I'm finally settling into school life. It's been a month since I last posted, and within that month, things seemed to have gotten better. Or at least, I hope it has. I've met quite a bunch of nice friends, and though they are few and far between, I'm happy with that. I don't expect to be great friends with everyone, because not everyone's going to be understanding. So yeah, I've accepted that.

On another note, school's not too bad though. I don't mix much with the people from my class, due to reasons stated above and (some) racism, but if anything, exchange's teaching me to understand why cultural differences exist. Different interests, different morals, yeah. It's a new experience, and the more I learn, the more I embrace their culture.

Sometimes I feel that it's because I'm an exchange student that's holding me from making friends. They say make the most of your exchange, but I'm so afraid of how I'd feel at the end of this exchange when I return home in July. I feel that the more friends I make, the more I'd have a problem letting them go when July comes, the worse I'll feel when I return to Singapore. Because I know that it will be a long, long time before I return to New Zealand again. 

Dear God,
Please give me the strength to face the day, to face the people whom I'm about to meet, and to remain a pillar of support to those around me. Let me not be discouraged by my friends when they don't respond, and help me to understand the meaning of independence. Help me to understand the culture, to understand their language and their interests, and to get along with them. Help me to be less critical, to be less of a social-recluse, give me the bravery to continue talking to them even if I feel out of place. On their part, let them not judge my unassuming ways, my ignorance of their culture and my need to clarify doubts. Help them to understand my fears, and to be kindly.

Amen.