Bye 2014!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Indeed, the beginning of a new year is here, as we welcome 2015! Although this post was a bit late, I wanted to acknowledge the Christmas that I had.

The build up to Christmas 2014 was very slow; yet, thrilling. Preparation for it took a lot of thought, and I felt I had to force myself into the excitement of it all. I guess Christmas day just seemed like any other day that passes by. I think it may be that the family Christmas spirit  was not as lively as it use to be. Or, it may be the sorrow that my family had suffered in the past year that has lightened our annual celebrations and enjoyment. Nonetheless, it was a nice atmosphere filled with laughs, smiles and lots of love. 

For Christmas, I decided to make Christmas cards for my family and friends. After my craft making-session, I  remembered I couldn't help but stop smiling as I was desperate and excited for the receivers to open and read them. It has been a long time since I last made something for my family, and I thought it was long overdue. As I made and wrote these cards,  I realised that just a simple gesture can make you smile. I was reminded of  the little things in life that can bring you excitement and joy. I was surprised how much fun card-making was (brings back my childhood memories). I hope I will continue to surprise myself in enjoying what I would normally find a waste of time.

The Christmas day ended in a mega-traditional filling + mouthwatering feast, the adults chatted away, while the cousins got together to play a board game 'Ticket to Ride'. The night finished off with a delicious dessert, and the unwrapping of  Christmas gifts. In the end, there were some gifts that were expected, unexpected, while some were a bit of a disappointment. 

As 2014 came to an end, I hoped everyone had a fantastic Christmas filled with love, joy + peace, surrounded by family and friends. Lastly, I wish everyone a wonderful new year filled with love, joy and peace!

THE 20/20 EXPERIENCE

Last Saturday on the 27th of September, my sister and I attended Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience World  Tour concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. One word - AMAZING! It was just an amazing concert, amazing atmosphere and an amazing experience. Lights, cameras, dancers, awesome band, crazy fans dressed up in suite & tie, and of course Mr Timerbaker himself :) 

He got us into the groove!

Singing MJ's 'Human Nature'

It was an amazing night! ;)

We're ready for the 20/20 Experience!

JT literally brought the house down that night! I mean, even my sister was up 'n' about, immersed into his songs and the grooviness of the concert.  Seriously, that girl was bopping her head up and down (that's something that members of the family don't see everyday). He had every intention to let the groove get into us. I had the best and happiest time I'd ever had in a while. I yelled, screamed, sang out of tune, squirmed, and as I wrote this, I was still fan girl-ing over JT's dance moves and  perfect falsetto tone. It was so easy to fall in love with his comedic side as he interacted with the crowd. Honestly, it was not a bad thing to be memorised by his music. From an upbeat hit like 'Mirrors' to a mellow song like 'What goes around.... comes around'. I'd prefer anything JT sings. I'm completely biased! He can make a hit out of anything.This talented artist brought sexyback! The energy from the audience was liberating and thrilling. Exhilaration rushed through me from head-to-toe as I felt my heart thumping in  sync with the loud music and bass played by band continuously. Oh, and I have to give credit to JT's band, 'The Tennessee Kids'. They were outstandingly talented and so full of energy in  keeping the crowd up on their feet. My fondness of brass instruments have truly peaked. I wouldn't mind hearing a trumpet or saxaphone play out of the blue.

 I  enjoy JT's music until the end of time. And, I cannot wait for what he has next in store for the rest of the music industry and world. 

Not too shabby for a first concert! I wouldn't take back the night at all. 

young at heart

On the 8th of September, 2014, I turned THIS many - 19.

This year, I kept the celebration to a minimal level. Unlike my past parties, I decided to cut down on the helium balloons, fancy dresses, pop music, mouth watering food and substitute it for a free Boost drink, 3 hour nap, Running Man, classic authentic Japanese cuisine for dinner, and a delicious 'Black Forest' chocolate cake. What I liked about the way I celebrated my 19th birthday was the simplicity of it.

All I needed was the lovely birthday wishes, joy, love and laughter given by my friends and family. It's these small things in life that paint a bigger picture and mean more. Despite the misery in the beginning of the year, I guess all I needed was to be with my family and treasure these moments. For some people, maybe only once in a lifetime. You only turn 19 once! I can't go back in time and change what I was not satisfied with. Instead of thinking how bored and less fun this year's birthday was going to be, why not make positive moments out of this 'extravagant birthday'. I'll let the photos on the right speak for itself.

To be honest, I contradict the concept of age 19 not being a milestone. I mean, its the last year of your teen years before you hit your twenties. To me, it is an important age that should be celebrated. They should change the legal age to nineteen rather than eighteen. 

Last Sunday, I got so busy that I almost forgot that it would be my birthday in a weeks time. That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept on thinking about my life and my future, and what I had accomplished so far in my teenager years. Here are a few things:- graduated high school, got my driver's licence, and is currently studying a Uni degree that I like. Surely, there was more; but, that was ALL I could think of. So, I thought of what I hope to achieve at the age of 19. Now, let me think! I hope to complete my degree and graduate.  I hope to ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Oh dear! What do people generally hope to achieve once they reach the age of 19? So I  asked  all teenagers' best friend the INTERNET. Of course, Google was our second BFFs. 

