2013.
2012 has been a year of many big changes for me, and it has been a very unexpected year, with unexpected turn of events and great jumps which had led me out of my comfort zone. Nonetheless, even though 2012 was not perfect, I have so many things to be grateful for as I look back now. But first, let me begin with looking back to my 2012 resolutions:
1. Develop a closer personal relationship with God (Achieved)
Even though many a times I didn't consistently do QT, over the past year I've run to God more each time I've faced difficulties. He has helped and supported me a lot over the past year, and I'm grateful for that. Also, serving within the YF ministry in church has also helped me to grow in Christ. :)
2. Enjoy JC1 life to its fullest (Achieved)
I guess I can say that I've tried to make full use of my JC1 life, though definitely not in the aspect of academics. That can still be improved on.
3. Juggle all priorities well (Not achieved)
I was distracted way too much, be it by social media or just by my pure laziness and procrastination. Kinda explains my overall JC1 results.
4. Serve God in everything I do and be a living testimony for Him (Not achieved)
I have been trying to be a living testimony for God, but maybe it's not enough just yet. I'll improve.
5. Take risks, be daring (Achieved)
I can safely say I've taken up risks and challenges, especially in terms of school. I ran both for Council as well as for CCA ExCo, knowing the unlikeliness that I'll get into either (and I didn't lol), so that was daring of me haha!
6. Make sure God is my first priority in everything (Not achieved)
Still need to work on this.
7. Develop a better and closer relationship with D (Not achieved)
The irony, sigh.
8. Develop a better and closer relationship with my family (Not achieved)
Things like this are kind of subjective, so I can't actually tell :/ Plus, change is gradual so all the more I cannot tell at all hahaha. There's definitely room to work on getting closer to my family members though.
9. Exercise 150 minutes a week (2 and a half hours) (Not achieved)
Obviously not achieved because I am so unfit! Ugh.
10. Save at least $200 (Not achieved)
I almost reached that value, but then before I could reach it I spent all the savings I had haha.
11. Practise piano regularly and improve as a pianist (Not achieved)
I definitely did not practise piano regularly over the past year. Partly because I kept changing teachers, but that isn't a good excuse either. My Music teachers in school kept saying that I had displayed my piano skills better in Sec 4, which is bad because it means I have gotten worse over 2012. Hopefully that will change this year. It has to.
12. Be responsible for everything I'm involved in (Achieved)
Be it PW or schoolwork or in church or even in my own personal life, I think I've taken responsibility for everything I had to be involved in. :) Of course there's always room to improve as well.
I've achieved only 4 of 12 resolutions. :/ Perhaps it's because of the lack of reminders I'm giving myself. Reminds me of the video posted by WongFu Productions about "Resolution Fails" haha. This year I'm going to write all my resolutions down and remind myself constantly so that I can at least work towards achieving these yearly ambitions of mine. But before moving on to setting resolutions for 2013, let's see a quick review of 2012, plus a quick reflection.
In 2012, I received my O Level Higher Chinese results, and got a C6, to my shock. I regretted not studying more for the subject and relying purely on the bell curve (which didn't work to my favour, obviously), and had no choice but to take H1 Chinese in JC1. I entered JC1 first by going for the HCJC Open House 2012, which impressed me a lot and gave me a very good feel about the bright atmosphere of Hwa Chong. So I entered JC life on a hopeful note.
At the end of January 2012, I helped to organise and execute the first of YF's BIG projects: Service at YWCA. It was a good and fulfilling experience, thankfully successful and received well. I also went through JC1 Orientation and had the best 2 weeks of JC. The Orientation journey inspired me to run for Council, which I did for several months. Even though I felt like dropping out several times because I was scared, I swallowed it in and pushed on until the very end. Even though I did not get into Council and felt disappointed in myself for a while, I now see that it was a blessing in disguise. Had I joined Council, I would not have been able to juggle both that and my studies well. I would also not have met the great batch of HCSE people, or had a chance to work with my amazing conductor, Dr Tan.
I joined HCSE in the end, even though before I promised myself I would not join strings again. But joining that CCA was not filled with any regrets. I ran for the competitive cross country run for HCSE, and though we didn't win anything, it was a good experience. I played for Concordia 2012 in May, combined together with Band, and it was a great concert filled with many forged memories. This concert also made me realise that joining strings was probably one of the best decisions I made in JC.
