2012 Flashback.

2012. The year my Teenage Days ended.

Every time I try to write a post to reflect on myself, I can't think of how I want to phrase everything I want to say. (Especially when I want to write about people.)

Here's an easy one. I'M THANKFUL.

I nag, complain and whine, but at the end of the day, I AM thankful for what I have in 2012.

I'm thankful for my FRIENDS.
I always remember how I used to be shy and wouldn't dare talk to anyone unless they started to speak to me first.
Surprisingly, this year, I've made so many friends. I've gotten to know so many people that I can now call my friends and I can't be happier about it. I started university in 2011 knowing nobody. Now, I actually have so many people I can call friends and I even have Project Eyecandy to gossip around with!
Then, I'm so thankful that I still have all my old (yes, you're old!) friends such as Dionne, TTC and Ruoning who still love me and want to be friends with me even though I'm so full of myself and go missing in action ever so often. I have no idea how you girls tolerate me but I want you to know that I love all of you!
I love every single one of you who I can proudly call my friend! xoxo

I'm thankful for my TRIP TO THE USA.
Best thing that happened in 2012. I'm sorry everyone... My allegiance lies with California.
I've been there 11 years ago, I don't live there, never did. BUT, if I had to choose a place I would love to call home, it'd be Los Angeles.
I've been to quite a few places, and never once have I ever felt so at ease in a place. During the time I spent in the USA, I've never felt so at ease and at home compared to everywhere else I've been to. It's as if I feel that I belong there.
In the past, I always felt that I'm back home when the plane touches down into Changi Airport. This time, I felt a little bit of unease when I reached Singapore. It's as if my dreams crashed and I'm back in reality where I'm supposed to be. Even now, I'm suffering the withdrawal symptoms of leaving California. I miss the long rides, the desserts we pass on the freeway, the food, the people, the scenery of a town... I miss everything.

I know I may be delusional, but I don't wanna wake up from this dream.

I'm thankful for my GRADES.
OMG. Last year, I regretted playing so much and not studying. I paid for my playing with my GPA and I'm still paying for it!
Thankfully, this year, I've managed to get it to somewhere more decent. A grade I feel better about although it's not what I want. Yet.
Still. This is a lot to be thankful for.
 
I'm thankful for my MOTHER.
My mom probably won't read this, but I really am thankful for her this year. I can't believe she tolerated all the bullshit I've thrown at her over the past year. AND SURVIVED. Hell, I was being such a brat and a bitch at times.
I'm thankful for her buying me all the things I wanted, for bringing me to the US (instead of her initial plan to visit South Korea), for being there for me even though I'm the most ungrateful daughter she's ever had (and her only one...).

Most importantly, I'm thankful for her being the one to believe I can sing. I love to sing, but I never, ever thought I could sing well. This Christmas, my parents told me that I could sing well, and that on its own is the best Christmas gift I received this year.
The movie Rise of the Guardians mentioned, "As long as one child believes, we will be here to fight fear."
Similarly, with one person who believes in me, it gives me the motivation to stand up for my dreams and keep on fighting for it. Gives me hope that I can reach my dreams.


Then, there are some other stuff that isn't so pretty this year...
Like me losing a friend. She used to be my confidante and BFF, but now, she's practically non-existent. I'm not an unreasonable person. I did try to contact her eventually and even tried to organize a meet-up, but she gave some excuse and bailed on me last minute. She may be facing problems, but you can't expect me to keep tugging on a rope when the other end has already left the game. I tried. I gave my effort, my concern, my listening ear if she needed one! I didn't expect it to be a futile effort. I tried to salvage this, but evidently, I failed to.
I'm upset about this, but at least I can say that I've tried.

2012 has been an eventful year for me. I feel like I'm a different person from who I used to be. I feel like I've grown up. A LITTLE.

If you're still here, I hope 2012 has been a good year for you too!
Have a 2012 story to tell? Drop me an email at pamela.averylim@gmail.com or comment below this post to tell me all about it!

xoxo pamela

 

1 More Selca!

USA2012: Disney California Adventure Park

I love everything Disney. That's a fact.

