2014: The year through my lenses

Not my camera lens, sorry if you're disappointed. I meant it as a metaphor of my eyes. In other words, this post is a summary of the year from my point-of-view. 

I got caught up with procrastinating at the end of 2013 that I ended up not doing a summary for that year. It's a pity now that I think of it. I shall not let it happen again this year, so let's do this the usual way.

Lee Kwang Soo Fan Meeting in Malaysia

I was shortlisted to work at Kwang Soo's fan meeting on the 4th of January 2014 through an online translator search that took place in December 2013. 

This part ended up being too long for this summary, so I decided to write it on a separate page here. Same goes to a few of the sections below. Feel free to click on the respective links for the full story if you're interested.

Badminton Malaysia Open 2014

Unlike most of the previous years, Malaysia Open 2014 was my second - not first - major event of the year. For the first time in badminton events, my Korean proficiency (albeit still seriously lacking in all ways) was put to good use. 

Awesome seat to work from while catching the matches in action.

I was also told to accompany Olympic champion and then Malaysia Open champion Li Xuerui on a TV interview as her interpreter.

Full story here.

KBS Quiz on Korea preliminary round in Malaysia

I participated in the quiz by KBS on Korean culture, and got selected as the Top 10 for the final in Malaysia. I wouldn't have taken part in the quiz had I known beforehand that they would ask us to perform a three-minute talent show during the Top 10 round. 

Top 10, judges and the ambassador of ROK embassy in Malaysia.

Full story here. 

Determination Training: Project 365... failed

I think it runs in the family. I lack determination. The only few things that I've stayed determined to are perhaps: eat, sleep, live... and learning Korean. 

Inspired by my senior Julian, I decided to start Project 365, doing something special every day for 365 days. I thoughtlessly started off by doing an origami a day, posting pictures of them on my old instagram account dedicated to the project. 

Some of the products of my "Project 365 turned 30-day origami project".
The full set can now be viewed on my Facebook album here.

Half way through the first month, I decided that I'd do 30 days of origami, and the following 30 days, I'll do some other things. 

I did make it to the end of the next 30 days, but that's also when the entire project ended, certifying failure... or in more optimistic terms: 60 days succeeded :D

Books, Non-academic

Some of the books I finished/haven't finished this year.
Some I'm still reading, some I read bits here and there.
I just realised I've probably read books in three languages this year.
English, Korean and Chinese. Sweet.

I've always been a slow reader. Not dyslexic. I just take longer time, maybe much longer, to read/finish a book compared to majority of my peers who read. This year, I set a record.

I first finished Mitch Albom's 'The Five People You Meet in Heaven' within a week - and that was during my final exam week! - then, I spent my Christmas afternoon and a few hours on the next day reading 'Tuesdays with Morrie'. 

Less than two days to finish reading a full-length novel. My best record.

University: You Might Have Read of...

If you've been following my posts here, you might have read that university life has been tough. I didn't blog much throughout 2014, but it seems like when I did, I talked about how tough university is. 

Right, and I still am a hopeless procrastinator. Hopeless, and helpless.

In the final semester of my second year (March-July 2014), I got my first C since I left secondary school in 2007. I remember that subject - Psychological Testing, the first and probably only subject in my three-year degree course that requires mathematical skills. 

I admit I did take the whole thing too, too easily. Day-dreaming through lectures the entire semester, and only flipping through the text book like I would a random magazine the night before the paper. I totally deserved that C. Perhaps even a C is too much for how little I worked. But I'm not even complaining. Academics has never topped my priority list in life. 

My final year has begun with the commencement of the August 2014 semester. Now I'm left with thesis, internship and one final semester before graduation. 

On my 2014 planner. Counting down since week 2 of the term.
I probably need counselling.

I never thought I'd be doing this, but not knowing what topic to work on for my thesis, I approached the one and only lecturer in our department who has topics prepared for students, and requested for him to be my supervisor. That's how I ended up doing this blood glucose, personality traits, and cognitive performance thing. 

If you happen to be anywhere near me in January-March 2015, and if you're interested to participate in this study(by allowing me to prick your finger, give you a personality questionnaire and let you do some cognitive games on the computer), please don't hesitate to drop me a message, here in the comments box, through the 'contact' form at the top of this page, or through Facebook. ;) 

Music: My Escape from Academic-induced Pressure

I might have mentioned in my previous entries as well, I finally spent money on a Korean music album. I never thought of myself as a Kpop fan, and in fact, what I finally spent on wasn't pop but country/folk. 

Love Love Love, Roy Kim's first album; and Home, his second album - autographed ;)
My second autograph from a Korean celeb after Kwang Soo's signed poster.

Roy Kim's music has been my charger/potion since I learnt about him and his music in March(few days before going into that final semester of Year 2). Thanks to him, also, I got to know many other musicians and songs that I never knew/did know but never paid attention to. I've also found the long lost love for country/folk music I had as a kid.

I have no idea how I'd survive this academic year if it weren't for Roy and his music, as well as the other songs I came to know because of him. I'm sure music will continue to be one of my best escape methods from academic problems in the new year, just like it's always been since secondary school. 

Some of the albums/songs that sum up my year.

Oh, and I have a new dream - to watch Roy's concert live. 

Life as it is

I took part in a Korean speech contest in early December, only to hear the organisers announce that the final round will be held during my final exam week. I mailed the organisers to ask about it, they encouraged me to try, saying that they would make arrangements for me to deliver my speech first so I can leave and prepare for my exams early. I ended up not getting a spot in the Top 10 anyway, and boy I was relieved. Another indicator that things do happen for a reason.

Received some hand-made bookmarks from Korea in November.
My very belated birthday present from a friend.
Lovely, aren't they?^^

I can't keep track of how many baby clothes and toys we've spent on this year. Seems like many people around me became new parents in 2014. 

So many disasters happened this year. First the missing MH370, the unfortunate MH17, the Sewol ferry incident that broken the hearts of many, and even the recent case of AirAsia QZ8501. My heart hurts at how harsh reality and life can be, yet for many other parts of the world, life simply carries on as if nothing has ever happened. We're tiny beings. Perhaps we shouldn't magnify our daily problems so much. We're but specks of dust in the universe.

I contributed to the ALS Association, albeit not much.
I also did translation work online to earn points in exchange for cash
donation to the Child Education Support.

Oh, that's right. This year, I turned 23.

Almost Done...

I'm thankful for an amazing 2014, for the fact that my beloved people are still healthy, safe and sound by my side. I'm feeling sickish with a sore-throat right now, and my health condition has probably been at its low throughout 2014, but I'm thankful for not having and serious illness or major pains, both physically and mentally.

For 2015, I hope for my loved ones to be healthy, happy and blessed; for the world to be kinder to its people, and the people to be kinder to the world.

Triplets Daehan, Minguk and Manse (from right) from KBS The Return of
Superman. The three little angels who has undoubtedly made my 2014 brigher.

As for myself, I want to eat, pray, love (no pun intended), and exercise more often. I also hope to return to a proper sleep cycle, stay healthy/be healthier, stay positive, and to continue learning. I noticed how I seldom took photos throughout 2014, so I hope I'll take more pictures of the random/meaningful events in 2015.

I won't say 'may 2015 be a better year', because 2014 has been great to me, really. 

So here's to a happy, blessed new year. 

People come and go. Thank you, to those who came and never left. 

Peace love happiness.

Thanks for reading. Thank you so much.

Ee Lyn