Disclaimer: 
This post was written on New Year's day but it wasn't published. Till now, that is.

2011 has been quite a year for me. I was initially hesitant about going to a polytechnic. I must admit that I had some preconceived notions about polytechnics based on what my teachers and seniors told me. But I don't reget going to SP.

Happy Chinese New Year!

I'm pretty sure hardly anyone comes here anymore, since I've not updated the site for such a long time. Well, I've been a little busy recently. Projects have been coming consecutively and our class has been trying to tackle all of them. We've got no choice but to do nearly every CA only at the last minute because we were trying to finish yet another CA before that. My projects are issued back to back as usual. I know Year 2 would be tougher though. 

Anyway, this year's Lunar New Year isn't as festive as the past new years. Mummy and I didn't prepare much this year. There's hardly any decoration around the house and we didn't do much for spring cleaning. Another thing that's different this year is the fact that my cousins have outgrown video games. I used to watch them play games like 'Halo' or 'Super Mario' every year but they seem to have tired of it. Most of them are more interested in gambling now. The few who refuse to gamble (like me) played cards and board games instead. I managed to win twice at 'Monopoly Deal' which is the card version of the traditional 'Monopoly' game. Everyone was shocked, considering how bad I am at strategic games! 

Each year I see my cousins (and nieces) growing steadily. The older cousins are now starting to settle down one by one to have their own families. My aunts and uncles are ageing bit by bit too. Some are even grandparents already. It's a little scary how fast time flies. I have also found out that I have more cousins that I'd thought this year. I don't just have 17 cousins on my mum's side - there are more! I think my family is quite big sometimes. I might have some rich long-lost relative somewhere in Asia. Who knows? 

Crying so hard for so long on the first day of a new year doesn't feel good at all. 

I originally intended to blog about the awesome fireworks and events that happened on New Year's Eve, but I doubt I'm in the state to do so. I have yet to post about 2011 as a whole too. Seems like my first day of 2012 didn't turn out so well after all. 

Sometimes I wish I had a sibling. So that I don't have to uphold so many expectations. So that I wouldn't be compared to the ideal daughter when there'd be another child to compare against instead. So that I'd have someone to confide in without feeling like I'm being a burden to him or her when I cry or speak. 

Well, but on the bright side, at least I had a good cry. I just need to stop crying now. I can't seem to stop. 

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm sorry for the sombre mood.

Usually, I'd post something on New Year's Eve or on the New Year itself. I've not touched Blogger for some time recently, so I shall make up a 'New Year' post now. 

2011's resolutions are quite demanding and I doubt I'll be able to fulfill all of them but no harm hoping for myself.

- I wish to lose weight. Correction: I need to lose weight. I've never been so heavy before.

- Like previous years, I really wish to improve on my singing. Especially my singing techniques.

- This sounds a little impossible, but I wish to pick up a third language.

- Maybe there's still hope for me to brush up on my culinary skills. I can try to cook my own meals this year.

- This is to save money. I aim to spend less on CDs, stuff toys, food and other miscellaneous stuff.

- It may sound ridiculous but I included this every year: Be smarter.

- Another goal which will be the last but definitely not any less important than the others: To know what I want for my future. Till now I'm still floundering along, being unsure of my goals. It's a little scary that teens my age actually know what they want for their future careers, no? 

While playing Jenga with my cousins this afternoon, I suddenly realised how much we have grown.
The memory of playing Lego with them was playing through my mind while playing Jenga. I didn't tell them though, since they will most probably find me cheesy.

I suddenly recalled the Sunday visits after my art lessons when my maternal grandma was still around. Her ang ku kuehs were really great. Each Sunday, I would play Lego with Dennis and Gee Tat. Ivan didn't really play with us much - Gee Tat didn't allow him to play sometimes and I think Ivan would cry if I can remember it right. We were really childish. Actually, the ones who actually played with the Lego bricks were Dennis and me. Gee Tat just preferred to destroy anything and throw his toys around the room. Maybe it's because Gee Tat was so rough when playing Jenga today even though the rest of us were kind of into the game so it reminded me of those days, back when I didn't even need to look up to talk to them.

Funny how it hit me that the three of us used to be so close and have become so distant. Does this happen to other people as well? Or maybe it saddens me more since my relatives on my mother's side are the only relatives I know. It seems that I can only talk to Ivan or Dennis freely now while there's this awkwardness with the rest, strangely.

