Day 365 of 2013

As you can tell from the title above, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR!!! This year has gone by incredibly fast! I felt like there's still so much to do, so much yet to accomplish and all. Like how time in the world is never enough. The bittersweet feeling, the mixed emotions that I get during this time every single year...

In the previous post, I said that I'll do a post that wraps up my entire 2013. It won't be every single detail of my year but just a few of the highlights of my 2013. The ones that are worth remembering and looking back at and the few moments or events that I don't mind sharing with the rest of the world (since I'm a very private person, there are many things or most things that I keep to myself and no other).

Let's see... first up on the list:

[1] Turned the last of my teens. I've never officially stated my age here on my blog but if you're smart enough, you might have already guessed how old I am already through the subtle hints that I drop in some of the previous posts. I do feel old especially when my birthday is in 2 weeks.

[2] Started into university to study for an undergraduate degree that is supposedly to help and come into handy when I apply for jobs after I graduate from university. Second semester starting in a week! ><

[3] Got my driving license... which I have yet to fully utilise although I do drive sometimes to familiar places under the supervision of my dad.

[4] Had a nice family vacation to Singapore earlier this month. With the whole family, all 5 of us. (It has been 2 years since the last family trip overseas which we went to Hong Kong. I LOVE HONG KONG!) It has been rather hard to coordinate everyone's schedule for a nice, relaxing holiday.

[5] Went to Universal Studios, Singapore (USS) for the very first time. Plucked up the guts to go for a few rides that were quite thrilling. Sporty enough for a timid person like me but not too sporty enough to go on those death-defying rides (or so I label some of the rides as).

[6] Well, just to mention... I did went to Gardens By The Bay and the S.E.A. Aquarium. They were also my maiden visits and I had nice experiences but USS can have a special  note all to itself. Not because it deserves a special note but just that it was the greatest highlight of our trip!

[7] Went back to KK for Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping) for the first time ever as well. I've been Qing Ming in Brunei almost every year if I could make it but never in KK so it was an experience.

[8] Went to Singapore TWICE during this year. Which was a rare treat since I love travelling and even more so, I LOVE SINGAPORE! First trip in January only with mum and the second one was with the whole family.

[9] Got over with the whole 2 years of A-Level ordeal. Worst 2 years of my life but I've decided to let it go. Maybe, I might just bring it up once in a while to complain and rant a bit then bury it back again.

[10] Made new friends and got closer to old friends. Went to university and made a bunch of nice friends and through certain events, got closer with my old friends who are worth keeping for as long as ever. They're just such nice, sweet souls.

Hehe.. sorry that the above is not in order. I just wrote what popped into my mind at the moment and decided to leave it as that. Laziness at its best. :P So happens that my life is mundane and I have not too many interesting things to post.

Before ending this wrap-up posts, there are some things that I'd like to see in myself in the coming year, 2014. Not a resolution, no New Year New Me thing. Just maybe a few improvements and things that I can do for myself. 

[1] Maintain my GPA which was satisfying this semester. A great encouragement for myself that I can actually do this. Hopefully I can perform better in the coming 2 semesters next year.

[2] Make more new friends? Connect more to old friends?

[3] Be a better person. I just want to be a better me and think better of myself more. Have better patience and not get all hot-headed the entire time. Try to speak gently and be more encouraging towards others. Not to have low-esteems all of the time and maybe, try newer things and experience new things in life.

[4] Possess a healthier lifestyle. No more late-night snacking or sleeping late into the night. Maybe change from a night owl to an early bird?

[5] Go on more travels? I'd love to go back to Singapore again ;)

I cannot think of more as of this moment.. but I'm pretty sure after posting this up, more will come to my head. Haha.

I'm just very thankful for this year. How God's amazing grace has brought me through this year, through all the good, bad and ugly. I'm thankful for all the things that I'm blessed with, no matter how less or more. I'm grateful to all the people that are in my life, for they have encouraged and built me in one way or another.

I'm praying and hoping for a better year ahead. Have a great New Year's celebration everyone!

In God's Grace,

Hannah

p.s. Hehehe.. sorry for such a lengthy post. If you're reading this, you have a lot of patience. Hahaha!!

Merry Christmas 2013

Have a Blessed Christmas everybody!! Best wishes to all!!

