December 2015

we turn 1 today!

credits to many of my lovely friends who gave scent/packaging feedback. there were many random experiments with making candles since my US trip after realizing many of my friends really liked candles. i don't really have a thing for candles (sense of smell affected by constant sinus) but i do love making stuff for friends. the packaging thing was really just an attempt to make the gift look more professional and make use of my new printer! everyone hates the version of the candles with the lines ---- but thats my favorite! i'd be happy to have more scent/packaging testers/feedback! includes free candles and lively debate!! 

my beautiful friend :) finally met up in london (no time to go to paris). the year ended with news of more friends leaving singapore, and some coming back. wherever they all are, i want them to have the best life ever. can't wait for all our CNY reunions!

our lovely days together, climbing slopes and falling off them.

i've had so much less time to write and talk about life this year. i was just looking back at my 2015/end 2014 posts. i'm happy to report that i'm still riding out my wave of positivity and love that i ended 2014 with!

i thought 2015 would be really tough - and it was. the 2nd half of the year transitioning to becoming an associate with responsibilities was terribly tiring without my best buddy at work by my side. i'll never forget the times T would cover for me, spoke up for me, take on more work etc when i was really on the verge of passing out, (i don't think i've ever felt so grateful or forged such loyalty to someone i've known for such a short time). there were so many times where i'd be in the car to work just crying. there were also countless times where i would also be crying in the car on the way home because i was just so exhausted and stressed and scared. i hate crying and i never understood my friends who cried from exhaustion and stress but now i really do. these are the small moments where i give in to fear and exhaustion - but only momentarily. i'm mostly satisfied about life and where things are going. the other day, we had firm drinks at the lovely new national gallery for christmas, and i remember looking around at all the inebriated faces around me and feeling this warm glow of love for the people i work with and the firm i am in. i've been so so lucky the past year.

in some sense this was a more indulgent year - i spent a lot of time focusing on improving myself, watched a lot more tv (so much to talk about!!), reveled in love, spent time with friends, learnt new things. i really think this was a good year all in all. i hope this never ends. this time, i ended my year in amsterdam. the day before the new year, i basked in the purpose of my life, the people who have stuck with me and helped me along the way, and my convictions for the new year. i feel as happy, ambitious, and hopeful as ever. i truly feel gratitude for the people in my life - both old and new. i've made bad judgments, and i still think most people are to a certain extent self-serving in their relationships, but every year i think i get a little bit better at understanding people, and in general the people worth investing in. i know there are really amazing people out there. i know because some of them are in my life.

i want to continue to be full of love, to (as the last year) grow braver and better. i want to understand even more. i want to continue being the best family/friend/person i can be to the people who have been truly kind and honest in my life. i want to continue sharing, learning and growing together. i want to give even more of myself. i promise to work really hard and make sure we all get somewhere together. i am not leaving anyone behind.

may the new year be as lovely as the last.