looking back

looking back

2008 has been a year of changes, experiences, first times and celebrations. It was full of tears, excitement, hope, apprehension and love.

For the world, it didn't seem like such a great year - China's huge snow storm and its tragic earthquake, Mumbai's horrific bombings, Singapore's first victim to terrorism, the financial meltdown. Then again, there were also the Beijing Olympics, the survival stories of victories over deaths, the united spirit of Singaporeans, the USA Elections with their first Black President.

It's amazing, how death and life exist alongside, how heartbreaks and love come hand in hand and how the end of the road always brings new hope.

For me, it's been one of the best years. Graduation from Junior College saw the first break from the school routine in 12 years. I had the time of my life - dabbling at everything on adventurous days and hiding from the world on lazy ones.

I stepped into the working life for the first time and made up for my lack of experience in the working world by trying out 4 different jobs. I was an office girl in an accounting firm, a salesgirl with Crocs, a waitress with Loof and a private tutor to 2 P5 boys. I learnt countless lessons about things they never taught in school. I had my fun, earned my money and realised it isn't easy. The world isn't made of marshmellows, but slowly, I think I'm getting ready to take it on.

2008 also saw me on a plane without the parents for the first time. I had an amazing holiday with Nicole in Bali. It was a hasty, last minute trip that went surprisingly well. We both had an awesome time! I am completely in love with the island, and am definitely going back again. It was a much craved break from our hectic little country, and I came back refreshed and wowed.

Back home, I skipped away from good old Orchard Road and explored the nooks and crooks of Singapore. We were such nature's girls - cycling to West Coast Park, exploring Pulau Ubin and picnicking at Botanic Gardens. And boy, was it fun!

Then there was the A level results, which sent us in all directions and all over the world. For the first time in my life, I cried over my results. The fear that welled up in me right before I collected my report slip was overwhelming. It suddenly hit me that if I screwed this up, I would have screwed up 12 years of hard work. And I didn't think I studied enough when it mattered the most. I was truly terrified.

I think I was more relieved than happy when I finally saw the grades. ADAAC. A for GP, Lit and Geography. I did well where I should. Not good enough to get me into Law, but good enough to get me into FASS.

And then of course, life as an univerisity student started. It is completely different from JC and Secondary School. It is independent. I was on my own, and responsible for myself. It was thrilling and scary at the same time.

I learnt new subjects, took up a new language and picked up a new sport. I made new friends, of which, a very special one too. I studied, I trained, I struggled, I fought the boy, I thought of dropping the sport, I hung in there and I pulled through. I scored a decent CAP, got into the IVP school team and kept him.

I missed my friends abroad. I missed my friends back home. I missed my family because I was hardly home. Everyone was on different tracks. It was hard, and even lonely at times. But we made time for each other, despite crazy schedules and time differences.

Despite everything, some things just don't change.

So here's to 2008, a truly amazing year. I am looking forward to every single new story 2009 will bring. Hello, new year.