Looking back on 2010 (like you didn't know that this was coming)

Hey kids,

I'm doing a quick blog post now cause I'm leaving for Singapore tomorrow to do an exchange over Summer for a month. Let's just say that at this point, I'm like crazy excited. I didn't get a chance to share it here, but the long winding round that started off from profusely trying to apply for Vac Work (which was a wrong and selfish ambition on its own) that has finally led me to this Exchange opportunity to NUS is a journey in itself.

I mean, after sending in my application and getting the offer, I was overjoyed. Because this is something that I truly wanted, way way more than Vac Work cause it meant I could reduce my load on the last semester of my final year and also open up the possibility for me to go on a graduation trip (SOMEWHERE AWESOME!!) with my coursemates after we graduate from our ridiculously overworked course next year!!! What's more is I'll be doing this Exchange with two really awesome Eng buddies. I can't wait.

What a great way to end a whole year of trial and faith with this wonderful opportunity to Singapore. And if I could share with anyone the biggest lesson that I've learned in 2010, is that as people of Faith, "Don't just pray to God for the right doors to open, but the right doors to close." Wise, wise words that I take to heart dearly as given to me to my mentor and friend, Josh.

That, folks, is how I would sum up my year long journey of Vac Work -> Summer Exchange. PHEWWW. Now I'm so thankful to God for the path He's led me on, seriously. And I'm not sure if I've shared this here before, but I once learned that "you know that something is from God when it grants you true peace".

"I will listen to what God the LORD says;
he promises PEACE to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly."

- Psalms 85:8

And that is exactly how I feel about this whole thing. No more uncertainty, doubt or restlessness at the back of my mind. Just simple peace. Through it all, I've learned so much about myself, what I want and how I choose to represent Christ in the present as well as the Future. And I truly hope that this message will speak to whoever who may feel this way or go through something similar in terms of career ambitions in the future.

Ahhh... What a busy year it's been. Like seriously busy. My gawd, just thinking about how hectic it was makes me quiver. So basically, the following 3 things can pretty sum up what I've spent 90% of my time awake doing:

1. EWB

- Taken up a role as President of the Melbourne Uni Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. MUCH more challenging than I ever imagined.

2. Uni Work

- Doing a 3rd Year Engineer Course at Melb Uni really did hit every single one of us hard. Boy oh boy did we learn the meaning of deadlines or what.

3. McDonalds Work

- Upped my game at work this year to hopefully get recognised for my efforts and dedication

And I'll admit that because I have overly committed myself this year, it has had an affect on my "Church Life". For the first time, I would be so physically and mentally tired from working a shift or rushing an assignment on a Saturday night that I really would not be able to hear my alarm go off at all. I would go into deep sleep and always wake up so shocked that I missed Church again!! The feeling of guilt is SO heavy and I always feel so unhappy afterwards. Sigh.

Besides not being able to wake up for church, spending so much time on all these things also left little or close to no time for my other friends in community or anywhere else. I've missed so many casual catchups or social outings that I almost feel like I'm not connected anymore. But thankfully even though I can't be there for all the people as I did before, I was still able to share my life closely with a handful of people which means the world to me.

So even though I was so worn out to the core by all of these, more so than I have ever been in my life, let's just say that everything paid off.

For instance at EWB, this new role and responsibility it involves has really taught me SO much about working alongside other people, communication, organisation and planning, vision and goals and most importantly, Leadership. I don't know how to tell you how much this experience has changed me as a person and I truly felt God showing me a glimpse of the person He wants me to be as I enter into the Engineering Industry in the future.

And even though all my coursemates and I agreed that this was the most suffering year by FAR, we all had a blast. Seriously, it's so ironic and I only have God to thank. Cause even though there are days we were almost in tears from the workload, it was still great cause we did everything TOGETHER.

In happy times, we rejoiced together. In trying times, we forged on as a team. It was fantastic, every one has gotten so close that the other day my friend S was just sharing that it's come to a point that she considers us as some of her "best friends for life". I don't know how to tell you about how much I feel the same way about each and every one of these guys. I am truly blessed. Shucks.

Moving on... As I mentioned in my previous post already, this year I have chosen to increase the number of shifts at work to hopefully get Employee of the Month, and I did. I was and still am, overjoyed by this. It goes to show that at the end of the day, you need to work hard to achieve your dreams. God doesn't believe in laziness or sloth.

So... Yeah.... I've done too much in the past year, but that's about to change. For 2011, I have already decided that I'm going to do what I can to step back from all my extra-curricular commitments and just go back to a simpler time. One where I would stay at home a lot, and have time to focus on my studies and catch up with friends whenever I could.

Besides my uni work and casual shifts, I don't want to do anything else. I find that there's no need to overwork myself like I did before. I want to be able to relax and enjoy my final year at uni, even if it means that I will lead a more "boring" lifestyle. Heck, I couldn't give a crap. Uni work and friends alone is enough to fill my plate. I want to be one of those people who are constantly at home taking it easy. And doing the Summer Exchange to reduce my load would definitely be a great help in that direction.

With these free time, I hope to be able to be up to speed with my studies, invest more time in my hobby for cooking as well as food photography and blogging, and get more involved with my Housechurch and community once again. If I could do all of these in 2011, I would be a happy, happy person.

Another thing I wanna add is that in the coming year, I will be focusing a lot on "Communication". I won't go into the real reason why, but let's just say that there was a breakthrough for me 2 nights ago. And it only happened because an open and honest conversation took place. This is something that I have always believed in and I plan to be practise this more in the coming year, because I believe in how much Life* it will bring. I want to improve communication with friends, family and MOST importantly, God.

So before I end... I'm just going to start a tradition here on The Excavation Project where I shall sum up and highlight the awesome events that's happened to me in every year. Just as I did for 2009, I shall do it again for 2010. Here we go~!

1. Bro got married!

2. Shot a 70's themed promo video with friends

3. Conquered an insane 50km run with these awesome bunch of boys

4. Traveled to Perth with friends and had one of my BEST trip yet!

5.Went skydiving while being filmed which resulted in the most-embarrassing-video-of-me-you-will-ever-SEE!

6. Conquered real rock climbing outdoors foahhhh

7. Finally got to go sandboarding (on a real big ass dune!) woooooooot

8. Had our (long anticipated) Masterchef Potluck

9. Blessed to journey closely with some of the most remarkable people, especially these two woot!

10. Entered into a mentoring relationship the awesome Josh. This guy has been a great drive and help in my Walk this year, seriously.

11. FINALLY went to a U2 Concert, one of my favourite bands of all time waaahhh!!!!!

12. Lastly, got to spend quality time over Christmas and New Year's this Summer with my awesome family...

... and friends...

2010 was one helluva year, but I know that 2011 is only going to get better. Final Year at Uni?? LET'S DO IT, WOOOOOOT!!!!

Hope that the New Year has treated you mighty fine so far, looking forward to speak with you guys again from Singapore and Malaysia!!

With Love,

Winston.