This is for my twin mostly, but it's nice to share anyway. :)

Well, it was a pretty epic European trip. It really felt more like a holiday than work, which can be nice, but also a bit disorientating when you come back to work. Especially given the jet lag.

Anyhoo, pictures! Our hotel was actually in Annecy, France, which is very close to Geneva.

Here's the view from my hotel.



The next day, we went cycling around the lake and into Annecy town itself. It was awesomely amazing.

Views of the lake







Camel! In France! Imagine that!



These shots were at St.Gallen, Switzerland, a short detour on the last day when we were headed back to Munich Airport.





Not as many pictures as I would have hoped, but all in all, an interesting trip.

Three days more before I fly off to Geneva, the furthest I've ever been in my life.

I'm kinda, in two minds about it actually. Obviously I'm excited and very much looking forward to it, because, hey, it's Switzerland. Also, I think I could use a bit of a break from work.

But of course it's not really much of a break, because it is also work. There's plenty of stuff on my mind that I have to plan for, and I clearly cannot fuck this up.

I am quite nervous, because I would say this is arguably the biggest work assignment I've ever got, and I really, really, really want to do it well and not mess up.

But...

Well I haven't even got confirmation with regards to my press pass to the show, so I'm really, really afraid now. Please, hopefully, I can somehow make this work.

But if I have to wing it, well, so be it.

Oh well.

Deep breath.

EDIT: Never mind. My press accreditation just got confirmed. All systems go! :D

I wish there is an easy way to tell my parents.

Dad, on working trips, everything is settled for. All I have to do is turn up at the airport with my passport and luggage.

Mum, I can take care of myself. I know what to bring and what to do. I will not die. I'm 25 years old.

Sigh.

So, what's been happening? It's been a month since I last posted. Which shows you how maniacally busy I've been, even more than before now.

Actually, plenty has happened.

My birthday came and went, with no fuss.

Not that I cared much about turning 25, but still...

Oh yeah. Started my new job. It's crazy at TG Singapore. but loads of fun as well.

My grandfather passed away. Was an emotional three days or so.

I got my SAF money. Looking forward to buying a car at last. Just wish my mum would stop being so bothersome about the cash.

And, erm, I'm going to Geneva (Switzerland) next month. Probably.

Oh well.

See you in 30 days! (Maybe)

So, that is it.

My last day in my first full-time job. Time flies so fast.

I feel all sorts of emotions right now. Mostly bittersweet at leaving, but also excited and nervous at what lies ahead.

Gosh.

Stage 2 of the rest of my career, starts next week.

Officially, I have one more week and a bit before I go.

In practice, I only have two working days left in my job.

The past year has been eventful, but for the most part, it has been good.

No, actually it has been great.

I really couldn't have asked for a better job, or indeed, a better place to start off my dream career.

And it is with that sentiment that fills me with a heavy heart.

Leaving will be an emotional wrench.

I never like to part, especially after developing such an attachment.

But for the sake of myself, it is a transitional process I have to go through.

I'll live through it, for sure.

But for now, I should probably treasure these final days.

Straight off the bat into the new year, and things are starting to change.

It's always hard to let go, especially something which pretty much set my path to where I am today. Something I worked so hard at for the longest time.

In a certain way, I revelled in that sort of responsibility. I like the fact that something out there is something I can truly call mine.

And to let it go now, seems a bit bitter sweet.

But on the other hand, I guess it's a relief now that I don't have that much of a responsibility. I am not tied down every single day doing the same thing over and over again.

Besides, I'm moving on to something else with the same, or perhaps even greater, responsibility.

I guess change is inevitable.

But, oh well.

Good luck to me then.

It's midnight on 31st December 2011. Guess there's no better time to do this than now.

This time last year, I was depressed. My future looked bleak, and I was almost on the point of suicidal after finding out that leaving this place wasn't that easy after all.

It's amazing how dramatically things change 12 months later.

2011 has been, quite simply, quite a different, and I would say, astonishing year for me.

I did manage to go to Australia, as I wanted to last year, albeit just on holiday, but overall, this year has been great, mostly.

It has been like a rocket ship journey really. From the pits of despair, to the current heights I am now, and about to embark on even better things. It's just amazing.

I may complain and moan a lot, but I guess, comparatively, I can be considered quite lucky.

In a certain way, as I like to say, you make your own luck, but yeah. I think I can be quite satisfied with my lot.

But of course, as always, there can always be better.

And so, the new year brings even more new things.

I'm actually quite excited, and also quite nervous, about the next change in my life really.

Because it's going to be a whole different ball game, and it's happening so fast in my young, fledgling career.

But it's something I have to take if I want to achieve my goals in life. I have to step out of my comfort zone, be independent, take risks, in order to get to where I want to go.

Things will already start to change immediately in the new year. For one, I will be giving up doing something I have done for the past two and something years, and handing it over to somebody else.

It's a bit bitter-sweet really. While I'm relieved to be able to let go, it's also where I got my start, and I am truly grateful for that small little task that eventually led me to where I am today.

I'm rambling on and getting all emotional now, so let's get back to topic, and look back at the year.

I guess on a personal level, the highlight was the trip to Australia.

It was something I wanted to do since around this time last year. And I was proud that I actually managed to do it, and even prouder that I did it entirely by myself.

It opened my eyes, and gave me a hell lot more confidence in myself. I know fully well now that I can actually manage on my own, despite the constant nagging of my parents.

Melbourne was pretty fun, and the short stay there (unfortunate. I would have loved to stay longer) reaffirmed my eventual aim of wanting to give a shot at living in Australia one day.

Other highlights I guess for me was the working trips overseas, four in total.

Three of them were to KL, granted, but they were no less fun.

But of course, the one that stood out was India. My word, was that interesting.

It's easy to say I like travelling, when I get all these sponsored trips, but really, I like exploring the world, seeing what it's like outside this place.

And I guess that's something I can really look forward more as I begin the next step of my career journey.

Not so much low points I guess for me this year. They're mainly just minor stresses at work, but when put aside the highs, they really pale and appear insignificant in comparison.

All in all, I must say, a great year for myself. At last, perhaps.

I feel truly blessed. But I also know that it never comes easy, and that I have to constantly be humble, keep my feet on the ground, work hard, and really utilise all that I've got in order to push further.

Motivation is hard when you're nearly reached your target, but persist I must.

If the above post makes no sense to you, or you simply think I'm cocky, then I don't blame you.

It's just, for once in my life, at last, I'm well and truly happy and satisfied.

I will not make any promises for next year, because I can say I've achieved about 80-85% of what I want out of my life at the age of 25.

I mean, how many people can say that?

EDIT: That said, having a partner would be nice. But I'm not holding out for that happening any time soon. Unless there's someone interested.... ;)