Sunday, January 8, 2012

One year on

I returned to Singapore from a wonderful exchange program exactly one year ago.
So much has happened within this one year.

I’ve never cried so much before in my entire life thus far. My LDR was soooooo emotionally-draining; I’m one who thinks too much, reads too much into things, easily jumps to conclusions and gets swayed by others’ opinions. All I can say is that while absence makes the heart fonder, out of sight, out of mind/heart.

Likewise, I couldn’t forget about my life in Korea. Many a times, my mind would drift and I would start thinking about the good times spent there instead of studying and focusing on my work. The 1st semester back in Singapore wasn’t good at all because I missed YW like crazy and it was also hard to readjust to life in NUS after a semester as an exchange student. My CAP dropped but I managed to bring it back to the level before my exchange semester by exercising 2 S/U options.

My 2nd semester (or rather my 1st semester as a Year 4 student) was worse than the 1st in terms of the emotions I experienced throughout the semester. I lost my appetite for an entire week (never happened before considering how I’m always hungry) before I turned to running on my treadmill almost everyday as a form of stress and unhappiness release. I felt so much happier after every workout and I even lost weight too :P Eventually, I managed to gain control of things and somehow pulled up my CAP too :) I must say that I emerged as a stronger person through all the trials and tribulations for the past year.

The year-end holiday was the best holiday of my school life too. After my treadmill couldn’t take the stress of my weight and intensity of my workouts (alright, my workouts weren’t that intense haha) and decided to breakdown, I returned to Amore Fitness which was good because I have to use up 44 classess before May this year. In gist, I spent my holiday studying for my GMAT, exercising, giving tuition to a Korean kid and starting another handmade jewellery blogshop (something I wanted to do for the longest time but kept procrastinating). For once, I felt that I really made full use of my holiday.
The year-end trip to Taiwan was great as well because I really enjoyed myself and feel recharged for my final semester in school. Most importantly, I returned to Singapore with my memories of Korea almost wiped out. I’m not saying that I don’t want to remember anything that happened in Korea but it was soooooo hard to let go of what was then and to focus on what is now. I spent 2011 living in my memories of 2010. But now, it’s time to spend 2012 as 2012. Because there is a time for everything. And that’s why I keep stressing to my blog readers, friends and juniors the importance of making the best out of their exchange experience because it only happens once. And once it’s over, it’s over. Move on with life!

I know this year will be a great year for me, because I’ll make it a great year (and ignore the fact that it’s my zodiac year- during which I’m supposedly going to face much difficulties and challenges in).

Have a great year everyone!!!!!!!!!!

I love January because it’s my birthday month :P

10 comments:

pamela said...

hello pamela here (was in your korean 3 class like 2 years ago) haha just happened to read your blog while reading up on post-exchange blues >.< ah i think your last sentence about exchange is so true. life just have to go on even though i'm missing korea and the people everyday ㅠㅠ your blog post is very encouraging though ^^

claralala said...

Hello Pamela! I was following your pictures on Facebook during the whole time when you were in Korea haha. Love them!
Thank you :) The hardest part is letting go of the past and moving on with the present. All the best and happy new year!

Mk said...

I am delighted to have come across your blog!! Will be an exchange student in Yonsei this Spring and I find ur blog very useful keep it up and I hope this year will be a great year for you~ ^^

claralala said...

Thank you :) Have a great exchange and happy new year to you too!

Anonymous said...

hi, i was googling on korea and came across your blog. thanks for capturing all the beautiful memories!
i was on exchange too- but to europe :) for the following semester my brain was like yours- thinking back of the good days...
why we live in memories- because everything changes, memories are the only ones that don't
i have a story with a korean boy too... :/

claralala said...

Hello :)
Exchange always does that to everyone :( I’m going to Europe in a few days’ time for grad trip! And then I might live in my memories of my grad trip for some time to come after that too.
How did your story turn out? I hope things are going strong for you! :)

Anonymous said...

aww!! hope you are having a great grad trip! i went to europe (again) for my grad trip as well. that was also where i met the korean boy- in a dorm lol. anyway the previous time i didnt say much but i just came back from a holiday in korea, i met him once again, but i guess as always distance is too much, and cultural/ language barriers is one big thing.
but i think really sometimes when we stay as friends we can be sure we will go a longer way, it is hard and oh well simpler...
i'll be back to visit your space, be sure to update your europe travels :)
xx

Koryn said...

Bloghopping! Came across your blog while I was googling for filming locations in South Korea. I thoroughly enjoyed your posts! Had my vacation in Seoul last year and totally fell in love with the place! I could just imagine how much you miss it now since you stayed there for so long :)

www.koryniledan.blogspot.com

claralala said...

My grad trip was great :) I fell in love with Italy and now I feel like learning Italian too :P
Oh, I stayed in hostels but only in private rooms so I didn’t really get to meet anyone else :(
Yes, take things slow and you never know how things might progress one day!

claralala said...

Yes, and now I’ll be back there for an even longer period…2.5 years!

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