2012 In Review
Does this come too late?
(Warning to the odd reader: this is quite long and contains really rambly writing and disconnected thoughts! Wasn't easy to summarize one year in a single post, but I know I won't regret doing this)
Actually I don't care - the main reason why I'm writing this is because I'm afraid I'll forget these things as I get older. I'll be nice to come back here a few years down the road, remember the good old times, and see how much I've changed.
2012 started out with a bang, literally. I can still remember that day clearly; it was probably the most "happening" countdown I've had (probably will ever have). But somehow it didn't feel right; maybe it was because we were robbed just 30 minutes ago (!), or perhaps it was being surrounded by a sea of rowdy foreigners, or the cold, or being in the middle of our journey (we had to catch a flight to Greece in a few hours)... Nevertheless, it was a once in a lifetime experience, and the pyrotechnics were spectacular (and slightly scary!!) Glad to have had such a crazy count down!
Checked off one of my dream destinations, Santorini. Witnessed "the world's best sunset" in Oia while capturing what I'd consider my best photographs so far. Santorini was really quiet in winter but the calm made it even more beautiful. And it was awesome sharing the beautiful sunset with only a smattering of people. Half the time we didn't even meet anybody else while roaming around. We also climbed into terraces that would have been out of bounds to us in summer, and made friends with the temporarily abandoned island pets. I still remember how a lonely dog followed us halfway back to the hostel, running after our vehicle on the highway. It was really dark and there were many fast cars... I hope it's still safe, well, and warm now.
Revisited Berlin, this time exploring the "alternate" side of the city. Went for an alternative city tour and our guide took us in search for street art! Was really fun and an eye-opener. Almost went for an alternative pub crawl... Can't really explain my fascination with Berlin. I guess it's something to do with how their sombre history and vibrant modernity can coexist so well toether, but also how Berliners have come to embrace their city and make it their own.
Another memorable city was Budapest, probably my favourite discovery for this trip. A city fraught with a rough past, Budapest has only recently come to stand on their own two feet. The delightful result is a not-so-touristy city, with more things to experience rather than to see. Visited their ruin pubs, which are quirky clubs/ bars hidden in abandoned buildings, giving new life to areas previously ridden with poverty. But my favourite experience was definitely in their traditional baths. The map in the photo doesn't do justice to how huge the compound is! Plus, what's not to love about a steaming hot bath in frigid weather?
Ended the trip with a sombre visit to Auschwitz. Wrote about i here.
Also, something noteworthy (to me at least!): I made this trip armed with only my camera phone and my trusty film cameras! It was quite a daunting decision, especially so because it was winter and the sun wouldn't be on my side, but I really don't regret it at all! In fact I'm glad I made the plunge to rely mostly on film. Film forces you to photograph only the significant moments and focus on the present, which is so important while traveling. And I came back with many beautiful images in film here and here and on my phone.
Laneway Festival 2012 with my favourite people :') Rocking out to M83 was AMAZING and probably still ranks first in my favourite gig moments. Brilliant remix of we own the sky in the style of their new album, crazy atmosphere at fort canning, and the most humble and sincere frontman for a band I've ever seen. Merci M83, for the awesome music and for tiding me through the rough time i was having in school.
Biz cat crawled into my lap to sleep! Yes this is an important moment of 2012.
DCFC :') Hearing transatlanticism live was pretty surreal. Also, my first time shooting film at night without the use of a flash! Pretty neat huh. Credits to my film shifu for the vote of confidence and the advice!
Finished Year 3. Some people graduated. It was a really enjoyable semester because I took 3 non-major modules. Took a physics module and learnt about really cheem theories like the relativity and quantum physics. Really mind boggling, and I think I learnt more about philosophy than hard science, which was nice. Took two music modules as well. Learning new instruments is always fun, but more fun when you don't have to be tested on them. My psych mods were pretty good as well.
Went wakeboarding again. Learnt to cross the wave! *Achievement unlocked*. Sadly an extremely expensive and unsustainable hobby/ sport though.
Twelfth Night in the park with Darth Kaur :') Meeting up with her was a miracle in itself, so it was really wonderful to catch the play together with the one who taught us to appreciate literature and invested so much in us. She was the kind of teacher who would try to understand you (or maybe it's just an occupational hazard for her to overanalyse people), and I guess having a teacher who noticed you for who you were really changed things. Not many adults treat teenagers that way. Plus, she was never patronizing and loved speaking her mind. I think she was the only teacher who sincerely believed I could do much better than I was performing (or should I say, failing), and from then on I never looked back. Truly a godsend :)
Embarked on my first ever internship after playing my previous summers away. Completed an independent project, interviewed CID officers, and presented to a bunch of people way senior than me. The experience was frustrating, boring, insightful, exciting, and rewarding. I think it kinda prepared me a little for thesis writing. Also it made me realize that I probably wouldn't want to go into research as a career, and maybe not psychology at all.
