Looking at 2008, what a year!! I wouldn't call it great but 2008 must have been one of the most significant years of my life yet. A year of disappointment, silly mistakes and folly.


A summary of 2008:


1) I was selected for the 13th Malaysian-Singapore Youth Camp Contingent, attended meetings and training sessions twice a week for a couple of months in preparation, but there was a change in date and there was some conflict against my exam dates, so I had to pull out in the end. But I'm glad to say yesterday I received an invitation from Rena to take part in the 14th contingent to be held in June this year. This time, Singapore will be hosting.

2) I joined the SB debate team with Jamie's encouragement and we entered for the interschool debate competion. They asked me to lead the team. We made it through all the way up to the finals against CASS, where we lost. I was supposed to give two speeches and I had a major slip-up. Those who attended (like Shun Fa) agreed that it was the worse performance I have ever put up since my first debate in secondary school. We were awarded 1st runner-up, but I still feel bad for letting my team down at the most crucial moment.

3) I joined the SB Food Implosion competition, in the name of fun and a cheap lunch. But in an interesting twist of events, the individual category was cancelled and I was placed in a group of aggressive foodies. We were the hot favourite to win since round one because we consistently clocked the best time and the highest amount among the teams. However, in the finals, we lost out and finished third place. I was disappointed but I found it amusing they got the school director to present us with medals. Now I have a bronze medal in eating.

4) While I became more involved in the activities at school, my bad class attendance issues only worsened. I was notified that for the whole year, I only attended an astounding 2 Business Law Tutorials and 2 Cross-Cultural Diversification Module Tutorials. My attendance for the rest of the modules aren't fantastic either. I've been waiting for the warning letter, which I finally received last week.

5) My grades continued on it's downward trend, somehow I don't feel the kind of motivation and drive to study anymore. I do not have the sense of relevance and importance in my project groups and sometimes I feel I'm just pathetic. I feel bits and pieces of my old determined self every now and then, but they never stay. The grades have been sinking all the way but I believe it has finally hit rock bottom. I don't think it can get any worse than GPA 3.0. Right?

6) In May, I collaborated with the Women's Committee and Senior Citizen's Committee in organizing the first ever Community Service Vegeterian Dumpling Festival Lunch. It was my first project in the role of organizing chairperson. I am grateful to Rani and Steven (whom are the chairpersons of the two respective committees) for giving me the opportunity. I have gained alot from working with them and tapping on their wealth of experience. The event was rather successful and well-received. 300 people attended it. There was also a lot of positive feedback garnered. We are already in the works of planning part 2 for 2009.

7) I was approached by Steven to play emcee for one of the live band events organized by the SCEC, which I accepted. It was a learning opportunity. That was the beginning of a number of events the other committees would also get me to emcee. It's really a pleasure to be of help. The most recent event I emceed for was the annual Edusave Merit Bursary & Scholarship Ceremony, which I recall attending when I received $500 for being in the top 5% during my secondary school days. I must say, the government places alot of funding on education. It was fun to be the one on stage calling out the names for a change. Jonathan was pleased because he says the YEC should take up more roles like this to gain some exposure. I read that about 2000 people attended the ceremony (students and parents), that reminds me of the days I had to give my opening speech at Hua Yi.

8) Pei Jun nominated me for Channel U's "Hey Gorgeous" contest. That was random! Thanks for all the votes and sweet comments. I really didn't expect them!

9) I finally started helping out at the weekly monday meet-the-people sessions with Mr Liang. I have to thank Kon How, Tommy, Mr Neo and especially Mdm Soh for their guidance. Additional thanks to Mdm Soh for always keeping us well-fed! She is a fantastic cook! MPS has really broaden my horizons because it allows me to come into contact with a really broad range of people, some whom are really in need of assistance, either financially or even emotionally. As each case is unique, it isn't always easy to know which relevant government agency to channel the feedback or appeals to. Therefore, MPS is also an opportunity for me to improve my letter writing skills. I also have to thank Agnes for introducing me into Young PAP in the first place. I've learnt alot.

10) We finally got the MADE group idea going and we managed to send part of the group for a few events already. Everyone contributed but special thanks to Ninet and Suriah, I hope to get them into the main committee in the BGM coming July. Now we have more than 30 members, and without any aggressive banner or poster publicity. I am quite confident we can hit our target of 100 by 2009 at this rate. We have many big and cool plans for the group. (Will write more about MADE some other time)

11) I celebrated my 18th Birthday on the 8th, 9th and 10th of August. (My birthday's on the 9th) This time it was planned a little late and the friends I invited are more scattered. No bus this year. But nonetheless, it was quite an interesting and fun way to spend my 18th birthday. I wrote a post about the whole birthday affair. It's here... Once again, thanks for all the fantastic and thoughtful gifts.

12) But the most significant event in all 2008 also happened in August. You see, at the beginning of 2008, I asked God, "How does it feel like to love someone?", "What's a crush like?". I don't think I've ever had a serious crush on anyone before. And if I've barely experienced infatuation, need I talk about romantic love? I mean, I love my family and all, but at that time, I couldn't comprehend what it means to love someone romantically. I've always considered those 'love songs' to be a little bit too cheesy and those romantic movies silly. In short, I didn't understand what it feels like to 'like someone' in that really special way. So whenever people talked to me about all that romance, relationships, stead, boyfriend, girlfriend stuff, it used to annoy me, because I feel these matters are trivial and unimportant. But I decided I had to soften up a little so I can empathize with my friends better. I wanted to know how it felt. So I prayed, "God, show me what all this is all about, let me taste it for myself, let me feel how it's like to 'love' someone", let me feel the joy, let me take the pain". and I tell you... God always delivers.

In August, I met someone. Someone who appeared very typical at first, but would change everything. I won't say who this person is, but I guess that was God's way of telling me "Happy Birthday!", a gift that gave me great bundles of joy, but at the same time, my first real taste of hurt. (now I wish I hadn't asked God to 'let me take the pain') But I guess it was my fault for being overly sensitive and selfish.

I should never have talked about breaking up, because now that I look back at it, it was something so special and precious. Maybe it's just because these feelings were so new to me, something I've never had. But I doubt I will ever find the same kind of innocent lovey dovey feeling again. And I guess there's no way things can go back to the way it used to be.The best thing I can do now is to keep the happy memories closely guarded in my heart for as long as I can.

All in all, 2008 has been an eventful and progressive year. and I'm am looking forward to 2009 being even more exciting.