While I don’t blog regularly, I make it a point to write a post when it comes to the new year.
In my mind, 2010 has been more significant than years previously and so this should be a fun post.
Reviewing my resolutions from last year:
1. Work off this December gut (haven’t been to the gym all December – FO SHAME!!): FAIL!! If anything, between 4B, Asia and full time work, the gut has grown.
2. Keep this blog in tact through the end of 2010 (prospects are good): FAIL!! Seeing as how I’m copying these resolutions out from a backup XML file, it’s safe to say that I restarted the blog once again. Not even sure why this is a resolution, sounds so stupid in hindsight.
3. Graduate: YEAH!! Somehow I managed to get out of Waterloo with my head on my shoulders. 4B was by far the toughest term I’ve had, mainly driven by personal decisions and bad luck.
4. Successfully plan and execute my elaborate cross-Asia post-grad trip: YEAH!! I spent 7 weeks in Asia traveling country to country. It was the first time I’ve ever done anything so drastic, and thankfully everything went off without too many hiccups. Definitely an experience of a lifetime, it was quite an eye-opener.
5. Be a hardcore consultant once I start working: On Track. I don’t want to jinx anything so I won’t say anymore. Work keeps me busy (going back to work after an entire week of slacking will not be easy).
6. Stop being such a lazy slacker: ???. I will always be a lazy slacker.
7. Do something significant and memorable: ???. This is a toughie. I think 2010 has been significantly memorable… between the transition to full time work, taking a long vacation, etc.
Copying my friend Natalie’s format, I’ve put together my Top 10 8 for 2010:
8. Gradball
Engineering Grad Ball was definitely a highlight of the year. Winning a bottle of Patron, partaking in shenanigans, late night post-formal pizza; it was quite an evening. I wish I knew more people in my program though, but you can’t have it all.
7. Digital SLR Camera
In the spirit of making large unwieldy purchases (e.g., plane tickets, etc.), I decided that this was the right time to make my move and purchase my first D-SLR, mainly for the purposes of capturing my trip in its entirety. Clocking approximately 8000 shots since May, I’ve been more than pleased with my Canon Rebel XS. Prospects for this camera are that I’ll hold onto the body for at least 1-2 more years and make a lens purchase or two (and a flash/diffuser) in the new year.
6. Bungee Jumping
I had to look back at some pictures and posts for inspiration in coming up with this list of Top 10. How could I forget the unforgettable experience of bungee jumping off the tallest commercial bungee jump location in Macau. My friend Simon and I had made plans to do this ever since deciding to go to Hong Kong and given the weather that day we went to Macau, we thought it almost wouldn’t happen. It was quite an experience. People ask me whether I was scared. At the time, for some inexplicable reason, I wasn’t scared of it at all. Perhaps I was very confident in the mechanical supporting equipment, or the people running the jump, or maybe I just wanted to knock on heaven’s door.
5. Full Time Employment
Starting my long awaited career was a definite highlight for this year. Having received my offer back at the beginning of 2009, having job security was a very good thing, especially given the state of the economy at the time. Since starting in August, I’ve definitely been trying my best at work, while trying to maintain this fabled work-life-balance. At times its been a toughie but it’s necessary to achieve that ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality.
4. Rock Climbing
After returning from Asia, my friend PY invited me out rock climbing.A visit to True North Climbing made me decide to take up climbing as a regular hobby. Soon after, I picked up my own harness and climbing shoes, and more recently quit my gym membership at the YMCA. Climbing regularly (2-3 times a week) for the past 5-6 months, I’ve progressed myself as a climber, starting with top-rope, getting into bouldering, participating in a few competitions so far, and even got my lead certification at the gym. My goal for the upcoming year is to grow as a climber, eventually sending 5.10s on lead and 5.11s on top-rope, and do better in the bouldering comps. And let’s not forget about the awesome climbing friends I’ve met at the gym, and makes every climbing session that much more fun.
3. Friends
Friends should definitely make the Top 10. Being an only child, I do look to those around me for company. I’m thankful for the friends who’ve gotten me through thick and thin, keeping me true and sane. I’m also thankful for all of the new friends I’ve met this year. I hope to be better connected with people this year, keeping in touch regularly when I can.
2. Asia Trip
This trip almost didn’t happen. It was something I had thought about for the past couple of years, and talked about it with friends on and off. It wasn’t until about 2 1/2 months before departing that I really started to make solid plans. Contacting friends and family that was in Asia, many emails were exchanged back and forth asking travel opinions and asking for places to stay. Without such awesome people to support my trip, I probably wouldn’t have been able to see as much as I did, or have as much fun for that matter. It was definitely an experience, both planning and going on the trip itself. I have no idea when I’ll ever be able to find that much time off ever again to do something so cool.
1. Graduate University
High on my list is completion of my 5-year Computer Engineering degree with a Minor in Economics. The final stretch, 4B term, was quite a challenging one. From the countless sleepless nights trying to get our Fourth Year Design Project prototype to work, to an overloaded schedule (to fit in my Economics courses) as well as planning a grad trip while trying to study for exams, has made for the busiest term hands down. The past five years have definitely been a life changing experience for me, between everyone I’ve met along the way, and the lessons (both academic and in life) that I’ve learned.
