2008 in a glance

Shinen omedetou gozaimasu! Ah, the New Year. Not that much of a big deal, but a reflection, is a must. So, 2008 wasn't as amazing as 2007, where so many things kinda happened at once, and there was never a dull moment (Rain concert, Australs, MMU, hopes of going overseas, PLKN). But what about 2008? To me, it was slow, and painful of sorts because some ties were severed, but new ties were formed! Happy? In a way, yes, in another way, not so much. Here's a breakdown of some omoshiroi things that occurred to me in 2008. Because, this blog, after all, is about me.

January & February

Oh, what a way to begin the year. Everything was...normal. Friends were good, family was fine and classes were hectic. Only classes doubled it's hectic state by doubling the credit hours. The point of doing so is still unknown, but apparently, it's to match the teaching institution to a normal higher learning institution. But teaching institutions can never match other higher learning institution because somehow, freedom of practically anything that had freedom is ripped here. Well, perhaps I'm over-exaggerating but how does wearing jeans and tight clothing affect one's future as a teacher? I have no clue.

March

Pressure starts to build for TESLians as we will face our mock exams in May and a TESL camp in April. So, classes aren't lenient anymore with lecturers becoming stricter and acting...well, like all exam-oriented teachers in school. Extra notes, extra exercises, extra quizzes, extra lectures. It makes me forget that I'm in a higher learning institute and that I'm back in school instead, but hey, this is a teaching institute and it's like a lamer version of school. Pfffft. Then, late night practices began for us as we all participate in something for the TESL camp. So assignments had to be done quickly, but being me, procastinating is a tough habit to shrug off.

April

Yay! The days of practicing at night was nearing an end and the TESL camp was near. Surely a 13-hour journey down south from way up north was nothing to be afraid of, right? Of course not, as we travelled from Jitra to Johor Bharu (crossing 4 and a 1/2 state in the Peninsula alone), we captured some memories at the R&Rs and when we finally arrived, sleep beckoned. After a week of really, really boring games and not much bonding between TESLians from other teaching institutes, it was back to reality as we face the exams.

May & June

Gasp! Exams! After burning the midnight oil for almost 3 months now (not really), the exams came. And it flew. Really, my mind was on another thing, something that my mom told me. It seemed that she caught the travel bug and probably won the lottery or something because a trip to England for the whole family is possible. So, I was given 2 days to pack for a 10 day trip to England. I stuffed almost everything I had in my very small luggage, and we boarded the plane. It was almost summer, but the breeze of spring was still present so jackets were needed, especially when going up north. 10 days didn't seem enough, and until now I regretted not staying longer. But dentist appointments and meeting with friends was something that I just couldn't ignore. So the 10 days passed, so did the dentist appointment and meeting with friends, and a new semester started.

July & August

Production was in full bloom after countless meetings and rehearsals done. We had fund raisings to do so that materials for costume and props for our drama play, The Merchant of Venice. Lots of activities were done that we even managed to include our juniors in between. Then came the day of the presentation of the play for all to see. At some point, it was a dissapointment but overall, we did pretty good for a bunch of first-timers. Oh, my birthday. It was nothing. Like, the most boring thing that never happened. Huh.

September & October

Days passed and since the administration of the TESL group has been changed (the UK partners wants to be more involved than they have before), our assignments were put on hold because approval was needed from the UK partners. So, it was a mess when we received our assignments at the same time but we're lucky enough that our lecturers gave us a late deadline to make up for it. So begin sleepless nights for all of us as we struggle to finish our group assignments. I admit, I haven't been giving my best for these assignments. Maybe it's because I've gotten too proud over my high scores during the exams but somehow, the nearer it is towards the holidays, my fighting spirit became really low. And my mother going to England doesn't really help either.

November

Assignments submitted and bags are packed, my mind is nowhere but home. But before we all went home, we decided to do a little road trip to Langkawi to blow off some steam. Armed with a budget of RM350, we came, we saw and we definitely conquered Langkawi all on our own. It was one of the best experiences I had with friends and hopefully, a more frequent thing in the future. Suddenly, Malaysia is quite an interesting place. But home is where my heart is, and I had a receptionist job waiting. And a dentist appointment.

December

Time flies so fast, and the end of the year is near. Suddenly, everything seemed as if they just happened yesterday. Some regrets made to myself, such as the urge to travel somewhere had somehow been crushed, but I find myself having more family time with my cousins, which is a good thing. And friends as well. And perhaps, being around home surrounded by friends and family ain't so bad after all. After all, next year, travel wouldn't be so impossible. :)

Maybe 2008 wasn't such a bad year after all. See? A reflection always makes you see things more clearly. Well, a normal start for a new year would mean...a fairly good year right? One can hope.