Two weeks into 2014.

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It's already the 16th day of 2014, and I have been extremely busy (yet lazy at the same time) - but a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all out there!! :)

2014 have been awesome so far, I have been in and out of SG, traveling to Taiwan and Bangkok in these two weeks. And I am finally back now, no more traveling till at least mid-year! Time to hit the books and enjoy the last semester :) It's definitely a first for me - Taiwan for 7 days, then back to SG for about 2 days and then off I go to Bangkok for another 4 days. As much as I really do love traveling, this is pretty tiring somehow!

I'll take some time to post pictures from both trips but right now, I'm just gonna focus on getting myself back on track, mentally as well. I need to step out of this relaxed/nua/wanderlust/chill younameit mode and get ready to face things like lectures, projects, submissions, tests and exams. Haha. It's going to be a very good year ahead, I CAN FEEEEL IT (heh, I hope it really will be!).

It's good to always set your new year's resolutions isn't it. Although I think most of our resolutions either get broken or unfulfilled actually..hahaha. BUT, it never kills to have a certain direction / goal / aim set for ourselves :)
In 2014 :
1) I hope to be able to get out of my all-time lazy underachiever mode and do well HAHA, which means to be more disciplined, determined and focused in all aspects.
2) Spend more time with my family and close friends (less work scheduled).
3) Read more.
4) Save more moolah. And
5) Good deeds.

I know "Good deeds" probably sound corny and lame but having been to so many places these years, I really do notice a difference in the way people treat one another (whether they're strangers, acquaintances, friends or even family). It does not have to be major big acts of kindness that will gather or be of any worth in terms of media attention etc but small acts of kindness or a simple gesture that may help another person in any way would be good enough. Things like holding the door for others, giving up seats, helping someone struggling with a heavy load, respecting and acknowledging people and the list goes on. Small acts of kindness like these probably aren't gonna be phenomenal or transformative but that's okay, because most importantly - IT SPREADS.
I just super love how Taiwanese are so warm and helpful :') Just a simple story to share, here goes: I was on the bus from Jiufen down back to Ruifang train station, there were two seats left at the last row so I sat down. 1 minute later, a Korean granny came towards the row so I moved in, making it easier for her to just sit down instead of having to squeeze her way through to get to the last seat by the window. And in less than just 15 seconds, her husband came up so I called her "Haelmoni" (Grandma in korean) and sign-language'd my way through after that to let her husband take my seat. They thanked me and said "Mi-an" (sorry) because I was having 3 big bags of (almost overflowing) goods with me and I had to stand for the bus ride down the hill now. But anyway, so I was standing near a Taiwanese couple, (about perhaps late 40s-50ish years old) who were seated down, and the lady just reached out to one of the big bags and placed it on her lap. WITHOUT EVEN ASKING! I was a little startled initially because I wasn't really looking at them and suddenly a pair of hands just removed a bag from my hands. I told her it's okay but she kept saying the bags are all too heavy for me and that it is alright she doesn't mind. :') SIGH. Yes, so you see - small acts of kindness :)

Gotta run some errands now! Till the next time X