I guess you may call me strange for making friendships a project, but the way I see it, if I don't put effort then what's the point? Those of you who have been following this blog (I don't know why you would be, but thanks?), you would know that some time last year, I started an initiative called: Project: Begin Again. And that project was to focus on lost friendships. I'm happy to say that the project was a success of some sort. I did reconnect with friendships past and now I shall move on to the next step: #ThePeopleProject2015 ! *cue intro music*
While Project: Begin Again was about finding friendships, #ThePeopleProject2015 will be about maintaining friendships. It's about keeping in touch and I do not mean in an I-saw-and-read-what-you-posted kind of way, but in a let's-meet-up kind of way. It's about making time for the people I find important in my life. If you are my friend on Facebook, you would have noticed that I've already started this with an album dedicated to #ThePeopleProject2015.
In a way, this and last year's project goes hand in hand and share many similarities. I am still connecting. I am still reconnecting. Nothing much changes except maybe the focus. I've thrown out a wide net last year, not it's time to narrow that net. I've always cherished one-to-one conversations to grouped ones (Though I can be pretty awkward in smaller groups) and this project is about the depth. I don't want to be that hi-bye friend.
So to those I've already met, I'll be seeing you again soon. To those I'm seeing soon, Hi. And to those I've yet to contact, I'm making time. If I don't contact you it could mean one of two things: 1) I meet you so often that there's really no need to make a dramatic effort i.e. Family, Church peeps and former colleagues and 2) I'm not really close to you (but if you want to change that, feel free to drop me a message).
Note: I do realize that my album on Facebook seems rather sexist, but I assure you, I have male friends too.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Throwback 2014
If I could condense 2014 into one word, it would be spontaneity. This year pushed me out of my comfort zone far more than any other year so far. I am thankful for the people who shared this journey with me. Some of us have met a fork on the road and are now waving goodbye, and yet, I know somewhere along the road, those paths will meet again. I would not be lying when I say that 2014 was my biggest year by far and so let us head straight to the highlights of the year. I am going to pick one major happening per month.
March - Legal Runs
Because March is a special month for me, it gets two entries. First of all, I turned 21. Though I have already been enjoying all the benefits of being legal (the only thing left I want to do as a legal adult is vote). I am thankful for the people who went out of the way to plan a surprise for me especially my family who masterminded the whole thing.
Neon run was another big thing in 2014. It was definitely an interesting experience running with so many people and the company was great. Guess, I'm going to start looking for more runs this year.
April - Graduation
January - #Tutorship
It is the month of beginnings and this was no different. January kicked off with my first full time position as a tutor for the HELP Psychology department.
I am tremendously grateful for good colleagues of many whom I call friends. We never did remain just colleagues. We ended up hiking, jogging, catching movies, going out, eating meals, going on holidays together. Though balancing between our professional relationship and friendship was sometimes a hassle, we pulled through and there was very little drama all things considered.
My colleagues were not the only fun part of my work - after all, you become a tutor to tutor people. I am tremendously thankful for greatkids students. Most of them were sporting and did not mind my messing up. Though I often forgot all their names, it did not mean they did not leave an impression (it just means I have terrible memory). I know you kids students will do well with the remainder of your psychology degree and if you don't, I will hunt you down.
February - Broga Hill
The status quo of driving to work in the wee hours of the mornings become mundane and the colleagues decide to take it a step further and wake up even earlier on a Saturday morning to conquer Broga.
We should try this again soon.
My colleagues were not the only fun part of my work - after all, you become a tutor to tutor people. I am tremendously thankful for great
February - Broga Hill
The status quo of driving to work in the wee hours of the mornings become mundane and the colleagues decide to take it a step further and wake up even earlier on a Saturday morning to conquer Broga.
 |
| Credits to Jeremy Lim |
March - Legal Runs
Because March is a special month for me, it gets two entries. First of all, I turned 21. Though I have already been enjoying all the benefits of being legal (the only thing left I want to do as a legal adult is vote). I am thankful for the people who went out of the way to plan a surprise for me especially my family who masterminded the whole thing.