Joined the Sports Camp Organizing Committee. Through a twist of events I ended up as in charge of overall programmes and from then on it was a crazy journey. Probably the most challenging thing I've ever done, but I learnt so much through the experience. About myself, about people, about friendships and work relationships. I learnt that you should always be true to yourself and trust your instincts first and foremost, before what anybody else says to you. Because in the end, you have to take responsibility for your own actions and decisions. I learnt that 90% of problems are caused by (sometimes really stupid) miscommunication, and 10% comes from pure bad luck (i.e. when what can't go wrong goes wrong). Interestingly, the latter type of problem is way simpler and easier to solve. I learnt that people who work really well together may not necessarily become good friends, and that good friends sometimes make the worst colleagues, especially when your friendship is built on sand in the first place. But I also learnt that there will always be angels around you in the form of people who extend their help unconditionally, sincerely, with no strings attached. Truly thankful for these people. Lastly, I learnt that going with a grand total of less than 6 hours of sleep IN TOTAL for almost 4 nights straight is no joke at all. Yes, that means 2-3 hours on the first two nights and no sleep third day onwards. I'll like to think I've came out of this experience a better person. Wiser, stronger, but most definitely with a bigger heart and a resolve to always treat people better due to painful lessons learnt and the grace that was shown to me.
Went for Jason Mraz straight after camp and I remember being extremely exhausted. Mraz was good but I realized then that I don't like him so much anymore. Its really hard to believe/ relate to someone who sings exactly the opposite of his actions (hypocrite much?) Also, Gardens by the Bay is a really awful location for a concert, unless you don't mind going 5 hours earlier to get a good spot, or watching a singing speck far away in the distance (then you might as well not pay over a hundred dollars for the tickets and listen to the concert outside the gates). Because I was so tired and annoyed at the massive crowd we tried climbing up the metal structures that were erected to hold equipment, and nobody really stopped us. It got us a pretty good view and a sore butt.
Metric lighting up the crowd! Electrifying atmosphere. I still remember almost wanting to jump over the barrier and sneak to the front of the stage. So near yet so far!
Saw Ingrid live :) She was hilarious on stage and sang all my favourite songs :') Couldn't have asked for more!
Last time DSSH met before Deb and Hariz get separated for a year!
(Warning to the odd reader: this is quite long and contains really rambly writing and disconnected thoughts! Wasn't easy to summarize one year in a single post, but I know I won't regret doing this)
Actually I don't care - the main reason why I'm writing this is because I'm afraid I'll forget these things as I get older. I'll be nice to come back here a few years down the road, remember the good old times, and see how much I've changed.
2012 started out with a bang, literally. I can still remember that day clearly; it was probably the most "happening" countdown I've had (probably will ever have). But somehow it didn't feel right; maybe it was because we were robbed just 30 minutes ago (!), or perhaps it was being surrounded by a sea of rowdy foreigners, or the cold, or being in the middle of our journey (we had to catch a flight to Greece in a few hours)... Nevertheless, it was a once in a lifetime experience, and the pyrotechnics were spectacular (and slightly scary!!) Glad to have had such a crazy count down!
Checked off one of my dream destinations, Santorini. Witnessed "the world's best sunset" in Oia while capturing what I'd consider my best photographs so far. Santorini was really quiet in winter but the calm made it even more beautiful. And it was awesome sharing the beautiful sunset with only a smattering of people. Half the time we didn't even meet anybody else while roaming around. We also climbed into terraces that would have been out of bounds to us in summer, and made friends with the temporarily abandoned island pets. I still remember how a lonely dog followed us halfway back to the hostel, running after our vehicle on the highway. It was really dark and there were many fast cars... I hope it's still safe, well, and warm now.
Revisited Berlin, this time exploring the "alternate" side of the city. Went for an alternative city tour and our guide took us in search for street art! Was really fun and an eye-opener. Almost went for an alternative pub crawl... Can't really explain my fascination with Berlin. I guess it's something to do with how their sombre history and vibrant modernity can coexist so well toether, but also how Berliners have come to embrace their city and make it their own.
Another memorable city was Budapest, probably my favourite discovery for this trip. A city fraught with a rough past, Budapest has only recently come to stand on their own two feet. The delightful result is a not-so-touristy city, with more things to experience rather than to see. Visited their ruin pubs, which are quirky clubs/ bars hidden in abandoned buildings, giving new life to areas previously ridden with poverty. But my favourite experience was definitely in their traditional baths. The map in the photo doesn't do justice to how huge the compound is! Plus, what's not to love about a steaming hot bath in frigid weather?
