2014 Review

So… it’s end February already. This review arrived late but there’s never too late to recollect the events and note them down! 2014 has been the most life-changing year by far, undoubtedly. And it’s just coincidental that it’s also the year I entered the big 3-0.

Before anything, here’s reviewing the resolutions I penned down a year ago:

a)            Learn to juggle 3 balls

b)            Donate blood 2 times

c)             Silver for IPPT

d)            Read a book (I think the least possible to achieve)

How did I do for them?

a) Failed miserably – never even got down to buying the balls to start training. Excuse given by myself is that it’s not a value-added skill anyone needs to know. HAHA.

b) YESSS!!!! So I donated once in the first half of the year and in the last 2 months of the year I was eager to donate a 2^nd time. However, my visits to the bloodbank were not successful not once, not twice but THREE TIMES! The first and second time was that the bloodbank was closed on that particular weekday (how suay when the premise only closes one day per week); I was turned down on the third visit because of low blood pressure. What luck! It was until 30 Dec that I succeeded. Oomph!

c) YESSSS!! Thought the new IPPT system was in store already (means more attainable standards hehe) but only found out it was not when I reported at the camp. Managed to just scrap through the pull-ups. Was pleasantly surprised at my 2.4km timing when I crossed the finishing line! Didn’t train AT ALL as I was pure tired/lazy to put on my running shoes, my free time was devoted to the wedding, house shifting and honeymoon planning. Kudos to the weekly footy session that I religiously participate in.

d) Nope L (no elaboration required).

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Here’s noting down the significant events that happened in 2014!

March
Overseas work trip to UK! When my boss first informed me in Jan, I was skeptical about my chances and then the discussion with the UK counterpart materialized and before I knew it I found myself strapped onto a comfortable SQ window seat, upgraded Krisflyer, unlimited entertainment, free-flow drinks and all! Well it isn’t my virgin overseas work trip but the stark difference was that this time, my colleague was handling all the shag stuff like admin, logistics and liaison work. To add, what’s more shiok than travelling a non-stop 10-hour flight on SQ! Sat back and indulged in the delicious onboard meals and orange/apple spritzer while plugged into the latest movie hits. As the itinerary for the first day upon arrival was to be packed with visits and meetings, I countered the possible jetlag by setting my watch to UK time and adjusted my sleeping pattern on the plane. I did this on my flight back to SG too. I found that this helped marvelously – I was probably feeling light effects on the first day but thereafter I had adjusted completely.

So our itinerary in UK was 2.5 days in London and another 2 in Scotland. The visits and discussions were gainful and blossoming.  There was some time in between flights and my colleagues and I explored the area (Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Emirates Stadium) and I also visited Yucky Yixin and her family one morning.

London was beautiful – the people, the food, the streets and architecture, plus the weather was fantastic as well. Scotland had beautiful archaic building architecture and the castle perched atop the hill looked exceptionally magical due to the chill and fog. Would have applied to extend the visit for leisure had it not been for commitments in SG especially that renovation for our house had begun on 19 March – had to be around to see through the daily progress and make interventions or decisions.

April

Our much-anticipated double date to Hong Kong! No planning or research required as we’ve all been there a few times, so it was just gonna be a eat-shop-walk-eat kind of hassle-free itinerary. Kudos to wifey’s recommendation, Kings de Nathan hotel was a gem of a value for money accommodation. It was clean, reasonably big (much more comfortable than those typical cubicle-sized bathrooms) and within walking distance to Jordan MTR. In addition, Temple Street is just a stone’s throw away and all foodie goodie was easily accessible. Ivan and his gf Natalie also joined us on a few days and also to Macau, thanks to the local we were brought to feast really sumptuous food like the zhichar place paraded by the charismatic and showy boss, and absolutely relishing beef noodle soup at Tin Hou. And the rowdy dim sum breakfast place that obviously needed a queue system but instead amused us with its first-GRAB-first-serve system. All in all, the one week trip was fun and enjoyable – nothing will go wrong with good food every meal haha… plus some happy purchases from Hollister and American Eagle! 