I love going to Disneyland, but my loyalty fades the moment I step into Disney California Adventure Park.

Disneyland holds the magical side of Disney, with talking mice, princesses, a land where nobody grows up... 

On the other hand, Disney California Adventure Park carries the adventurous side of Disney, with circus bugs joining in to save a colony of ants and cars that end up in small towns.

I didn't mention this in my previous post, but for Disney newbies,

#Disneyland Resort Tip: Grab your Fast Passes for the rides you LOVE so you won't have to spend that much time in the queue if you decide to go again! (But Remember: You HAVE TO go for your rides within the time allocated on your Fast Pass)

Myself being such a daredevil, I'd say I prefer Disney California Adventure Park when we're talking about rides. In fact, first thing we did was to head for the biggest roller coaster in the park that had all of us screamin' our heads off in the early morning. Best morning ever.

Once again, with us being in a theme park, we indulged ourselves in a barrage of rides (that were not as fast and furious as the roller coaster). Crazy fun days.

Of course, I remembered to snap some shots with Andy's Toy Soldiers from Toy Story...

And  Disney's own teddy bear, DUFFY!

 

By the time it was noon, we were starved and simply HAD to take our meal in Radiator Springs' (from CARS) Cafe for a little refuel. I gotta say, you HAVE to eat the meat in the US! It's delish. The one we had is one of my delicious and healthier meals I had during the entire US trip. The gravy is divine, the meat is so tender, the potatoes taste great... (I'm getting hungry!)

After lunch, when we strolled around CARS land, you'd see how Disney managed to turn every single shop and area of the space into a direct replica of the Radiator Springs you see in the CARS movie.

... Not to mention how you can meet your favorite CARS characters as they move around for you to snap pictures!

KACHOW!

Of course, while in CARS land, you HAVE to take the brand new CARS ride!
Since it's a new addition this year, we were all in the queue for at least 1.5hours. No worries, we found ways to entertain ourselves as we moved along the queue...

 Can you believe this is what Disney managed to RECREATE?!

My Review: You have to take this ride! It's completely worth the wait! In the ride, they bring you into CARS movie where you honk at tractors, run before someone (or some vehicle) catches you, have your tires changed to Luigi's white ones and finally, race all around the desert area that Disney recreated from the movie. (By far the best recreation from the movie!)

#California Adventure Park Traveler Tip: Head for CARS land to grab your fast passes for this ride before you do anything else! Saves your time queuing and gives you a chance to go again if you have time to spare!

After that it was more rides and pictures as we had a blast of a time in Disney's California Adventure Park~

P/S. DON'T FORGET TO STAY FOR PIXAR'S PARADE IN THE EVENING!

 My favorite Caterpillar below. He had me in hysterics.

 let's not forget his tail!

My dad says I should be outgrowing Disney soon. But when you grow up with Disney, how can I ever outgrow it? Disney taught me all the important values and lessons I needed to learn in life. I learnt never to give up on what I dream from Disney.

Disney is what drives me to improve myself, to strive for what I want, and to learn that when I fall, I simply need to find the strength to stand up. Disney taught me to face my fears and that nobody should be judged at face value or based on what others tell us. Disney taught me that sometimes, the people you never taught were all that great can end up as your best friend. Disney taught me that it never pays to be kind to someone, to help others.

Walt Disney is someone I look up to so completely. He stood up for what he believed in and turned it into something all of us grow up with.

I could easily say that I'm a Disney fan. I'd never outgrow Disney or Disneyland.
In fact, if I could ever pick a company I would love to work for, it'd be Disney. I love how they bring smiles to people's faces, teach us lessons through their films... I'd just love to be part of that magic.
(I even tried to apply for a HR internship in Disney Studios but apparently I can't cos I don't have a Social Security Number!)

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney

I am desperately trying to reach my dreams. Are you?

xoxo pamela

PPS. If you work with Disney and am reading this, I would LOVE for the opportunity to work in Disney so please contact me! :D