2009

It's a new year! I know this is a little late for a new year post... but well... I was too lazy... a 4 day long weekend has made me feel like such a lazy pig I sorta forgot it's 2009 already! Haha!

Although new year has never meant anything special to me, it still manages to remind me that another year has passed. 2008 was a special year. It marks the transition from student to working adult, and many first times:

• the first time I visited Taiwan & Japan, 2 of my top dream holiday destinations!
• the first time I travel to Australia for work
• the first time I get to experience military exercise
• first FYP
• first job
• first credit card

It seems pretty long ago that I was in NTU, mugging hard for exams, staying late with Peishi for FYP, going for CO practices, the NTUCO concert, FYP presentation, convocation ceremony...

Then it was Taiwan with Sylvia! I finally met my uncle and aunt who are working and staying there and has not been back for the past many years. Taiwan is one place where dreams come true, or so I've always felt. I hope I will get a chance to live and stay in Taiwan one day (retirement? hee hee...) and I WILL visit again... I think my parents would love to go visit too! =) - I better start saving up!

I started working end June 08, and I'm so glad I've made such good friends! Thanks to Jia Yun for always accompanying me while we take the "arrows" together! And also the rest on our boss's "arrow list" - Chaowei, Chi Meng, Hau-ge, Suwei.

I'm especially lucky to have such capable teammates! Thanks to my "lecturer" CL for being such a wonderful mentor, leader and boss. Thanks for explaining all the technical stuff like a real professor, and the many brainwashing sessions you've given us. Thanks for cooking our meals in Australia and taking such good care of us! Thanks for putting up with my "sotong"-ness when I forgot to bring my wallet & IC the other day! =P And the forever young YM - thanks for all your kind guidance and help this past 6 months! I'm going to miss them both when they go for further studies later this year. I'll jiayou and try to learn as much as I can in these few months! =) Good luck for your studies!

My favourite trip this year - Japan! F&E is really the best way to travel! =) though we 3 girls (me, elaine, xuan) were too pampered and we chose to spend lots of $$ on hotels instead of hostels... maybe next time I should go hostels or home stays instead! (sounds like lots of fun also!) Though we spent lots of time doing our research before we embarked on the trip, it was all worth it! There are still so much more to see in Japan - I wanna go back again! I love the beautiful red maple leaves, the strong cool winds and the cold winter, the friendly (and shy!) Japanese, the mix of tradition and modernity in the cities, the really complicated Japanese language, the hot sweet sake and the never-ending shopping! I really enjoyed Japan, but for now, I've gotta work hard and play less. =)

I've spent the first 4 days of 2009 resting (or slacking). Just back from a Mayday concert with my sis and her friends - was really high! Hee hee... Okok... here's my list of "to-dos" for the remaining 361 days of the year =)

• Work hard! -> Will be travelling to Melbourne for work in Feb. (must be more independent!)
• Pay Loans -> too many loans but must jiayou! aim to pay off by 2011!
• Learn Japanese!
• Learn something else -> maybe guitar / keyboard / vocal
• Meet up more with my darlings!!! =)

Happy New Year to all my friends! May 2009 be a wonderful year!