I haven’t been writing much this year, but I thought I couldn’t go without finishing off the year with a post of 2015 in review. When this post goes live on the blog, I will be in the Philippines somewhere in the mountains. In light of the fact that I will have no internet access, I decided I’d write this post two weeks in advance.
January 2015
I finished up at my job and had a three-week break before I was to start my new job on Feb 2. For 11 days during those three weeks, I took myself to Australia where I spent time in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. As usual, going to Sydney always feel like returning home – I caught up with family and friends and went to familiar places. A good friend took me on a bush walk at the Royal National Park; it was nice getting out of the city.
In Melbourne and Adelaide, I met up with my paternal aunts whom I haven’t seen since I was a child. It was nice to get re-acquainted. I also went to see places in Australia I hadn’t visited before – the wine regions of Yarra Valley and Barossa Valley. I love the expanse of space in Australia.
February 2015
Starting a new job is not dissimilar to one’s first day at school. There are unfamiliar surroundings, new people to know, and new friends to be made. The month also marked another semester at uni and the juggling of work and school in the months ahead.
That month I also went back to Singapore for two weeks for Chinese New Year. I usually make sure I’m back home during that time of the year to be there for the family reunion dinner.
March 2015
Singapore’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on March 23. His death brought Singaporeans together in a way Singapore never saw before. Singaporeans were united in their grief and publicly displayed their sorrow. Singaporeans are usually a dispassionate and apathetic lot, yet they came together to share this moment in history and honour the man who build Singapore to what it is today together with his team. As a Singaporean myself, I was really proud to see Singaporeans coming together and displaying acts of kindness such as giving away free food and drinks to people queueing for hours to pay their last respects to Mr Lee. On my part, I went to sign the condolence book at the Singapore consulate and also attended the memorial at Central Plaza which had the live screening of the funeral.
I think that period of time made Singaporeans question what it meant to be Singaporean and reflect upon the direction in which we want our country to head.
April 2015
I took part in the A-Z writing challenge where I had to write something every week day in the month on April. A letter of the alphabet would be the theme of the day. So I wrote about ‘M for Motherhood’, ‘R for ‘Regrets’, ‘W for Wanderlust’ etc. I had never written so much in a month, but I’m glad I did it and managed to finish the challenge. It’s good discipline to write every day. Writing is like exercise – the more you do, the easier the words come.
May 2015
This month wasn’t particularly eventful. I spent most of it studying for my exams and was glad when they were over.
June 2015
Hopped over to Taipei for a three-day break. Always enjoy Taiwan! If the economy were better there and companies paid more, I would move to Taipei in a heartbeat.
July 2015
My trip to Mongolia was my most memorable experience of 2015. I enjoyed the peace, quiet and immense beauty of the Mongolian countryside. Those rolling hills, wide expanse of grassland, and galloping horses with expert horsemen astride took my breath away. Witnessing a different way of life made me appreciate the life I have. There were no modern toilets or showers, nor were there any taps with running water. Water had to be fetched from the river or some stream a distance away. Toilets were a pit in the ground or just a spot behind a tree/bush or perhaps even by the highway when we were on the road! Forget about gourmet food or the luxury of having a different cuisine every day of the week. In the Mongolian countryside, it was just mutton, yak milk, horse milk, yak cheese, potato, and carrots. But you know what? Those people are so tough, that they would be the ones to survive in an apocalypse and not us soft-as-mush city folk.
August 2015
Went back to Singapore for a three-day break to catch up with family and the closest of friends. This is when you know who are the people who mean most to you, because you make time for the ones you want to see.
September-November 2015
During these three months, I concentrated most of my efforts on school. I spent most weekends writing essays and studying for exams. Finally on Nov 22, I submitted my final essay two weeks ahead of schedule. Yes, I was eager to get it over and done with. And so after 2.5 years of full-time work and part-time study, I’m done with school! I don’t know what I will do with the Masters degree, but it’s something I can tick off my bucket list. I just wanted to do a masters and it’s something I can take away with me for my time spent in Hong Kong. I enjoyed the subjects but realistically it’s unlikely for me to do something in that field and get what I’m currently paid. And I’m not prepared to go back to the pay of a fresh graduate. Pragmatism rules.
In September, one of my best friends (our friendship dates back to secondary school!) visited me in Hong Kong together with her husband. I was happy to show her a glimpse of my life in this lovely city.
I also celebrated my 37th birthday on 14 Nov. Well, it wasn’t any big celebration. I spent the day with a few good friends. Small, intimate gatherings are more my thing.
December 2015
I decided at the last minute I’d pay my cousin a visit in Shanghai on the weekend of 4-5 Dec. My cousin was on a one-month study exchange programme at one of the universities in Shanghai and I decided I would drop in since I haven’t seen him in almost a year. The last time I was in Shanghai was in 2005 and it was nice to hang out with my cousin for 1.5 days. It was also a much needed break from Hong Kong.
And I will be in the Philippines from 26 Dec – 2 Jan! It will be my first visit there and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve lived in Southeast Asia most of my life yet I haven’t been to the Philippines. Rather incredulous.
Verdict for 2015
I think 2015 has been an OK year for me. Not particularly great like 2014 but not bad either. At times it has been tough. I contracted a bad bout of allergic rhinitis and some bouts of cold in Sep, Oct and Dec, and it’s been frustrating. I had to see the doctor so many times and my nose is constantly stuffed up. A good friend left Hong Kong, and I seem to have drifted apart from a good friend in Hong Kong. I guess relationships are tough, whether with friends, family or a lover.
In 2016, I want to hike more, become fitter, cook at home more, read more, and write more. I will also start thinking about my next move…out of Hong Kong…
