Welcome to 2010
1 Jan
I ushered in the new year standing in OBF‘s kitchen with a glass of bubbly, surrounded by six of my closest funnest friends from high school. This particular group of friends is one that I’ve kept in touch with the best – we always get together whenever there’s more than two of us back in The City.
Someone I didn’t really know was eavesdropping while I updated my high school friends on the Singapore situation.
“Aren’t you going to miss your friends?” She suddenly asked.
I paused for half a beat. “I didn’t really think about that.” She didn’t seem satisfied with my answer. “I figure I’ll make new friends there,” I added. It didn’t occur to me until later how harsh that sounded. The friends in my life now, the ones I’ve known for over seven years, are they replaceable?
I never put too much stock in friendship because I moved around a lot as a child, and I never had trouble making new friends wherever I went (keeping in touch with old friends, that was the trouble). It wasn’t until high school that I stayed in one place. But once I did, the friendships that formed were stronger than anything I’d ever imagined.
These are friends who are guaranteed to be able to make me laugh, and laugh so hard I need to take time-outs. These are friends who know me, and each other, so well that we can be around each other without any filters or pretenses. These are friends who I can call on after a year of zero contact, and pick up exactly where we left off.
When I think about it hard enough, yes, I absolutely will miss these friends, no matter how many new friends I make. When I think about it hard enough, I almost wish I’d picked New York instead of Singapore.
But I also know that these are friends for life. And that means, that no matter where I end up, no matter how scattered we become, our friendship will never change.
I have a lot to look forward to in 2010. For me, the new year means:
- Graduating from university. Final exams end in early April for me, and I also have three weeks off throughout the term, so I only have three months worth of class left.
- Traveling. Many of my friends from The Business School are on exchange this term, and they won’t finish school until early June. Which means I can couch-surf throughout Europe in April and May. I also plan on going back to China to visit my grandmother before heading to Singapore. So the plan is: Canada –> Eastern Europe –> Canada –> China –> Singapore.
- Moving to Singapore. This is something I look forward to entirely separate from starting my job. I am planning to get a condo in the Central Business District (downtown Singapore), somewhere close to the subway lines, walking distance to my office, and of course, with all the bells and whistles of a Singapore condo (Olympic-size swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and sometimes even maid service – seriously, each one is like its own little resort).
- Starting work. I will be starting work at the Consulting Firm in September. After a one-week training, I will immediately be plunged into a project. Although it is very difficult to predict where the project will be, odds are it will be in China or Hong Kong. Other possible locations include: Thailand, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, or Europe, or North America. With the Consulting Firm, the world is literally my oyster.
2010 is a major turning point. It is the end of my life as a student and the beginning of my life as a fully independent adult. And I can’t wait.
What does 2010 mean for you?
I so wanna visit Eastern Europe one day… I don’t think anyone I know is up for it, though. Anyway 2010 is gonna bring a whole load of new challenges for me, school-wise. I’m staying optimistic here!
Yay Singapore! XD
Eastern Europe? Where? When? Maybe we can meet up :D
How exciting your year sounds! Best of luck in 2010. I can’t wait to read about your adventures in Singapore. As for me, 2010 means continuing to settle down in Berkeley, CA, teach, and reside with my boyfriend and our two cats.
Your plans for 2010 sound marvelous. There aren’t many people out there who are as lucky to find a job like that that includes so much traveling! This year doesn’t mean anything nearly as exciting for me, but here’s to an amazing 2010 for both of us :)
It’s always nice to have that handful of friends whom you know will always be there no matter the distance (cliche, I know) or whatever happens, really.
2010 sounds like a big turning point, and it’s such a pretty number! As for me, 2010 doesn’t promise anything great as of yet, but the rest is up to me :)
I wish yah the best in 2010. :)
It’s so important to build those friendships which sustain past the periods of lulls.
2010 sounds awesome for you! Congrats on all of the soon to be achievements! I’m not sure what 2010 means for me, but I’m hoping it brings forth more self-discovery and stabilizes my life a bit more.
Good luck! I hope to travel half as much as you :)
It sounds like 2010 is going to be a busy, adventurous year. Good luck and best wishes!
I envy your life… Wish I had a job and a condo in Singapore :P