Ending 2012

*was supposed to post this up before the New Year but since it's 2013 already, I decided to start from scratch*

So 2012 ended pretty quick for me, probably because I had so many things to look forward to.
I'll start off with my 2 weeks in St. Catz for the ORA Summer programme which is still the highlight of my life. It was such an amazing experience and it was worth failing Bio for.
Met so many amazing people over there in St. Catz, some which I know will be great in the future :)

Then two weeks after coming back from UK, I was back in training for the National Cadet and Junior Championship, which was a huge shock for me cause I expected to get a medal for the U-17 category but instead got a bronze for the U-21. Trust me, even my coach didn't see that coming.

Oh right in the middle of it all, Tom Daley won an Olympic Bronze ;) 

But before that, my beloved grandaunt passed away, which brought a dark cloud over my mum's side of the family for quite a while. She was like my second grandmother, always there with her warm smile and her delicious sago pancake. I miss her so much.

For the rest of the year, it was mostly schoolwork and exams. It was my first year as a senior and I was lucky to have survived that. I was so blessed to be in an amazing class for 2012 (SENIOR ONE XIAO!) and I couldn't have asked for a more better class. It sure is sad that we are all separated this year. :(

Oh right, 2012 was also the year of standing in the crowds, screaming and singing along to artists :D So I managed to catch Anthony Neely, Pixie Lott (Thanks so much Heidi!) and also join in the fun at the HitzKK Birthday Invasion (Thanks so much Laura!) and also, I was lucky enough to be invited by my lovely sister to meet Sungha Jung just a few weeks back :)

During the long year-end break, I went to work for 3 weeks, ended up getting paid half than expected, which was a bit unfair considering I did everything my boss asked me to. Oh well, this is the injustice of the underpaid and overworked.

Then it was Caroling season! I had tons of fun caroling with Jude's Hobbits and the CLOW ministry and it totally build up the spirit towards Christmas.

A week before the big day, I flew to Paris for a few nights stay (DISNEYLAND!) and then went back to Oxford where I spent Christmas with my family and London where I finally went to Tower Bridge.
Reached home just in time for the NYE's countdown at grandma's and for the first time in a long time, spent the New Year's with my eccentric family.

All in all, 2012 wasn't as bad as I thought it will be.

Well, 2013, I'd be happy if it was half as good as last year.

Day 25: A picture of your favorite day

5th July 2012

Day trip to London :)

It was a sunny Thursday afternoon. There were two double decked buses parked outside the Porter's Lodge in St. Catherine's College, Oxford. One hour later, the buses carrying over 150 international students were driving by the Thames River,with the Big Ben and the Parliament on the other side, and heading into the city center of London. 

I have plenty of favourite days but I went with this because it was just too surreal for me. In less than 4 hours, at the Covent Garden, I've had an eye full of amazing street performers, London street life and delicious English pastries, I also saw a Kate Middleton look-alike, ha, close enough I guess. I even went into a "Build-A-Bear" store, though I didn't make one :(  Then, had a "pre-theatre" dinner which was actually an 8-inch peperoni pizza called "The American" and watched a West End Musical (Shrek: The Musical). I mean it's not everyday I get to experience this right?

I guess what made it more memorable is the company I had (the lovely girls in the picture above) and the wonderful wonderful weather. It didn't rain a single drop that day, unlike the other days I was in the UK :) 

An amazing escape to Oxford

Well, I've finally had the motivation to blog. I've been having an amazing time in a summer programme and it was worth missing 2 weeks of boring Malaysian class.

Spent 14 days at St. Catherine's College in Oxford learning English Literature and Experimental Psychology and also did an afternoon workshop every other day walking around Oxford and admiring it's art and architecture. I must say, I've become a semi-expert on Classical, Gothic and Renaissance art in Europe.

Met so many people from all around the world in the ORA course and everyone's been really friendly and I don't feel like the awkward turtle. The Junior Deans and counselors have been just the most amazing people making us feel comfortable in a very unfamiliar environment.

I'll let the photos (and the mini captions) do the talking.

 A really cool London2012 ad :) 

 The Sun was out, for a while :) 

 MMMM LAVENDER <3

 Graffiti on Cornmarket Street, cool beans.

 Just a glimpse of the campus I spent 2 weeks staying at. 

 The prison-turned-hotel near St. George's Tower. 

 Radcliffe Camera. by Gibbs, built mid 18th Century 

(yes, my art&architecture knowledge flowing through)

 Looks familiar, but where? (Hint: First Year, The Sorting Hat)

 The Great Hall, without the magic ceiling. 

The Sheldonian Theatre, with a split pediment. 

 A day out in London! 

(L-R: Abbey (USA), Sophia (CHINA), Sonja [son-ia] (GERMANY) and me)

 The REAL FOOD MARKET at Convent Market yumyumyum!

 They were filming! Doesn't she look like Kate Middleton? *gasp*

 At the Disco Party! 

L-R: Sophia, Sonja, me, Tessa (DEN), Abbey & Roxy (CHI)

Front: the amazing Charlotte (DEN)

 English Literature Class Photo :) 

 Experimental Psychology Class Photo :) 

 Gothic stained glass in the Keble College Chapel.

 Our regular lunch stop. 

You'll never get sick of sandwiches. 

(Recommend: Caesar Wrap, the Salmon Bagel, any Panini and FLAPJACKS *drools*)

 Grad Night dinner! 

That's Izzy in the middle from the States 

We have graduated :) 

 So, I saw Tom Daley :) He was posing at Boswells. 

and yeah, I had to take a photo!

 Holywell Road. Lost my lipgloss and most of my weight here. 

 I really had an amazing time here. I guess I did the right thing, or at least, did the unexpected thing coming here. Would love to re-live it the same way! No regrets. 

Life should be full of unexpected things right? I just wanted to do something entirely different from the usual way of life, don't get me wrong, my usual life is interesting but getting to explore and see the world has definitely opened my eyes about the possibilities in life :) 

This was written in my cert :) Everyone got a different one and I know this is perfect for me. 

I shall do my best to live with it. :)