On one Saturday morning, I gathered a few primary school classmates and our form teacher at our alma mater. It called for a special occasion as it was gonna be the last year for QPS – for it would be combining with Griffiths and subsume operation under the name ‘Angsana’.  Sitting inside our old classroom, we reminisced and laughed at the silly old times; a few of us brought autograph books and we couldn’t believe what we wrote back then! ‘Best friends’, ‘Idols’ e.g. BSB, Westlife, ending our entries with cheesy poems and scrawny nerdy pictures of ourselves – how much we have grown! We also recalled fond memories at the canteen, Science Corner, basketball court and school hall. It’s a pity the school has to close down after more than a century of history – I wonder why the Authority couldn’t do more to preserve its name at the very least.

June
Presenting our humble abode!

Owed a huge part of the completion to the daily supervision and intervention by my meticulous dad. His presence ensured the workers weren’t slip shod in their work. Dad also offered many useful tips and insights which I wouldn’t have imagined or even thought of – such as height of the wall waterproofing, installation of ventilation fan, practicality of our initial proposed designs etc. I had fun with the renovation – from designing every corner of our home to choosing of tiles to making a few visits across the causeway to procure LED lights. The end result was a very cosy and practical home and wifey and I love it to bits.

July
If renovation was an issue which required my frequent attention and monitoring, try managing it whilst preparing for ROM + wedding! Thankfully I heeded my friends’ advice and started planning a few months early. The angbao money, the detailed itinerary for the day, the change of outfits, the coordination of brothers and sisters, just to name a few. As much as I felt I was prepared, Murphy’s Law kicked in – On the way to fetch the bride it dawned on me that my hands felt empty…. THE BOUQUET OF ROSE! We rushed back to my place to get it together with the cakes.

We were having a lunch reception and so the morning was especially packed with activities and travelling. The ROM ceremony started late due to the huge crowd who preferred loitering outside the function room and some important people with responsibilities also ka lang ka bok at the last hour. Thankfully for Jx who knew what was required and received and did the admin portion with the JP.

Lunch also went by in a flash. Wifey was unsuspecting of my surprise singing segment (which went off pitch at the bridge). Table shoots were tedious as wifey was wearing uncomfortably high heels, and my parents seemed to be at loggerheads with each other. Wifey and I felt that it was a pity we didn’t have time to catch up with some friends. After seeing off the crowd, we adjourned to HZP again for tea reception, then back to hotel again to finally take a break from the long day. Phew! Despite the busy schedule and some events not happening as per planned, wifey and I enjoyed our big day so much she still comments occasionally, “I miss being a star”. Much thanks to our family, friends and colleagues who were a boisterous crowd!

September
After the big day, we finally had time to plan for our Honeymoon to Europe! It was  more tedious than I had expected – the streets and places of interest had peculiar names in the first language (e.g. Champs Elyss, Firenze, Antin Trinite) and the most effort required was researching for the most affordable train tickets, with worries of transit, language and train delay. So our itinerary went like this:

-          Land in Paris

-          Train to London

-          Fly to Rome

-          Train to Florence

-          Tour to Cinque Terre

-          Train to Interlaken

-          Train to Zurich

-          Flight from Zurich

On the eve of our departure we were still printing out the receipts and verifying the dates are correct. Just as we left for the airport, we almost forgot our credit cards as drove back to our place to get them. Unseasoned travellers we are, haha. After 16 days touring 4 countries, we are proud that our itinerary went smoothly with no train/flight delays or hotel stunts. We accomplished most of the places of interests and also RETURNED WITH OUR MONEY AND VALUABLES INTACT! Rule 0 – be overly careful and attentive of our bags and wallets at all times. We enjoyed London the best (the coffee, weather and people) and promised ourselves we’ll be back to explore the other places like London Bridge, Tower of London and try the Bayswater roast duck.

December
Celebrated my big 3-0 overseas at BKK. Thanks to my dear wifey and ct, Christy for surprising me with gift, card and cake. Was a really relaxing getaway pampered with daily massages, great and cheap food and window shopping.

Back in SG and one fine day, I lao sai 9 times in 24 hours. Couldn’t hold out and was issued 1-day MC from stomach flu, blemishing my clean record of 5 years and 5 months of my working career.

Ended the year on a positive note. Applied for a handful of job applications and was delighted that I was offered 2 positions. I verbally accepted the later one whose decision finally flung a huge stone off my chest as I can finally move on from my stressful job.

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Expectations for 2015:

a) Silver for IPPT (this shall always be in my list haha)

b) Excel in my new job

c) Be nicer, sweeter and more patient with wifey

d) Addition of a new family member? 

We'll see how they go.

Happy Lunar New Year! :) Wishing you good health and a smooth sailing year!