2016 did feel like a shitty year but when I looked back on all my posts in 2016, 2016 sure looked like nothing shitty. In fact, it looked fantastic! Hahaha. I guess, 2016 felt shitty coz I was so sick in the last quarter of 2016 that even 3 rounds of antibiotics didn’t even make me get better.
Also, this might be apparently to some but anyway, somewhere in the early/middle part of 2016, I made a decision to go back to basics with this blog; to just be a blog that records an experience/moment in my life (and occasionally a friend or two) that I/we want to share.
It’s not to say that I am going to stop helping all my friends and brands that I’ve worked with over the last few years or start working with new brands/people but it’s just that I’m kinda annoyed with the direction/trend that the term “blogger” now implies and on top of that, I don’t have the time, energy (#signofaging, I know) nor human resource to take this blog to another level of things; hence the decision to go back to basics and step away from the “blogger” crowd.
Plus, I was never really aiming to be a “blogger” in the sense of what that term means nowadays. It just happened and when I reflected on it, I am really from totally different category. Hahaha.
Anyway, now that we got that sorted, I want to start with the bad memories/shitty parts of 2016 first.
THE SHITTY PART ABOUT 2016
- Donald Trump Wins The 2016 USA Presidential Elections
Oh yeah, I was furious when he won. The inner American in me was horrified and extremely upset with the win. I cried myself to bed for the first few nights after the election results. #TrueStory
I was furious that USA was ok with electing someone who has dubious moral values and ethical beliefs to assume what is considered to be the most powerful role in the world. I was also furious about all the potential and impending setbacks relating to climate changes and equal rights.
Some of my friends couldn’t understand why I was so furious and upset with the results; in fact, I was quite surprised by some of their reactions and indifferent attitudes of varying degrees. Everything that happens in USA has a significant impact on Asia and Singapore especially, directly or indirectly because of our open market. On top of that, climate change impacts everyone in the world. We only have one planet to live on. If we do not try to reduce and reverse the impact now, we won’t have a planet left to live in any more. And people, that’s why it is important.
It took me a week or two to calm down and when the final count was completed, it was heartening to see that more than half of USA actually rejected him but the Electoral College was in his favour and not the popular vote. There is still hope I guess.
- Being Sick
The extent of how sick I was wouldn’t have been apparent on this blog or through another other social networking sites I use frequently.
It started with a sore throat when I was in France in mid-October and from then till about 2 weeks ago, I was coughing really badly. In fact, I throw up most of whatever is in my stomach when I end up in a coughing fit; which is why I had refrained from almost all social gatherings and events in the later part of the year.
It’s not just about catching some superbug but how it’s in part due to my ultra sensitive nose; which means that I could easily go down with the horrible cough again. And the saddest part of it all is how my throat seems to have been very affected by this recent bout of severe coughing; to the point where I just might no longer be able to scream at concerts. 🙁 The horror and tragedy of it all.
- The Passing of a Colleague, Michael Joyce
It seems like with the yearly recap and reflection of the year before, I keep having to update about someone I know dying. This is what it means to get older right?
Just 2 days before Christmas, I got word that a colleague had passed of an apparent heart failure. It was shocking coz just 3 days before that, I was still having a meeting with him about the project plans for 2017. I actually thought it was a joke and couldn’t comprehend the news.
Therefore, it’s important to live life to the fullest than to have any regrets and to always be thankful and grateful for all that you have.
RIP.
That’s all the bad things from 2016 that I have. Now for the good stuff! 🙂
THE FANTASTIC PART ABOUT 2016
In order of their awesomeness.
This has got to be the most exciting celebrity spotting experience of 2016. I love Cha Eun Woo so much right now and to just bump into him like that was beyond amazing on top of how mind blowing his beauty is.
I actually thought that I would never see these boys in such proximity ever again in my life so this unexpected encounter (on my birthday even!) was a really wonderful memory. 감사하고 보고 싶고 사랑한다.
We go way back with The Veronicas… LOL. Kind of. So when they specifically added a song into their set list just because we said it was our favourite song, we were so completely touched.
- Discovering Astro & Attending the Astro Mini Fan Meet in Seoul
I never thought that I would stan another Kpop group so deeply beyond Super Junior. Astro really takes the cake. I love their vibe, brotherhood and their positive energy. It’s so infectious. Watching all their broadcast and videos really, really makes me so ridiculous happy. Sure helps how all of them are so cute and good looking as well. Haha.
Well, it’s Queen. What more do I need to say? Absolute legends.
Kylie is my queen. Also, what more do I need to say? I love her so much. T.T
I finally got to watch Royal Pirates play live after wanting to watch them for such a long time and they sound so much better live than their mp3. Totally worth my effort and plane ticket to watch them perform. m/.
- Watching The Book of Mormon
I watched The Book of Mormon while I was in London and man!! This has probably got to be the funniest thing I’ve ever watched in my life!! (And I watch a lot of stuff.) This musical is awesome and very worth the non-discounted ticket price. Highly recommended if you haven’t watched it already. I was in tears a few times from laughing so hard during the musical.
It has always been on my bucket list to dine and sample the food at a Michelin 3 star establishment because I want to know why it rates as 3 stars. So the opportunity arose on this recent trip to London and even though it was pricey compared to a regular meal in London, the food and experience is so worth the money! I’d definitely love to dine there again but probably in a couple of years or something.
I am really grateful and honoured that the Singapore GP Team gave me a pair of invites to walk down the pit lane at the 2016 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix on Thursday, 15 September 2016, before the Marina Bay F1 Circuit was officially opened to the public.
The experience was incredibly fun, amazing and totally worth the heat and sweat. Truly an experience that money cannot buy.
In Closing…
I know I say this every year but it’s really true; the year that had just past looks crazier compared the the year before. I always wonder how the new year could top the amazing experiences I had in the previous year and somehow, it just does. 2016 does top 2015 in terms of amazingness.
I’m grateful as always to be able to experience life the way I had because I know a lot of my experiences are quite special/unique/rare/lucky/whatever other adjective that you want to use. And to be honest, I wouldn’t want it any other way as well. Hahahaha.
Anyway, be healthy and stay healthy everyone. Nothing else matters if you don’t have health.
Happy New Year!