1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
   I moved to Canada. It was scary, exciting and a extremely different lifestyle that I needed to get accustomed to quickly.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
   Trying to find a job in Canada! A lot of recruiters kept telling me that it would be difficult to find a job as I had no Canadian experience or Canadian credit history. It really dampened my spirits for a long time but I was able to find a job in the end!

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
   Haha isn’t “unexpected joy” usually in reference to a baby??? That is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN LIKE A BILLION YEARS. Anyway, I suppose it was when I was able to find a job in Canada.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
   I’m not really sure? I knew establishing a new life in Canada would be hard (finding a job, finding a place to live, finding new friends, familiarising myself with the city).

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
   Different, cold, exciting.

6. Pick a theme song that describes 2009.
   Not sure about a particular song.. But for sure the Ministry of Sound Annual 2009 CD1!

7. What were the best books you read this year?
   RED DRESS WALKING – This book really made me think about the way relationships work. They definitely take two people, and miscommunication is so easy to let it get in the way of things.

   Marley & Me – such a cute book!

   The Pact is another book that stood out for me but I didn’t quite like the ending but I liked the issues that the author raised.
   

8. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
   My SGI family who really helped me in Toronto. My bf and his family for being there for me and also being my other family.

9. In what way did you grow emotionally?
   I have definitely matured a lot since I’ve left Australia and am now living on my own. I believe I am more independent and appreciative of what I already had. I grew to appreciate my parents, that money doesn’t come by so easily, and is very easy to spend. I finally realised how hard it must’ve been for my parents to move from Malaysia to Australia to start a brand new life. I also learned to be more considerate of others going through the same hardships. So many people had lost their jobs in the financial crisis and trying to live life without an income is extremely difficult.

10. In what way did you grow in your relationships with others?
    Having matured a lot, I learned to be a better daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend to everybody, while realising I still have a long way to go. I am appreciative of everybody’s support for me. It has helped me so much to grow as a person and I am who I am because of all the people around me.

11. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
    Getting new furniture for my own bedroom was fun! I was Ikea shopping a lot.. Hahahaa.. But the kitchen too! I never knew how to cook before I moved to Canada so I am proud that I can now live quite comfortably with feeding myself. The first time I cooked for myself literally was in the first week I was alone in Canada… Thank you to my mummy for all her tips over Skype. Haha!

12. What was your most challenging area of home management?
    I am a spoilt child because my mother had always cleaned up after us at home. Moving away meant I had to do everything myself. So going from cleaning NOTHING to cleaning EVERYTHING was huge for me but it’s definitely becoming a good habit of mine. While I’m incredibly lazy, I don’t like to be dirty, cleaning hasn’t been too hard….. Except for getting myself to clean the toilet…. So gross!!! Everytime I think it’s time to clean it I definitely ponder whether I want to hire someone to do it for me. Hahahaha. So bad!

13. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
    Annoying people! For sure! People who only think of themselves. I’ve tried my best to not let them get to me. But they’re the biggest waste of my energy! I have a tendency to get easily frustrated with them. Haha.. Must change!
    
    I also realised how much time cooking takes! OMG! Sometimes I come home and I just want to eat RIGHT AWAY. I now know that that can’t happen. Hahaha… I also realised how much effort cleaning takes! OMG! Hahaha…. All my time just passes so quickly. Oh dear.
    
    
14. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
    I’ve caught up on a lot of tv shows! While you might think that’s a waste of time, I’ve been watching 30 Rock which makes me happy because it’s so hilarious and shows like FNL teach me a lot about people. So I don’t think they’re a waste of time at all! Haha!
    
    I also got to do a lot of reading. Books are fantastic.
    
    
15. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
    How about I pick two quotes that meant a lot to me for 2009? I’m not really creative enough to create a statement myself! Haha.

    “Everything depends on what is in our hearts. If we decide to ourselves that something is impossible, then, consistent with our minds in thinking so, even something that is possible for us will become impossible. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something, then we are already one step closer to achieving it in reality.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    “The place where you are now is vital. Never avoid what you must face. Challenge your circumstances and steadily persevere. The path toward victory opens from where you stand.” – Daisaku Ikeda

    I read theses quotes a lot whenever I felt defeated. I visited http://www.ikedaquotes.org/ a lot for his wisdom which provided me a lot of inspiration and hope. In turn that motivated me to live my life to the fullest. Thank you so much to SGI. <3

Pulled this from Whitty.

How old will you be by the time you get married?

Put an X in every box that applies to you.

Add up all the ‘x’s and title subject with the sum as “My marriage age is__”

[ ] You know how to make a pot of coffee
[X] You keep track of dates using a calendar
[X] You own more than one credit card
[ ] You know how to change the oil in a car
[X] You do your own laundry
[X] You vote every election
[X] You can cook for yourself
[ ] You think politics are exciting
[X] You balance your own checkbook
[ ] Your parents have better things to say than your friends

Total: 6

[X] You show up for school/college/work every day early.
[X] You always carry a pen in your pocket/purse
[ ] You’ve never gotten a detention
[X] You have never smoked a cigarette
[ ] You have never gotten completely trashed
[ ] You have forgotten your own birthday at least once
[X] You like to take walks by yourself
[X] You’ve watched talk shows.
[X] You know what ‘credibility’ means without looking it up
[ ] You drink coffee [caffeine] at least once a week.

Total: 6 + 6 = 12

[X] You know how to do the dishes.
[X] You can count to 10 in another language.
[X] When you say you’re going to do something you do it.
[X] My parents trust me
[ ] You can mow the lawn
[X] You can make adults laugh without being stupid
[ ] You remember to water the plants
[X] You study when you have to
[X] You pay attention at school/college
[X] You remember to feed your pets

Total: 12 + 8= 20

[X] You can spell ‘experience’ without looking it up.
[X] You work out on a regular basis.
[X] You clean up your own mess
[ ] The people at Starbucks know you by name
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out
[X] You have gained weight since middle/high school
[ ] The first thing you do when you wake up is get caffeine
[X] You can go to the store without getting something you don’t need
[ ] You understand political jokes the first time they are said
[X] You can type quickly

Total: 20 + 6 = 26

[X] You have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour
[ ] Your only friends are from your place of employment
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party
[ ] You have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job
[X] You have more bills than you can pay
[ ] Most of all your friends are older than you are
[X] You can say no to staying out all night
[X] You use the internet every day
[X] Your wardrobe hasn’t changed in a while
[X] You can read a book and actually finish it

Total: 25 + 6 = 31

I’m getting married at 31. I think that’s a good age actually.

Another year has past! 2008 has just been & gone! Too quickly this time around. Way way too quickly! I feel like I’ve done nothing!