Closing the year

As we walked back from the mall, my god-bro put out a question that left the cogwheels in my head spinning. “What’s the one thing that happened in 2017 that you can be thankful for?”, I kept walking keeping silent as we made our way across the street. Before I could hint at any form of a reply he tried to help by adding, “I know this year hasn’t been that smooth for you but I’m sure there’s something overall.”

“Yea,” a rather muted reply was all I could muster at first. My mind cycled through the year briefly, trying to latch on to any major highlight that would be a satisfactory answer. “I really haven’t started thinking about this, or the end of year reflections yet,” without any striking memory jumping out at me this was probably the most honest reply.

There’s 2 possible explanations for this.

1. I really haven’t started reflecting

2. The struggles & trials outstrip the good

I’m inclined to believe it’s a mixture of a little of both.

There were definitely moments of 2017 that stood out, experiences that will tell stories like featured artwork in a museum. There were also precious friendships, places that I had visited and things that I had seen. Yet all these small bits of happiness feel more like little cookie crumbs when you open that packet of chocolate chip cookies. If you’re like me and love your chocolate chip cookies - then you’ll know it just isn’t the same eating those broken pieces as it is taking a whole cookie and biting into it. Alright, perhaps that’s not the best analogy, but I’m hoping you get the drift.

If I start thinking back and trying to list the stand out things, I’m sure we’ll get a notable list. With the end of year really approaching fast, here’s me spending some time picking out several highlights of the year that I can be thankful for!

1. Going for the consultation projects or KIT program in Jakarta where I built new confidence, made new friends and also strengthened my relationships with classmates. Before the trip, I was confused, dejected and lost. It was all thanks to the conversations with some new friends during the trip that I recovered some purpose in life, some direction and more fulfilment in what I was doing.

2. Doing our GMBA class pre-graduation photo shoot. It had been 2 years with this bunch of people and even though graduation was still a couple months away, we decided to do it earlier before some peeps disappeared for overseas semesters. Seeing how these 30-40 people have grown over the months, and how they have all come to love each other and the time we spend together - that in itself had to be rewarding.

3. Bangkok grad trip. Organizing a large scale trip to fit everyone’s schedules an budgets would have been a huge headache. Thus we opted to take a small trip, just 6 of us. It turned out to be super fun, with plenty of time for shopping, eating and joking as we so often do. For me, it was particularly special as it was the first time travelled out of Taiwan with my dear sister Melody and I had convinced her to backpack instead of taking a large suitcase!

4. Earth day run. It wasn’t the first half-marathon I did in Taiwan, but it was the last one. This time had a couple of friends who also ran together, and the weather conditions were not too extreme. I managed to clock a PB of 2:07, a time that I am sure can be broken, but for now it will suffice. Throughout my time in Taiwan, I’ve really enjoyed the times I get to just go out to cycle or run. The couple of bike races and marathons/triathlons were all my way of pushing the limits.

5. Korea Trip. To learn the language from a junior classmate who is native Korean, then to be able to make the trip to visit the new friends, that was a really good experience. Even if I was unwell for the first couple of days. To read about my Korean trip see the blog post under travel section.

6. Melody’s wedding. It was actually one of the most painful periods. We had lots of arguments and fights. Some people are great planners and some are just too good or detailed for their own good. Then there are occasions where you’re not only the planner but also the bride. I have my own regrets of course. Many a times I shouldn’t have expressed my frustration, many situations that could have been diffused if I’d just taken a step back and others if I’d be more proactive. Still that someone dear to me had finally finished settling down, at least that was heart-warming.

7. Graduation. My family came over to Taiwan, we went out, we went for my graduation, we took photos, we met my friends. Actually it was just great that finally they were able to see a little bit more of my life - not through photos but in real life.

8. Enjoying closing moments with friends/classmates. From playing golf to having meals it was all about spending whatever time we had left before we all ended our journey in Taiwan. We met up for gatherings, we had the big UnityBall party, we had cooking days at home, we had KTV sessions and drinking sessions. For each and everyone of the people that I’ve come to love, it was extremely difficult and painful knowing that we would have to say goodbye soon.

9. Cycling last time. It was the final time I would be taking my bike out for a ride. The time that I had to cycle and explore different parts of Taiwan was finally coming to an end. I had fallen so much in love with riding, the wind in your face, the surroundings zooming by, the whirling sound of the wheels. I made one final trip with the pals who did the triathlon together a year ago. From Taipei to Pingxi, we went for one last ride together. I will also miss cycling.

10. Finally finishing my Thesis and completing the Defense. It wasn’t easy, the time taken to complete this. Perhaps it was my perfectionist way of doing things, perhaps it was the slight errors in structure and layout with which I started. However, it turned out fine in the end.

11. Facing the inevitable farewell. Melody and I tried to spend more time together in the final month. From Photo-taking in our grad gowns to cooking at home, from going to museums to Maokong and drinking tea. It was the most difficult part of saying goodbye.

12. Farewell dinners. With NTU friends, with GMBA classmates, with Taiwanese friends from Taipei and also from Taoyuan. Every dinner was emotionally taxing for me. My journey had given us so much time to learn, grow and laugh together - but it was all coming to an end.

I think for now, that’s about all the things I can highlight, not too bad I should say.

With my year end reflections being complete, most obvious next step would be to start on the new year resolutions right?

Well, I’m afraid that would be best left for another time.

Right now, I’m just thankful that 2017 had several things that I’m really thankful for.