Geddit Right

I'm succeeding in numbing my feelings.

I'm getting pretty good. 

Two thousand thirteen.

2013. I don't know where to start. This sounds cliche, but 2013 was by far the best year of my life. BY FAR. Saying 2014 is gonna be even better would be a life, just because 2013 is going to be pretty darn hard to beat.

On the 25th of January, I embarked on the most life changing experience in my life. My six months travel around Asia. I've grown in ways I didn't know I could (and also sideways. omg.) I discovered just the tip of the iceberg of what the world has offer me. And definitely most importantly, I learnt so much about myself. I definitely came back a difference person. Saying 'new year new me' would be a lie. I don't want a new me.

Korea

South Korea

Three weeks in the wonderful South Korea! Loads of people feel that South Korea is totally overrated because of the whole Kpop craze. But its totally the opposite. Their bizarre culture and rich history is totally underrated! (The word totally is also overrated) SO FREAKEN AWESOME, I'm so pumped to go back. 

Taiwan

Taiwan

First ever experience of solo travelling in a totally foreign country knowing no one. At this point I didn't know if my parents just didn't care about me, or they just trusted me. I'll go with the latter. My Mandarin definitely improved ten fold. I met so many people! (Of which I can't remember the names of, except Aaron.) I want to say I fell in love with all the handsome men. But I think I fell in love more with the country itself. I was so content. 

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Few things about Hong Kong. The food, but importantly, PIGEON, lights, the language, and guys who speak Cantonese. <3 <3 <3. But this was only made possible because of Tiffany and her family! <3

Malaysia

Malaysia

I've always battled with where I call 'home'. I concluded on having two places I call home; London and Singapore. But I've never been so wrong. My trip to Malaysia made me realise I could so easily call this my home too. 

Singapore

This place. These friends. <3

Prague

A long awaited family holiday to Prague just before Christmas. Of christmas markets, drinking coffee and freezing our butts off. 

University

Huge milestone. Waking up from lectures and pulling through assignments took every bit of effort, not gonna lie. But since I've started getting into the habit of things, things have been pretty good! So good that yesterday as I was studying for my upcoming exam, my *chinese* mum told me I study too much. And asked me to go out and enjoy myself. (Sidenote: she also discouraged me from putting in the effort because first year of university isn't counted towards the final grade. lol.)  

Turning 20

'The big two zero'. I really never thought I'd be alive to see this day. Birthday celebrations started off at work, where I was surprised with cake and song. And on my actual birthday, I specifically requested no cakes and no songs. Instead a nice lunch at my favourite Korean restaurant with family was enough. But of cos, family tradition has it that a cake and pathetic awkward happy birthday sing song is a must. 

Things I learnt

You don't need many friends.

In 2012, I made it a point to surround myself with so many friends. And I did, and I was happy. But I was so tired. It became a daily thing to please others before myself. As I said, I was happy. But it was definitely short lived. So I learnt the hard way to surround yourself with people who you can talk to about anything. like anything. You may still be awkward at times, but you laugh about the awkwardness. Bad thing is, these friends are hard to come by. Good thing is, you only need a few. 

Things that annoyed me

The recent epidemic of the self-proclaimed 'foodies'.

I started noticing this, especially on Instagram, especially in Singapore. But it was only after talking to my favourite Indian, Shreya, that I realise really how freaking annoying it is. Not everyone can be a foodie. You are not a foodie just because you post pictures of food on Instagram for goodness sake. Not saying that food pictures on Instagram's a nono. 70% of pictures I like on Instagram is of food, contrary to many people, I love that people post pictures of food. Its a nice gateway to curb my thirst/hunger for the much missed authentic Asian food. But don't go and ruin by putting 'foodie' in your description. Please. Don't. Everything else is acceptable, like, for example, food is the love of my life, I live for food etc etc. Cos I totally understand, food is underrated. Just the word 'foodie'. You know who's a foodie? Ladyironchef or people of those likes. Its great that people are totally ditching the 'I'm on a diet' scheme, and embracing their inner food lovers. But please. Stop with this wretched 'foodie' epidemic. You aren't a foodie. 

The recent I love my parents/family trend

I come from an extremely close knit family. I've taken part in research as a 'third culture kid' on several occasions. Third culture kid is 'a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture'. So I live in England, Singapore and then England while my parents are Malaysian and English. And research has it that TCKs are typically close to their families because they are the only consistent thing in their lives. So I've ALWAYS been close to my family, and I've also proclaimed them to be the most important people. So I'm not guilty for this trend, because I've loved my family before it became 'cool'. And its horrible that its only become a thing recently. Shouldn't it have always been the case? 

Mushy lists

Right at the end of 2013 this became a thing. Suddenly lists upon lists of lists were being circulated around the internet. yes lists. Like 14 things a boyfriend should do. 34 new year's resolutions everyone should make. Only one lists is yet to be rocketed to fame and its the list of 387 reasons why you shouldn't follow lists. If you rely on lists to sort out your life, then that's pretty miserable. Stop following lists that people have create, follow your own lists that you've create for yourself. 

New year's resolution.

To be comfortable in my own skin. 

That's all. 

Peace out. xxx