Goodbye Year 2004 ! As I usher in Year 2005 into my life, I reflected upon all the ups & downs of the past 365 days..Yes..It's been a roller coaster ride for me..

full of learning experiences.. the many empowering first time(s)..
..my closest encounter with Death as I saw my grandparents passing away..@ their dying bed..was holding my ah ma's hand..as it went cold..& lifeless..@ the ward of TTSH..As for my ah gong.. he passed away @ home..a peaceful one..unlike ah ma..who suffered much..cos she died due to sepsis..blood poisoning..leading to her internal bleeding after a minor op..haiz..

...Winning the best poster presentation @ SSH, thanks 2 my FYP mentor, Dr koh 4 encouraging me 2 take part when I was initally reluctant.... Was really surprised tat i actually won !
going 2 australia..travelling alone with SIA ( Woo, Shiok!Been a great flying trip)..
attending a sci conference with all those professionals, Drs, big shots in the medical arena..
staying @ hostel... going 2 a disco/pub..haha..my 1st time..not @ spore..but melbourne..hehe..tasting of champagne @ a posh dinner setting..
putting of a near-complete make up..wow..we..how i transformed 2 Cinderella 4 one nite..u c..
the wonder of concealer..mascara..roughing it out @ obs ubin..
& the few major decisions made, shaping my future... (1 & 2)

1) my chosen career as an educator..
for at least the next 8 years of my life..
Chose 2 digress from my specialised diploma of study...Biomedical Science where I am much trained in laboratory work..instead now pursuing a deg & training 2 nurture young minds.. Believe tat teaching is my calling..So here I am now @ nie..yr 1 student..
majoring in Biology..the subj of life...my passion & fascination..

At least, I dare say tat I have no regret over this switch of career choice esp after my industrial attachment @ blood bank when I realised tat laboratory work bored me nearly to death with the routine testing procedure..though there can be exceptional cases sometimes. It had been a great exposure for me during IA @ HSA, a rewarding one too. Cos that was when I got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of winning a travel grant 4 an oversea prestigious scientific conference* & not 4getting the newfound friendships i have established with my ex-colleagues..clara, cecilia, yas..kooi sim ..esther..& the nicest boss/superior I have ever worked with.. Marieta. She's like a big sister to me..not that just a boss i report to for work..

* the highlight of 2004! HAA... @ melbourne convention centre...
the 2004 Annual Scientific Meetings of the Haematology Society of Australia & New Zealand, Society of Blood Transfusion, Thrombosis & Haemostasis..
Wow! my debut overseas trip with ex-colleagues...not my parents!!
I'm free 2 explore & go where ever I want to..at last..Yeah!

This full-sponsored trip, thanks 2 SSH( spore society of haematology) had been a real eye-opener for me.. esp when I went around many places alone cos shhh..I actually skipped a few afternoon lecture session 4 my little own sightseeing & shopping spree..hehe.. wat to do.esp when I would be leaving on the last day of conference..such tight schedule..unlike lucky colleagues, who had extended their stay..So they can still enjoy much after attending the 4 days conference. How i envy them! But then..coming 2 tink about it, they are working adults oredi..unlike me..still having exams rite after i return home..

I simply loved Melbourne..their beautiful parks.Queen Victoria garden, the Royal Botanical Garden..with all the full blooms of baby breaths, roses..enchanting flowers, ..shopping for souvenirs & nougats( upon request by loved ones) @ the famous Queen Victoria Market, the largest & historic pasar malam styled market of Melbourne..with their wide variety of mechandise..yummy food, groceries, souvenirs.. So proud of myself..U noe.. :)

Went shoppin on my own most of the time.though..i usually walk around to my destination..of course..with the tourists maps..guides..rather than taking the electric trams..the trains..public transport of melbourne..in case..i get lost.. actually went around many places alone leh..daring gal, rite. esp when I've never been abroad alone..But then..i always do my homework well leh..like checkin out with the hotel staff & my colleagues on how to get there..before i set off well prepared, geared with my dig cam..