Neon run was another big thing in 2014. It was definitely an interesting experience running with so many people and the company was great. Guess, I'm going to start looking for more runs this year.
 |
| Credits to Lum Wai Lun |
Even though I graduated about four months before, it was finally time to collect my scroll. It was time for my 5 seconds of fame. It was great to meet the people I haven't seen in months coming over to support. I'm sure making the effort to see you guys when it's your turn in a few months.
Let's not forget our get together that night. Maybe we should have another one soon?
May - Chilling
A birthday here, an outing there, and the highlight I would have to pick would be hiking Sungai Chilling. It wasn't the hardest hike I've done and the waterfall at the end wasn't really worth the hike, but the company made it worth it.
June - Anyong!
Outings were numerous in the month of June, but one that definitely stuck permanently was meeting these group of Korean missionary kids.
They were a fun bunch of people to have to privilege of meeting and I'm hoping that we will manage to cross paths again in the near future.
July - Youtube debut
With the "jam-packedness" of the traveling month about to begin, I rushed myself to finally start something that I have been putting off for a long time: entering the Youtube scene. Though the video wasn't published until much later in the year, we technically wrapped up majority of the filming in June.
I'm thankful for sporting people who were willing to work with me and film this crazy video. Though I haven't uploaded anything in a while, I haven't given up on the Youtube thing yet.
August - Traveling
Though the highlight of August was the traveling you can read more about it here, it was also filled up with meetups with people who mean a lot to me. I got closer to a ton of people and managed to reunite with others. Also started something that turned out to be quite a highlight of my 2014.
September - Downtime
No. September wasn't "unhappening". But there was a certain low in September that could be attributed to the high in August. Guess, good things were not meant to last. Closed a door in September and felt generally down the entire month.
Oktober Fest
October meant the celebration of Oktober fest and this year was my first time partaking in the tradition. Managed to meet up with uni mates for a bottle and honest conversations.
November - Shooting people
Though I am thankful for the opportunities of increasing my camera skills via the various events I was invited to shoot this year, I am most thankful for the opportunity of shooting for the EO24 event because I had the privilege of hearing Marina Mahathir speak in person. Also met Uma from BFM there! I guess the event could be considered my first real paid gig and I would like to thank Eugene Khoo for trusting me with such a big job.
The event really taught me a lot more about the pressures of a photographer and I enjoy the process tremendously.
December - Korea-HK
Though I didn't contribute much to the planning of the trip, I'm glad that my family decided to spend one and a half weeks traveling. I now know that winter should only be experienced ONCE.
And here it is, my highlights of 2014. I want to wish very special people who contributed to making my 2014 unforgettable.
My Family
Thank you for understanding that I wanted freedom. I want you to know that family is a priority in life and though I may not be taking an active part in the family business, it is still dear to my heart.
MyColleagues Frolleagues
Thank you for making the office more home than office. I leave my tutorship with a troubled heart because I am not sure whether I could ever find a replacement for you.
Malaysian bound 93s
We're still here. Thank you for keeping me in the loop. I get closer to you guys every year.
Fellow Psychos
It's been a year and we're still in touch! Well, at least most of us are. Justin gets a special mention for being the bro that he is for helping me with "life issues". Millie gets a mention too because she too has helped me with "life issues".
Pica Pica
Thank you for including me in your circle and for not making me being a tutor awkward. I'm looking forward to the day when it's my turn to bring my plus one to one of our outings.
Makan Buddies
Guess our presemester lunches will not need to be presemester lunches anymore.
Special mentions
Because you guys don't really fall into a group of people, your individuality is worth mentioning. My year will not have been the same without you. Suets, Lav, Ming, Nicole, Rachel, Gloria, the other Reuben (hey look, it's a guy's name!), Vania (technically you belong to Fellow Pyschos but I've known you longer), and John (another guy's name!). You guys contributed a ton load to my 2014 and I hope that you will continue to contribute to my 2015.
