And we are 20.
I stopped waking up to the obnoxious alarm of my phone, combing through my unkempt hair while running for morning buses. I was (and am) not a lover of early mornings, but early mornings and school are quite independent of each other. I missed the superglue that stuck me and my besties together- our lessons, PE, meals. How I look forward to seeing my eye-candy during common breaks and assemblies not forgetting the gossips on teachers and other school mates.

Our first class photo

Prom night- the end of my JC P.S. Sorry XJ, but your eyes are looking great in all of the consecutive shots LOL

What, university only starts in August?! Being (financially) independent was one of my 2013 New Year resolutions; it was one achievement that I'm the proudest of and I can claim full credit of it. My first salary was credited to my Dad’s bank account while I’m still living on the pay I’ve earned over the months.
As destined to be a job hopper as I am, I’ve tried out at 8 jobs in 2013 of contrasting natures. While being a good learning process, this was also an attempt to discover myself. My office life had been smooth-sailing but my innate clumsiness was unleashed when I started out my F&B and retail jobs. That being said, the obstacles I’ve faced did soothe out after more attempts.
I met new friends and people, I’ve seen the society and re-evaluated on my values and the things I want in life.

Read more about my work history here.

I guess I’m an extreme- spendthrift or miser. Before I was granted the opportunity to spend my hard-earned money, I was a compulsive shopper. I haven’t bought any new clothes or shoes despite being under the intense pressure of the festive occasions. My heart aches a little when I’ve to toss out my wallet for a $50 bill during shopping. Internet billing is more psychologically (un)sound as I don’t get to see the note snatched away from my grip.

My shopping entries contradict this point a little but the reduction is definitely more significant.


Some of the Shopping Entries:

• [Shopping] Shopaholic? July Collective Haul (Part 1) 
• [Shopping] July Collective Haul (Part 2) - Fashion 
• [Skincare] Spending Moolah - November Empties & Buys

I know what you’re thinking, but no. I don’t suppose that this is part of my motherly instincts unrolling; I would gladly have referred to this as the discovery of a new hobby. “Grocery shopping” would have never seen light in my list a few years ago. My friends all know that “Cindy can’t even fry an egg”; but you know what, those days are over! 

I’m quite sure that this point will soon evolve to “Mastering Cooking” a few years down in my New Year resolutions.

Cooking at Wita's former house

This was quite agonizing, the decision-making part. We cried, laughed and dreamed. We spammed scholarships, researched for courses offered by both local and overseas universities and their career prospects… It was a reflection again of what and where we want to be and who do we want to work with.
Not schooling is now a fact, our school uniforms now ceased to nostalgic items.

Read more of my decision-making process:

• [School] Making choices- NTU / NUS 

Cindity.blogspot.com is my first public blog, still personal but less self-centered to cater to my thoughts and feelings. I started late and was not consistent in posting. Nevertheless, this blog had been meaningful to me, I started penning down my milestones in life and it is more than an ideal platform for me to look back to.
I’m very grateful to samplestore.com for providing me some products to review and also my viewers who found my beauty and travel reviews informative.

Being financially independent brings me more happiness and satisfaction that I imagined. I used the money I earned over the 5 months for a budget holiday to Taiwan; this was also the first time I've laid my arse on a budget airplane, hostels and foreign public transport.




Read more on my Taiwan Trip:
Expectation: Get a scholarship to study in a prestigious US college, basking sun under a tree while reading a book. Academic achievements are secondary, get to live in a hostel and go partying weekly.

Reality: Going local and took up a bank loan to slave for. The school library is my second home and I eat meals alone almost every break. Knew little people and did not partake in any school activities.

An Empty Lecture Theater

University was far from expectations; in fact it was not even enjoyable for me at all. People come and go, bootlick professors and make friends for more resources. I dread staying in school; I miss JC and can’t wait for university to be over. 

A foreign environment is for the curious, I explore different libraries, schools and eating areas of the college to pass time.

Continued Contributing to the Society

School seems to bridge me and community involvement together; while work drains it away. I've returned to doing regular CIP, this time round mentoring secondary school students.

Read more here.