Ended the trip with a sombre visit to Auschwitz. Wrote about i here.
Also, something noteworthy (to me at least!): I made this trip armed with only my camera phone and my trusty film cameras! It was quite a daunting decision, especially so because it was winter and the sun wouldn't be on my side, but I really don't regret it at all! In fact I'm glad I made the plunge to rely mostly on film. Film forces you to photograph only the significant moments and focus on the present, which is so important while traveling. And I came back with many beautiful images in film here and here and on my phone.
Laneway Festival 2012 with my favourite people :') Rocking out to M83 was AMAZING and probably still ranks first in my favourite gig moments. Brilliant remix of we own the sky in the style of their new album, crazy atmosphere at fort canning, and the most humble and sincere frontman for a band I've ever seen. Merci M83, for the awesome music and for tiding me through the rough time i was having in school.
Biz cat crawled into my lap to sleep! Yes this is an important moment of 2012.
DCFC :') Hearing transatlanticism live was pretty surreal. Also, my first time shooting film at night without the use of a flash! Pretty neat huh. Credits to my film shifu for the vote of confidence and the advice!
Finished Year 3. Some people graduated. It was a really enjoyable semester because I took 3 non-major modules. Took a physics module and learnt about really cheem theories like the relativity and quantum physics. Really mind boggling, and I think I learnt more about philosophy than hard science, which was nice. Took two music modules as well. Learning new instruments is always fun, but more fun when you don't have to be tested on them. My psych mods were pretty good as well.
Went wakeboarding again. Learnt to cross the wave! *Achievement unlocked*. Sadly an extremely expensive and unsustainable hobby/ sport though.
Twelfth Night in the park with Darth Kaur :') Meeting up with her was a miracle in itself, so it was really wonderful to catch the play together with the one who taught us to appreciate literature and invested so much in us. She was the kind of teacher who would try to understand you (or maybe it's just an occupational hazard for her to overanalyse people), and I guess having a teacher who noticed you for who you were really changed things. Not many adults treat teenagers that way. Plus, she was never patronizing and loved speaking her mind. I think she was the only teacher who sincerely believed I could do much better than I was performing (or should I say, failing), and from then on I never looked back. Truly a godsend :)
Embarked on my first ever internship after playing my previous summers away. Completed an independent project, interviewed CID officers, and presented to a bunch of people way senior than me. The experience was frustrating, boring, insightful, exciting, and rewarding. I think it kinda prepared me a little for thesis writing. Also it made me realize that I probably wouldn't want to go into research as a career, and maybe not psychology at all.
Joined the Sports Camp Organizing Committee. Through a twist of events I ended up as in charge of overall programmes and from then on it was a crazy journey. Probably the most challenging thing I've ever done, but I learnt so much through the experience. About myself, about people, about friendships and work relationships. I learnt that you should always be true to yourself and trust your instincts first and foremost, before what anybody else says to you. Because in the end, you have to take responsibility for your own actions and decisions. I learnt that 90% of problems are caused by (sometimes really stupid) miscommunication, and 10% comes from pure bad luck (i.e. when what can't go wrong goes wrong). Interestingly, the latter type of problem is way simpler and easier to solve. I learnt that people who work really well together may not necessarily become good friends, and that good friends sometimes make the worst colleagues, especially when your friendship is built on sand in the first place. But I also learnt that there will always be angels around you in the form of people who extend their help unconditionally, sincerely, with no strings attached. Truly thankful for these people. Lastly, I learnt that going with a grand total of less than 6 hours of sleep IN TOTAL for almost 4 nights straight is no joke at all. Yes, that means 2-3 hours on the first two nights and no sleep third day onwards. I'll like to think I've came out of this experience a better person. Wiser, stronger, but most definitely with a bigger heart and a resolve to always treat people better due to painful lessons learnt and the grace that was shown to me.
Went for Jason Mraz straight after camp and I remember being extremely exhausted. Mraz was good but I realized then that I don't like him so much anymore. Its really hard to believe/ relate to someone who sings exactly the opposite of his actions (hypocrite much?) Also, Gardens by the Bay is a really awful location for a concert, unless you don't mind going 5 hours earlier to get a good spot, or watching a singing speck far away in the distance (then you might as well not pay over a hundred dollars for the tickets and listen to the concert outside the gates). Because I was so tired and annoyed at the massive crowd we tried climbing up the metal structures that were erected to hold equipment, and nobody really stopped us. It got us a pretty good view and a sore butt.
Metric lighting up the crowd! Electrifying atmosphere. I still remember almost wanting to jump over the barrier and sneak to the front of the stage. So near yet so far!
Saw Ingrid live :) She was hilarious on stage and sang all my favourite songs :') Couldn't have asked for more!
Last time DSSH met before Deb and Hariz get separated for a year!