2012, what a year!

It is the last few days of 2012 (Few relative to the number of days in a year)

Well, 2012 has been a ball of a year, really.

I've said this pretty much every year but man!

This year has really been the best year yet.

From the kickstart of the year to the end, so many events have unfolded this year.

So many experiences, so many new friends, new cultures, new lessons, new sights and new passion.

This year has been definitely a year of 'news'.

So many places, things, experiences and people that have very easily taken my breathe away.

This is a life that I love and want it to keep getting better.

Last year was definitely a year of learning from mistakes and new experiences.

This year was just basking in them all. Trying to take in as much as I can at every turn.

So once again, as every year, here're the highlights of this entire year.

Looked through the eyes of all the firsts, hallmark moments and sights I'll never want to forget! I've learnt something from every experience, all of them, invaluable :)

(In an attempted chronological order)

1) Hong Kong / Macau

Right at the turn of the new year, a few of the better decisions I've made which kind of drove the year right ahead, missing the first week of school and heading to HONG KONG with Kris. It was a first 'real' holiday we did and it was pretty rad. I clearly recall seeing the skyline of Hong Kong and being amazed by it, going up to the mountain tops and seeing the entire city. Not forgetting wild partying at the drinking district, 10 shots in 8 seconds. HK was also the place whereby I may have just opened the gates to a Wanderlust Lionel.What can I say? Hong Kong, the fragrant city!

2) Crossfit Games 2012

Straight after the Chinese New Year was a rest-free period of body pounding. It was the "War Horses Training" Regime. I was gonna do the Crossfit Games 2012. Right there and then, I wanted to just see where I was standing at and to see how far I've come for Crossfit. Coach was a real inspiration to me, he's helped me, coached me, punished me and encouraged me. I can never thank him enough for it! Well, though I took the Games kind of lightly this year, I was pulled back down to Earth. I realized that I'm not the strongest and had many weaknesses to work on. I was stupid and made some mistakes, drinking days before the actual workout and not focusing on my diet. The Games revealed to me how much it meant to me to represent the box and go to Regionals. I, for one, am totally game on making it next year. If there's anything I've been doing for most of 2012 is prepping myself for it. I've been humbled and I'm going into the next Games season humbled as well. Another big thing which I realized was the presence and support of those close to me. My Family and Friends supported it so much! Kris was there all the time and it made doing the workouts much easier!

3) 4th Semester

The 4th Semester in NUS was when I really got things going for me. The ISE people were just amazing in that semester, they were accepting, nice and unbelievably friendly all the time. They also pack a whole lot of innovative ideas within them. I've learnt much about thinking outside the box, teamwork but most of all, guts! They don't think too much about maybe starting something new, they just do it! I love their courage and passion towards it! I'm looking forward to more semesters with these people! Live your life and how you're only young once!? If you're not making mistakes now, then when?

4) BDPs

These boys, wow these boys. I've been with them for so long and I never get tired of them. These boys have hung out with me and have welcomed Kris into the group readily every single time :). They know the deepest and darkest of secrets, they also know the very best of me. Right before leaving for exchange, they really threw me a good one and it's something to be remembered for. Many dumb nights were made with sometimes just a few or all or even just one of them. I've learnt loyalty through these fellas. I may not have seen them for long but I know that when the time comes, we'll have a hell of a party!

5) Keppel FELS

I'd always like to be known as young, wild and free really. But I guess there has to be a time whereby we all start to grow up and take responsibility for our future! So I guess the best choice was to rough it out and do what I never thought I'd do, an internship in Keppel FELS. An oil rig manufacturing company. I have got to admit, I've learnt a whole lot from them. Production, management, planning, expectation and perfection. I love the work, really. But the hours, the culture and the lifestyle just doesn't cut it for me. I said to myself I'll never work in CBD, ever!! After finishing my tour in Keppel, I said to myself, again, I'll never get my hands this dirty ever again! Not to say I hate working hard, I just didn't enjoy being that controlled. Keppel didn't just teach me the workplace skills, it taught me how to choose my path.

