It’s the time of the year again where reflections are made on the year that’s passing and resolutions made for the year ahead. So, how has 2008 been for me?

A major part of my year has been spent in Sydney. Indeed moving there at the start of the year to begin my life as a yuppie was a big jump into the unknown. As most might know I hated my boss the very first day I met him. I was quite fortunate though, to be able to be involved in some projects which allowed me to travel. My first business trip was to Melbourne, what an irony huh. For 2 months I stayed in a hotel room and traversed half of Melbourne’s rail lines doing a survey job, which I think really did well for my railway knowledge and experience. The 2nd business trip was to Perth and Northern WA, which some might consider an ‘exotic’ location as I got to see the longest trains in the Southern Hemisphere. The business trips sound nice but it was far from that at work. My boss was a total nightmare to work with. It was so bad that at one point the only motivation I had for work was that paycheck at the end of the month. I do however appreciate the hard gained experience I got from the job. In early September I took the courage to start applying for new jobs with the little experience I have. I remember the 2 months after that, I was so depressed because of work and relationship issues. It was indeed the lowest point of the year for me. At that time I was so depressed, but I had no one to talk to. I was pulling all stops to get a job in Melbourne but all that was looking up was Sydney and Brisbane jobs. Just as hopes seem to have faded, in late October I secured a job in Melbourne, much to my joy. Suddenly I saw why God had allowed the previous rejections to happen to me. This was indeed the dream job I was hoping for, but I didn’t put much hope in it due to lack of confidence in myself. Indeed God is gracious. And so I quit the job in Sydney and have moved back to Melbourne to start my newly found job early next year.

So apart from work, how was life like? I suppose for the better part of the year I was feeling a tad lonely in Sydney with so little friends there. Also, I lived in a suburb far from the city in Sydney, something which I’m not used to, having lived in the city all these while in Melbourne. I just couldn’t get used to the quietness. I still managed to maintain a close bond with friends in Melbourne though. The 2 months I spent in Melbourne for work, was probably the happiest times I had in the year. I was happy I got to watch my very first musical in Melbourne. Also some friends were eager enough to come to Sydney for their winter holidays, which cheered me up a little. The friends I made in Sydney were quite different people from OCFers in general, in terms of their interests and level of maturity. We had a few road trips and outings which were really nice and where I got to know some really interesting people. I also appreciate that I could come back this end of year where I can catch up with uni mates and schoolmates whom I only see once a year. Right in October I was so distraught and had booked a ticket for Chinese New Year thinking I will not get a new job. But the acquisition of a new job allowed me to have a one month break in December, which is not easy to come by. Highlight of this break would be the great road trip to Ipoh and Penang and Dot’s wedding where I got to catch up with the OCFers.

Apart from that I guess people will remember 2008 for the economic downturn. Earning my own moolah this year has been a liberating feeling. Have to start educating myself on how to plan my financial freedom. Haha.. It’s not easy to appreciate how tough money comes by when you don’t start earning it yourself. Now I can appreciate how so many people consider an SLR camera a luxury when I considered it a necessity (when I wasn’t earning my own money.)

So what are my hopes for 2009? I’m coming back to a familiar place and a job at a well respected company in my industry, so half my hopes for 2009 has been fulfilled I guess! But then I do hope I could gain much more technical experience in my new job and develop better people skills. Also, I wanna travel!! Hopefully all free travel on company expense!! hahhahah ..

2008 will be remembered as a year with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but at least it was interesting. Indeed I have few regrets for the year past, and I hope 2009 will be just as exciting, if not more. Auld Lang Syne 2008, Happy 2009 everyone.

Just got back from a road trip to Ipoh and Penang with OCFers, mostly Singaporeans who knew very little Bahasa Malaysia but that's okay coz it was funny. We ate heaps of good food! Although some places we wanted to visit was closed (Sam Poh Tong, Kampar Chicken Bun shop, Cheung Fat Zhi Mansion), it was a breaknecking itinerary filled with some shopping, some kite flying and of coz lots of the best Malaysian hawker food. It was my first time in Ipoh (believe it or not!) and I quite like the old town feel of it. Some portion of the town reminds me of Kuching. Certainly not the driving though. I realize after visiting Ipoh and Penang that Kuching roads are actually very organised and orderly (comparatively). Returning to Penang brought back lots of memories of my internship period over there in 2006. Was great to see the familiar Penang icons like the Penang Bridge and Gurney Drive. Overall it was a great trip to cap off the year. It also helped me clear my mind off some things which have occured recently.

And then it was Dot's wedding (will post up pictures sometime soon). Felt as if the whole OCF was there to attend the wedding. Faces from yesteryears were there too! Was heartwarming to meet up with old friends from Melbourne. The wedding was quite nicely done.. I almost forgot how long it is since I've attended a Malaysian wedding. Certainly the first wedding I've attended in KL. Was hoping to eat Klang Bak Kut Teh after the weddding service but we went to the hotel straight after, but that was alright. Went to SUbang Parade while waiting for time. The dinner was very good, as I got to catch up with GB and some people I've not talked to in a long time. Oh well my KL holidays is gonna end soon as I will be heading to Kuching. Looking forward to the even better Kuching food waiting for me!

I have been in KL for almost a week now. Doing my part in helping the Malaysian economy (i.e. shopping). It is noticeable that the number of shoppers have significantly deteriorated (compared to previous years). Not sure if it is a direct consequence of the financial turmoil facing many working class citizens like yours truly. Oh well..

Anyway, besides helping the Msian economy I have also been helping myself to Malaysian food but considering mum tags along with me most of the time, I have to spend almost double on mamak food at the nicer restaurants rather than the roadside stalls which may produce nicer and more authentic malaysian food. But actually the local food at some establishments are quite nice. Been eating lots of nasi lemak. One day we went to the nasi kandar near my sister's place. The bill came out to be rm 15 per plate of nasi kandar man! I had to rub my eyes to make sure I saw correct. But after that we realised that sotong (i.e. seafood was freaking expensive at nasi kandar joints) and we had unwittingly taken sotong and vege and chicken (talk about being greedy).

Have also been doing some catch up with old friends. Found out that many things have changed over a year. Indeed it has been quite a roller coaster of a year for me too (don't I say that every year?). As a Yuppie , I could not have asked for better experiences - some of which I was truly in suffering, but indeed no regrets whatsoever because I believe it has left me better educated and prepared to face whatever next year might bring.

Hahaha... oops suddenly become emo pulak. ok ok.. Had a really refreshing meet up with Ivan this afternoon and also Hak Jeng and Robin on Monday. Robin brought his camera along and perused it for some fashion shows that were on in Midvalley. I'm so proud that I influenced a few of my classmates to become interested in professional photography, Robin being one of them. Muahahahaa.. Ivan and I had some real good conversation too.

I think I should write a wrap up for the year. Maybe in the next post..