2016 was filled with a bunch of "firsts". 

Some of the major ones included a funeral and wedding. So yes ... this year was quite the rollercoaster ride. I've also had my first experience going paintballing, doing shisha, rock pool swimming/jumping (freaking freezing), travelling without a tour guide (nub life), going to a concert (FLUME!), going to a water theme park (Wet n' Wild) and getting my hair dyed (wine red).

R & B's Wedding

Flume Concert in Brissy

Me & S matey

This year I just did so many things I've never done before. So just 'accomplishing' these firsts, whether significant or trivial, I feel like it's been a pretty productive year .. even if some of these first-timers weren't necessarily a positive encounter.

Regarding other major firsts (that I won't specifically mention), it's just a reminder that life goes on no matter what. Even though the incidents are commonly viewed as depressing or upsetting events attached with a connotation of negativity, I learn from it. In an earlier post I wrote about wanting to becoming a better person, I think I fulfilled this by gathering insight due to those occurrences. It may have been very upsetting but ya know, shit happens. At least I think these new experiences significantly reduced my struggle to grasp the harsh reality of life. So yeah, it's been a hectic year and I'm anxious/eager to see if 2017 will top '16. 

(Overdue) Etude House First Impression Review

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2016

Next year, I want to be a better person - an improved and improvised me. I will be a harder working student, a greater passionate lover and a kinder girl towards people.  Last year, I was filled with anticipation and thrill since I knew...

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Time is Zooooming

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So this topic has been lingering about my mind for a while. . .

Gwu - Ant - Miss Ting Chen - Man - Fart - Banana - Emiri - Monkey

By the title, you already know this might be heading towards a pretty cliche post. You're probably expecting all the "I'm so grateful for my friends", "I can't survive without my friends" or the "my friends are the best!!" kind of post. But just hear me out.

The truth is socialising hasn't always been my forte and it actually took me a while until I gained enough confidence to step out of my comfort zone. In other words, making friends hasn't always been a piece of cake for me. I've made wonderful friends at school and I've had best friend(s) before but there's a difference between making friends you can genuinely connect with and making friends who've become your 'friends' simply by acting like 'friends'. 

Miss Ting Chen - @http://misstingchen.blogspot.com.au/

Emiri - @http://emiri-desu.blogspot.com.au/

I guess my point is people become 'friends' way too easily these days. The term is used too broadly and people deem one to be their friend way too simply. To put the case in point, I've witnessed (quite a few times) people qualifying a stranger as their friend after meeting them ONCE through mutual friends or whatnot. Another case in point- what is up with people using Facebook as a tool to account another as a friend through the acceptance of the 'Add Friend' button?! Okay, fine. I guess the words itself 'Add Friend' is probably a dead giveaway but honestly... the world scares me a little if the universe believes the 'Add Friend' button is the simple and standard qualification of establishing friendships. NO. Just no. 

This post is starting to get longer than I intended so I'm going to cut it short without leaving any significant message I want to send here. 

"J" BB

I discovered the true definition of 'friends' the hard way. I won't go into details because it's all in the past but this is the message I enlightened on: True friends stand up for you when the whole world is against you. True friends aren't afraid to hurt you when you need a "wake-up call". True friendships come naturally without you needing to go through any 'Are-You-My -Friend Checklist'. 

These couple of years I've never been happier because I genuinely think I've found my real friends - groups both from school and outside of school. The photos in this post are some of the people I'm super grateful for (sorry for the cliche). So from the bottom of my heart, to those who have made my days a little brighter and little happier, thank you and I love you! <3 

Note: The captions will reveal nicknames instead of real names in order to protect privacy concerns. I'm also missing a few others but I don't have their photos atm - they know who they are anyways haha. ]

Edit: I removed some pictures to protect others' privacy. 

H i : )

Hello! My room is very messy - yes, I know haha!  I don't know who I am saying hi to but to whoever who does stumble across my blog (for whatever strange reason that you would do so - unless you are my friend),...

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