This Chinese New Year has been really fun - and it's really a great break from all the insane homework and stifling studying. Of course, I don't miss school at all. :D
On Saturday, we went to Dennis' house for dinner. My uncle just painted his house in a new colour so maybe that's why he invited all of us to his house for dinner this year - we usually go to Yu Sheng's place for reunion dinner. Dinner was good but my mum kept pressing me to eat faster since we took turns to eat at the table. I didn't really know how to talk to my cousins initially because I felt kind of awkward and I was one of the earliest. But afterwards it got better gradually and Dennis and I just chatted while watching the television. Ivan and Gee Tat came much later and we watched some parodies on Youtube. Yu Sheng kept sneaking into one of the rooms and wore (if I'm guessed right,) Raymond's motorbike helmet on his head. That boy is still as weird and hyperactive as ever. Oh, and Dennis showed me what he did for his art exam last year. His peacock logo looks really cool! He drew a rough draft for me before showing me the actual thing, which is just a piece of cake for him, considering that he has drawn the same thing for at least a hundred times. And Dennis also taught me how to create the hidden words thingy which is just really cool yet simple when you know how to do it.

Chinese New Year was spent at Gee Tat's house as usual. I decided to wear the dress I wore to SHINee's fansign since the dress I bought for CNY suddenly seemed far too short. I didn't do much there since the boys were so absorbed in playing Halo. I did try to amuse myself with watching Hello Baby on Youtube but it took such a long time to load so I gave up after a while. Poor Ivan lost to Dennis and Gee Tat in Halo. But Ivan did manage to reach his target score so I guess it's alright. Good job, Ivan! Dennis and Gee Tat got many kills, depending on the weapons available. Jeremy kept telling any of the aunts or uncles who went into the room that they raised the average age in the room - He still believes that he is eighteen. Sheree, Kelvin and Jeremy just stayed at the side, chatting about university life and Jason was just asleep at a corner. Dinner was alright but somehow some things were not fully cooked in the steamboat.

Today was spent at Ivan's house. I forgot to bring my belt and my shorts kept slipping so I had to sit with my back to the cupboard in the room in case anyone sees anything they are not suppose to. How strategic.

I was a little bored in the beginning because the rest took a long time to come. Yu Sheng wasn't really a good person to play with since he was more interested in
a) insulting others
b) pigging on the CNY goodies and drinks
c) being dirty-minded
d) standing on Ivan's bed
I watched Ivan play that Rabbid game and when Dennis arrived the four of us took turns to play some of the mini games. Dennis. Has. Scary. Memory. Skills. The rest of our scores are way below his. Ivan later played the food drawing game. I must say that I don't draw fantastically with the mouse and the humongous size of it sure didn't help me. But I didn't get the lowest score, considering that our Yu Sheng somehow could get a wondrous zero. While I was watching them play the chorister-slapping game, I sure am glad that no one slaps me each time I get a note wrong.

Afterwards we played Jenga! It was really fun and yours truly did fairly well. Alas, my luck was down for Reversi today. I really need to brush up on my Reversi skills - haven't played since December. Beware, everyone! I am going to start pestering people online for a game of Reversi once more! Oh and like every year, the food at Ivan's house is great. And for dinner I ate my aunt's vegetarian fried rice which tastes just as awesome too. Wonder who brought the sushi...I love the sushi.

4G1 won!!!!! I was just so happy on Friday. In fact I think I'm way too proud of our class. I even showed my cousins our class decorations and they were like 'woah!'. I love you 4G1!!!

And newsflash: Our dearest girl who is blogging now hasn't even completed half of her homework. I guess it's back to 'chiong-ing' again. Give me back my break!

This will be my last post for 2009.

For the year 2009, here are my accomplishments.

I finally pierced my ears.
I still stayed true to my tradition of visiting the zoo at least once every
two years.
I shopped for the first time in People's Park in Chinatown.
My singing has improved. Although I still need much more to sing
well.
First official class gathering with Ms Chee showed me Amanda's prowess
as a Mahjong player. I also tried my best to learn the game.
I managed to grow one centimetre.
I actually got a Silver instead of my usual Bronze for NAPFA.
For the first time, I entered a Karaoke lounge and had a Karaoke session
with great friends.
I became a Treasurer and a Vice President.
I became a Chairperson.

Most of all, I survived Secondary Three school life. Around the same period last year, I told someone that I had doubts about being able to manage my Secondary Three life. The person replied that I would be okay and not to worry. I did make it but somehow the feeling of moving on to another level and tackling the major examinations has not hit me yet. Maybe that feeling will strike me when it reaches midnight. Oh joy.

Here's to 2010,

I will aim to try my very best to stay awake in class.
(I did put this as my 2009 resolution but gave up after two weeks. So I
added in the word 'try')
I will study and work hard for O' Levels.
I will improve further on my singing.
I will be more patient and tactful to others.
I will be more loving to my dearest mum. I know I can be quite stubborn and
horrid at times.
I will do my best to be a better leader to my peers and actually be a good
role model for the others.
I also want to love myself more and slim down. (the slim down part
never comes true.)

In short, I want to be a better, nicer person especially to my beloved mother and my friends.