My 2008 ...
Year 2008. Another great year indeed. Another eventful one. One with many firsts. At the start of this year, I made a promise to myself, I promised that I will make this year yet another memorable one. Like all the other years I had, I wanted 2008 to be a very memorable one, one that I will remember forever. And now, reflecting on 2008, it was a success.
In 2007, I stepped out of my comfort zone by travelling to the other side of the world, surviving on my own. I managed that. 2008 saw me stepping out of my comfort zone in many ways, it had me stepping out of my bubble I have been in for the last 20 years as well. It had me making big decisions on my future, on whether to stay back and remain in my comfort zone, or to travel abroad and pursue my dreams. We'll see in 2009 if I get to carry it out.
Before you start reading on, I suggest you make yourself a full course meal and eat while u read as it is rather long. Bear in mind I'm blogging as if I'm still in 2008.
First off, I started working this year.
When I came back from Canada, I still had one month of holiday before starting uni. So, I decided to get a job. A working environment which I feel happy to be in, the water. Thus a swim teacher it is. My very first part time job. Once uni started, I decided to carry on with this part time job, working twice a week after uni. Having me signing a one year contract forced me to stay on in second semester and worked till the end and not quit. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad I stayed on. Can't help to feel happy when my boss told me the parents want me back next year teaching their kids. It made me felt sad for leaving next year but at the same time, it feels good to know that I was doing things right and felt appreciated. At least now I know, if all else fails in the future, I can be a swim teacher! Ahahahaha!!!
Work mates
Next ... studies.
I still have to say my second year, first semester is the best academically. I failed to beat that record but nevertheless, I'm satisfied seeing that I have to juggle work and studies together, and not forgetting, UMSA. 3rd year papers were definitely different compared to 1st and 2nd year. Really had to put all the tiny pieces together, gather information from 1st and 2nd year papers and apply it. It had me studying harder, stressing more, reading more, visiting the library more, frowning more, eating and joking less. But in the end, I got the last laugh:)
My reading and writing skills have improved after having to read so many journal articles and writing so many reports and reviews. It gave me an A+ in first semester and 2 full marks on my review article and critique article.
Studying for the finals in 2nd semester was a new challenge as papers were back to back. In my past two years, I always laughed at those who had back to back papers. Now, I got a taste of my own medicine. But with the frequent visits to the libary and the company to make sure I don't sleep, with the help of cramming sessions with sports science mates and stressing together, I managed to pull it off. WE managed to pull it off. All my sport science study buddies graduate!!! That's what we always wanted. To graduate together and we did it! I am so wishing I can come back next year for graduation else I'd be so gutted.
And so.. that's the studying part for this year. Thank you to all of you for your help to make it possible for me to complete my studies. Not only my coursemates but the rest of you as well. Who gave encouragement, who made jokes to relieve my stress, who blogs so that I can have some entertainment, who helped me out with printing and saved me money :P, who helped me out when my laptop crashed, who kept me awake when I was burning the midnight oil to finish up my assignments. Sorry to any of you if I let my temper off during those times, sorry for withdrawing myself from the social world, sorry if I became less helpful. I know I have been.
UMSA ...
UMSA is like another part of uni. Uni has the academic side, the sporting side, the social side and also... the UMSA side.
I know I became less helpful in terms of being a driver, offering transport. At times, I even reject and say I'm busy though I wasn't really busy at that time but I just wanted some rest time. I attended less events as the months went by. I tried to get out of any events just because there were just too much things my little mind can handle. I still admire my other half who managed to do all of this and stayed strong throughout the year. Two thumbs up babe!
So patriotic
Like how my other half have been with me since first year till the very end of my 3rd year, UMSA have also been with me since first year. Sure it was not all fun and laughter but I have definitely learnt a lot because of UMSA. Initially I thought being a sub-com this year will take off some burden and less stuff to do compared to last year. But I was wrong. Still had heaps to do as most of the committee were first timers and hence needed guidance. Life lessons were learnt throughout the year for me and got to know some people better as well. Whether a good thing or not, it really depends on how we interpret things. Sometimes it's better to know some people just at the surface and no further than that. And sometimes, it's beneficial to know them more. But we will never know, would we? Different people have different perspectives on people. It's not easy to convince someone and get convinced on who you are or what others are, it's not easy to change. It all ends up to the individual on what to believe and think is right and true. It pays to know that different people react differently to words and actions, it pays to know that no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, it pays to know that each individual have different opinions and taste, it pays to know that we all have different capabilities. All these differences can either make or break a team, it all comes down to the matter on how we all deal with it. This is what I have learnt. Commitment is important, we have to be committed when we do anything. But sometimes, we must know our limits and not getting to the point where we always get pushed around. We must know when to say NO and not be afraid of saying that word. For some people, it's easy to say it but for some, it's hard. I'm still learning to say NO but I'm getting there :)
We are only humans. No one is perfect. We can only learn provided we have an open mind to do so, provided we can accept criticism, it is for the better.
