2011 had been an amazing year for me. Things had not always been at their best but I'm glad that things had not gone awfully wrong. I had my fair share of tears and smiles , making 2011 all the more memorable.
2011 was the year I experienced the greatest change in the family.
Dad was being posted to Doha for 2 (+1) years. And once this decision was made, the dynamics of the family changed. In the past, Dad would settle all the admin stuff at home - paying the bills and managing everything in the family. But now, Mum has to handle it all. I admit that I've been over reliant on my Dad and had taken a lot of things for granted, resulting in me being at a sudden lost. The obligation to head home every day after school/work and the obligation to stay at home during weekends just to accompany Mum cause no one is around. I just felt that I sort of lost all my social life. Things are much better now and it will definitely be better in 2012.
2011 was the year I had my longest overseas trip ever - 26 days.
To be honest, I never expect myself to stay so long in Korea. However, knowing that this could be one my and only chance I could take such a long break (since it would be quite impossible when I start work proper), I decided to go ahead with it. I will never forget these 26 days - queuing in the cold to enter music shows with insufficient sleep, long late nights with the starlings at their hostel, the cheap and awesome kimbap, long afternoons sitting at different cafes to people-watch, the many nice people who helped me when I couldn't find my way and the countless Korean artistes I saw every other day. These 26 days were simply amazing.
2011 was the year I officially graduated from my student life.
I never imagined myself to graduate this fast and graduation meant the end of my life as a student. No more lectures and tutorials. No more projects and exams. No more carefree life with no worries. No more long bus rides to NUS on 189. No more random outings after classes. No more student meals and cheap movie tickets. Everything changed the moment I graduated on 9th July 2011. Graduation marked the end of my education stint and indicated the start of something new
2011 was the year I started my working life.
I procrastinated finding a job for a few months since I really wanted to recharge myself before concentrating on my career and now, I'm proud to say that I'm a SITizen. Working life isn't something I've gotten used to yet - working 830 to 6, rushing with the peak hour crowd and fixed meal timings - though it's been almost 2 months. January will mark the end of my 3 months stint at SIT. I've no idea what the future lies for me and what path I will take, but I hope by the end of January, I would know what I want.
2011 was the year I start pampering myself.
I've never pampered myself before but this year, I really felt like giving a gift to myself. And the first really expensive gift I gave myself was my D600. To me, photography is more than an interest. I know that there are differing views with regards to holding a DSLR, but I know that I didn't buy it on an impulse (have been wanting to own one since 5-6 years ago). I may not have the best skills around, but I'm still learning and fiddling as I go along. Hopefully in the near future, I would have an epic collection of photos to share. ^^
2011 was the year I met the most number of Korean artistes.
With Singapore being a hotspot for the Hallyu Wave plus an awesome trip to Korea, it's no surprise 2011 became a year I met the most number of Korean artistes. From SS501 to SHINee to TVXQ to Girls Generation to Beast to Miss A to se7en to Big Bang to 2NE1 to Teen Top to B1A4 to Block B to RaNia to Touch to U-Kiss to DGNA to Dal★Shabet to Secret to Sunny Hill to FT Island to N-Train to X-5 to K.Will to Kim Tae Woo to Jang Woo Hyuk to Super Junior to Boyfriend to T-ara to 5 Dolls to Eru to IU to After School to Rainbow to K.Will to Kim Soo Hyun to 2PM to KARA to Sistar to Seo In Guk to G.Na to F(X) to 4 Minute to Baek Ji Young to Da Vinci to A-Pink to Infinite to Alex to 4men, I've seen them all. Probably missed out a few others but even so, I've met like 40 groups of artistes?
The most memorable of all just had to be TVXQ's fan party in Singapore. Witnessing Homin performing flawlessly right before my eyes and experiencing a roller coaster of emotions throughout. I've to admit that this had got to be the best fanmeet I've ever experienced.
SHINee World Concert was a big disappointment. Everyone around me felt that it was awesome and amazing, but to me, it just didn't reach my expectations. I guess it's because I know very well that they could have performed so much better thus I can't help but feel the disappointment seeping in. The boys were overworked and they spent three consecutive nights sleeping on the plane as they flew between Korea and Japan for their schedules prior to their concert. They are in no way in their optimum condition when they were here in Singapore, what more a perfect concert? No matter what, I'm still glad and contented that I experienced it since SWC was on my wish list since SM announced that the boys will be having their first solo concert in 2010.
Most importantly, I managed to see all 5 of SS501 members though it was all through their solo activities. Jung Min's fanmeet in Singapore during March really left a deep impression in me since he was my favourite member plus it was during my birthday month. He really is SEXY CHARISMA and his smile is to die for. The solo interview I had with Baby during June was simply unforgettable since I really threw my face as he found my iPhone and asked who does it belong to. Leader's showcase in Korea was an experience of a lifetime and the highlight of my whole trip as I managed to see Kyu and YoungSaeng too since they were the special guests that night. Now that I've seen all 5 of them individually, can I be greedy and wish for a reunion in 2012?
2011 has treated me well and I know 2012 will be just as amazing. ^^
_germx
2012 will be awesome
20120122.2212h
Labels: DBSK 동방신기, family, Looking Back, NUS, SHINee 샤이니, SIT, SS501
