` APPLETASTIC › Reminiscing Two-o-o-nine

Thank you all for the wonderful 12 months; it’s truly the best year I’ve ever had. In 2009, I worked hard, played even harder than I would have imagined. Whether or not there will be another one as fulfilling as this, that I don’t know. The cuts ahead spell clearly of an E(PIC)SPAM :) Do enjoy, and while we’re still on the last day of 2009, let me wish you in advance a happy year ahead! 来年もよろしくね–！

JANUARY

Finally after a long while, I met up with Claudyne, Cathleen, Sara and Janice at Bugis. Had a great time catching up (especially hearing out all of our boy woes lol).

2009 was the year most of us hit the BIG TWO. Celebrated Charissa’s, Nural’s and my birthday (January babies) at the Fish & Co Glass House. Not without the embarassing F&C birthday ritual holding sparklers, as well as vegetables….

FEBRUARY

FYP = FINISH YOU PAINFULLY. Over and done with :)

MARCH

The second IMD bbq (hopefully not the last?) at Pasir Ris park. It was pouring in the afternoon, and I remember we had to start the fire under a huge black brolly. Had fun to our hearts’ content, for FYP was no more ;)

Grace’s birthday at Hajar’s house. Hajar conveniently baked her birthday cake as well. The guys cooked spaghetti, fried food and all of us baked cupcakes and cookies, decorated with generous amounts of homemade icing that resulted in ‘taboo’ players high on sugar. No really, it was too much, too sweet.

Alumni Night, the preview for Diploma Show 2009. Met representatives from design firms, caught up with some old friends and had quite a memorable night. *wink*

Diploma Show 2009: Engaging Possibilities. The fruit of our 3 years spent in design school. Networking, decision making, future plans.. Dipshow opening ceremony was a night like no other.

APRIL

Worked harder and modified my final year project, entered the Philips design competition (between nominees from 3 courses) and was awarded. It’s a small world; even though I had not exactly planned to pitch my project to Children’s Society, they contact me and that kick started my freelance stint for this year.

My cousins from Canada flew here for a holiday and I got to spend time with them after several years. I got Elisha to join us at Sentosa, putting his new DSLR to use at the Insect Kingdom, Segway route and the beach at night.

I like it when we chill at the airport for no apparent reasons (it used to be for working on projects). I like it more when we wear the same colours :)

MAY

A morning hike up Bukit Timah. What was I thinking? I was so dead out of breath when we reached the summit; thankfully Hajar was there to endure it with me. Guess it wasn’t quite a feat for the guys, more like taking a stroll in the park lol.

Beginning of the end.. of the beginning? Definitely one of the most important milestones of 2009. It was the day we donned ugly robes; held stalks of random sunflowers; had the one and only impromptu IMD photoshoot in the studio; received our diplomas, and made our parents proud.

JUNE

Shermaine’s 21st, very glam :) There we girls were gathered again, just like the sunday school times..

Our first “overseas” trip, considering that Bintan’s located in Indonesia. I almost didn’t think of bringing my passport?! 3 days 2 nights in the most awesome bungalow, private pool and buggy included. I miss spending time together like a family, preparing food, barbecuing till late at night, lazing on the couch eyes glued to the TV when we were in fact falling asleep after two hours or three. First snorkeling experience for all 9 of us.

JULY

And you wonder why we are jobless. XD Bowling at Marina Square on a particular Sunday.

Celebrating Daniel’s birthday at Loof. A treat to drinks because I received my prize money, and more fun with cream on the birthday cake.

At Manhattan, Clark Quay for Azmi’s birthday. Headed to Yellow Jello bar afterwards, sat down and watched the Merlion spew water, and had desserts at Lau Pa Sat. No one will forget the wasabi LOL.

AUGUST

Our second holiday trip in two months; this time round we were headed for Tioman, Malaysia. Mainly a diving trip for the guys (for a PADI cert), while the girls snorkeled and explored the beach all day long. First try at underwater photography; it turned out rather nicely. On top of that, it was my second time swimming in the open sea, float-less and more than happy. On the last night we walked out to where the water used to be (the tide went down drastically) and the feeling was undescribably surreal, as though we were on the moon. At the secluded part of the beach, the same night when even the moon was obscured, we stargazed and counted the shooting stars. Of course, I’ll always miss the company of our house cat *huggleszzz* <3 meowwwwww. Baby come back to me~!

The inaugural Singapore Children’s Society roadshow held at Westmall, Bukit Batok. Illustrations and graphics provided by me, from the same theme REALise. Thanks to the clique for dropping by to visit and help take photos :)

Crowbar Awards Ceremony 2009, my first and last. It was a great experience and an eye-opener.

Summer Festival held at a local Japanese high school. Hmm lemme repeat myself: does anyone wanna go for next year’s wearing a kimono?? XD

Charissa’s uncle was kind enough to let us barbecue at his place. Food was cheap, averaging at only $10 per pax. OMG nothing tastes better than grapes (nono, I mean the fruit..) dipped in melted chocolate. Seriously, not even sushi. HAHA.

SEPTEMBER

Meetup with Jolene, Sin En and Sean, after what seemed like forever. Their internship at AKQA Shanghai ended about 9 months after ours and they’re back here. We caught up with one another over Starbucks coffee and Aston’s steak; the topic never leaving Shanghai all the while.

Hari Raya lunch at Hajar’s place. The place where you can always find good food *thumbs up*! :D

Another casual gathering at Joshua’s house. We had steamboat for the evening, sat through a midnight movie marathon (Coffin > Saw III > Enchanted – yes in that order lol) and then supper at a nearby prata shop hours before daybreak. Overnighting = 10x fun!

OCTOBER

Mooncake festival at Sengkang park. Played with fire like kids hehe. Oh, there was a chocolate/cheese flavoured mooncake =.= admittedly weird tasting.

The second Children’s Society roadshow held at Toh Payoh HDB Hub. This time it drew a much larger crowd, partly because the location. That very month marked the completion of the SCS fundraising microsite, but it would only be launched in 2010.

Pleasantly surprised to be featured on TP Design’s website.

NOVEMBER

Young Designer’s Portfolio Show at Suntec Convention Centre. Some freelance and job opportunities that came along the way because of the exhibition.

Grandma’s birthday celebration, in other words one of the few times in a year the entire family gathers. I look forward to being really good friends with the younger cousins; it’s part of growing up for me, too.

DECEMBER

Weekends are mostly reserved for hanging out with the army boys. Chomp Chomp, Frolick, Swensens and tauhuey (+ takeaway from TCC). Gluttons, I knowwwww. XD

We went to the Helping Hand that night to watch Charissa’s (church’s) Christmas performance, and had tau huey for supper yet again (not us, it’s always the guys…). Chilled at Justin’s house before returning home tired but excited for diving the next day.

Unanimous decision of wanting to dive with the sharks at Sentosa Underwater World. We dived in separate groups and crazily took pictures from inside the tunnel while it wasn’t our turn. Diving in such a public place generally meant that we were subject to everyone’s scrutiny; for a while I felt lost yet thrilled at the very thought. I settled for waving idiotically at passerbys, tourists and kids who happened to be gazing curiously into the water as well. First dive for all the girls. So… diving, was all about hearing your own dry breath translate into air bubbles, moving about with 18kg of weights not without some difficulty, and importantly, silent communication. A-w-e-s-o-m-e.