I try to do a round up at the end of each year and I plan to do the same for 2015. Well where do I start? 2015 has been yet another eventful year for me, for us. If I could use a word to describe our year, I think it was the year of change.
I started the year in January with good news at work, i.e. I got the promotion which I was working so hard for, but despite getting it, I got real jaded. I was disillusioned and tried to explore a lot of options to cope with my burnout, including taking a sabbatical. However fate would have it that I got two job offers in the same week, throwing me into utter confusion.
 |
| Ha, cheesy picture, I know. This was our San Francisco office. |
K and I went home in March and celebrated both my grandma's birthday as well as K's birthday in Singapore. A first for K in 7 years which was kinda special. In the same trip we took a short beach getaway to Langkawi, my first time to Malaysia in years. The beautiful Pulau Payar blew me away and we ate so much in that few days.
 |
| Pulau Payar |
We traveled to Deauville in Northern France over easter with Doris and Thean and we rented a car driving in the French countryside, village hopping. I think I saw some of the most beautiful villages in that trip despite the rainy weather. We both love France especially in the countryside and would favour them over Paris anytime. That was the inaugural Ryanair flight to Deauville and I remember us being welcome by the mayor of the city flanked by reporters all over, speaking in French which we couldn't understand so oh well, hey let's grab some complimentary croissants on our way out. Merci beaucoup!
In May I did a girly trip to Sorrento, Italy with two of my close friends Gabby and Marketa. It was seen as our annual girly trip although it would soon be our last as Marketa and hubby has ironically, moved to Singapore recently for work. And Gabby is having a baby next month.
I soon made my decision on my job and did the unthinkable - I resigned from my company after 10 years and 4 months there. A place which was like my second home. It was real hard to say goodbye to my friends (farewell my fellow long suffering comrades). I even managed to take a 5 week break which I would dare say, well deserved.
 |
| At my farewell drinks with my greater team |
For the first few days I felt real weird not having to go to work. People around me were envious and kept asking how I was doing but all I felt was this unsettling feeling like I'm not supposed to be at home. I was still texting my team mates asking about work and stuff. Crazy I know.
In the first week of my break I managed to get tickets to Wimbledon which was amazing and coincided with the hottest day of the year. I went with Liling and we both enjoyed ourselves thoroughly despite our sweat beads. On hindsight we were lucky enough to watch the two champions play - Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.
 |
| Wimbledon day 3! |
Miraculously K also managed to take some time off and we did our much delayed honeymoon - yippee. Two weeks off… to the States! You might recall me blogging it in detail - the places we went to, the things we did. In short we flew into Vegas, tried to win the jackpot but alas it wasn't meant to be; we then took a bus to Los Angeles followed by driving to Sequoia National Park where we roamed amongst dinosaur sized trees (still in awe of them). We then drove to Yosemite National Park via the most winding mountain roads we've ever been on which kept us on the edge of our seats. Lastly we ended our 15 day holiday in San Francisco where admittedly I was all ready to head back to London by then. Contrary to many, both of us are not a big fan of San Francisco and we attribute it down to the rough neighbourhood which we stayed in which made us feel unsafe the whole time.
5 weeks flew past and soon I started my new job. My new office is now a 5 minutes walk to K's and it is quite nice to meet up for lunch once or twice a week. Never tire of each other I say ;) The longer travel journey was made worse by upgrading works at London Bridge station and we both struggled (and still are) struggling with it.
We saw more of the UK in the second half of the year, one of which was a highlight for me when we went to the North York Moors in August and drove around the national park which was mostly empty so it was just us and the countless sheep with the beautiful purple heather flowers all over. We also dedicated a "Jay Chou day" where we visited Castle Howard and Selby Abbey where he held his wedding reception and said his vows.
 |
| In the North York Moors |
 |
| Penshurst Place & Gardens in Spring with the purple Wisterias |
 |
| Roses galore! |
Looking back on the year, it was a year of change for me and K in terms of work. We do feel, however, more settled at home having moved in for almost 2 years now. As RX said to me "you guys have now made it your own." We welcomed various guests over the year, most recent being the Tews spending Christmas with us here in London (more to come on that). This is also the year which I've learnt not to take certain friendships for granted, and opened my eyes to some friendships which will weather storms. As much as I love spending time with K, I'm constantly reminded that we both need to have a healthy balance and hang out with our friends too. And I'm constantly mindful of being proactive with friends, especially now that we live so far out, it does take a greater effort to meet up with friends after work or on weekends.
With 2015 having its fair share of ups and downs, I be honest to say there are also some question marks too. However I'm reminded of the theme verse from my home church for 2015, the year of Restoration:
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locus, My great army which I sent among you" Joel 2:25
I thank God for a good and healthy 2015, and I continue to hold on to His promises especially that of restoration. Whatever that was lost, He shall restore, and not only that, it shall be a seven-fold restoration. This was the sermon which Pastor Prince preached when I was home in November and I don't remember the last time I heard God speak to me that directly and clearly. When life throws question marks, there is almost nothing we can do except to trust God, and trust God I will.
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Comments