2018 has been an eventful year with major milestones in my life. As I write this summary, I’m scrolling through the calendar on my smartphone to remind myself of all the events that have taken place throughout the year.

Highlights of the year

• Moving into my home in April – my first home! True, it’s a small one-bedroom unit but it’s something I’ve worked for. Setting up home, though, was physically and emotionally exhausting. Several months on, I’ve settled into the place without having to buy anymore stuff.  I’ve kept my furniture minimal and my walls bare – my place could be a Muji show flat. I prefer it this way as I will have fewer things to get rid of when I leave eventually.

• Hiking in Kyrgyzstan – this was an amazing and fun trip with my hiking friends from Hong Kong. I had never been to that part of the world and it was interesting to experience another culture. Kyrgyzstan’s terrain is filled with alpine forests and snow capped mountains, with flowing glaciers and rivers winding through the mountains and lush valleys. While in Kyrgyzstan, I got thrown off the back of a horse I was riding. During the split second I was thrown off and as I landed on my back, it was as if my life flashed before me. I knew how serious horse riding injuries could be, and I was extremely scared of the consequences. Thankfully, I was extremely lucky to have gotten away with just a sore back. After that incident, whenever I feel down, I remind myself that I should be grateful that I got away unscathed from what could have been a potentially serious accident.

• Visiting Hong Kong – this is/was like returning home for a visit. Hong Kong is my second home and it was nice to be able to catch up with friends and the city.

• Spending time with family and friends in Singapore

• Turning 40 wasn’t so much a highlight as opposed to just being a milestone in life. I didn’t have a big celebration but instead did a lot of reflecting in the period leading up to my birthday. 

• I managed to read 25 books this year – an average of two a month isn’t too bad! Two of the books were also Chinese books. It’s been awhile since I have read a Chinese language book and I’m finding it really enjoyable to be acquainted with the language again.

I don’t really know yet what 2019 will bring. So far I only planned a six-day hiking trip in Tasmania on the Overland Trek in February and a visit back to Singapore during the first three weeks of March. I may go to a friend’s wedding in France in August. But that’s about it. Guess I’ll have to make more things happen for myself!