BLOG #2 A Special Place

The real magic, though, begins after sunset. At night, the pool glows with blue light from the underwater lamps, and the reflections shimmer across the water, the walls, the ceiling, even beneath the bench. Everything is bathed in a soft blue that makes the whole space feel dreamlike, as if time is standing still. When I look up, I can see stars peeking through the gaps in the clouds, adding a little sparkle to the quiet sky.

Sometimes on those nights, I play soft music through my phone and just sit there, doing nothing in particular. By the time the last song ends, I often feel like a small weight has lifted from my chest. Other times, I bring my laptop and try to work on assignments. When I’m in the zone, I can get hours of solid focus in—but even if I get nothing done, I don’t feel frustrated. Just having a place like this is enough.

Every now and then, I sit on this bench and quietly reflect on the day. The things that went well, the things that didn’t, the little moments of unease I felt during conversations—all of it usually passes by without much thought during the day, but when I come here, those feelings slowly rise to the surface. It’s like watching the moonlight gradually appear on the surface of the water, softly reflecting the glow of the night sky. Being able to sort through my emotions without interruption is something I’ve come to value deeply.

This bench isn’t just a calming spot—it’s a place where I rediscover myself. When I sit here, the rush and anxiety I carry begin to fade, and I start to feel like, “Well, maybe things will be okay.” In the middle of my busy days, having these small moments where my heart feels lighter—that, to me, is a kind of support. Even if the noise and pressure return once I go back to daily life, I know that as long as I can return to this bench, I can always find my way back to myself. That’s the quiet certainty this place gives me.

I’ve called my family from this bench more times than I can count. There’s something odd but comforting about hearing my own voice speaking Japanese in the middle of the warm Malaysian air. Whether it was a happy day or a difficult one, I always found myself back here. There were nights when I sat in silence, unable to put my feelings into words, letting tears quietly fall. And that was okay.

I’ve never told anyone this before, but this bench holds all the “now” moments of my life here. The loneliness, the challenges, the small joys of daily life as an international student—they’ve all passed through this little corner. Someday I’ll leave this place, but the quiet moments I spent here will stay with me.