New Friend and A day around London, ON

I'm grateful to Kelvin, who introduced me to Jen Chyang, one of the few Singaporeans living permanently here. JC volunteered to show me around and he kindly drove me to a number of places. We went to Masonville Place (where I had gone yesterday to buy my adaptor), Loblaw (a groceries place where I bought apples, carrots and tomatoes), Chapters (a bookstore with an adjunct Starbucks), Best Buy (like Best Denki, is an electronics store. I bought a mouse there).

Shopping is expensive here! Not only is there a 5% GST, there is a 8% or thereabout provincial tax! The government taxes off goods is appalling. Now I see some sense in the Singapore Government policy against a welfare state. Though I must say that healthcare can be better subsidised in SG. JC told me that healthcare in CA is totally free! That's incredible to a Singaporean's ears who lives in country where people 'would rather die than fall sick'.

JC also drove me to see the UWO campus and the law faculty builiding/London Hall. We passed by the Thames River, covered in snow and liveless but I could tell that it had seen better times. I think the scenery on the riverside should be rather magnificent in the fall/autumn period. Following that we went to south London and visited another mall, then we headed for dinner at a vietnamese restaurant. I had shrimp dumpling with egg noodles. Portions were small and overall rather expensive though the price is considered mid-range. If standard of living correlates directly with the price of food and goods, then the standard here is very high. I didn't expect the prices of goods to be so high such that it's comparable to prices in other major western posh cities. Oh well...

Still feeling a little bit depressed about living alone. I'm still not used to the way of living for myself only-there seems to be something missing. Anyway, saw a book on philosophy in Chapters today and it says Aristotle thinks the telos (the "end"/"purpose") of man is happiness! Some other philosophers did not agree because happiness seems too superficial. But I agree with Aristotle. Man is constantly-consciously or not-seeking satisfaction in life which necessarily translates to happiness. I think to be able to show love your loved ones is one great source of happiness.

I'm moving into the residence tomorrow. I hope everything goes well.