looking back at 2007

Reflecting back ...

- half-written on new year's eve and half on new year's day ...

A year ago today, I typed up a new year's post, reflecting back on all the things that happened in 2006. Now, it's that time of the year again where I shall take a moment, and reflect on the many eventful things that happened throughout year 2007.

For the past few days, I have just been thinking on how I should structure this post. Till now, I have no idea how to. But there were so many events, so many life lessons, that popped up in my mind that I want to pen down, because 2007 is yet another unforgettable year. Now, come to think about it, every year is always different, every year is special in its own way and it would indeed be a waste if I don't write on it. For me, if there's nothing special in a year, then it's called not living life to the fullest. Therefore, I can proudly say I did live 2007 to its fullest.

Since I suck in creativity, I figured the best way to structure this post would be by following last year's structure.

Academically ...
First semester of this year saw me worrying about my grades a lil bit as I had to juggle my time between studies and UMSA. Not only I had to stress about my studies but I also had to stress about all the sports officer duties. But to my surprise, my results for first semester was the best ever compared to the last two semesters in 2006. First time achieving an A+. Teeheee :) I am pretty damn proud of that A+ ok! Will I be able to do better next year? I hope so but don't even count on it. It's not even in my new year's resolution :p

Can't really talk about the second semester because results aren't out yet. But obviously we all know that my second semester is a bum around semester, where the grades don't matter, where I took the study break to go to NYC, where I went snowboarding on the day before my last day of exams. Results are highly likely to be the worst. However, I did find myself studying my hardest for this second semester, well, the first half that is. Readings were all done, textbooks were actually touched. I even started my final assignment two weeks before due date. Usually, it's like a day or two before due date when I do start on them. Overall, I can say that the academic side of my second semester isn't too good and I am not proud of it. But hey! I am an exchange student, that's what we do!

As next year will be my final year at uni, I took some time thinking of where I would be going after this. Most of my coursemates will be graduating with a double major in sports and exercise science and physiology. But me, I will just graduate with a single major because I don't have the pre-requisite to take third year physiology papers. Kinda gutted but that's life. It always has its pros and cons. Pros : I gained an experience of a lifetime during my exchange programme here at McGill. Cons: I don't get to graduate with a double major.

So where to after 2008?

I still have a year to think, to decide, to look around. At the moment, it would be to continue my studies and pursue another degree in Physiotherapy at AUT. But there is another option that I might consider.Which is ... staying at UoA and do postgrad. I still have time but hopefully I will be able to decide by the end of first semester because I know it will bug me if I don't settle it.

Friends ...
They play a very important role in my life. The ones I made during my first year of uni are still indeed very close to me and the ones I cherish dearly. They keep me strong and they cheer me up. They are the ones that always make sure I am alright. You guys are indeed lifelong friends. Sadly, some have left Auckland or are leaving Auckland. I am going to miss you guys and you all know who you are (I call them the oldies/wise ones). But I am sure that we will cross paths sometime in the the future again :)

New friendships were made this year as well. Some are people whom I just met this year but we bonded quickly and some were people I met last year who were just Hi-Bye friends but I got to know better this year. Friends that I would want to keep forever and hard to let go. Again, you all know who you are and if you think you are one of them, you are definitely right!!!

And coming for this exchange was indeed an eye-opener for me. Not only did it made me realized how sucky it is not to have this awesome bunch of people around me but it also made me realized how important some other people are - my coursemates. They are my study drugs. Without them, it is indeed really hard to sit down and get much study done. There were so many times during my second semester where I miss them so so much and wished they were here with me to study. There were countless moments where I wished they were beside me in lectures to keep me awake. Besides being my study drugs, I have also came to realize that these people also do actually care about me. The emails they sent to just ask how I am, to update me on what's going on back home. The emails that just make me laugh all the time when I read them. And just now, I received another email from leight wishing me a happy new year :) Definitely a group of friends which I will appreciate more when I get back!!

Because... good friends are hard to find and it takes time.

Sports ...
Like last year, it is indeed my addiction. Man, I wouldn't know what I will do without sports. I continued playing netball and still learning touch and volleyball. I even progressed to getting soccer boots to play touch! Wahahahahaha!! Despite spraining my ankle twice last year during touch, I still continued. Because it's all about not giving up! And bravo to me for not spraining my ankle in touch this year which allowed me to play touch during the Games. Whoop whoop!!

New sports picked up?

-Athletics. Never in my life would I have thought about doing sprints and running on tracks. I only see myself doing long distance running because I suck at sprinting. But the introduction of athletics in this year's Bersatu Games made me try something new. No regrets, no regrets at all. Really had fun in the training sessions. There weren't many but when there is a training session for athletics, it really challenged my cardiorespiratory system!!

- Ultimate frisbee. We all know the story for this.. obviously it was a new sports that I picked up but most likely won't be continuing. Lolx!!

-Basketball. A sport that I picked up whilst I was at my exchange. As I can't live without sports, I knew I had to do something about it. And basketball it is. Really enjoyed learning and playing it. More running around and being able to actually push people, heehee :p Have indeed learnt quite a bit from it and picked up some skills which are definitely transferrable to netball!

- Dance. It challenges you physically so I am classifying dancing as a sport! Because that someone introduced it to me and made it really enjoyable and made me believe I can dance in such short period of time. Came for my exchange and signed up for Zumba classes. 1 hour every week and at the end of every session, my tummy will hurt and I will be tired. And the music for Zumba is pretty catchy!!! Love it! If I do have time next year, I would definitely want to learn more dancing!!