6) Shelby

I have no idea where this 2 came from, really. I mean, I've known them for a while now but really!? Audrey and Brenda have been my friends for long but I never knew we would form a pack like that. All the exciting drama that has occured whilst we were together and all the shit we stirred along with the concept of how our lives followed that of the characters in Gossip Girl. Being with them is always awesome (makes for great suppers too). Making a trip to Phuket with them and Kris made everything better and more comfortable if we were to all hang out. They're just great people whom, for some random reason, I can relate to and talk thrash with. They really showed me sincerity and what that meant!

7) Exchange USA

Perhaps the biggest event that occured this year. I don't think I can adequately sum up the entire echange experience in a small paragraph. Right before leaving, I was scared, I was really really scared. I didn't exactly know what to expect, what to think. I didn't know how the friends will be overseas and how much I'll miss the friends and family here in Singapore. Well, I guess I took One Bold Step and off I went. This was probably one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. I learnt much about life,culture and many other things. I've learnt so much, things like wanting to dare, to live for the moment, to take the risk, to make time for your happiness,, to enjoy learning and desire it, to chill a little in life and to believe in your dreams. Being here in the US, I've definitely changed.

Experiences will never be forgotten and will forever be embedded in my mind. The cultures I've embraced came from everywhere made me appreciate so many things more. The School cultures here have allowed me to renew my drive for learning and not just to get good grades, school here is actually fun. The campus is picture perfect and the community, speechless. I've learnt to smile more, learnt to be happier and to make time for it. Maybe it's surreal but one great thing about this place, are the sunsets and the stars, they're absolutely breathtaking. I've grown to understand the importance of friends and people around you. I've missed so many of my friends back home, especially Kris.

Now, as this is ending, I've come to realize that they mean more to me now compared to anything else in life. I've learnt that it isn't really just the place or the people that make this whole experience the way it is, it's the combination of everything. The cycling, the lessons, the WODs, the trips, the friends, the enemies, the laughter. They all made it amazing in it's own way. I've thoroughly enjoyed USA to the very last end. I know this isn't the life that is permanent but hey, my life has been changed for sure, so will my reality. :)

8) West Coast Tripping

Right before the Semester started, I made some time for myself to simply travel about the West Coast by myself. I was hungry to discover Crossfit for myself and so I went from box to box while enjoying the culture and atmosphere the city holds. The tour was from San Jose - Santa Cruz - Los Angeles. Over there I've chanced upon some really great boxes with an immense atmosphere. Some boxes were home to superstars, seeing people like Rebecca Voigt and Annie Sakamoto, it was a little surreal honestly. But that's when the Crossfit culture really hit me, they aren't too far away, these super stars.

However, it wasn't just the Crossfit culture which surprised me, it was the entire American Culture which blew me away. I now understand why the Crossfit Model emphasises this much on community. People were ridiculously friendly, they were extremely nice all the time. Being there made me feel at ease, different cities definitely held different meanings. San Jose was all about the business and sharing of ideas, people believed in the ideas that they had. Santa Cruz was just an amazing city in itself, I enjoyed it so much, I dare say it is perhaps one of the best places to be at. It makes me feel happy just thinking about it. Los Angeles, a city where people fought for their dreams. I went for Hard Fest, there Skrillex played a set and man, it was sick. I'd highly recommend all these cities if you're ever keen on travelling the west coast! Some may not be that prominent but it was a treasure just being there, talking to the town folks and enjoying a cuppa coffee watching people go by. Definitely a great feeling I will never forget.

9) International Friends

Entering a new school is never easy, it really isn't, I was scared and massively intimidated but was bent on moving out of my comfort zone. I refused to be reliant on my Singaporean counterparts for company. So I went out and met some new people. This was one of the best choices I made during the exchange which really made a huge difference. I've met so many different people and I don't think I can accurately name every single one of them. Some were closer than others and some meant more too. There were the people whom were hard party people, quiet dinner people and some, Mad Crossfitters. All of them have found a place in my heart.