Apart from learning all of these, I have also learnt some cooking skills. Because of UMSA, I have learnt how to make onde onde and kuih bingka ubi. These skills are really good for someone who enjoys going potluck. Now, these two are what I make when I go for potluck and I need not worry about having leftovers to take back. Good good skills indeed :)
Photo skills not bad as well huh?
So this is UMSA. No more UMSA anymore as I won't be here but UMSA wil always be apart of me. I will never forget the UMSA side of uni. UMSA brought me good good food, a social life, a sporting life, great great friendships and love.
Social side
There was quite a lot of fun events at the beginning of the year but as the months went by, I became less sociable due to studies. I enjoyed the summer of January and February to the fullest.
Tree adventures and paintball out west, beach outing at long bay ... and who can forget, my very first time fishing!!! First time in my life fishing and I enjoyed it a lot!!! Thanks to mamasan and Bronson for introducing fishing to me!! Cannot wait for feb 2009!
There were a couple of singstar sessions during Pei Lyn's and Vanessa's farewell, the very first bike trip to Ladies Bay, wharf jumping in the North shore, foam party ... And .. Heaps and heaps of sabo sessions! It all started with sharvin's birthday and then it just kept coming. Despite all the backstabbings, it was pure fun in the end, filled with heaps of laughters. Never have I planned so many sabo days in my life!!! It's definitely a first.
But after April, the social side of uni lessened. There were Ele's flat party, Rachel's 18th at 6th sense, Nat's birthday dinner and clubbing at 6th sense and then that was it if I am not mistaken. Guess I just don't like clubbing very much.
I enjoy dinners, bubble tea sessions, chocolate boutique sessions, yogoberry sessions more. And ... I did have them. Thank goodness for all those sessions as they kept me sane.
The number of new friends I made this year isn't a lot. I guess I'm just comfortable with the number of friends I have made earlier on. Friends made during my first and second year of uni are just priceless and can't be replaced. Besides, my social life was pretty much dull throughout the semesters hence not meeting many new people. Sure I did meet some new people and it was good knowing them but I guess I feel more comfortable when hanging around with the already familiar faces, of which mostly I term them the oldies... nyehehehehe.. apart from my other half la... haha!
It's definitely gonna be a challenge next year, to make new friends again which I have to because I will be there for 2 years. In Canada, it was only 4 months hence I didn't really put much effort in socializing. But next year, it's not 4 months. It's 2 years. I'm gonna have to step out of my comfort zone again and mix around again. I admit, one of the reasons I dislike being in a new environment is because I need to socialize and talk to strangers. I don't really like it :p Maybe it's a call for some resolutions huh? Nahhh....
Sports
Now this, this was awesome. Sports is always wonderful. Sports is my life indeed. In terms of Bersatu, we all already know how awesome we did. 1st place overall yo! Yes, I want to repeat that again. Hehehehe... Breaking the bronze curse of netball was one of the best feelings I ever felt and I believe mental strength really played a huge role in winning it. Girls weren't allowed to play touch this year so that's too bad. I was in the volleyball team but I did not play during the games. Just attended the training sessions. After 3 years of learning to play volleyball, I have came to accept the fact that I just can't play it. Futsal for girls was the new sport in Bersatu this year. For the first time, I learnt how to kick balls but I think I am still a "kaki bangku" and hence ... I became the goalkeeper. Stressful role and I felt like I was gna have a heart attack everytime the opponent gets near to the goal post. We got 2nd but all in all, it was a good experience ... being able to buy soccer socks and look like Amanda Bynes in She's the Man! Hahahaha!! The other sport I played was handball. That was fun too but if only there were more training sessions as I really enjoyed playing it. And to top all the winnings up, the award for the best female athlete. An award I always dreamt for but thought of it as impossible.
