2010...*zoom*:
This is perhaps the year that I felt have gone by the fastest, since I gradudated from university!
It has gone by so fast that I (ashamedly) only manage to write only 6 blog posts in 2010. : I It gone by so fast that I didn't even manage to write my 2010 new year resolution. So fast that I didn't have enough time to record all the things that I have experienced this year.
Or is it the other way around? That because so many things DID HAPPEN that I simply didn't have the time to get them all down!? Let this be my 'poor' excuse then...!!! : \
So let me compensate by writing a good, clear and crisp recap now to make it all up! Because it would definitely be a real shame if I don't jog down anything AT ALL for this...such...DIFFERENT year of 2010.
Goals for 2010
At the start of 2010, to my amazement, I was able to set down 3 very clear goals (without thinking too hard as well!). They were:
- To go overseas and do my OE
- To learn about photography
- To learn how to type Chinese on computer
Well to be honest, the first goal up there, OE overseas, at the start of the year I still didn't know how viable it was! So to finally realise it (after being stuck on the idea for a couple of years), it's a pretty good feeling! : ) (See April post). So yes first one 'finally' ticked off! Doing an OE in UK right now! : )
 |
| (Image ref: http://carseatblog.com) |
The other goal that I achieved was to learn more about photography. : ) Specifically I was able to learn and be able to utilize my Canon S90!!! (Yay! My original aim of buying S90 was exactly this!) So I am really really happy about achieving this too!
Oh and how was I able to achieve this? (Yes meant to be a post somewhere in Oct, 2010 about this >.<). Well, through some random searching on the net, I happened to find a short practical photography course called, Camera Trail! The idea is to learn about photography by actively taking photos during the course. You follow the tutor and walk around the different areas and just snap + learn! Another great thing is that it's done in a super small group! So you get quite a lot of attention and help! : ) The other thing was that I did the course down in Brighton, which also allowed me to be a bit of a 'tourist' at the same time (as I have never been there before)! So all-in-all I had a really really awesome day that day! Definitely one of the highlight for my OE this year! : )
 |
| (Image Ref: http://www.digital-photography-school.com) |
Other Recaps / Achievements / Unexpected Gains:
As I have said at the beginning of this post, just so many things have happened this year. (And I am soooo sooooo lucky to have experienced so much!) So I am going to summarize it by listing bullet points of the main things for me in 2010. Here goes!
- This year, not just me, but some of my friends too were able to finally set foot on their long term goal to experience life overseas!
I am really happy for them! : ) The fact that we are all able to finally make it! (And should I say even luckier that we are able to do it around the same time....the fact that we didn't purposely plan it, but accidentally hehe it just happened this way. Should I say it is fate? haha anyway less sad this way too I think : ) )
- Experienced life in Norway (Oslo)!
Haha seriously I never ever dreamed or thought of going to Norway. Due to work this year, I was being sent over there and stayed for 3 months (and also at the start of my OE too where I consider myself to be at the most vulnerable state, should I say!?). I am very thankful for this experience and quite proud of myself that I made it! : D (But I also think half of the luck was due to having some really friendly workmates and Norway itself, being a less complicated and peaceful country!)
- Set up and survived life by myself
Ok! The above probably made me sound like a baby! But hey I feel this is a valid achievement to be noted!!! : O After all this is really the FIRST TIME I am out there by myself.
I was able to find and set up my own place. Hey I even survived my birthday (for the first time!) all by myself too! But of course, I think this has been made much much easier for me, because I had some background remote help hehe, and fortunately good friends in UK to help and guide me through too!
Not saying it's a great achievement...but just wanted to say I DID IT (all by myself)! And just a small pat on the back for moi! : D
- Indirectly visited the whole of Northern Europe
While working in Norway, my workmates (friends!) and I also did a small weekend trip to Stockholm, Sweden as well! : ) (So I have directly conquered two Northern Europe countries)
As for the other two, Denmark and Finland, well I actually did a transit in both countries and hung around their airports for a couple of hours! I know I know...it's not really counted -o-.... But can I 'quietly' say I have 'indirectly' conquered the whole of Northern Europe, please!!! : P May be, I can say 'directly'...may be hehe...
- NZ
This year it seems quite a few 'not so happy' things have happened in NZ! (It's just extra sad to see it happen on the year that I'm finally out of country too!) The earthquake, the Queenstown plane crash, the parliament scandal for Asian MP, the miners.... : ( sighhh. Although I am now currently away from the country, but I sure do hope 2011 will be a better year for NZ!
- Bonus visitors in UK and holiday back in HK
Didn't planned it at all when I first set foot on my OE, but I was so so so grateful that I got a visit from my mum + dad to UK end of this year. And together we flew back to HK where we were joined by my grandma from Canada and reunited with family and close friends again over the festive season. : D So so thankful for this (initially) unplanned bonus trip. What a great way to finish off and to start the year by! : )
Farewell 2010:
So there you go! My summary for 2010. Sorry about the extremely LONGGGG post. But to be honest, because so many things have happened, that what I'm writing here is probably only 10% of what I originally wanted to jog down in the year! : ( It really doesn't do it justice at all!!!
But as I said before, I am really really thankful for the year. Because so many things have happened. Although I seem to have said the same thing each year, but I guess more than anything this year, without my awesome parents and some awesome, trusting and reliable friends support (both local + remote), I probably wouldn't be like this and enjoyed my OE and life as much! Seriously, if for one second I think any less negatively, life could have been much worse I think (at least mentally!). Soooooo THANK YOU! >.<
Oh and my next entry is going to be my 2011 resolution (not today tho...lol spent overtime on this post)! This time, this year...I am determined to get it down!!! I promise! >o<
Thank you for such a different year 2010 : ) Bye Bye!
p.s. - As always, something relevant I found to end the post with...for you my friends : )
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember.
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
But the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you."
from Winnie the Pooh, A.A.Milne
