12 months
About a year ago I promised myself that I would wait one year, look back on the past year, and reflect on everything that's happened. So here is a brief summary of the last 12 months, in vaguely chronological order:
Met a wonderful girl.
Went to Hungary.
Went back to China for the first time in 5 years...visited Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing. Gave a talk to some peeps at the IBM Beijing Lab, who promptly fell asleep.
Start fourth year at uni, moved into new flat in Bayswater.
Had my first beer lamb stew at belgo.
Watch as a whole bunch of friends got dressed up and walked across a stage clutching bits of paper.
Fell asleep in a series of boring lectures.
Saw McCoy Tyner at the barbican.
Saw Jamie Cullum at the Albert Hall.
Watched the first frost settle over the grass in Hyde Park.
Enjoyed my first Gutbuster from Harringtons.
Celebrated 6 months with a certain someone by showing her the delights of greek food, lobster, abalone and London Zoo.
Watched Big Ben chime the new year.
Went back to Southampton for Chinese New Year and watched Mum do Mongolian dance in a show.
Played at Cadogan Hall with ICSO and got to see Michael Portillo.
Climbed Queen's Tower.
Said goodbye to a wonderful girl.
Played with Our Souls somewhere in Surrey.
Played my last concert with ICSO.
Celebrated my 22nd birthday with friends.
Somehow got through revision and exams, with the help of the Music Tech room crew and the Eastern Star/Xing Revision Takeaway Dinner Club.
Began a self-inflicted regime of badminton, gym, swimming and sauna (often in quick succession).
Went through the ordeal of finishing, writing up and presenting final year project...but enjoyed the jazz solos it generated.
Helped James celebrate his birthday, together with Vincent and Justin ... by failing to get him drunk.
Experienced the Summer Ball feeling happy, sad, nostalgic, energised, deflated and with an aftertaste of canteen breakfast. Taught by Wing, the legend, how to play poker.
Finished the academic year, feeling sad that 4 years of wonder, joy and happiness have come to an end.
I'll give you a few moments to digest all that...
Met a wonderful girl.
Went to Hungary.
Went back to China for the first time in 5 years...visited Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing. Gave a talk to some peeps at the IBM Beijing Lab, who promptly fell asleep.
Start fourth year at uni, moved into new flat in Bayswater.
Had my first beer lamb stew at belgo.
Watch as a whole bunch of friends got dressed up and walked across a stage clutching bits of paper.
Fell asleep in a series of boring lectures.
Saw McCoy Tyner at the barbican.
Saw Jamie Cullum at the Albert Hall.
Watched the first frost settle over the grass in Hyde Park.
Enjoyed my first Gutbuster from Harringtons.
Celebrated 6 months with a certain someone by showing her the delights of greek food, lobster, abalone and London Zoo.
Watched Big Ben chime the new year.
Went back to Southampton for Chinese New Year and watched Mum do Mongolian dance in a show.
Played at Cadogan Hall with ICSO and got to see Michael Portillo.
Climbed Queen's Tower.
Said goodbye to a wonderful girl.
Played with Our Souls somewhere in Surrey.
Played my last concert with ICSO.
Celebrated my 22nd birthday with friends.
Somehow got through revision and exams, with the help of the Music Tech room crew and the Eastern Star/Xing Revision Takeaway Dinner Club.
Began a self-inflicted regime of badminton, gym, swimming and sauna (often in quick succession).
Went through the ordeal of finishing, writing up and presenting final year project...but enjoyed the jazz solos it generated.
Helped James celebrate his birthday, together with Vincent and Justin ... by failing to get him drunk.
Experienced the Summer Ball feeling happy, sad, nostalgic, energised, deflated and with an aftertaste of canteen breakfast. Taught by Wing, the legend, how to play poker.
Finished the academic year, feeling sad that 4 years of wonder, joy and happiness have come to an end.
I'll give you a few moments to digest all that...