I've learnt so much from them, I really have! Thinking about them now makes me miss them already. People like Ken, Amy, Flici, Andrea and Valentine were the closer few. Developing a circle of trust and making sense of so many things and questions of the US. But everyone else, Nic, Joseph, Dennis, Di, Sam, Mark, Ryan, Nils, Saki, Eliza, they all made an impact as well. I know many of you probably won't know who these people are, but they're definitely worth mentioning. All of them, not just those named above, were awesome companions on all levels. We were strangers initially but we became a family away from home. Perhaps the most important thing that they've taught me, is that it isn't that easy to walk in and out of my life anymore, I won't let it. Friendships were chosen and will definitely be held on to!

(Special shout out to everyone I've met during exchange, you're all awesome, attractive and amazing people! If I ever have the chance to meet you in any of your countries, I'd be extremely happy)

10) Surfing

Coming for this exchange, I had initially thought that it’d be a relatively exciting one. Honestly, I had taken an easy route, I chose to stay on campus in the dorm and what made things even more easy was another Singaporean was my roommate. Upon leaving Singapore, I knew that was a mistake, I wasn’t leaving my comfort zone and I was doing things the easy way. So from that moment on, I knew I had to get out there and do things which would risk me being embarrassed or uncomfortable for moments. The first choice wasn’t a bad one. Surfing in San Onofre!

I had always envied many of my friends whom post pictures of them surfing and I always wanted to do so, it was kind of a bucket list thing. However, I never knew it would be that HARD! I mean I really had to fight my way to actually do it. The beach at San Onofre was amazing, sun set was beautiful and riding the waves for the first time was a highlight of the entire trip. Some dolphins were even seen up close in the early mornings. It may have been tough but good things are always tough. The Pacific Ocean in front of you and the sand all around you, it was a feeling that was hard to describe. This was also the trip where I met all the other international students and we really hit it off from then on!

11) Home

Somewhere in the middle of September, it hit me, that small tingling emotion which drew me back to home. I started to miss home, really badly. I started to miss my boys, the church, my family and most of all, I started to miss Kris really badly. I guess it was the support that they gave to me during the entire semester back home. I suppose they all really meant so much to me. I do look forward to seeing them all again J

12) Wildcat Crossfit

In the search of the perfect box in Tucson, I researched and saw websites of different places, went to check out their place and did various workouts. Wildcat Crossfit, this place was calm and composed, nothing really fancy, not like the gyms I have seen on the West Coast. It was slightly more down to Earth, it resembled the rustic feel I think a box should have. It somehow resembled Crossfit Singapore, not just in terms of the physical fabrication but also in the softer side of things. The people were nice and friendly and they definitely packed a punch, they challenged me to do greater things, to push my limits in working out. The coaches dabbled for long periods on mobility and form instead of just speed. There was also a focus on the conjugate programming which was all so hard to achieve, there was a balance between that and constantly varied, which was really cool. I’ve learnt various new skills, new techniques here which I do hope to bring back home

A part of the whole training experience was amplified when I really went MAD with the training regimes. I’d do double days for 3 days a week for periods and hammer my body down. Rest was also adequate cause school work wasn’t too stressful and time consuming. Eventually, I was at a stage whereby I was focusing so much on Crossfit, I felt like it was becoming my profession. A huge learning experience, I’ve learnt how to plan and program for myself and gauge how my body should feel, whether it is too tired or broken or am I just lazy today? This was all amidst juggling the workouts from Wildcat as well as some from back home. It was interesting and somehow taking ownership of training made Crossfit a whole lot more interesting.

13) UofA (Football and culture)

Here in America, there was a focus on driving your passion, in doing what you like and to keep doing that! I suppose it isn’t statistically proven but it is my opinion that the people here are generally happier than those in most parts of the globe. Simply because they can take time to grab a coffee in the middle of work, find time to meet friends, party no matter how old you are.

