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A Year in Reflection: 2011
Sunday, January 1st, 2012 12:462011 was a year of many adjustments. (Those who know me well will understand this phrase well enough). Here's the transformations experienced this year...
Career growth
2010 was a dead year, with endless job applications and zero result. The decision to quit Norway and move to Singapore/Malaysia in 2011 greatly turned this situation around. I landed a great job which I liked and blessed me with good working experience.
The 2012 goal will be to take on more responsibilities at work. And be more accurate in my copyediting.
Friendships
In 2010, my quest to make new friends in Norway was near dismal. Social interaction was limited to talking with the bff on gmail chat and random skype dates here and there. It was not an experience I'd want to repeat.
Highlight for 2011: I still love my girls in Canada, and nothing can ever replace them. When I heard that Jen + JC were going to tie the know, a decision was made to fly all the way from Singapore to Canada to attend their wedding. One of the best choices I've made this year - it was a good holiday, a shopping fiesta, a reunion, a nostalgic trip down memory lane and an awesome wedding all rolled into one. And I actually finished my aeroplan miles when I redeemed for that long-distance plane ticket. LOL.
Old friendships were revived: seeing my bff on a regular basis was pure joy, and so was meeting up with high school friends. Makes you realise that it was 10 years since you graduated from the O Levels!
Apart from that, I also made many new friends in Singapore - mostly from the lifegroup at church. I was so blessed to have a lifegroup which comprised mainly of Malaysians working in Singapore, too! Being able to fellowship with other Christians on a regular basis also improved spiritual growth, which leads to...
Spiritual Matters
2010 saw the wheels of forgiveness in action. Letting go of a lot of past and starting anew. This may seem small but it was a crucial step in laying the foundation for a walk with God.
There was multiple spiritual breakthrough in 2011: better understanding of grace (especially grace vs law), repentance, drawing closer to god, prayer and fasting, more prayer for other people instead of myself, and understanding the need for evangelism.
There's much to be desired in this department, however. Regular devotional habits need to take place. Also, currently, I mainly read the bible and pray only on the MRT on the way to work. Such actions, i tend to justify with the lack of time. But this means that I'm only giving God what is convenient. HE has to come first, in all matters, and be given the best, not a convenient time slot.
(Time to replace the MRT bible with a Nintendo DS. :P )
Family
Relationship improved with my mother and first brother beyond my imagination. This i attribute to the grace of God, who has the power to heal all brokenness. I also started giving $$ to my father and aunt, and since then they started to see me in a different light. More respect, less nagging, more personal autonomy and more say in household matters.
The marriage, however, went downhill. Being on long-distance, although necessary for sanity (and it allowed growth for all these other areas), made it hard to sustain. We're still trying. Hopefully as soon as the hubby finishes his PhD, the long distance will end and things would get better. Our vows "for better or worse" have never been more relevant.
Others
Health things: Got a gym membership. I workout regularly now, and I feel better, too. During the University days I used to dance salsa intensely at least 3 times a week, in addition to the random swimming and long-walks. Having an office job makes it so easy to have a sedentary life, so I try to combat it by going for my gym's classes at least 3-4 times a week.
And I developed a newfound love for Yoga. Hehehe.
Habits: Sadly, I stopped cooking. There was no motivation to cook just for one person.
Here's wishing a blessed-filled year for 2012, greater breakthroughs on personal fronts, improved career, family, relational and spiritual aspects, and for a wonderful year ahead!
Career growth
2010 was a dead year, with endless job applications and zero result. The decision to quit Norway and move to Singapore/Malaysia in 2011 greatly turned this situation around. I landed a great job which I liked and blessed me with good working experience.
The 2012 goal will be to take on more responsibilities at work. And be more accurate in my copyediting.
Friendships
In 2010, my quest to make new friends in Norway was near dismal. Social interaction was limited to talking with the bff on gmail chat and random skype dates here and there. It was not an experience I'd want to repeat.
Highlight for 2011: I still love my girls in Canada, and nothing can ever replace them. When I heard that Jen + JC were going to tie the know, a decision was made to fly all the way from Singapore to Canada to attend their wedding. One of the best choices I've made this year - it was a good holiday, a shopping fiesta, a reunion, a nostalgic trip down memory lane and an awesome wedding all rolled into one. And I actually finished my aeroplan miles when I redeemed for that long-distance plane ticket. LOL.
Old friendships were revived: seeing my bff on a regular basis was pure joy, and so was meeting up with high school friends. Makes you realise that it was 10 years since you graduated from the O Levels!
Apart from that, I also made many new friends in Singapore - mostly from the lifegroup at church. I was so blessed to have a lifegroup which comprised mainly of Malaysians working in Singapore, too! Being able to fellowship with other Christians on a regular basis also improved spiritual growth, which leads to...
Spiritual Matters
2010 saw the wheels of forgiveness in action. Letting go of a lot of past and starting anew. This may seem small but it was a crucial step in laying the foundation for a walk with God.
There was multiple spiritual breakthrough in 2011: better understanding of grace (especially grace vs law), repentance, drawing closer to god, prayer and fasting, more prayer for other people instead of myself, and understanding the need for evangelism.
There's much to be desired in this department, however. Regular devotional habits need to take place. Also, currently, I mainly read the bible and pray only on the MRT on the way to work. Such actions, i tend to justify with the lack of time. But this means that I'm only giving God what is convenient. HE has to come first, in all matters, and be given the best, not a convenient time slot.
(Time to replace the MRT bible with a Nintendo DS. :P )
Family
Relationship improved with my mother and first brother beyond my imagination. This i attribute to the grace of God, who has the power to heal all brokenness. I also started giving $$ to my father and aunt, and since then they started to see me in a different light. More respect, less nagging, more personal autonomy and more say in household matters.
The marriage, however, went downhill. Being on long-distance, although necessary for sanity (and it allowed growth for all these other areas), made it hard to sustain. We're still trying. Hopefully as soon as the hubby finishes his PhD, the long distance will end and things would get better. Our vows "for better or worse" have never been more relevant.
Others
Health things: Got a gym membership. I workout regularly now, and I feel better, too. During the University days I used to dance salsa intensely at least 3 times a week, in addition to the random swimming and long-walks. Having an office job makes it so easy to have a sedentary life, so I try to combat it by going for my gym's classes at least 3-4 times a week.
And I developed a newfound love for Yoga. Hehehe.
Habits: Sadly, I stopped cooking. There was no motivation to cook just for one person.
Here's wishing a blessed-filled year for 2012, greater breakthroughs on personal fronts, improved career, family, relational and spiritual aspects, and for a wonderful year ahead!