..not 4getting 1 of my favourite..the Melbourne Aquarium, an insight into the Southern Ocean & its ultimate water experience..as well as the ever-bustling night life of melbourne..the Crown Entertainment Complex..bars, nightclubs, discos, casino..this cplx was just a stone's throw away from my hotel..so got quite a good view of the night city life from the window of my cosy room @ Melbourne Holiday Inn..( a posh, 4**** hotel ranging leh..but haiz..just for the 1st night only..cos of tight budget..since i chose 2 travel with SIA..cost quite a bit.. my travel grant's only SG $2500) Indeed the view from my room was good, breathtaking..overlooking the Yarra River!

Another favourite place I had been 2 was the Federation Square..one of the most unique areas in Victoria..with its intricate..architecture..Much more unique than our famou Durian!!..less thorny..haha..So was the Victorian Art Centre..lastly the St Kilda Beach..with its Sunday Esplanade Arts & Crafts Market..many impressive art works..4 sale..paintings....jewellerys..handmade ones..mosaic arts.. unusual handicrafts..leatherworks..glassware..sculptures..ornaments..indeed a cultural art fiesta!

2) Moving to my 2nd home @ ntu, Hall 15, Block 70..for the long-awaited freedom & independence..away from all that shelved..overly-protected life under the nose of my concerned parents ..esp dearest mom..who can never accept the fact that her little darling daughters have grown up..no longer the little kids who need her constant showering of concern & protection.


So now's Time 4 new year resolutions!!
A promise 2 myself, i doubt so.. more like reminders for me on my goals in 2005..
Anyway, actions speak louder than words..no point bragging on what big plans i may b have for myself..when @ the end of the yr, upon lookin back, many on the list are yet 2 b achieved..
I'll do my best in watever i do..but must be mindful that changes r part & parcel of life..after all, rules & plans are set by man,.. always subjected to any upexpected delays or circumstances..

1) Time 2 not being so accomodating..esp to my dearest parents.
Me sick & tired of being mummy's gal..(haiz..not much choice..i have..)
Just like wat csiler always reminds me.. High time to lead your own life!! Must take as well..not to always give..esp ur precious time 2 everyone else ..ur frenzs..family..wat abt urself..Sometimes..u deserve a short break & to treat and pamper yourself as well..
Got 2 learn to say No sometimes.. Haha..finally..I've seen the light!

2) Time to resume my driving lesson & hopefully earn my driving licence..by end of the year.
So got 2 really do my budget now..less $$ on cds, movies...esp when my driving lessons' all
paid from my own pocket.. Guess..i just need 2 find enjoyment from other cheaper alternatives..like going 2 parks..beaches..exercising as well..swimming..tennis..jogging..& perhaps a new sports like squash..FOC crash course by uncle moo of TPoly..

3) Time to really commit myself to a YEP group..provided tat I got into 1..so tat I can go 4 one such meaningful experience..self-fulfilling too..this coming Jun 2005.. So guess.tat I need 2 really manage my time well..

4) Time to get myself more involved in Hall activites..esp since I do believe tat I may need 2 stay on as a hostelite for the next few sem.. judging from my never-ending saga @ home..
This means that I got 2 stop slacking..start opening up..& participate more actively..hopefully..tis isn't too late..with the right networking & connection..

5) Time to take better care of my looks bah..& get more beauty sleep haha..
me gettin look conscious..oops..vain 2 b exact..
Frankly..who dun wanna look good..esp when..gd looks or at least..looking decent with the right way of dressing & mannerism..is definitely.. a plus point 4 everyone..in his/her social life..& even their interpersonal relations with people..

6)Time for me 2 contribute back 2 society..by either joining mentoring 1st ..or volunteering @ rda..soon..after my YEP..Lastly..to work smart, play hard as well..meaning..tat i've got 2 ensure that my studies ain't neglected..got 2 be cutting down on the C grades on my result transcripts..After all..i'm under MOE teaching bond..need 2 get at least..some decent grades..more like Bs...

Tata for now..time 2 go meetin w pals..Happy 2005!!
Shall upload fotos soon 4 an insight of all the fun times in 2004!!

Lookin 4ward 2 a brand new sem @ sch..though..
all tat mind-boggling projects, reports again..haiz..but then..
certainly..it's still best 2 b a student again..than working adult..
Learnt 2 Count my blessings..never to take them 4 granted..