In the UofA, it was so so different compared to NUS. I mean, the whole learning culture here is so self-driven, self-orientated. You can pursue a degree in astronomy and nobody would judge you. Back home, it’s all about the future prospects isn’t it? It’s all serious and all about the grades. People study to do well for exams and projects, no more. However, here, people learn to genuinely enrich their knowledge, it was something that I didn’t exactly comprehend at first. Towards the exam days, lecturers would be teaching new stuff and students would listen even though it isn’t tested in the finals. The lack of the bell curve gave much room for excelling and lesser competition. Sometimes, it just feels like NUS, though is such a highly ranked university is such a let-down when it comes to grooming adults and future ambassadors of society, it feel like sometimes they’re just treating your education as a passport to your future, period. I’ve learnt from the UofA to think otherwise, to really pursue passion at it’s best.

The disparity between the 2 schools is made even more obvious when it comes to school spirit and sports. I mean, in Singapore, we all believe that we can become champion sportsmen or sportswomen. However, who really cares over there? In the UofA, or USA in general, celebrate sports like it’s the biggest thing there is. Professional athletes are like idols and they really have a shot at things. College football games are completely sold out. We are talking about easily 7000-10000 people attending a typical seasonal game. This is not even the finals or championships. People who watch come from all over town, old and new students come to cheer the school on. It’s school spirit at its utmost best, nothing I’ve seen can really be compared to these charged up students and residents from Arizona. I’m trying not to make too many comparisons but I guess this is so lacking back home! I’m gonna miss the celebration of sports and the fun that they all bring. I’m really going to miss how they believe in their companions and how they will fight on their behalf just to ensure that the teams pride is not stepped on.

14) Nocturnal Wonderland

I haven’t always been a party person (Ok, who am I kidding). But I haven’t been that much of an electronic music fan until this year. Then I decided to drag Valentine along to attend one of those Electronic Dance Music Festivals you see on youtube that often. Nocturnal Wonderland! One weekend just to go wild and crazy, why not!?

Well, it was pretty much the experience of a lifetime. I can easily say it was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had in my life. Pretty much one of the best weekends even! It was a real treat for the senses, what you saw, heard, felt was beyond amazing, if I could, I would taste the experience. The DJs whom played were out of this World. The best of the best were part of the event and raging was just sick! You would feel like everyone was one with you, nobody judged you for anything dumb that you did or said. Everyone embraced the fun and music, everyone was there to be a part of it. The music was in your heart all the time, the moments can never be adequately captured on film, we can only remember it and simply so something this Mad again. Nocturnal Wonderland really brought the term Wild to a whole new level!

15) The many USA parties

I’ve had some great parties back home, I really have. Singapore still holds the crown for being the party city of most of the places I’ve been to. The clubs are reasonably sized and massive. However, over here in the States, the parties don’t necessarily happen in the clubs. They happen wherever you want it to. It could be in a massive frat house, a slightly smaller club or a friend’s house or dorm.

I’ve been to so many different peoples houses and partying it up over at theirs. Ryans house, Flici’s house, Dee’s place. There has been the occasional big party with DJs such as Tiesto and Afrojack coming into town. Some I remember, some I don’t (Be it intentionally or not). Living the high life is totally different when drinks are cheap and accessible, when the best places are just 20 minutes away, it can’t get any better. Oh and EVERYONE parties, it doesn’t matter what age you are, what race, what background. Everyone hits it up, they all know dancing, they all know about going out and having a good night. That’s what I love about this place, they all strive to live the life and take no excuses for it.

16) Kris coming! (Sedona and Vegas)

Just when I think I was about to lose my mind, with all the hard hitting challenges in school and friends all around, (Who am I kidding, life was pretty chill). But some support wouldn’t hurt. Either way, it was quite a relief when Kris came over for a visit to Arizona! It was extremely fun and definitely memorable. Whose girlfriend travels thousands of miles, flies for 25 hours just to see her boyfriend for 10 days? It was moving and I didn’t expect it to really come to past, honestly, I was overjoyed and really happy when she touched down.

