2011: My gap year

"Charis, you're gonna take a one year break? For what?"

"So when are you going uni?"

"Taking one year break is not a wise choice"

Everybody, fuck off.

I did so many fulfilling things in 2011, and had a ton of fun partying.

Here's a summary of how my year has been..

Jobs

Like any other JC grad, I took up jobs, saved up to fund my overseas trips

Worked at Anteprima full-time for 3 months, learnt so much about the industry.

Day job event at Ku De Ta as a cocktail waitress

2-day job as yogurt girl at a cosfest.

Great Eastern HR admin assistant full time temp for 4-5 months

Parties

Of course, with work comes play.. and parties.

I think I clubbed and partied way too much last year.

(first few photos were taken in 2010 after As cos that's kinda when my gap year started..)

CJ post prom

NYJC post prom

Nadia's birthday

The day we collected our A level results. ABB/A whadduppp

Mafia party (Jane, Jud, Par, Kieran's birthday party)

Kuala Lumpur with the girls

Malacca at club Movida

Sogurt Party at Zouk

First night at Filter

Angie's birthday party

Sarah's party

New York City with cousins

Club Providence at Atlantic City with Sheena

Halloween Party

Sentosa Cove party

The night we went Le Noir and Attica

Mink and Filter

Butter with cousins

After xmas party at Butter

Travel

I travelled across the globe (kinda but not really)

Why work and save money if you're not gonna spend it all, right?

Started off 2011 in Spain with the family

then we headed back to Abu Dhabi (UAE) where dad works

Visited the world's first Ferrari theme park and sat on the world's fastest roller coaster Formula Rossa (Y). BEST RIDE EVER.

Malacca/KL trip with the girls, a short trip to reward myself for working a full time retail job of 3 months. Had SATS to sit for the day after I got back to Singapore, fml.

Read about it here and here.

Bangkok with my best friend :) best shopping trip we've ever had.

Read about it here

and the trip of my life: New York City :D

Stayed at Trump Tower and explored the entire city with dear cousin, Sheena.

Shopped till we dropped and currently we're BOTH in debt.

Plus, I managed to catch up with my old friend Georgina who lives in Manhattan as well :) I really miss her.

Read about NYC here, here, here and here.

Our first Yankees game

Celebrity encounters with Brooke Shields (below), Jay Manuel, Kourtney Kardashian, and Victoria Beckham

Used my free time to organise outings with friends and family..

Derrick's surprise bday at NUM

Class dinner

Sunday Tea

Flea stall at scape

Went back to nanyang to catch up with them

xmas day :D

A gap year gives me more time to do the things I love, and like every other person, I have hobbies.

Finished making this cardi recently

Earlier this year, I made this top (above)

and a few berets, 2 as gifts (below)

Crocheted a pouch which I use for clubbing lolol

So I have a thing for strings and like to knit. SUE ME.

2011 has been fulfilling and despite embarrassing things I regret doing, I still love it. That's life anyway. We makes mistakes and we just have to learn from them. In the process, we also learn more about ourselves.

I really feel grateful for all everything that has happened to me and I thank God everyday. I'm lucky and blessed to be surrounded by so many people and wonderful parents who have provided so much for me :') I also have a wonderful best friend who is the most understanding and patient person I've ever met and I can always go to her when I have something on my mind. Thank you :). I love the feeling of feeling loved.

So, how was your 2011? :)