I broke up with D, and got into another relationship. All I can say here right now is that I'm thankful for all the memories I have, and I only pray that in time things will be set right, whatever "right" may be.
I went through JC1 block tests, and fared pretty well for some subjects and worse for others. I got used to the JC system of lectures and tutorials. Throughout the year I had PW, working together with four other group members. Even though there was a great clash in personalities and character, I'm glad that at least we got things done and saw the subject through to the very end in November.
I went through JC1 promotional examinations and it was probably the most terrifying exam experience in all my years of schooling, because the questions that came out were unexpected and I also did not prepare sufficiently. I did not fare so well in my promo results but at least it wasn't too bad to the point of not being able to promote to JC2. After promos I had a surprise birthday celebration from Jermaine, Regine and Pohan, who really gave me a pleasant surprise with a fruit cake and all the presents. This made me so thankful for the wonderful friends and company I have; friends that really care for my happiness.
In late October I finished my H1 Chinese journey, and am now awaiting the results which will be released in March 2013. I also completed my PW journey in early November, concluded by Oral Presentation which went pretty well. Over 2012 I've really come a long way, from not knowing what to expect from JC life, to having finished the first year of JC.
In December, I had a great learning experience during YF camp, themed "Strangers of this World". Through the camp, I learnt much more about God and the attitude we should have in this temporal world. I also went for the last BIG event of the year - Cambodia mission trip. Even though many things were uncertain and unconfirmed even until during the trip itself, God led us all through safely without any major setbacks, and I'm thankful for this first mission trip together with my wonderful YF friends. Also, I went for my CCA Hong Kong trip together with HCSE, and though we had a combined performance on Boxing Day, it wasn't so much the performance that mattered, but the experience of playing together with both a band and a Chinese orchestra. The trip exposed me to many new possibilities and aspects of music, and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to meet these HKMOY people.
Over 2012, many things have changed, and so have I. I suppose that is expected since it is the transition from high school to JC life after all. Over the past year I have made various decisions, good and bad. Whether it was choosing what subject combination to take, choosing between work and play, or even in my own personal life. Nonetheless, I have grown spiritually and mentally, and I'm grateful for all I've been through in 2012, both good times and times of hardship.
In 2013, I hope to be able to make decisions more rationally, to think through before I make any, and not to make any decisions by impulse. In 2013, I hope to draw closer to God through a consistent walk with Him, and also to my best friends - Rachel, Jermaine and Regine, and I hope we'll be able to forge friendships that will last a lifetime. In 2013, I hope to juggle my priorities well, putting God first above all, and putting work before play. In 2013, I hope to be able to get through A Levels safely and securely, with God's help and grace. In 2013, I hope to build a stronger relationship with PH, and no matter what happens between us, to always have the best in mind. In 2013, I hope not to take the things I have for granted, and to constantly give thanks in all circumstances. In 2013, I hope to be able to leave a lasting impact on my new sheep in church, to serve God well in the youth ministry as I teach them with guidance from my own shepherds, and to grow in Christ together with my sheep. I pray to be led by God, and not by my own understanding.
With that, let me list my 2013 resolutions (in no order of importance):
1. Finish reading the Bible in 1 year
2. Share the gospel with at least 1 person I am close to
3. Do QT consistently everyday
4. Forge a closer relationship with God
5. Memorise 1 Bible verse every week
6. Grow close to at least 1 sheep
7. Eat more healthily (i.e. less junk food and more vegetables)
8. Exercise at least twice a week
9. Keep up to date with news and current affairs
10. Study consistently throughout the year
11. Get through A Levels confidently and without regrets
12. Set my priorities right (God above all, work before play)
13. Use Twitter less
14. Forge a closer relationship with my closest friends
15. Take pride and strive for the best in everything I do
16. Practise piano everyday (even if it's just for 15 minutes)
17. Attend more concerts
18. Do at least 1 self-initiated project related to music
19. Find out and confirm which area to study in university
20. Make decisions rationally, not by impulse, and with Godly intentions
With that, have a wonderful and fulfilling 2013 everyone! :)
VOTD:
"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation." Romans 12:16 (NASB)
2013.
