2016 is definitely not an ordinary year to me and I am thankful for all the ups and downs that lead me to where I am today! Here's a summary of what happened in 2016 for each month!
January - Volunteering with MareCet
Last year during my study week for the final examinations of third year, I grabbed this volunteering opportunity with a dolphin research team at Matang, Perak without hesitation, and it turned out to be the best experience I have ever had this year! It was my first time spending almost whole day on a boat out in the sea, seeing a free dolphin right in front of my eyes and learning about all kinds of birds at the mangroves! I am thankful to meet these wonderful people who play a part in dolphin conservation work~
February - Friends & Loved One
It was the semester break and I got to meet a bunch of high school friends to hike at Bakun Hill. The most enjoyable moment was after the hectic hike (well it was hectic for someone who didn't exercise like me!) when we sat down under the trees to have some Chinese tea, chatting away while absorbing the positive aura of the nature~ After the semester break, See Yen picked me up at the train station and we celebrated our belated Valentine's day~ It was my first time receiving roses from him, after 3 years being with each other, hahaha. I am thankful to have people I love and people who love me in my life~
March - A Trip to Melaka
It had been years since I last went to Melaka with my family and I have a very blurry memories about it. I went to the butterfly & reptile sanctuary with See Yen as I am a big fan of lepidoptera~ Just looking at the colours and the way they gracefully flutter or glide away makes me believe in magic! Even though butterflies have a short lifespan, they deserve to spend whatever time they have in freedom, and not pinned up in a glass case! I am thankful for being able to appreciate these little beauties in this world~
April - Volunteering with Turtle Conservation Society (TCS)
Whenever I went to Publika Shopping Gallery in Solaris Dutamas, it's because of volunteering in an environmental programme. This time me and my friends helped out at TCS's booth in raising funds for the conservation of terrapins and turtles. It was an exhibition called 'We Are All Together - Endangered Species Conservation World Tour', calling for the conservation of wildlife in Malaysia such as hornbills, sharks, orang utans, tapirs, tigers, and of course, turtles through arts. I am thankful that we never stop fighting for the protection of wildlife~
May - Fletchling of Yellow-vented Bulbul
Baby animals are always the soft spot of people's hearts, I still remember how thrilled I was to see a fletchling of yellow-vented bulbul in my faculty, not being able to fly yet. Seeing that cats might harm him, I placed him at higher place. The next day when I came back to check, I found two fletchlings on the tree! I am not sure whether one of them was the same as the yesterday, but they were just so adorable! Mummy and daddy birds were lurking nearby to keep an eye on their children as they let them learn to be independent. I am thankful to be able to witness such an important stage in a bulbul's life~
June - Moving Out from The Hostel
This was the first time in my life to rent a room outside of the campus and really live independently as their is no warden or hostel staff to help you with any problem you have with your room. It is a very small room, about a third the size of the room I had back in campus. Even though there is not even a bed (just a mattress on the un-tiled floor), Popcorn finally had a place to roam freely instead of being confined on my writing desk. I am truly thankful for this decision as I get to learn to manage myself, cook my own meal and have plenty of free time since I am way nearer to my faculty now.
July - Entopia, The New Penang Butterfly Farm
Penang Butterfly Farm had been my favourite place since I was young. It was closed for quite some time for renovation and tadaaaaaa, they changed their name into Entopia and the farm became cavernous! There was not many butterflies there when I visited with my friends, but it certainly would get better when the butterflies started to breed. I am thankful that they increased the height of the confinement which means the risk of butterflies getting trapped on the ceiling is low~
August - Final Year Research Project Sampling Trip
It sounds like hard work, but I am glad that my friend, Kit helped me out. The trip became more like a getaway than actual work since we had quite some fun doing it. The location was at Merambong seagrass bed, Teluk Kupang, Johor, around 3 hours driving from the campus. We stayed in a wonderful guesthouse, had very nice food and got the sediment and seagrass samples that I need in my research project. I am thankful for having Kit as a thoughtful senior and lovely friend~
September - Being Vegan for One Month
Making this life-altering decision was easy, but coping with it and holding on to the principles despite of people's pressure was not very easy. This vegan lifestyle raised my interest in cooking and I found that cooking can relieve stress! It feels so good to explore the 'art' of cooking and there is not much stress since I am cooking for myself only no matter how bad or good the food turns out. I am thankful for becoming a vegan and starting to enjoy the flavor of plant-based food~
October - International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2016
This is the fourth time I have visited the annual exhibition of IGEM at KLCC. Unlike the first time I attended this event, I no longer jumping around excitedly wanting to take in as much information as I can as these were very new to me. Taking my time, I looked at anything that interested me and spent time with friends. We have had a great time blending out own fruit juice by cycling to generate electricity and I have found some cruelty-free shower cream there too! I am thankful to be able to attend this event again and hopefully there is still next time.
November - My Annual Dress-Up Nights
I don't usually put on make up and wear contacts, but when I do, it will be only a few times per year (because I am pretty without those stuffs *flick hair* *cough*). However I did enjoy dressing up once in a blue moon. This November there were two dinners held on subsequent weeks with different themes as a gathering of friends and celebration before graduation. Thanks to Erika who has been doing my make up for these 4 years. I think I will miss you after we leave UPM.
December - Almost Reaching The End of My Semester!
It had been a pretty stressful month at the beginning of December as we had to do a final year research project presentation, submit a manuscript and thesis of the project, and get an internship placement. I am thankful that everything almost clears up by now that I have to focus only on final exams and thesis compilation. The location of my internship next year will be in Bangsar, where I will finally become a city girl and start working in private sector, a field that I have totally not experienced before. Besides, I also managed to rent a room at a strategic location with an affordable cost. How awesome is that?
Here marks the end of my 2016, which is quite eventful after looking back. I encourage you to do the same so that we can appreciate what we had done in the past 12 months and look forward to a better year in 2017. Don't be afraid to start anew, don't be afraid to make a change towards your attitudes and habits. The end of year is a good time to get out from the comfort zone so that we can shift our life towards a direction you have not dared to touch before. How about challenge yourself with Veganuary by contributing to a better, loving Earth? *wink*