Besides just playing sports for Bersatu, I tried new things this year. Mixed indoor netball. We played in a league once a week. We are called the Mahpeks. Audrey made the team. 6 people per team, consisting of 2 defence, 2 attacks and 2 centres. 4 quarters, 8 mins each. $2.50 per quarter. A fast pace game, way more competitive than Bersatu but good workout session. I always feel pretty much dead after 4 sets especially when playing Centre. Hardly any rest between sets and no rest after a goal is scored. We play with ang-mohs and they are either super fast, super tall or jump really high ... or a combo of any of those. Just too good. Shooting also so awesome which always leave me in awe. I also found out that I am a person who hates losing a lot and the rest of my night gets affected if I lose a game, which happens almost all the time! I guess it won't be that bad if the game was free but having to pay 10 bucks for half an hour and losing .... ahhh! But still, I look forward to Thursday nights for indoor netball because it takes my mind off uni.
Another new thing I did this year is ... running. First event was Round the Bays. I've always wanted to do it and I made it a point to do it this year. And from there, my interest in running started. The other two events I did this year was the Whenuapai 10km sometime in April and the Kauri Run in November. Not a lot but I ran pretty often, nearly once every week, mostly along the bays. I hope to run more next year and get myself fitter. It's a good sport to take up, back to being an individual and not relying on others. Though I admit, I do need someone beside me to run to keep me going. Will see if I have the discipline to do it alone next year.
Studies, UMSA, socializing, friends, sports ... a year will never be complete without any of this. I have done so much this year. I really did more and procrastinate less. I can say I really made the most out of 2008. I had so many firsts.
First time falling in love. (warning: mushy area ahead)
Though it's only 4 months, it somehow felt longer. Feelings started way back in 2007 but they were only shown in 2008. We all started talking more after him getting sabo-ed on his birthday. Staying up late at night on msn to come up with sabo plans for other people and eventually having both of us back-stabbing each other during the sabo days. Then it was running where he also decided to do Round the Bays. From then on, he became my running companion. Runs to Ladies Bay hoping to catch some "good views" ... Running in circles at domain.... Running up Mt.Eden and having cows encounter ... great times. Then there was netball. He who helped me by coming up with some netball drills for the girls. And I also managed to get him to play indoor netball. If only the team is made up of many hims, we'd win most of the time. Ahaha! My superstar!! The way he jumps, the way he blocks, his speed.... AhhHhhH!!! Afterall, it was all those that caught my eyes in the first place... hehehe... Sports really do bring people together right? Lolx!
From the start to almost the end of this year, I got to know him better. Apart from admiring his sporting skills... there was the lame and funny side of him which makes me laugh .. all the comments, the texts ... it was easy to talk to him, it made it easy to know him. Then the caring part of him.... April saw me getting stressed out with assignments and from then on, he became my study companion in the library. I do my stuff and he did his. We kept each other awake. He walked me to my car after late nights at the library. A great friend indeed. A friend I felt for. A friend who gave me the name Lil monkey. A friend who is more than my friend now. 2008. Indeed a memorable year. A special year. A year that will never be forgotten. The year where I felt so much for one person. Where I dared to dream and hope. Where I followed my heart which led me to him.
So this, this was my Two O O Eight. Yet another special, memorable year. First time reading so much, first time running in a race, first time going fishing, first time climbing the pinnacles, first time camping in NZ, first time playing indoor netball, first time play futsal, first time doing an off-road run, first time getting gold in netball, first time getting an award for best athlete, first time having a part time job which lasted for more than a month, first time carrying out so many sabo sessions, first time falling in love, first time attending events organized by sport science friends, and so many more. I am proud to say, I have achieved beyond what I expected this year and I am very happy with them.
And now, here's me welcoming 2009 with big wide open arms. Resolutions? I don't make them, I don't believe in them. Because if I don't complete them, I will feel as if I failed. so by not having any resolutions, I will never be disappointed. I choose to just reflect on what I have achieved and cherish them and be thankful. 2009 is definitely going to be a different year. I will be in a different country for most of the year. I will have to be strong. I will have different coursemates, different friends around me. It will have me stepping out of my comfort zone again. I hate moving around and changing environments ... But somehow, I always end up doing so. If it's meant to be, it is meant to be.
Two years in Aussie land. I'm gonna make it awesome. As much as dreading to leave NZ because of the people, I am looking forward to Aussie. Two more months here. Still waiting for my firm offer but I'm positive. Don't want to think so much about it. I'm gonna enjoy my last two months here to my fullest.
Happy New Year to all of you out there. Let us all be strong and and have another great year ahead. Be positive and know that we are all capable accomplishing great things. 2008 was superb but 2009 ... 2009 will be even better!!!
Congrats if you made it all the way to the bottom of this post.
Much love,
Sher Mayne
