few weeks late, but nonetheless, I'm always thankful for you in my life. Thankful that you're always there for me, thankful that you're always keeping check of my spiritual health, and thankful that you've stayed. Even though we are contacting each other lesser and lesser as we get busier and busier, but you're just always a text away and always keeping me in your prayers. May you continue to grow in the Lord and continue to hunger and thirst for the Word of God. Happy Birthday!
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