2012 has been a year of many big changes for me, and it has been a very unexpected year, with unexpected turn of events and great jumps which had led me out of my comfort zone. Nonetheless, even though 2012 was not perfect, I have so many things to be grateful for as I look back now. But first, let me begin with looking back to my 2012 resolutions:
1. Develop a closer personal relationship with God (Achieved)
Even though many a times I didn't consistently do QT, over the past year I've run to God more each time I've faced difficulties. He has helped and supported me a lot over the past year, and I'm grateful for that. Also, serving within the YF ministry in church has also helped me to grow in Christ. :)
2. Enjoy JC1 life to its fullest (Achieved)
I guess I can say that I've tried to make full use of my JC1 life, though definitely not in the aspect of academics. That can still be improved on.
3. Juggle all priorities well (Not achieved)
I was distracted way too much, be it by social media or just by my pure laziness and procrastination. Kinda explains my overall JC1 results.
4. Serve God in everything I do and be a living testimony for Him (Not achieved)
I have been trying to be a living testimony for God, but maybe it's not enough just yet. I'll improve.
5. Take risks, be daring (Achieved)
I can safely say I've taken up risks and challenges, especially in terms of school. I ran both for Council as well as for CCA ExCo, knowing the unlikeliness that I'll get into either (and I didn't lol), so that was daring of me haha!
6. Make sure God is my first priority in everything (Not achieved)
Still need to work on this.
7. Develop a better and closer relationship with D (Not achieved)
The irony, sigh.
8. Develop a better and closer relationship with my family (Not achieved)
Things like this are kind of subjective, so I can't actually tell :/ Plus, change is gradual so all the more I cannot tell at all hahaha. There's definitely room to work on getting closer to my family members though.
9. Exercise 150 minutes a week (2 and a half hours) (Not achieved)
Obviously not achieved because I am so unfit! Ugh.
10. Save at least $200 (Not achieved)
I almost reached that value, but then before I could reach it I spent all the savings I had haha.
11. Practise piano regularly and improve as a pianist (Not achieved)
I definitely did not practise piano regularly over the past year. Partly because I kept changing teachers, but that isn't a good excuse either. My Music teachers in school kept saying that I had displayed my piano skills better in Sec 4, which is bad because it means I have gotten worse over 2012. Hopefully that will change this year. It has to.
12. Be responsible for everything I'm involved in (Achieved)
Be it PW or schoolwork or in church or even in my own personal life, I think I've taken responsibility for everything I had to be involved in. :) Of course there's always room to improve as well.
I've achieved only 4 of 12 resolutions. :/ Perhaps it's because of the lack of reminders I'm giving myself. Reminds me of the video posted by WongFu Productions about "Resolution Fails" haha. This year I'm going to write all my resolutions down and remind myself constantly so that I can at least work towards achieving these yearly ambitions of mine. But before moving on to setting resolutions for 2013, let's see a quick review of 2012, plus a quick reflection.
In 2012, I received my O Level Higher Chinese results, and got a C6, to my shock. I regretted not studying more for the subject and relying purely on the bell curve (which didn't work to my favour, obviously), and had no choice but to take H1 Chinese in JC1. I entered JC1 first by going for the HCJC Open House 2012, which impressed me a lot and gave me a very good feel about the bright atmosphere of Hwa Chong. So I entered JC life on a hopeful note.
At the end of January 2012, I helped to organise and execute the first of YF's BIG projects: Service at YWCA. It was a good and fulfilling experience, thankfully successful and received well. I also went through JC1 Orientation and had the best 2 weeks of JC. The Orientation journey inspired me to run for Council, which I did for several months. Even though I felt like dropping out several times because I was scared, I swallowed it in and pushed on until the very end. Even though I did not get into Council and felt disappointed in myself for a while, I now see that it was a blessing in disguise. Had I joined Council, I would not have been able to juggle both that and my studies well. I would also not have met the great batch of HCSE people, or had a chance to work with my amazing conductor, Dr Tan.
I joined HCSE in the end, even though before I promised myself I would not join strings again. But joining that CCA was not filled with any regrets. I ran for the competitive cross country run for HCSE, and though we didn't win anything, it was a good experience. I played for Concordia 2012 in May, combined together with Band, and it was a great concert filled with many forged memories. This concert also made me realise that joining strings was probably one of the best decisions I made in JC.