So yeaa.. these were the sports I participated in this year. And again, friends do play an important role in my sporting life as well. I do need them to play sports with me. And yes, I appreciate all of you, all my sports buddies. No you = no sports = no fun. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

At the end of my new year's post last year, I wrote:

" Do not be afraid of making mistakes, treat them as part of the learning process. Appreciate your loved ones, do not take them for granted. Try something different, be brave and take risk at times for that step you make might just be the best thing that ever happened to you."

Do not be afraid of making mistakes, treat them as part of the learning process.

Indeed I have made many mistakes this year. Gutted but at least there were always a lesson learnt behind every mistake. The prominent ones were the ones I made during my exchange experience.

I have learnt that choosing the cheapest option for things aren't always the right thing to do. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to pay a bit more for some added convenience, safety and comfort. And who knows? The cheapest way might actually be the most expensive way - flight ticket mistake. And from this mistake, I did make some improvements. I chose to take the taxi to transfer one of my suitcase to my friend's place instead of dragging it in the snow. I have paid for my final night accommodation in montreal and got myself a single room. It's double the price but at least I know my bags will be safe since I'm not sharing with others. My mummy approved it so it was the right thing :) Ok, so there are still many many cheapskate moments which my mom still says "AIYOOO!!! just pay only la..." but at least I am improving. Will blog about those few cheapskate moments when I blog about my trips. Haha!

I have learnt that I should do my research properly, think it through and plan ahead before making any final decisions. There were many times where I find myself regretting when I do not plan properly. Many times where I do find myself paying more if I don't think it through, paying for unnecessary things. These things are like from choosing the prepaid plans, internet plans, buying metro passes etc. Though it may sound tiny but after some calculations, I could have saved over 20 bucks if I didn't make those mistakes. But hey! You never learn if you don't make mistakes, right?

Appreciate your loved ones, do not take them for granted.

Coming for this exchange, I have indeed learnt to appreciate those who are the closest to me - family. Besides of having the main purpose of learning to be more independent, living by myself, gaining a whole new experience ... One of the main purpose is for me to learn appreciating mum and dad more. And, I got what I asked for. Those of you who have left home to come here (NZ) to pursue your study, you have to admit that it's not only when you come here, you start realizing how important family is and how much your parents, siblings mean to you. Well, majority la ... And being away from them makes you miss them the most in your entire life and you just wish you can go back and spend time with them. But after university, it will be work, then perhaps marriage and then starting your own family. The time you have as family together will definitely be less than when you were staying under their care. Sad, but it's true for most.

Hence when I knew I was coming here, I really wanted to feel how it's like to be away from mum and dad, to learn how much they really really mean to me and don't take them from granted. I confess, I do tend to take them for granted easily, expecting them to do this and that. According to them, other people tend to take me for granted easily and I tend to take them for granted. Sure, I do know that family is important, I read from friends' experiences on how much they miss their family and how they start appreciating them more after leaving them. Of course you can gain experiences by reading the experiences by others, but the effect will only be stronger if you are in their shoes.

I got what I asked for. And the best thing is, I get to go back and change things and spend more time with them from now on. I am indeed lucky. Having the chance to experience staying away from mum and dad, and yet being able to go back to them, returning to my normal life in Auckland, just schooling, being fed, being loved, and even, getting scolded. At the start of this year, I wanted to actually move to the city, escape from curfews, and most importantly... the traffic I have to tolerate in the mornings and the evenings. Mum disagreed, she said once I move out, then that's it. The likelihood of me wanting to move back will be very small. I would be comfortable in the city, not needing to drive, not needing to wake up at 6am for an 8am class, not having any curfews .... and when I miss home, I can just pay a weekend visit. I wouldn't see much point of going back home and staying with them again.

But after coming over for this exchange, I discovered one thing that outweighs the facts that I have to get up early, the traffic, the curfews that made me decide to stay home with them now when I return -->> FAMILY LOVE.

Try something different, be brave and take risk at times for that step you make might just be the best thing that ever happened to you

This is definitely obvious. Biggest and scariest thing for the year 2007 is definitely flying from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere alone, and living on my own for 4 months. Flying off not knowing what exactly was ahead of me, not knowing where exactly I will be staying. Heaps of uncertainties. All I had was just my own impression, my own imagination on how things will be.

So how was reality like compared to my lil imagination?

Unexpected but the experience of a lifetime. Because it was one that I will never forget. One that I have learnt heaps from. Can't say it was the best thing that ever happened to me but it was one that taught me a lot of life lessons, one that I appreciate to have, one that I will cherish forever, one that I am proud of to have

So that was year 2007. Yet another eventful, exciting year.

And now, this is 2008. A new year. Filled with new dreams, new hopes. Dare to dream, never be afraid.

So here I am, wishing all of you a very Happy New Year.

Let us all welcome the year 2008 with big wide smiles and big wide open arms. Remember, every year will always be an eventful, memorable year. Make the most out of everything, make the most out of 2008. Do more, procrastinate less. Follow your heart in whatever you do. Believe and trust in yourself. The choices you make may seem silly at first but in the end, it will always turn out right if you follow your instinct.

And lastly...

Thank you to all of you, every single one of you, for making it such a wonderful, awesome year 2007 for me.