Urban dictionary defines 19 as: -

1. The Canadian drinking age. 2 years better than 21. 

2. The last year of ya "teens". BINGO! 

3. The worst age ever. Apparently, nothing exciting happens when you turn 19.  In the U.S. you've been a legal adult for a year, and you can't do anything new legally for another 2 years. 

3. To 'be 19', or to have 'gone 19' essentially means that something has gone wrong, is just plain weird, or is inexplicable............ HUH?!?!

4. This age is apparently a sack full of lamesauce. It's basically like being 18 again, only older........................... lamesauce? really? That's so lame! 

5. The age where you can legally buy cigarettes and other tobacco products in the state of New Jersey. ...... Well, first of all, thank goodness I don't live in New Jersey, Second, I don't smoke and will never see myself holding a cigarette bud. Third, I gag every time I can smell cigarettes. Fourthly, you will die from it! Smoking is a dangerous liaison! 

On the other hand, someone posted this question on the internet, "Is a 19-year old girl with 159cm short?" This made me LOL! 

The answer was, that "by 19 most young women are done with height growth. Height is all about genetics & nutrition. If your parents & ancestors were short, that could be a perfectly normal height. If you diet or overall health is bad, then not much to be done at 19 years old."  DAMN it!  :(

A year later, when I begin to live in my early 20s, I hope my reflection on the age of 19 is far from what has been listed above and less shallow. I hope I can look back and say that I concluded my teen years with satisfaction, joy and no regrets. But, I want to remain young at heart! :) 

Should I or should I not?

Hello! ~

Reaching the last stage of your teen years can be bitter-sweet. It can be daunting yet exciting as we move into the working world and officially become independent; and knowing that the choices you have made in the past will effect your future. I often contemplated about life and reflected on what I have accomplished so far. Every year I round up with a list of things that I wanted to do, and a list of things I didn't want to do. I also had a list of things that I couldn't care less, such as journal entries, diaries and blogging. So how did I end up here? 

The last time I kept a long-term diary was when I was 9 or 10 years old. Looking back,  my entries were all about boy germs and the boys' I had a crush on; which according to my sister, I had a lot. She told me that she was older, so she had the authority to read it. I guess  at the time, she didn't understand the phrase: 'invasion of privacy'. Plus, it was also silly of me to leave the keys attached to the lock. She told me that everything will be kept hidden or safe if it was placed underneath your pillow. I guess she skipped the 'except from me' part. Of course you believe everything your older sibling tells you, because their older, wiser, taller and you assume they will never lie to you. As I reminiscence about this, I thought it was very cute, embarrassing, childish and conveyed the age of innocence children once had before adolescence. 

Nowadays, I find it harder for me to commit myself in keeping a journal, write and express my thoughts everyday on paper. However, blogging does give an advantage, and it is easier to remember, since I use my laptop like 24/7. So, I wouldn't completely rule it out of my 'wanted to do' list. 

The first and last time I blogged was for my Japanese class in grade 9. It was to help us communicate with students  from Japan. It was extremely difficult and frustrating because each day we had to post something and it has to be written in Japanese. To be honest, it didn't have much effect. None of the Japanese students responded. However, I wouldn't say I hated it. Part of me quite enjoyed it, but the motivation was never there. 

The motivation to blog popped into my head  on one sleepless night on the 2nd of July in 2014, at 2:35 am. It wasn't an impulse decision. A few of my close friends have blogs and  have encouraged me to give it ago. To me, blogging is a very interesting concept. One of my friends said that blogging was quite therapeutic to spill out your thoughts and ideas instead of keeping them inside yourself. Although, I don't know who is reading it, I hope that this might be able to encourage or surprise someone or change their point of view. I have so many thoughts that I have struggled and continue to struggle to express out. I bury these thoughts and ideas because I'm afraid and scared of showing my vulnerable side, being looked down, or what people might think of me.

So, I wonder what you readers think of me? Out of the blue, I would often ask my friends to describe me in one word. Nice, kind, caring ...(these are the common words that always pop up). I decided to describe myself in words that I thought truly characterizes me.

Hi! I'm.... Nadia. Student. 18. Friendly. Music. Quiet. Sleeper. Nursing. Midwifery. Wishful. Christian. September. Crier. Winter. Shy. Imaginative. Fruit. Prawns. Chicken. Purple. Respectful. Listener. Curious. Eater. Sympathiser. Emotional. Random. Outsider. Insecure. Doubter. Fragile... but I guess the word 'blogger' also applies to me now. 

To those who know me and read this blog will hopefully learn more about me, or get to know me better. As for you other strangers, I hope the future posts will make you smile, laugh,  reflect and wonder.