I broke up with D, and got into another relationship. All I can say here right now is that I'm thankful for all the memories I have, and I only pray that in time things will be set right, whatever "right" may be.
I went through JC1 block tests, and fared pretty well for some subjects and worse for others. I got used to the JC system of lectures and tutorials. Throughout the year I had PW, working together with four other group members. Even though there was a great clash in personalities and character, I'm glad that at least we got things done and saw the subject through to the very end in November.
I went through JC1 promotional examinations and it was probably the most terrifying exam experience in all my years of schooling, because the questions that came out were unexpected and I also did not prepare sufficiently. I did not fare so well in my promo results but at least it wasn't too bad to the point of not being able to promote to JC2. After promos I had a surprise birthday celebration from Jermaine, Regine and Pohan, who really gave me a pleasant surprise with a fruit cake and all the presents. This made me so thankful for the wonderful friends and company I have; friends that really care for my happiness.
In late October I finished my H1 Chinese journey, and am now awaiting the results which will be released in March 2013. I also completed my PW journey in early November, concluded by Oral Presentation which went pretty well. Over 2012 I've really come a long way, from not knowing what to expect from JC life, to having finished the first year of JC.
In December, I had a great learning experience during YF camp, themed "Strangers of this World". Through the camp, I learnt much more about God and the attitude we should have in this temporal world. I also went for the last BIG event of the year - Cambodia mission trip. Even though many things were uncertain and unconfirmed even until during the trip itself, God led us all through safely without any major setbacks, and I'm thankful for this first mission trip together with my wonderful YF friends. Also, I went for my CCA Hong Kong trip together with HCSE, and though we had a combined performance on Boxing Day, it wasn't so much the performance that mattered, but the experience of playing together with both a band and a Chinese orchestra. The trip exposed me to many new possibilities and aspects of music, and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to meet these HKMOY people.
Over 2012, many things have changed, and so have I. I suppose that is expected since it is the transition from high school to JC life after all. Over the past year I have made various decisions, good and bad. Whether it was choosing what subject combination to take, choosing between work and play, or even in my own personal life. Nonetheless, I have grown spiritually and mentally, and I'm grateful for all I've been through in 2012, both good times and times of hardship.
In 2013, I hope to be able to make decisions more rationally, to think through before I make any, and not to make any decisions by impulse. In 2013, I hope to draw closer to God through a consistent walk with Him, and also to my best friends - Rachel, Jermaine and Regine, and I hope we'll be able to forge friendships that will last a lifetime. In 2013, I hope to juggle my priorities well, putting God first above all, and putting work before play. In 2013, I hope to be able to get through A Levels safely and securely, with God's help and grace. In 2013, I hope to build a stronger relationship with PH, and no matter what happens between us, to always have the best in mind. In 2013, I hope not to take the things I have for granted, and to constantly give thanks in all circumstances. In 2013, I hope to be able to leave a lasting impact on my new sheep in church, to serve God well in the youth ministry as I teach them with guidance from my own shepherds, and to grow in Christ together with my sheep. I pray to be led by God, and not by my own understanding.
With that, let me list my 2013 resolutions (in no order of importance):
1. Finish reading the Bible in 1 year
2. Share the gospel with at least 1 person I am close to
3. Do QT consistently everyday
4. Forge a closer relationship with God
5. Memorise 1 Bible verse every week
6. Grow close to at least 1 sheep
7. Eat more healthily (i.e. less junk food and more vegetables)
8. Exercise at least twice a week
9. Keep up to date with news and current affairs
10. Study consistently throughout the year
11. Get through A Levels confidently and without regrets
12. Set my priorities right (God above all, work before play)
13. Use Twitter less
14. Forge a closer relationship with my closest friends
15. Take pride and strive for the best in everything I do
16. Practise piano everyday (even if it's just for 15 minutes)
17. Attend more concerts
18. Do at least 1 self-initiated project related to music
19. Find out and confirm which area to study in university
20. Make decisions rationally, not by impulse, and with Godly intentions
With that, have a wonderful and fulfilling 2013 everyone! :)
VOTD:
"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation." Romans 12:16 (NASB)
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