Happy 3rd Anniversary! ♥

Though the time now is already 6.30 am and I'm just back from a hardcore overnight study session, I can't wait to turn on the com and type my heart out for today entry. So it's finally March 22nd - happy 3rd anniversary, little red dot! Let's see what major ups and downs we've shared during the past three years...

Love & relationships.

Some might think this category shouldn't come first but apparently its influence upon one's life is undeniably obvious. Three years - three local boyfriends have come my way. This fact is definitely not something to brag about. However, there has been an increase in the length, intensity and seriousness of the relationships, at least. Say, from two weeks, to two months, to almost ten months. Well, I always believe that love can only be experienced and theories are never enough. But honestly, the lessons learned along the way contain a tad too much of bitterness for an extra-sensitive girl like me. Does the problem lie with my choice of partner or (I'm not generalizing but) local Chinese guys? I can't answer, really. I know myself that I'm rather romantically spontaneous when it comes to love - as long as there is chemistry, I'll commit (not suicide, of course). I trust my senses and neglect logic from the start, but don't regret in the end. Everything happens for a good reason. And here I am, all by myself, continuing to learn the art of love.

Lifestyle.

No longer the naive girl with two little ponytails and everything-must-be-pink-and-annoyingly-cute, I've been making my parents more and more worried as I seem to drift further and further from their comfort zone. But seriously, I know what I'm doing. As the degree of exposure increases, so do experience, knowledge, maturity, independence and sophistication, which are expressed inside-out. I've long realized they all come in a package and can't be separated. And I think parents, too, are getting used to this fact though the process has been slower than how I'd prefer. Can't blame them, really, since they know me very well - a spontaneous, dreamy, easy-going and open-minded kid who seems easily influenced. So what if I'm perfectly fine with homosexuality, night life, premarital sex and stuff like that? What matters the most is that my basic perception towards life remains unchanged and is preserved for my own good. It works as a foundation for every single decision I make. Still, there is definitely room for improvement. But we all stumble, fall, stand up and walk, don't we? The more it hurts, the better we learn and remember for life.

Health.

Gotta admit that I'm super fortunate to seldom fall sick and there hasn't been any serious incident that makes my parents fly here urgently (not that I wish to). The only issue that has caused quite an expense was my ear infection. I still remember how terrible it felt like to have one of my senses weakened and how I badly yearned to be well again. As if things were not bad enough, I constantly felt isolated and extremely lonely throughout the whole incident. That's how it feels like when you've been having two personal doctors since you were born who give 24/7 attention and intensive care to your health, and then you fall really really sick when they're not physically around. Sucks. And then another incident was when I suddenly lost my vision and almost passed out. Luckily it was due to hypotension and I could see again after lying down for a while. Phew. Anyway, after all these, I still consider myself fortunate to be blessed with decent health and having the two overzealous doctors who are always ready to be consulted (free of charge). Yay!

Studies.

Last but not least, of course. In fact, this is the most essential reason for our three years together (and more to come). The decision for me to study in Singapore, at this institute, this University, this course came rather spontaneously without much consideration. Gosh, parents must have had so much confidence in my ability back then. Can't believe I literally started as a noob here on March 22nd 2007, couldn't understand much of the alien language known as 'Singlish' and knew nothing but English. People who start a life without guidance in a foreign country for the first time would understand this - you wouldn't believe you'd survive in the place for the next few years at least, all by yourself. Couldn't even imagine how I was supposed to understand in class, all subjects in English when I knew nuts. The whole situation was such a perfect zero that I felt so freaking abandoned when both my parents had flied home. Very very fortunately, it is a huge bless that fast learning and adaptation were within my capabilities. Somehow (I can't recall how), I managed to enjoy lectures, get along well with classmates, score As from the start and pick up local accent as well as slangs on the way. Gradually, it became more and more natural, and there was soon no more struggling, but exploring and appreciating. For now, I have myself a stable studying method, which is a balance between information overload and exam-oriented (yes, I used to be a freak who read almost everything and couldn't memorize essential facts for nuts). Oh and about my accent and use of words, if it sounds kinda local to you then it's NOT because I'm a Singaporean-wannabe, absolutely not. It serves the purpose of networking and making friends - would you feel more comfortable and casual talking to someone who speaks like you? If I am asked to speak decent English, I'm able to (just like how I blog right here). But I'd rather save it for formal situations where people need to appear 'class' and serious, alright?

To sum things up, I am thankful for all the experiences and memories on this little island during the past three years. Every person I've met, every place I've been to, every moment I've lived - has something for me to learn from and remember. And my special thanks for having met and maintained wonderful friendships with people like Willow and Steph, those that have been by my side ever since, not forgetting other awesome friends like Zilla, Manpreet and many of you! There have been countless moments when I thought I couldn't have lived on without your moral support and endless motivation. Let's hope for more achievements & happiness to come our way, little fine island. ♥ you.

P.S. I'd like to keep in touch with all of you - the people who have stepped into my life at any point of time during my three years in Singapore. Don't hesitate. If you know me well, I'm a peace-loving creature who'd sincerely rather make friends than enemies. If you don't know, I'm telling you. I believe misunderstanding, miscommunication, mistakes and conflicts happen as a result of carelessness, spontaneity or immaturity. Either way, they can always be resolved and please don't let the past keep you from my circle of friends. Friends, not merely acquaintances. I'll be greeting you with a genuine smile and say Hi, I'm Hailey, nice to meet you, again! (: