Wednesday, December 31, 2008
It's that time of the year, the end, actually. At this point I guess people normally review how the year has been, things you're happy about, things you regret, things you know you don't want to forget, etc. Labels: acapella, choir, church, dbsg, family, friends, korea, olympics, school, suju
This was definitely an interesting year for me at least. Regarding school, I had the most major and important set of exams of my life, though that's obvious, since I don't imagine anyone would continue their education and blog at the end of the year that their exam wasn't the most major one yet.
The period of studying for A Levels was the most intense I've ever had before. Granted, the only O Level paper I took was for Higher Chinese, so I haven't had much experience in this all-out mugging mode. It was terrible and fulfilling at the same time, to see the culmination of the past two years of learning in NJC.
Regarding choir, we went to Italy this year, and it was the last lap of being in the NJChoir after three and a half years. Going to Italy was undoubtedly enjoyable and meaningful, a lot of unexpected things happened, we faced disappointments, but at least we grew up there.
It was also my first time caroling with the Alumni choir. It's a different type of experience, though I won't say now whether it's for the better or worse. Oh yeah, I took part in Talentime for the first time this year as well. Acapella was fun, tiring, disappointing results, but a worthy experience nonetheless.
In this year, I finally officially graduated from NJC. Despite all the typical complaints by NJCians about the school, whether about rules, money (or lack thereof), staff or syllabus, I do like my school. I like the people I've met there, I like most of the teachers I've had, I like the CCA I joined, and after a while, even the uniform isn't so bad.
As for the Prom at the end of the year, it did not meet my expectations (through no fault of the organisers), but it still was interesting. It reminded me how troublesome shopping is, why I dislike dresses, how I'll probably never see some of the people again, and that makeup is an unnecessary device invented to stimulate the economy. And to always charge your camera just in case.
The Olympic Games deserves a mention, since it was the first time I ever watched it and the events before, and I guess since Singapore actually won a medal!
This year I began following DBSK and Super Junior, and all those Korean pop culture things, inclusive of watching many shows, dramas, comedies, also from Japan and Taiwan.
As for family, my sister and brother-in-law left for another country this year, which is something I'm absolutely not happy about, but am powerless to affect. At least I'm sure they're having a good time there. Also, though it's not particularly important, we got our family pictures done. These pictures mark the passage of time for our family.
As for schoolmates, as I've already said, I appreciate them extremely, and they've made school a much more enjoyable place to be in. If I were to go back to when I was in Sec 2, to choose freely for myself whether to come to NJC IP, I still would. Mostly for the friends there.
For church, I stepped down as chairperson of Juniors early in the year, so my responsibilities immediately decreased. I like being a group leader, though my group is rather quiet, so they ought to speak up more! I spent this year's retreat as an adult, in the sense that there was no youth session for the first time. I played more board games than bridge there too!
I'm very thankful for my Sunday School teachers, who have been very conscientious teachers who never fail to engage the interest of the students with thought-provoking questions. I have been blessed by them.
Thank you God for this year, and may there be many more like it in the future, even as we welcome 2009 tomorrow.
Thanks to all the blogs i referred to (countless) for html code help :) (esp. cyn' and sixseven)
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