From me to you,
Hannah :)


p.s. I promise to update the blog with a new post soon ;)

Last day of 2012

After me being missing in action for this past half-month, I'm back!! :D Well, I've been back in Brunei a week ago and things have been great. I missed posting on Christmas, so even though it's a little late (better late than never right?), I just want to wish everybody a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

I came back the day before Christmas eve to spend my Christmas back here in Brunei with family and friends. I had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Uncle Alex's and Auntie Jo's residence on Christmas eve with a few other families. You know, just to catch up with one another and to have fellowship. I, as well as all the others I'm sure, are all very well fed that night with all the delicious food that Auntie Jo prepared. Turkey, salmon, lasagna, salad, sushi, cakes... a delicious spread. :) 

I had a nice Christmas day as well. Had a Christmas service and I saw many of my friends being back in Brunei from their studies, winter break or just a nice short holiday. My family and I even went for a movie outing that Christmas night. We went to watch "Ah Boys to Men". Another Jack Neo's masterpiece. I love how the movie is hilarious, heartwarming and educating at the same time. I briefly tweeted after the movie and tagged Irene Ang (an actress from the movie whom I like since the Phua Chu Kang days), and never would I have expected, Irene Ang tweeted me back!! What a nice lady she is. Anyway, it's a really good movie to watch. My family and I love it a lot! It's almost a week since we last saw the movie... and we're still talking about it. Can't wait for the Part 2 of "Ah Boys to Men" to be out next February of 2013.

I've been spending my days back in Brunei well. Had many family moments and even went out to catch up with a couple of close friends. Little did I realise that THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR IS TODAY!! Can you believe it?!?! I'm not sure if I'm ignorant or rather, living my days a little too well, that I didn't catch on soon enough that today is NEW YEAR'S EVE!! It wasn't that long ago since the last new year's eve right?? 

WOW!! What a year!! For the past 365 days (well, there's 366 days this year since it's a leap year :P), I've been on what-others-might-call-it, a roller coaster ride. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one experiencing it this year. There have been many ups as well as the many downs that I've faced. Trials and challenges, happiness and blessings, I've seen a lot this year. But, I'm very grateful to have come to where I am now. There has been many times where I would feel like giving up, especially this year for me, I've been having exams for THE PAST 11 MONTHS!! Yeah, you read it. 11 months of school based exams and public exams. Thank goodness it's over and done with.

I'm never one who has always excelled in my studies but I do try my best in whatever that I was doing. It was hard but thankfully, through prayers and support from many of my friends and family, I finished what I had to. It was really a challenging path. Oh boy... I can still remember doing maths until the wee hours of the night, crying so much because the maths was so hard and I couldn't do them. Haha.. what an embarassing moment to share but it's now a memory. Hopefully, my results would be satisfying so that I wouldn't need to retake my exams. *prayingeverydayforsatisfyingresults*

Anyway, there's just a BIG part in me that's just SO RELIEVED that this year is finally over!! 2012 has been a challenging year, I have no idea what 2013 holds for me. I'm praying and hoping that 2013 would be a year full of blessings and thanksgiving for me and everyone else. 23 hours more to the new year. So, just enjoy the rest of the day, have fun, raise your glass and ring in the new year! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 EVERYONE!! :)

Big love,

Hannah

Thanksgiving

This week would be the final week of my A Level exam. My last paper would be on Wednesday in fact, so counting down 3 days to the ultimate freedom. I can't wait for all this exam period to be over! Looking back, it has been a really long and tiring journey for me - the tears, the sweat and the blood that I've shed due to much pressure and stress. Ah, this makes me look like a weakling but those facts are true. I've never been the one who excels in my studies but, I do try my best at it however it still falls short.

Almost reaching the end of the year, I've been experiencing many aspects of Thanksgiving for the past week. I'm just really thankful for all the blessings that I've received. I'm thankful to God for everything that I have and that He has brought me through this period of time where I thought I would not be able to. I'm thankful to my family and friends for all the love, care and support. I learnt that we should always be thankful for whatever situation that we've been given.

Instead of receiving all the time, I should be giving more to others. It's a small thing when said but it's a BIG thing when doing. Be it little things or big things, I'm just thankful. Oh, and I can't wait to taste the sweet freedom!! Counting down - 3 more days!!! :D

With a thankful heart,

Hannah