The Year - Stepping out of the world

2015年已接近了尾声。回顾这一年所发生的一切事。

For me, this year might not be the best year but it is the year that I live to the fullest. A very thrilling experience and exploration for my 21-year-old life.

Embrace Taiwan under AIESEC exchange program kicked start everything of this year. First time, I leave my beloved family, hometown, country alone to a new environment where I need to adapt it within a short period of time in order to complete my project. First time being away from my family, spending Chinese New Year with the Taiwanese family whom I never get to know none of them at all. From taking flight to Taiwan, arrival, leaving Taiwan, the whole process I did it myself. Kind of an achievement is unlocked.

Meeting new foreign friends is my biggest reward of this year. In the project – Embrace Taiwan, besides getting to know the locals there, I had made friend with two Indonesians, one Thai girl, one Canadian, and the last one is my country mate. First time staying under the same roof with these awesome people for around 2 months. Besides the daily works in Yuan Bao Temple, we never forgot to enjoy ourselves there. We laughed, we danced, we sang, we traveled, we ate, all together. Specially thanks to the locals there as well: Johnson, 2 Kevin(s), Hui Zhen, Jia yi, Nancy and Keiko, without them, we will never experience the difference to the max. Getting to know the culture, how to take the bus, walk in the street in the middle of the night, celebrate CNY there, stay at the Taiwanese friends’ hostel, go clubbing.. Indeed a very great exposure.

After the project had ended, I traveled alone around Taipei, first time staying a motel shared room with strangers. But luckily I got to make a new friend from Hong Kong. Her name is Sarah. We met, we traveled. Two strangers, one destination.

After this awesome 4-month-break, university life began. Being a 3rd-year student, life is getting tougher. Those hardcore subjects are not easy to tackle because the level of difficulty to understand the subjects is getting higher. However, besides encountering my study, I still involve in my dance group a,k.a, UPAG. Spending my time every night for 3 hours to practice in the dance room. But why? Because to pursue my dream - getting the chance to represent UTP and Malaysia to perform in a foreign country, which is one of my wishlists that I want to achieve since the first day I joined UPAG. Eventually, hardwork and sacrifice paid off, the dream came true, I got the chance to go to Korea to perform.

So, again away from my country to another country which I never visit before - Korea. Like being in Taiwan, I had to adapt the cold weather which was around 10 to 15 C. Yet, i still got nose bleeding due to the cold weather. Performing our own cultures in Korea attracted a lot of locals and even tourists. They like our costumes because of its uniqueness. So somehow we were like stars, taking photos with them after one and another, which including our group photos as well as self photos. At the end, we managed to get the 3rd place among the 18 countries of participants. The greatest thing was that I got the chance to wear the best costume from Poland, the award receiver. 

Personally, I love to see fireworks very much. The last memorable fireworks show was in Hong Kong Disneyland. And this time I got the chance to see fireworks again during CNY in Taiwan and during the closing ceremony in Korea! It was so amazing and fantastic! It lighted up the night sky magnificently. One day, I wish to watch with someone I love because it is kind of romantic moment to share with.

I also did something other than academic stuffs. I got the chance to follow some lecturers who are from Humanities and Management department to do survey in Melaka regarding the effect of having PETRONAS refinery plant around their housing area. Since the place is kind of rural area, after I had done so many Chinese locals there, I found that how lucky I am to own everything I have. Because some of them have financial problem, some they are facing dilemma of moving out of their home due to the state government going to take over the land, some they are facing the pollution problem due to the toxic smoke released to the air from rubbish incineration. It is sad to see all these problem faced by the people which I never see or notice in my current place of living.  

This year end with full of lesson and the learning process is still going on. Recently, I am learning Russian language. There is a useful application I would like to introduce to you – Duolingo. It is a good companion throughout the learning process. You can access it using your PC as well as phone. 

Maybe I shouldn’t focus so much on the relationship stuffs. For me, it is like gambling, I can’t foresee the future. I did involve in relationship but maybe I shouldn’t buy it? Hmm.. Time will always be my best answer provider. Well.. I still believe that there will be someone waiting for my arrival. 

2016 -- I am ready to welcome you. And goodbye to 2015, I gonna miss you so much.