Goodbye 2016

Today is 31.12.2016, the last day of the year.

Time flies so fast, it feels like it was just yesterday I celebrated the new year.

Since today is the last day of 2016, I sat down for a while and reflected on the year. What had I done or achieved and did I achieve my 2016 resolution.

In 2016, I took up hiking and I enjoyed it. It started off with hiking Bukit Klebang, a small hill in Menglembu, Ipoh. Then my buddies, boyfriend and I hiked up Mount Irau, Cameron Highlands. That was the real deal. It was muddy and tough and exhausting but we made it to the peak and down again. I was so proud and happy. I fell in love with the forest and mountain just as I had fall in love with the deep blue sea. After Irau, we hiked up Bukit Jasar in Cameron Highlands. That was such a memorable hike, took us half a day as we got lost. We ended the hike at a tea plantation. The view was breathtaking. Next year we plan to hike Mount Kinabalu.

Look at the beautiful tea plantation in the background

On top of Bukit Jasar

At the peak of Mount Irau

As for my scuba diving journey, I went for my advanced open water course in January along with my dive buddies Hidayah and Thiru. In March we went diving in Tenggol Island. Luck was not on our side as on that day, the sea was very choppy so our boat could not bring us to the famous, world class dive sites. So I am still not satisfied and I plan to dive in Tenggol again some other time. In May I went diving in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Kota Kinabalu with my boyfriend Azhar. That was fun. It felt so safe diving with Azhar. I knew he would take care of me, so I didn't worry much. In September, Hidayah, Thiru and I joined Bubbles of Hope, a diving trip organized by Project Vacation. I had so much fun. I love meeting new people and getting to know people outside medical field. We have a Whatsapp group and it brought us closer. 

Some of the new people I met during Bubbles of Hope

Perfect shot captured by Azhar. Love this photo so much. 

I tried white water rafting and went caving in August 2016 with colleagues from the hospital. White water rafting was fun but caving was not my thing. 

One of my 2016 resolution was to go back home to Mentakab, Pahang more frequent. I am glad I fulfilled the resolution. I made an effort to take leave and go home every 2 to 3 months. I think my parents and my sister Ati like it very much when I came home. It makes me feel more keen to go home more in future. 

My yellow house in the background

Another very interesting thing that I got my hands on this year is coffee. I appreciate coffee a lot more nowadays. I went for a latte art class in Penang with Hidayah recently. Now I wish I have an espresso machine so I can practice at home. Making latte art is difficult! I now have so much respect for baristas and latte art artists. 

Latte art class - steaming milk 

My very own cup of latte with a crooked heart, lol

In January, I listed what I want to be/do and sticked it on my mirror. I believe that by reading it over and over again, I will subconsciously work towards that. Here is my list -

Well, lets see.. 

1. Be humble, be kind -- I can't be judging myself on this right, lol

2. Be patient -- I nailed this definitely. At work, even when housemen and nurses annoyed the crap out of me, I didn't scold them as much as I would have previously

3. Smile a lot - Checked. I smile to strangers. But weirdly I find it hard to smile at the hospital, to hospital staffs especially. They all seem so cold and arrogant. 

4. Read more -- I failed this badly *sigh*

5. Try new things. Travel -- Checked. 

6. Save money -- Checked. This is for travelling and wedding. Going to work on this more next year.

7. Eat healthy, exercise more --  It is very hard to eat healthy. I am renting a room, need to share the kitchen with the landlord but I am not comfortable to do so. In the end, I eat outside almost everyday. As for exercise, I tried to make it as a habit. I love jogging in the park but now since it is rainy season, I don't get to do so. Sometimes I exercise in my room, but it does take a lot of effort to do so (oh boy there I go giving excuses again. LOL)

I'm going to continue doing all this for 2017 and strive harder to achieve them. I want to try something new next year, thinking about joining Pilates class or maybe Yoga. 

I wonder how has 2016 been for other people. I would love to read about it. 

See you again in 2017~~