2011

So here I am walking and still walking after 364 days towards a brand new start of 365 days, with new enthusiasm and motivation, new hopes, new resolutions and a new year going back to January from December and to, leaving behind all unsolved and solved just to new ones of those. Isn't that what I do every year, though? I almost never fall far from the same resolutions every year because I never managed to keep to them the year before. But that's what new years are for aren't they, to put you back on track.

Hearing and reading reviews of 2010 on the radio and the internet just made me realise how much has happened this year - the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, the BP oil spill, the Chilean miners, the flood in Pakistan, the Korean war, the Papal visit, and the World Cup!.. only to name a few. I reckon I should make my own review of 2010 so this time next year I can look at this and appreciate how far I've gone and what I've accomplished or be reminded of how stagnant my life is - though definitely crossing my fingers and hoping it'll be the former. So here the highlights of this year from January to December:

January

Got my A Level results, exulted for days, the anticipation was NOT fun, would've broken down in tears if it was any other result.

Attended an interview for Cardiff University - went fantastically well, much more than I expected. In fact I got my offer so much earlier than the majority of the applicants and even before the interview period for medicine applications ended. Offer letter even included how well I did in the interview and how pleased the interviewers were, that totally made my week.

Got pooled and then declined an offer by Cambridge University approximately one day after my Cardiff interview - devastated, well I was really hopeful about Trinity Hall. Though I later realised how this is working out best for me(cue London), so thank God:)

February

Got called for an interview in London for Imperial College. This was a tough one, never really thought of Imperial but by this time I knew I had to because Cambridge was out of the picture.

Had a pleasant Chinese New Year, it was the first time that I'd been out that much with friends during CNY.

March

Imperial Interview - long journey from Tawau to London:Twu-KL-Singapore-KL-London and vice versa. Totally fazed by the number of interviewees and their big talk (i joke) , interview was just tense, got grilled for 15 minutes by who is now my affable Epidemiology lecturer . I honestly felt that I didn't do well right after and was quite worried but well I'm here now.

June

Got Cardiff offer.

Anticipated Imperial's offer, the most intense of all anticipation because it would've been Cardiff if I didn't get Imperial, literally dropped down on the floor and praised God when I got it :) probably one of the best moments in my life.

July & August

Busy preparing for Imperial ie: Visa, tuition fees, accommodation, air tickets

Visited KL, had some amazing food I missed from my Taylor's days.

September

My birthday - had a really amazing japanese dinner with family(hope to do that again soon)

Received what is the most touching birthday message I've ever received :)

Started packing for London.

October

Left for London on the 2nd of October 2010.

Freshers' Week!

Settling down was arduous, especially carrying my first batch of what would be many shopping bags to come from Sainsbury's, I bought so much the first time there were holes in the bags and things were dropping out and I had to carry all of them home alone, worst part was how people looked at me and how my muscles were going to tear.

November

Freshers' week was over, work started, stress was creeping in.

Had my first interview with a patient - passable, good experience

Had one of the biggest conflict with someone since probably 2007 and this time it was entirely started by the person(although funnily it was all her fault/problem) . Hate conflicts- why is why I decided not to have a fight with her.

December

Experienced my first snow - one of the top moments of 2010

Confession - Bliss ;)

Christmas! - prepared my first ever Christmas dinner all by myself for 3 other friends!

Boxing day sales : Bought a camera(it's pretty awesome), got a perfume gift set , a wool coat, three long sleeved shirts

My pair of personalised NIKEiD shoes arrived! probably the most comfortable shoes I'd ever worn.

Well farewell 2010, 'twas a nice walk.

Christmas is the time

Princes Gardens (that's where I live by the way)

Christmas is the time to say 'I love you', to share the joys of laughter and good cheer, the time to go Christmas shopping(cheer from the girls), the time for snowball fights and snowman making, the time for lovely homemade dinners, the time of reflection, the time to appreciate the blessings we've received throughout the year, the time to deal with unsettled matters, to look forward to a new year and most importantly the time to be reminded and prepare ourselves for the next coming of Christ.

Every time this year, I would be 1. worrying about christmas time confession 2. anticipating presents 3. abusing the Christmas songs I have to surround myself with the 'spirit of Christmas' 4. getting all emotional as I reflect on the past year anticipating another new year 5. trying to make it a Christmas worth laughing and smiling about. Although this year anticipating presents would not be on my list since I'm going to have Christmas away from home for the very first time. I'm nevertheless excited and curious to how my first Christmas in London will be like (please, White Christmas!)

It is amazing how Christmas brings the bunch of emotions, anticipation and joy it always brings when it comes. And the things which come with it - Christmas trees, Christmas decor, Christmas songs and carols, sleigh bells, snowmen, candy canes, mistletoes, awesome presents, hopefully these will instead of distract us, remind us the absolute joy the birth of Christ has brought to the world.

And just to get you into Christmas mood if you aren't already, here's a list of my favourite songs this Christmas, to be shared with you (Christmas is about sharing :P) :

1. Happy Christmas - John Lennon or Maroon 5's version

2. Christmas is The Time - Katherine Mcphee

3. My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears

4. The First Noel Born is The King - Mariah Carey

5. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Mariah Carey (Merry Christmas II You)

6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Doris Day

7. The Way You Look Tonight - Westlife (strictly speaking not a Christmas song but give it a hear nevertheless)

8. Grown Up Christmas List - Michael Buble

9. Baby it's Cold Outside- Celtic Thunder

10. Silent Night - Wilson Phillips

Have a very very Merry Christmas :)

IMPERIAL, LONDON.

Now that I'm finally in Imperial and settled down. I got but one thing to say...LOVIN' IT.
If coconut-flavoured ice cream was the most awesome thing on earth (it is btw), Imperial would be coconut-flavoured ice cream with chocolate chips! (actually I'm not sure if that would actually taste nice but you get the message)

Here are a few photos of my freshers' week as a medic, didn't take much pictures but IT WAS SICK! (Both literally and figuratively)

What you did not see is them going half-naked later with the girls.

Why can't you be a good kid and drink sensibly? Oh yeah 'medics don't get drunk easily'... :S

Freshers' Ball

The gals getting ready to party at the Beach Bop!

On a more serious note, I'm glad I could say that except for Imperial not being too shrewd in admitting most of its medics(more like drunk nurses), London is really living up to my expectations. To be able to live in a place wallowing in centuries-worth of heritage and history is amazing- I've to say I'm a sucker for the English heritage.

London on a lovely day

Well London treat me nice for the next six years of med school, two years of foundation as a junior doctor, and hopefully the rest to come, provided I don't grow tired of you first.