Well, it wasn’t just boring Tucson either. Travelling to different paces to keep things interesting made it an experience for me as well. Sedona was one of those places. The Red Rock city, it was literally a town in the middle of beautiful landscapes, you’d wake up and see amazing sights, go to bed with the stars in your eyes. Other than the obvious truth that wow, God is good and how majestic those things were, it was also really tranquil. It was peaceful where you were really one with nature. You could feel totally at ease with little or no worries, time will past relatively fast and you wouldn’t even notice it. It’s such a step down from the usual pace that I already know. Maybe that’s what we should be doing huh? Take some time to stop and smell the flowers!

The next city was quite the opposite though. It is also one of my most favourite cities I’ve ever been to in my life. Las Vegas! I’ve been there a total of 3 times and if I had the chance to, I’d go back there again. Yes, I splurge and spend on almost everything for a good experience, I throw money away on a 30 dollar tequila shot when I can get a whole bottle for that 30. But man! It is worth it! Las Vegas is a city of Dreams for me! No, dreams don’t get fulfilled here, you don’t see that much prosperity. But when you’re there, your mind changes, you become more outgoing, more dangerous, more adventurous and definitely more expressive. You begin to demand better treatment and expect the best out of yourself and every moment that you remain in Vegas for. But perhaps every moment we are alive, we should expect that shouldn’t we? Vegas featured Calvin Harris, Martin Solveig and was so many more DJs and awesome parties. It is truly a city I can never forget, Viva Las Vegas!

However, as Kris soon left, I guess it tore me up once again. Leaving me sad and wanting the entire exchange to end. It made me want to scrap the rest of my time here and go back with her. I guess I could but it made me realize one thing, I’m quite addicted to her.

17) Garage Games

It took me lots of guts to actually sign up for this and make turn up for this actual competition. I had decided to join the Garage games just to see how I fare with everyone else around town and to simulate how the Games would be like. Man, I was real darn nervous and scared. I recall how jittery I was entering Crossfit Purgatory to register myself, seeing all the big boys and crazy timings. Well, once again, in a competition like this, it truly revealed so many of my weaknesses as a Crossfit athlete. Weaknesses in my mind and in the physical sense were exposed.

I was underestimating myself on so many accounts and overestimating myself on many others. Entering the first workout, I had to do a Franish workout, but I busted out, my breathe was out of pace, my grip was weak and my mind just wasn’t in it. Second workout, 7 deadly sins, I was way too confident, thinking that I’ll punch through. Well, on the contrary, I went too hard too fast, busted out again. I didn’t even finish it. Towards the last workout, I was all seeking to redeem myself, going hard on all the Snatches in the Snatch ladder. I PRed my snatch after going through a whole series of snatches every 30 seconds. Now, that was something I did not expect. Then I realized, maybe it isn’t so much of just believing how much you can do. But it’s perhaps all about just going out there and having fun. You think too much about it and you’ll just get your heart rate up. In a sport whereby your heart rate is already ridiculously elevated, calm down!

18) Colorado River Canoeing

In the break of winter, a couple of the international students got out our camping gear once again and hit the outdoor adventures club doing the Colorado Canoeing trip. This was just a real great time for me to kick back, relax and enjoy the scenery and put the sport of fitness to good use. Canoeing was always fun for me, probably will take it up next time too.

What really captivated me though was the whole feeling that we were alone with nature, there was literally, nobody there except us. You could see the peaceful side of nature and how this all seemed worthwhile. This kind of made me feel like I was starting all over again, that all sins can be washed away in this World.

19) Hard Channel

Gearing up for the Crossfit Games Open 2013, Wildcat Crossfit started the best program I could ask for. A ramp up program for the athletes whom were serious about it, 2 hour training sessions every other day with all the effort devoted to improving your fitness. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an amateur or a pro, it just meant you were serious about developing your fitness, real serious. It was initially called the Viking-Demi-God-Open-Training. Well, we decided to just call it the HARD CHANNEL.

