A New Decade

As the world braces itself to welcome the new decade, I just wish to make a mental note here on the last day of 2009.

2009 has been a year full of ups and downs. Friendships broken, but new bonds formed. Strangers became friends, and friends became buddies. The strange thing about studying overseas is that people tend to bond way faster than they do in their own countries. Rarely have I experienced such tightness and warmth from a group of friends that I can now comfortably call my family. You guys taught me how to love, and how to trust, how to laugh, and how to cry, how to hug and how to speak in weird accents, how to admire photography and dance, how to appreciate drama series, how to get through that annoying SWOT VAC, and most importantly how to be myself in a land where one can easily lose themselves.

Being there for each other is a common practice in Melbourne since we have no one to turn to in times of trouble. I'm really grateful to have gotten to know all of you people.  You have given me so much more to look forward to in 2010 and so much amazing memories to cherish for 2009.

Our family is indeed a very diverse group of people. We have people who are talented in so many different areas, photography, dance, language, sports, writing skills and so much more! Yet amidst all these apparent differences, we share one common characteristic. The willingness to love and trust. We give so much to each other that we hardly realize that we're doing it at all. Now that I've given some thought about it, I really realize that I couldn't have made it through this year if not for the many talks I've had with some of you.

With you people, mealtimes just became something I look forward to. Study sessions became much less dreadful. Dance practices became much more fun. Hangouts became more awesome. Late-night chats became a routine practice. Seeing each other became the only thing I wish for each and everyday. And happiness and content became a permanent emotion. 

But of course, humans are not perfect and we have at some point speak foul of one another or have had some friction between each other. The important thing is, in the end, we still love each other and we are able to put that aside. Still, I would like to apologize for any wrong-doings I have made towards any of you.

In no particular order of importance: Sha, Ryan, Nicole, Izzie, Alai, Caitlin, Michele, Jiah Lit, Pei Qi, Liz, Wen Ting, Jun Jing, Carmen, Wee Lim, Yun Shen. Thank all of you for making 2009 awesome, and thank all of you beforehand for what I expect to be an even more amazing year ahead with you.