S: Achievement unlocked! (Part One)

Deed of the day: Gave away a coupon I meant to use (for a free frozen pizza) to an old man who was pondering over the choices at the aisle. Needless to say, he was happy that I made the decision for him.

Reflecting back on 2012, I supposed I did experienced a whole lot that would prepare me for 2013. The good, the bad and the okay made a savory salad toss; like how salad often accompanies the ala carte, I sure hope this year would be a mouth-watering serve with extra gravy. For today (and tomorrow), I compiled a list of ten prominent events and balanced it out like yin-yang. Do wear my black Nike sneakers and take a walk down my 2012; I’ll see you at the end of this post.

I deactivated Facebook (for the first time)
This decision was made based on a notion to reconnect with my physical world, in case you forgotten it goes by another name—reality. There is a pun to the word. Reality is your physical state of being in this world. It enables one to feel emotions and surfaces of objects; to love and to (for)give. The other “reality” is a subsidiary maintenance check on your living condition; one that tells you if your friends are true, or are you honestly happy. It gives you a sense of direction, and like a survey it narrows down those strengths and weaknesses. Filter it if you must, for progress to be certain.

I got into a graduate program (for the first time)
My academic life is leveling up, and perhaps it may not be the smartest decision made. However, as necessary as I believe getting a Master’s would help in my career, the extra two years investment shouldn't hurt all that much. On the contrary, it could be the very boost I need for self-improvement (and of course, my curriculum vitae to boot.) How I fare in the program would be irrelevant for now, the aim is really to graduate and be certified. You can also say that I simply enjoy being stressed out silly, and maybe I missed the life in the United States.

I moved to Baltimore, Maryland (for the first time)

Truth to be told, it wasn’t an easy decision. I could have gone back to my alma mater and be problem-free. The familiar faces and places would have got me settled in faster than my undergraduate days. Being alone in a foreign land with little help from anyone is a crazy idea, no matter how adventurous it sounds. Sigh, I am missing my parents so much. On top of that, the state is a hot mess: a charming city no doubt with lots to see, but also decorated with desolation. For one, the state is riddled with crimes and decaying buildings; you can be sure it's not entirely safe. So, why poke the hornet’s nest by troubling trouble on purpose? Simple, I did a Challenge Accepted.  

I traveled to new places!

The Japan visit was indefinitely the highlight of my “Back at Malaysia” months. Mummy has good taste when it comes to choosing the perfect holiday trips; then again, her lifelong dream checklist did include “sakura flower viewing” on it. So, I was glad my parents and I did a trip together without my brother for the first time! It felt amazing to be the only child of the family for eight days. (Sorry, lil brother. Teehee^^) Moreover, I ended the year with a trip to New York City for Christmas with three other friends (recent acquaintances). As patience testing as it was, I had a wonderful time and experienced my first Manhattan snow fall. What a pretty sight.  

I found rekindled relationships all over again (and made new ones too!)

After MelC and I did our significant San Francisco reunion back in December 2011; that reset our physical proximity hiatus after a good couple of years since we last met. It was the same with PeiLi (who flew to Ireland) and my buddies back in Malaysia. The meet-ups were usually phenomenal. I say that because none of us actually looked anymore different than we did the last time we were together, but you can tell there were a whole lot going on with each and every one of us. So much so, we don’t ever talk about it, but spent our time together laughing about silly things over buffet dinners. I suppose my memory of them will always be pure and joyful; like the way things were back in Saujana. Why is my window tainted with drops of water? Of course, not to mention the remainder friends who collectively returned home after graduating and the kids at AniManGaki who I chided at so much; I had reconnected with mamak stalls and bubble teas after so long.

Granted that so much had happened, I can never include them all. But every little experience will make a difference somehow, as our learning history will make sense of our future behaviors. 

Don't say,
Vonnie S.