The name really spoke for itself. It got us going darn hard, harder than I have ever gone before. These trainings probably consist of all my top 10 ‘favorite’ workouts ever. It has pushed me to my utter limits. However, the most important thing I got out of this was learning how to push myself all over again, to really “GO GET IT” and living with my power animal and going with it. Other than all the trainings, I guess the HARD CHANNEL got me closer to all the other athletes. The people like Joseph, Dennis and Ryan became close training partners. Whereas Angela, Marit and Irma just became good friends, Nic amongst them became a great companion cause of his awesome programing. I have never trusted someone with my training this much before and I’m glad I did cause I’ve seen gains I’ve never imagined and am really proud of it. I’m gonna be following this programming all the way till the opens and I’m hopeful with all the improvements that would be possible!

20) Toronto / Chicago

Thanksgiving weekend, the decision was made to ditch all the school work and head up North to meet a good old friend, Yong Chao. We met in Toronto and headed down to Chicago after. It was quite a good experience meeting him once again and noticing how different our lives have changed. It has definitely followed the similar path in the sense that we all decided to step out of the comfort zone. But it made me think twice about my education, my future and my dreams in Singapore. About how if you want to pursue it, gosh don’t be afraid to!

Being in Chicago simply magnified that a whole lot too, it was a city of prosperity (Not forgetting the cold). It was a place where people chased their dreams down till they got it. They pursued excellence and before they knew it, they were set and ready to go. Perhaps it’s an Asian mentality to be more conservative to hold a bit more back. But nah, it’s time to change and move on!

 

21) San Diego

The last trip during the semester was San Diego. A trip with just a few of us, was perhaps the best choice this whole semester. San Diego was beautiful, it was lively, it was simply to die for. Honestly, I would rank San Diego the best city I’ve ever been to, ever! Simply cause it isn’t far from real business, Crossfit was massive in San Diego with Invictus being a popular one, the people were happy and easy going and best part, the beaches were insane! Getting a hostel by the beach, I heard waves’ crashing while I fell asleep, that was probably the best experience ever.

But once again, the trip was made perfect by the people. Ken, Andrea, Flici and Valentine were great travel buddies. Best part, a good circle of trust was formed, a circle of trust I never knew was possible for a group of international students like us. Perhaps friendship does transcend all boundaries 

22) Farewell Tucson

Leaving Tucson was like leaving home all over again, I guess I can’t say much about this. Simply because it was a sad experience and its effects would only be felt when the school semester does start again. It feels as though UofA has become a part of me, it has formed a core in me so much quicker and stronger compared to that in NUS. I have no idea why but I think I’ll really miss the place and the people a whole lot. All I can do now is to bring whatever I have with me back to Singapore in hopes that somehow I can make a difference. Friends will not be forgot, I’m sure of that, Arizona now holds a special place in my heart.

23) Winter Travelling!

The very last moment in this whole exchange experience ends on a really good note, with nobody else but Kris coming. Well, this post is being written while the travelling is underway. We’ve been to Boston, Washington and Dallas. Still on our itinerary would be Miami, Orlando and NYC. Of course all of them brings a different meaning to US, a different face at every turn. However, I’m just glad that I’m here with Kris and that I can get ready to go back home. I love her and I don’t think anything can replace this feeling that I have.

                   

This entire year has been amazing, I’m actually sad that it is coming to an end. Looking back like this really makes me appreciate what God has been doing in my life all this time, I look back with gratitude and thanks. I’m glad that all has occurred and happened. I guess it is just for the better, to look forward to 2013 with a strong heart. Whatever 2013 holds, no matter what stress, happiness, disappointments, achievements and victories comes my way, I’m sure 2012 has taught me enough to embrace it. Thank God for 2012, really. Now, time to bring on 2013!

Happy New Year Everyone!