Looking at my number of posts dwindle over the years, I realise that I've outgrown this whole blogging thing. Who does that now with other forms of social media like instagram, twitter and facebook? Pretty much everything has become an open book and I find myself having less stamina to read lengthy posts, much less type one. But still, I feel that I need a space for this.
I guess at this point, the world pretty much wants to just move on to 2017. The list of notable people who passed away this year is just, overwhelming. I've also been saddened by the deaths of people I knew - someone I used to know, someone from work, and someone's loved ones.
This year, I worried a lot. How life would be living in NZ, my work visa, job, finance, family, friends, relationships. I worried most about my dad, his health, his operation. But I'm glad things went well and I was able to take him on a holiday to Taiwan and HK.
Moving to NZ was the biggest thing for me this year. I got homesick, I cried, I missed my family and friends. But I was able to cope with that, thanks to the boyfriend and his parents, and the support I have from those back home. Without technology and social media, keeping the connection would have been limited to snail mail and expensive overseas phone calls. But I still get so so happy and touched each time I receive a snail mail. Thank you Clara for sending me the most cards and Shari for sending me a christmas parcel that came with a very expensive postage!
And those who took the time to whatsapp me, your messages are so precious. My students who still wish me on teachers day and my birthday, and when the Christchurch earthquake happened, messages of concern from friends and... Miss Chong!? That was totally unexpected. It takes so little to make an overseas Singaporean feel warm and fuzzy inside. Although Auckland is pretty safe from natural disasters, I was touched beyond words.
This year, I became both a student and a teacher. A month of crazy CELTA, then becoming an ESOL teacher. And while I'm still learning how to drive, my instructor says I should be able to take my mock test soon, so yay! Fingers crossed that I'll pass my driving test soon so that I can finally drive my own car.
This year, I started playing masak-masak and experimenting with recipes. Poor Sean ends up being the guinea pig but thankfully, he has been mostly encouraging and approving. Haha.
This year, I turned 30. The inner child in me still thrives on and wants to take on life's adventures. But at the same time, I see other kids my age expecting their own kids. How exciting!
Now 2017, don't make us wait already. Things are only going to get better.
