GOOD RIDDANCE

So yay, 2014 is finally over. This past year, has definitely, without a doubt, been the most difficult year I've experienced. It was filled, yes, with love and laughter and much content but it was also filled with many firsts that created stress and worry and heartache. I've learnt loads, but honestly? I'm so glad that the year is over and that I've been given another chance to experience another year.

The year went by much quicker than I remember other years going by, which I assume, already suggests something about the contents and experiences of 2014. AHAHA. I don't really want to reflect upon the whole year again and I definitely don't want to dig up some really bad memories so...I guess the only thing to do is recap the top 10 best days? hehe. I didn't really keep to my happy jar, kinda stopped it in june but I still definitely have some good memories of the 2nd half of the year lol.

So without anymore boring words, here are the top 10 best moments of the year. (in no order of course, cause how can you truly rank happiness?)

1. CNY Day 2 with Animal Farm.
All of animal farm, except Ayesha, managed to come over to Kong's house and it was the beginning of a beautiful tradition ^.^ Ate enough chicken wings to fill a graveyard, talked a whole lot of nonsense, played ridiculous games and just had a really incredible time spending time with one of my favourite groups of people. It was just so easy... and it was before anything had happened. Although the beginning of the year kind of foreshadowed what it would be like if and when we all went down separate paths, it was still nice to see we could continue to click although we weren't spending every day together anymore. May the tradition continue next year and bring on even more awesome memories ^.^

2. 17th Jan - Dinner with Sarah & Joanne
This was the first time I had seen these two after more than a month? I think it was probably the longest that I had gone without speaking to them in person. I mean, we text just about every day but there's just a huge difference between texting someone and actually getting to speak to them face-to-face. But I really love how I could just sit comfortably with these two, whether together or separately, FOR HOURS. Be it talking about any thing and every thing or just sitting in silence, I never feel awkward or worrying about having to say something and I think that's just really really special.

3. Val's birthday
After a longgggg time, all 5 animals were together and this seriously was one of the HAPPIEST days of 2014 that I remember so well just because it was so full of laughter and absolute nonsense??? I mean from running around like a bunch of lunatics to stuffing out mouths, it was just amazing? I wrote about it already so you can go read that, but yeah...there really is nothing better than spending time with your best friends and just being you and knowing that even when you crack the lamest joke ever, they'll role their eyes at you but still love you enough to tell you to shut up so that you don't embarrass yourself in front of other people. HAHAHA

4. A Day with the Cousins
For a very long time, I'd always choose spending time with friends over family because I always felt like my family would be there no matter? I knew that even if I neglected them, they would still welcome me with open arms and this year I realised how silly I've been to do that. Finally going back to one of the houses I grew up in and spending more time there made me realise how much of a blessing can be. I've learnt that, really, no matter what happens, your family has your back and will be the best friends that God gave you from the day you were born. They were there when you sucked at han yu pin yin and volunteered to spend hours helping you, when you first got your heart broken and helped to mend it when you were a little teenage girl, when you first experienced the first real death in a family. They'll be there for everything and they'll never walk out of your life.

5. Coney Island
This was honestly such a random day HAHAHA. But it was one of my favourite days in NYC. Till this day I can't believe I got to spend 2 weeks in NYC with two of my best friends. I don't know why, but for some reason, when I look back at the trip this day seems to stick out the most. I think it was just the ridiculousness and the fun that it brought. We played stupid carnival games, ate awesome carnival food, camwhored like CRAZYYYY on the beach and just had loads of fun walking around, going on rides and laughing. (For me, that day I learnt that when I laughed like a crazy woman, I drooled lol.) There was no structure to the day and I think pretty much everything we did was spontaneous, which really made me see how awesome and unplanned life can be sometimes when you just ride the wave.

6. Family Outreach at Church

This actually took place after an extremely crappy literature paper but it made me happy still :) Time spent getting to know people and interact with people and show them what it's like to be part of God's family is truly amazing and something that I really enjoyed. From just talking to playing games and trying to use ridiculous ways to get answers when playing taboo, it strengthened my bond with my family in Christ and also reminded me of what a blessing they are and how blessed I myself am. 

7. Studying with Shan and Tan En. 

As crappy as finals are, studying for it really was made a lot better because of these two. I thoroughly enjoyed trying to take photos with our books, telling each other stories of our families and childhoods as well as reliving secondary school days. It's true about how your secondary school friends will be with you through life. That bond, I think, is irreplaceable and binds you and lets you connect on a level that is so unique and cannot be replicated. I'm so thankful for all my SMSS friends. 

8. Day before results
Was nervous as hell about getting my A Level results but getting to ride the G-5 at CQ and baking with half of animal farm really helped me get my mind off of stuff. Simple and satisfying. 

9. Sitting on the boat with Mum and Haley in Phuket

HAHAHA ok this... this was ridiculous. We were on an half an hour boat ride to just ride the waves and all we did was sing pentatonix songs at the top of our lungs. We joked and we laughed and I got asked to get off the boat several times but I really loved that ride and getting to see my sister smile so much.

10. Watching SG50 countdown on Channel 5 with my grandfather.

My Kong (as I call him) is a man of few words on most occasions. He will ask you how you are and show his concern but he's not the gossipy type. So when I watched all these episodes that recounted Singapore's history - the riots, the war, the elections - and he told me about these events from his POV, I made memories that I would never trade for anything in the entire world. This man means the world to me and as much as he jokes with me and fools around with me majority of the time, I'm so so glad I got to see this serious side of him and learn as to how he became the man he is today. 

So yeah. I guess that's my year. I'm so glad that it's over like good bye and good riddance HAHAHAHAH. You had bad times and you had good times but I'm excited for what is to come :) 

#expectgreatthings