Now with this recap done. I think I can say goodbye to 2014 with this: I loved the ups and downs, and you are one year that is going to be tough to beat. 2015, I'm ready for you!
Let's not forget our get together that night. Maybe we should have another one soon?
May - Chilling
A birthday here, an outing there, and the highlight I would have to pick would be hiking Sungai Chilling. It wasn't the hardest hike I've done and the waterfall at the end wasn't really worth the hike, but the company made it worth it.
June - Anyong!
Outings were numerous in the month of June, but one that definitely stuck permanently was meeting these group of Korean missionary kids.
They were a fun bunch of people to have to privilege of meeting and I'm hoping that we will manage to cross paths again in the near future.
July - Youtube debut
With the "jam-packedness" of the traveling month about to begin, I rushed myself to finally start something that I have been putting off for a long time: entering the Youtube scene. Though the video wasn't published until much later in the year, we technically wrapped up majority of the filming in June.
I'm thankful for sporting people who were willing to work with me and film this crazy video. Though I haven't uploaded anything in a while, I haven't given up on the Youtube thing yet.
August - Traveling
Though the highlight of August was the traveling you can read more about it here, it was also filled up with meetups with people who mean a lot to me. I got closer to a ton of people and managed to reunite with others. Also started something that turned out to be quite a highlight of my 2014.
September - Downtime
No. September wasn't "unhappening". But there was a certain low in September that could be attributed to the high in August. Guess, good things were not meant to last. Closed a door in September and felt generally down the entire month.
Oktober Fest
October meant the celebration of Oktober fest and this year was my first time partaking in the tradition. Managed to meet up with uni mates for a bottle and honest conversations.
November - Shooting people
Though I am thankful for the opportunities of increasing my camera skills via the various events I was invited to shoot this year, I am most thankful for the opportunity of shooting for the EO24 event because I had the privilege of hearing Marina Mahathir speak in person. Also met Uma from BFM there! I guess the event could be considered my first real paid gig and I would like to thank Eugene Khoo for trusting me with such a big job.
 |
| Credits to Eugene Khoo |
 |
| Credits to Eugene Khoo |
The event really taught me a lot more about the pressures of a photographer and I enjoy the process tremendously.
December - Korea-HK
Though I didn't contribute much to the planning of the trip, I'm glad that my family decided to spend one and a half weeks traveling. I now know that winter should only be experienced ONCE.
And here it is, my highlights of 2014. I want to wish very special people who contributed to making my 2014 unforgettable.
My Family
Thank you for understanding that I wanted freedom. I want you to know that family is a priority in life and though I may not be taking an active part in the family business, it is still dear to my heart.
My
Thank you for making the office more home than office. I leave my tutorship with a troubled heart because I am not sure whether I could ever find a replacement for you.
Malaysian bound 93s
We're still here. Thank you for keeping me in the loop. I get closer to you guys every year.
Fellow Psychos
It's been a year and we're still in touch! Well, at least most of us are. Justin gets a special mention for being the bro that he is for helping me with "life issues". Millie gets a mention too because she too has helped me with "life issues".
Pica Pica
Thank you for including me in your circle and for not making me being a tutor awkward. I'm looking forward to the day when it's my turn to bring my plus one to one of our outings.
Makan Buddies
Guess our presemester lunches will not need to be presemester lunches anymore.
Special mentions
Because you guys don't really fall into a group of people, your individuality is worth mentioning. My year will not have been the same without you. Suets, Lav, Ming, Nicole, Rachel, Gloria, the other Reuben (hey look, it's a guy's name!), Vania (technically you belong to Fellow Pyschos but I've known you longer), and John (another guy's name!). You guys contributed a ton load to my 2014 and I hope that you will continue to contribute to my 2015.
Now with this recap done. I think I can say goodbye to 2014 with this: I loved the ups and downs, and you are one year that is going to be tough to beat. 2015, I'm ready for you!
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