I seldom regret the things that I do, whether in the end the original intention was achieved or not. It seems that once I had achieved self-awareness, there are very few things that I do without thinking it through, or at least considered the consequences.
I am glad that in 2009, there weren’t that many things done that I regretted. In fact, this has been a somewhat fun, productive and happy year, having done and experienced so many things that I never expected or thought I’d do.
This is a review of ‘Things in 2009 That I’m Eternally Grateful For’. That I’d never change a thing about.
1. Colourful...things.
I love colour! People who know me well would notice that in this year especially, I have taken to painting my nails vibrant (and sometimes angry) colours. I love the dark red by Face Shop especially; my nails are painted that colour half the year anyway.
This is a wall in Mint Museum at Singapore during the *Nuffnang Blog Awards trip in October. First thing that attracts the visitors i.e. me.
Also at the *#nnawards trip: A random building with really lovely colours. I think this somehow inspired my web page assignment last semester.
People I love see almost everyday in uni, captured in a lovely and vibrant mood.
2. Because being somewhere is better than being nowhere! 
Fine, so I did not really travel much this year. But the trips to Camerons, Penang, Singapore and countless other local places I still appreciate and thank whoever who has made it possible i.e. daddy etc.
Sunlight Bungalow, Cameron Highlands
a. Bon Odori
Went to this festival for the first time this year after much putting it off the previous years. Am glad that I went for it even if it was with friends that I don’t normally hang out with. And yes, I had so much fun even though it was a hazy crowded night.
PS – The boys are my Jay Chou karaoke gang heh heh 
b. Full House, Ara Damansara
Another place which I have been dying to go, which I finally did go this year. And it was also with lovely company, this time my Form 5 gang.
I’m also grateful for the fact that it has been 2 years since high school, yet we have still kept in contact and taken the effort to arrange for meet ups and the annual gathering (which I sadly missed this year ahem).
c. Singapore
Needless to say, I am very glad for the opportunity to attend the *#nnawards.
Thank you Bryan! *hugs & kisses XOXO*
It was a very last minute decision, but I’m glad I made it as I got to be put faces (and bodies) to names that I have seen on the Net, as well as being lifelong friends.
Jade & Chee Ching
3. Because I Live To Eat, not otherwise 
Please don’t ask me whether I’ve gained or lost weight this entire year. At the moment of writing, I dare not go within 10 metres of the weighing machine, enough said.
a. Because they have so many flavours and creams to choose from.
My all time favourite J. Co’s!
b. Because it is, simply, chocolate.
After much survey (believe me, I did go around tasting at almost every place possible), the Awesomest Chocolate Dessert of the year goes to this below, at Pasta Zanmai.
c. Because sinful buffet-styled meals are all paid for, so we should eat more.
This for instance was at Mother’s Day.
Overeating and gluttony, something almost all Malaysians can relate to.
d. Because it is so prettily decorated that I almost do not want to eat them.
Food served during *#nnawards.
You know, sometimes it is just so pretty that you can’t seem to bring yourself to ‘destroy’ the art. But I can never wait to taste it, that’s why the ‘art’ won’t stay ‘artistic’ for long when you put it in front of me, lol!
e. Because some food are best not eaten alone.
My uni friends and I discovered this below at MyCafe, a new place near our campus.
f. Because I want to have breakfast in the morning, afternoon and night.
At Hatched, Singapore. Eternally grateful to cousin Shu Yun for bringing us there!
I love waffles. Especially pretty waffles
g. Because we are all born eaters. Truly.
And yes, I like sweet and yummy (translate: carb-y and calorie-laden) food as compared to err healthier greener alternatives.
4. Because I still rather be a student than work to put food in my mouth.
I completed my first year degree in 2009…no casualties yet! I’ve been through this exactly halfway already, and still have not regretted the choice of my course, way to go Sam! 
EC Acting assignment:
5. Because it is not All Work and No Play
I immersed myself in countless ‘projects’ throughout the year. In addition to enhancing my creative and thinking skills, I also got to have fun!
a. My Valentine: V-Day 2009 Project
A very fun voice collaboration with my other girls!
b. Operation Bunnies Revolution
Forced Persuaded some friends to pose with the bunny ears that I got for Halloween!
c. Covers
I did a couple of covers from scratch (yes, the music AND voice), such as A Fine Frenzy’s Almost Lover and Taylor Swift’s White Horse. I won’t upload it here because I don’t think it’s that good, but I did it anyway for fun and to share it among my friends for some much needed laughter. 
