Flashback of 2013

Currently at Doha International Airport waiting for my flight back home (: We were really lucky to have caught our flight from New York because there was a snow storm approaching and many flights after ours were cancelled. Thank God we made it! Can't believe that my 5 months exchange has finally come to an end. #bittersweet The past 5 months have been really eye-opening and fulfilling, and I wouldn't exchange this experience for anything in the world.

Ok so since I have 6 more hours till boarding, I shall do a brief review of 2013. Overall, 2013 was rather smooth sailing, & I'm thankful for that.

CNY 
Jem & I visited each other's family for the first time. Heheh. His parents were very hospitable, and despite the usual first-moment awkwardness, everything went well I guess haha.

The spread his mum prepared!

6 mths anni, Valentine's Day, my birthday
These 3 events all occurred in Feb, so we were jokingly saying that Jem was gonna be sooo broke. He actually got me presents on all 3 occasions (so touched) which makes me love the month of Feb so much more heheh.

All dolled up for our 6mths dinner!

Anni bouquet

Valentine's and my bday were both at Jap restaurants cos we loveeeee jap food! Esp Jap buffets eeeps no wonder we have been putting on weight :(

My bday was a really simple affair unlike my 21st. Rmb receiving a surprise snail mail from my dearest friend Sab, mini celebration with my family and date with Jem.

Super thoughtful friend I have <3

SBM
Worked with a bunch of wonderful marketing girls (& a guy) lol. Wasn't really close to any of them initially, but turned out our team had really good dynamics! We actually made it to the finals of 'So you think you can brand?' which was an achievement for all of us because we put in so much effort for that project!

Fun times

Year 3 Sem 2
Many of my friends went for exchange during this semester, & Jem was on LOA, so I had to make new friends in many classes. Surprisingly, I did extremely well despite working with new people. Highest GPA since I entered SMU. Scored my first A+ and my lowest grade was an A-. Haha! Hope I keep up the good work next sem (:

Internship at OCBC
I was clueless about what the E-Commerce Dept did initially but I 'graduated' with a lot more knowledge and appreciation for the Internet and Mobile Banking team. Learnt quite a lot from this internship, so thank you to my supervisors and colleages! Grateful for the opportunity to learn from a team of committed staff (:

Level 22 view

Fellow group of interns! xxx

Graduation day!

Fall Exchange
HEC Montreal wasn't actually my first choice because I never wanted to travel anywhere so far. I really hate long distance flights hahaha. Can you imagine my sense of dread when I knew I had to fly 30 hours just to reach Montreal?! But I guess it was a blessing in disguise because I managed to venture into places I wouldn't have considered without this exchange opportunity in Canada. (:

When I first reached Montreal, the weather was almost perfect (around 18 degrees) and I could walk around in t-shirt and jeans very comfortably. However, the cold started to sweep in during winter and we were literally shivering every single time we headed out. At wind chills of -28 degrees, I don't anyone could feel warm even with the thickest layers. :O

Montreal is a peaceful place with not much sightseeing or touristy areas imo. I had a pleasant stay there for 4 months, but I probably wouldn't head back again as a tourist. I've visited all the places that Montreal has to offer hahaha. If you were to visit Montreal, I would probably recommend visiting Mont Royal Park, Jean Talon Market, Mont Tremblant (for hiking or skiing), McGill area for shopping, and St Dennis Street for pubs and good restaurants.

Academic-wise, I would say that the Canadian education system is somewhat similar to Singapore's, albeit less competitive. Got back most of my grades already, & I'm pleased that I did considerably well given my level of effort during exchange hahaha.

Thankful for the bunch of friends who made exchange a lot more memorable and interesting. To my group of Singaporean friends in HEC Montreal, thank you for making me feel at home away from home. (: Can't wait for our gatherings soon ^^

My first encounter with snow <3

Travels
Throughout my exchange period I travelled to quite a number of places in Canada and US (& Cuba). Favourite destination would be Las Vegas! Really love the vibrant night life and being surrounded by atas hotels and casinos all the time hahaha. Also visited the Grand Canyon during my stay in Las Vegas and the view was spectacular.

I hope to be back again someday Vegas <3

Amazing view of the Grand Canyon

I also enjoyed my time in San Francisco, Mont Tremblant and NYC!

Dim Sum bfast in San Fran (:

San Fran's Chinatown is the best I've visited. They have the most amazing dim sum and Chinese food (: Can compete with Singapore's!

First skiing experience!

Skiing was one of my YOLO moments hahaha. The terrains at Mont Tremblant were not easy (not like other beginner slopes you see in Korea etc.) and we didn't go for any lesson! :/ Pumped with adrenaline the whole time but glad that I successfully conquered the slope with minimal falls. Thank God for the beautiful weather that day and for keeping us safe!

Grand Central Park, New York City

Travel buddies!

Best part of NYC for me was the Woodbury Premium Outlets haha. The sales there were pretty amazing. Got some Coach bags/wallets for my family at 70% off! #cheapcheap Times Square, Grand Central Station, Central Park and Chelsea Market are some of the other must-visits when in NYC.

Other travel destinations include Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Toronto, Boston, Cuba (!!! love this place too) and Washington DC! Travelling can be tiring at times, but also addictive once you discover all the incredible sights all over the world. Thank you b for taking good care of me & loving me at my worst. <3

Now I just can't wait to go home and meet my family, friends & settle down. Time to prepare for a new semester and even more fulfilling year ahead. Goals for myself this year are to lose all the extra weight I gained (heheheh), stay healthy, optimistic, driven, disciplined, be more active in church and make time for all my loved ones and myself.

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy year ahead xxx.