10, 20, 30.
Just on the bus today, I pondered about this thing about turning 30. People wax lyrical about how monumental it is, what they have achieved so far, what the seek to accumulate in the next 10 years, you know the drill. Today, I wondered about this big -0 thing. Right, get your minds out of the gutter What I meant was that I tried to dust out some old memories from that almost long forgotten bank of mine, and tried to recall me aged 10, and aged 20. Obviously i'd skip age 0, my mom will probably attest to her (then me) screaming our socks off. I was her first born you see, for her, as they say - the rest is history. She was 'gifted' with two more daughters after that. More recently, she acquired a four legged son, Mr Socks, aka Cobbey. Just for fun, I'd challenge you to think about what you remember of yourself, at each m'0'numental turn of the decade. As for me,
Aged 10
I joined a new primary school further away from my home, and I went sulking and begging that I didn't want to go because I had no friends. My first month at school was hell, I hated my teacher Mrs Bertha because she was so strict, I hated going to school because I was shy and everyone was cliquish. Playing five stones by yourself for the first two weeks was quite traumatic. I didn't have fancy hello kitty kit and was a bit of a awkward geek. But that year, I met my best friend whom I hold dear to my heart today. I have since lost touch with most other primary school classmates except for the odd acquaintence. I remember her well, straight fringe, glasses, neat pony tail with a black ribbon. That was the best thing that happened to me at age 10. Iris you rock my world. Here's to 20 years of friendship!
On a random recollection, I realised that my IC photo (which I still hold now) was taken that year. Whatever baby fat I lost in the last 20 years, I've put back on since I've moved to the UK!
That year was also my first memory of grief. My paternal grandfather whom I saw every week since I was born, passed away. It was my first attendance at a funeral, and the first time I saw my grandmother cry.
Aged 20
I met a boy earlier that year whom I thought was the love my life. It was my first 'serious' relationship and it was one that further along taught me many lessons in life, the most important of which was that my strict father who was a man of few words, whom I thought didn't love me and whom I struggled to get along with, was in his own quiet and stern ways my pillar of support through the very tumultous break up. It changed our relationship from there on.
It was also the year I started blogging here. I can't say I've kept a really good blogging record, but I should get round to downloading all my entries at some point.
It was also the year I made very dear friends from university, through handball, eusoff and law school. Friends whom I still am in touch with till today, and although we don't meet often (due to the sheer problem of geographical distance - Sydney, Singapore, New York, Hong Kong), it was the same 10 years ago, as it is today. We may have different lives presently, but the friendship hasn't changed one bit.
Age now
This year was a particularly difficult year for me. I am with Mr S, whom I should say I love dearly and with whom I spent the better part of my 20s with. We waded through some serious personal challenges this year, and we seem to have come out stronger. I hope this year will pass, and that we will see some positive moves towards our future together.
My best friend's daughter turned 1. It is a reminder to me that we are about to embark on a new era in life, an adult one, if you will, with commitments and responsibilities. I used to freak out at these two words, but am now coming to terms with, and welcoming the next decade of adulthood.
I have made some very dear friends in the course of my time in London, and it is my resolution to keep these people who matter to me a part of my life in the next decade, as the world grows a little smaller through more affordable airfares, whatsapp, skype, emails and what have yous, it is just a little easier to keep in touch. One just has to make the effort.
Lastly, following on from one of the anecdotes aged 20, my blogging life turns 10 in December. Happy birthday to that. :)
Aged 10
I joined a new primary school further away from my home, and I went sulking and begging that I didn't want to go because I had no friends. My first month at school was hell, I hated my teacher Mrs Bertha because she was so strict, I hated going to school because I was shy and everyone was cliquish. Playing five stones by yourself for the first two weeks was quite traumatic. I didn't have fancy hello kitty kit and was a bit of a awkward geek. But that year, I met my best friend whom I hold dear to my heart today. I have since lost touch with most other primary school classmates except for the odd acquaintence. I remember her well, straight fringe, glasses, neat pony tail with a black ribbon. That was the best thing that happened to me at age 10. Iris you rock my world. Here's to 20 years of friendship!
On a random recollection, I realised that my IC photo (which I still hold now) was taken that year. Whatever baby fat I lost in the last 20 years, I've put back on since I've moved to the UK!
That year was also my first memory of grief. My paternal grandfather whom I saw every week since I was born, passed away. It was my first attendance at a funeral, and the first time I saw my grandmother cry.
Aged 20
I met a boy earlier that year whom I thought was the love my life. It was my first 'serious' relationship and it was one that further along taught me many lessons in life, the most important of which was that my strict father who was a man of few words, whom I thought didn't love me and whom I struggled to get along with, was in his own quiet and stern ways my pillar of support through the very tumultous break up. It changed our relationship from there on.
It was also the year I started blogging here. I can't say I've kept a really good blogging record, but I should get round to downloading all my entries at some point.
It was also the year I made very dear friends from university, through handball, eusoff and law school. Friends whom I still am in touch with till today, and although we don't meet often (due to the sheer problem of geographical distance - Sydney, Singapore, New York, Hong Kong), it was the same 10 years ago, as it is today. We may have different lives presently, but the friendship hasn't changed one bit.
Age now
This year was a particularly difficult year for me. I am with Mr S, whom I should say I love dearly and with whom I spent the better part of my 20s with. We waded through some serious personal challenges this year, and we seem to have come out stronger. I hope this year will pass, and that we will see some positive moves towards our future together.
My best friend's daughter turned 1. It is a reminder to me that we are about to embark on a new era in life, an adult one, if you will, with commitments and responsibilities. I used to freak out at these two words, but am now coming to terms with, and welcoming the next decade of adulthood.
I have made some very dear friends in the course of my time in London, and it is my resolution to keep these people who matter to me a part of my life in the next decade, as the world grows a little smaller through more affordable airfares, whatsapp, skype, emails and what have yous, it is just a little easier to keep in touch. One just has to make the effort.
Lastly, following on from one of the anecdotes aged 20, my blogging life turns 10 in December. Happy birthday to that. :)