Underwater en route to 29, 029 ft above sea level

After every mountain comes another mountain.

After climbing the Bukit Timah hill in Singapore, there's Kowloon Peak and Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong.
After that, there's Mount Everest.
Even after conquering Mount Everest, there's still Mars and Venus.

Just when you're trying to find a reason to continue striving by telling yourself: 'things can never go worse than this', life decides to challenge you with an evil grin.

By and large I'm not really comfortable with sharing or even showing my sadness, but I'm going to step out of my comfort zone and get real personal with this blog post. Following... is a glimpse of my naked soul.

I'm weary and surfeited with my daily struggles. I guess just like a rubber band, there's a limit to how much a human can be stretched. Studies alone is already eminently taxing especially in a competitive society like Singapore. To top that up with a bad family background simply exacerbates the whole issue.

Being a night owl, I prefer checking things off my to-do list past midnight where my surroundings are tranquil and serene amidst the bustling city. However, my composure is often intruded by my drunk mother's balderdash and gibberish.

I like Christmas and all festive seasons, mainly attributed to the happy vibes and message they disseminate. Yet, these occasions are the ones that aggravate my night's disturbance.

Being the middleman of 2 conflicting parties is the worse thing ever. Having to convey messages filled with thorns and getting all the lashing out albeit doing nothing wrong.

A home is merely a house if it makes you feel aloof and insecure. It merely gives you warmth physically and not in your heart. Family members are the ones where you eat meals together, sleep together, laugh together and cry together. Why is mine filled with silence, or if not, feud?

I like to divulge and shape people's perception of me as a bundle of joy with no troubles and worries. Why spread sadness when you can spread happiness, am I right? But I guess sometimes even Joy from 'Inside Out' has her blue moments. So this is it, my little bubble of happiness burst.

However, no mountain's too high to climb. I'll continue endeavouring my goals and dreams with all I have as difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. There are so many other things I'm blessed with to keep me going.

My favourite quote inspiring me to take the next breathe:

" She turned her can't into cans, and her dreams into plans. " 

To all the fighters and the souls with an extinguished flame, never stop trying and venturing. Fall down 7, stand up 8. 

Bye, Twenty Sixteen.

"All good things must come to an end."

Everything, irregardless of it being good or bad, comes to an end.
24 hours still run out as quickly, whether you're building a sandcastle at Bora Bora, or cleaning the glass windows at your part time job and 2016 has been rather nice to me.

Our time on this Earth is impermanent.

Can you believe it? 2016 is already coming to an end, which calls for this mandatory end of year blog post.
This year ended as soon as it started, but then again, it's the case for every year isn't it. 

I guess the most significant change for me this year was enrolling into a new school and forging new quality friendships. 
Starting afresh in a new environment provides me with the opportunity to make new decisions and choices. It's like moving from level 133 to level 134 in Flow Free -new puzzle for you to solve and new moves for you to make.

Previously being in the Student Council and Symphonic Band of my secondary school, I was all artsy fartsy and immensely involved in the school's events. Embarking on leadership programmes and numerous service learnings. This year, I decided to have a plot twist and have a sporty chapter in my life story. 

Joined Volleyball, became a Sports Leader and participated in Outward Bound HongKong. 
My skin became 50 shades darker and I'm not complaining. From being used to planning and having meetings in an air-con room to running under the scotching sun. I have to admit enjoying both discrete activities but I prefer the latter. 
Blessed to be part of rfb, 1T27, vbaes, michael sls, sunfung. 

volleyball (girls)

rfb

michael sls

sunfung

Just like how a shadow constantly changes with the movement of the object/light source, my life has multitudinous variables. With that, every year I'm thankful for the constants in my ever-changing life.
A special shoutout to my diamonds (primary school), my PWP (secondary school), Wei En and Sharon for always being there. 

Every year is furnished with umpteen experiences and memories, each having something for you to learn. Thank you 2016 for the wonderful memories and obstacles for 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. Ready to face 2017 head on wew!

Goodbye, 2016. Hello, 2017!

Age it Up

Who is actually living by their age?

" today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again. "

x

There are numerous controversies revolving around the subject of age.

People debate on counting age by the number of memories and not the number of years.
People debate on whether age or experiences define maturity.
Women lying about their age. (Men lie about their income too, so it's pretty fair)

Babies start crying at the age of 0, start walking at the age of 1 and start talking at the age of 2.
People are segregated and classified into different groups according to their age -Toddler, Children, Teenager, Adult, Senior Citizen.

But, do age really mean anything? 

Is it more than simply a noun to describe the physical appearances of a human? What else does the age of a person tell you? Nothing.

Most, if not all are not living by their age.
Theoretically, a 17 year old should be going to school and enjoying the time of her life with her friends and families, just like the lyrics of 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA.
However, many 17 year olds are struggling with family problems, financial issues and studies all at the same time. Homework, house chores and bills are not something a 17 year old should be juggling with.

Similarly, a 40 year old may not be settling bills and taking care of the family. Instead, he may be attending school in pursuit of his college degree.

A 30 year old working adult strolling across Orchard road glimpsing at a gloomy teenager might ponder :" He's just 15 years old, how big can his worries be pfft. "
Little did he know that they share the same routine and worries.

This means to show that you should not judge someone based on what you see. A person's age only tells you the duration in which he has lived, but not the duration of his suffering or pain.

A friend of mine was feeling depressed but all she received was doubtful comments after visiting a counsellor. The counsellor apathetically advised her to 'just move on' and that 'everything will be alright in the end since you're still so young.'

Do not be like that counsellor, instead bestow every individual the same amount of respect and opinion. For a 17 years old may be as 'old' as a 45 years old. Be kind to all ages.

" Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds the gold. -Proverbs 11:27 "