Here’s a piano cover of Taylor Swift’s Love Story.
And because keeping busy is healthy.
6. Because Life is Short.
I am so glad that I managed to cross out certain things in my List Of Things To Do Before I Die. Yes, I do actually have an actual physical copy of the List.
a. Paintballing
At Taylor’s Mass Colympics, I dragged my high school friends along for the cheap and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It also proved that boys aren’t necessarily better than girls in physical sports. Click here to read the full story.
b. Blood donating
My mom is always scolding me for wanting to donate blood even when I’m so pale and look like I need blood donated to me instead, but I really really wanted to. And so I persuaded my dad to bring me to his shopping mall that Sunday where they were having a blood donation drive. (Read full story here)
It was really exciting for me, even though nobody else wanted to accompany me to give blood, bah.
PS- Any blood donation drives coming up soon? Let me know!
c. Rock climbing
Not really in my to-do list, as I’ve done that before in Club Med many years ago.
But like in Club Med many years ago, I did not manage to reach the top, sadly.
Never mind, I can try again another time!
Why I put rock climbing in here is to remind me of other things that I definitely want to try out in 2010, such as paragliding, bungee jumping, parachuting…omg talking about it gets me so excited! :DD
7. Because the small things are the ones we have to be grateful for.
a. For the things we only see in magazines
i.e. Pretty curls that can only be achieved in certain temperature and humidity.
PS- Ignore face expression and the fact that I’m camwhoring, something that I try not to do but (obviously) fail admirably.
b. For my baby Proton
OK so it’s not really mine, but since I’ve only really started driving this year, this baby has brought me everywhere that I want to know how to go! And I’m so so sorry for all the bumps that I did not slow down properly for, and for the one (quite major) accident that I went through this year.
I thank you God again for not letting anyone get injured in that one short moment of recklessness.
c. For my first Office Job
Had the wonderful opportunity to work at MSN Life & Style for a month this year.
Apart from gaining so much experience about my course field, I also gained the unspeakable horror of what they call weight, lol!
Think 9 hours of sitting down and staring in the computer screen, with one hour break for lunch. And the occasional freebies such as below:
I don’t know whether it is the perks of being a writer or other(weight)wise.
d. For the clanging black and white keys
More specifically, for passing my Grade 8 Theory in March this year, then taking my Diploma in Performance exam on Dec 2nd, which I just got news today that I also passed, yay!
Image from: Piano Keys
I may not have been able to do it without the undying support from my piano teacher, my parents and friends. But certainly not without the grace from God, of which I’m very thankful for.
7. Because Life is not Life Worth Living, without the other people in it.
a. Family
For the countless birthdays, gatherings, holidays and buffets that we went through this year. And for making me feel like I belong.
b. My uni friends
Classmates of FICM 4th cohort, UniSA-ians and the others that have made 2009 work for me.
Especially the crazy gang with which I spend most of my time with!
c. High school buddies
The ones who always make life seem easier to live.
d. The other writers
More specifically, the blogger friends whom I’ve known this year.
And Thank You specifically to:
~Aaron Chew…for always being there when I needed someone to talk to.
~Brandon Phang…for all the hours crapping on MSN and in campus when we’re supposed to be assignment-ing! You’re truly my bff
~Bryan Lim…for being the one who ALWAYS replies me on MSN & SMS when I encounter random problems in life.
~Daryl Ong…for the hours of chatting about life’s philosophies, and being a best bud.
~Jer Yen…for all the countless advice and fun shared sarcasm I will never get bored of!
~Joanne Lie…for being the understanding friend, who knows that sometimes some things don’t need to be said out loud.
~Ke Yuan…for being my best overseas friend.
~Mei Hsuan…for all the hours of being my carpool buddy and road guide, bwahaha!
~Phoebe Lim…for being the one whom I can always have fun with.
~Siew Ling…for being patient and constantly positive.
Because people are very important to me, the fact that I have definitely missed out on people that I have not mentioned is difficult but unavoidable. However I am sure that you know who you are to me.
Actually, to all of you whom I have once interacted, hung out, laughed with and even only spoken a word to have greatly impacted my life in different ways. Therefore, all of you deserve to have a specific Thank You written. Assume that it is already, in my heart.
*Post yet to be written
