We've all got this weird little obsession or fascination with new things. New cars, new houses, new schools, new toys, new friends-- as if new represented good. Perhaps for the most of it, new is good. And I suppose with new things comes new hopes. New aspirations, ambitions, dreams.
A new chance. Chance to change-- for change.
You get this silly thought, that maybe with something new, you get to start anew. Hah, what a clever play with words. Or word for this matter.
Anyway, New Year's for me has always been some sort of irony, close to a joke. It's just all the hype and celebration, the anticipation for time to move faster when we're always asking for it to slow down, the redundant resolutions that evidently will be forgotten past the 2nd week of January.
New Year's is just another excuse to party, like an 18th birthday. That's how I did my New Year's this year. It really didn't feel like a brand new start.
It just felt like an end.
When fireworks went off and screams and jovial blows of little trumpets could be heard from a mile away and confetti littered the tiny enclosure we were in, the only thing that ran through my mind was "We're done."
The clock striking 12 was like closure for one of those other chapters in my life. Significantly enough, 2008 was a rather memorable year. It was a year for many first's admittedly. It would be one of those year's I can reminisce upon 5 years from now.
In January,
I left home for a month for Thailand. One of the best times of my life because I got to meet so many people. I experienced what it was like to be alone-- away from family, friends and culture especially.
Place of residency.I'm really missing it.
The people I spent the most time there with.John, Julie, Drew, Han & Mit.
We made an awesome team.
Singapore/Malaysia
Teaching English up on the mountains.It was amazing.
Saying goodbye was really really tough.we always celebrate the 14th day of this month with a very special person. She's always the first to grow old, but ironically, she seldom acts her age ;p Karyn turned 18 and we had a surprise party in the middle of the night for her. You're so loved, babe.
This year also, Chye Hoong got married. One of my dearest friends from my childhood! It was really weird seeing her walk down that aisle when I can still remember her studying for Add Maths on my study table while babysitting her sister and me. Happily ever after, finally :)
In March,
I left for one week to experience Cambodia. This trip was completely different to the one I had in Thailand. For one, the people were different and significantly more. As I reflect, I'm constantly reminded of my experience with God and His strong love that was so evident within the one week there. It was ultimately a melting pot of cultures and languages and pure diversity. Our unity came mainly from the love we had for Him. Bonds were formed, not only with each other, but also with the people we were serving at that time.
Angkor of Faith 2008In April,
I could finally call myself a college kid. I entered unknown territory, suddenly face to face with a pool of new faces. Made friends with huge numbers of people within my campus itself. Felt what it was like to shiver in classrooms, suck-up to lecturers, rush for datelines, play pool in between classes, find comfort in flip flops and loose jeans :)
Best thing about college life? Having crossed paths with this two.
My baby & my muffin.
Ultimately,
we became the infamous MAC
:)
In June,
I turned 18! Had a huge birthday bash together with Cheryl and Sam down at the once "happening" club called Barcelona. That night was insaneee. The amount of people who came, the random amount of people who came. Wow. It got pretty out of control, but I think most of us had a good time, which is good. The venue was packed to the brim and I didn't have a curfew. I would say, it was a pretty cliche way for me to celebrate my 18th, in a club and all haha
Dinner at Italliannies.
.....to be continued in the next post
I could finally call myself a college kid. I entered unknown territory, suddenly face to face with a pool of new faces. Made friends with huge numbers of people within my campus itself. Felt what it was like to shiver in classrooms, suck-up to lecturers, rush for datelines, play pool in between classes, find comfort in flip flops and loose jeans :)
Best thing about college life? Having crossed paths with this two.
My baby & my muffin.
Ultimately,we became the infamous MAC
:)
Spent a lot of time with the girlfriends too. Time was being made productive when we baked cupcakes! I forgot for what reason though. Turned out decent enough to be eaten. Proud la can!
In May,
Was swamped with a lot of work from college. Tackled one of the hardest class within the first semester itself-- Speech 105. I can always remember slaving over last minute speeches and summoning the most of my courage whenever I present my graded speeches. What a piece of nervous wreck I was! But I managed to scrape through it.
Was swamped with a lot of work from college. Tackled one of the hardest class within the first semester itself-- Speech 105. I can always remember slaving over last minute speeches and summoning the most of my courage whenever I present my graded speeches. What a piece of nervous wreck I was! But I managed to scrape through it.
I turned 18! Had a huge birthday bash together with Cheryl and Sam down at the once "happening" club called Barcelona. That night was insaneee. The amount of people who came, the random amount of people who came. Wow. It got pretty out of control, but I think most of us had a good time, which is good. The venue was packed to the brim and I didn't have a curfew. I would say, it was a pretty cliche way for me to celebrate my 18th, in a club and all haha
Dinner at Italliannies.
.....to be continued in the next post