Five best events this year:
- Finishing my honours thesis and that wooshhh light feeling
- Graduation and having one of those ‘the world is my oyster’ moments
- Vacationing in Hong Kong - visiting the sea and eating a lot of good food with friends I love
- Time in the honours room and in class trying to soak in other people’s intellect as much as possible
- Having meals at counters and talking to strangers, both in Singapore and in SF, and always ending up feeling like people are not so different after all
Five worst events this year:
- The process of writing my thesis, nights in front of the computer battling feelings of inadequacy, the persistant taste of vomit in my mouth
- The general loneliness of writing and having only 1 class to attend
- The school-to-work transitional period where uncertainty is everywhere and for once I have to account for others, not just myself, and wondering if the decisions I made were right, and trying not go fall into the not trying = not failing thought loop, sitting and wondering if the sacrifices I made (and still make) will be worth it
- Customers - everyday evidence that payment gives the consumer a ridiculously inflated sense of self-worth, a concept most trying and limiting
- Having some friendships suspended because of negligence and irresponsibility
What have you learned?
I learned that the solution to all the hard knocks in life is to have generous, giving, considerate and affectionate people as friends, family and superiors. If unsuccessful, find greener pastures immediately.
Was the year what you expected?
Some things did come unexpectedly easily, which was nice.
What’s your most listened to music this year?
Christmas music. On loop. For what seemed like forever.
What new people did you meet this year?
I bonded with people in spite of obvious differences, which is always refreshing.
What is the best you’ve read?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Room by Emma Donoghue.
What did you spend most on?
Swedish products and whatever Lisa Eldridge convinced me would change my life. That witch.
What did you do on your birthday in 2011?
I went out for Korean food and built The Burrow using LEGO. Wouldn’t have spent it any other way.
How would you describe your style in 2011?
Much more understated than the previous year. Just key quality pieces on heavy rotation and a greater investment in jewelry, a concept I hope to maintain in 2012.
