I went into 2020 feeling rather hopeful, anticipating what this 20/20 year was going to bring. It started out like any other year - a routine of work, family time, social gatherings, parties was quickly established. Besides the global events taking place around the world in Jan/Feb, I remember the pace at work starting to pick up and we made a short trip to Hanoi (short = two days). I remember being surrounded by passengers wearing masks strapped tightly to their faces on the plane. Didn't expect that to be the last plane ride I took before everything became a blur.

It's undeniable that the pandemic had completely taken over 2020. I can hardly recall the events following Chinese New Year in chronological order besides some important moments (I want to caveat that these highlights are stark to me and do not represent the opinions of anyone else): 

• Organising ourselves and adjusting to the new normal (i.e. moving important things to work from home)
• Dalgona coffee and other trends (that I did not jump on)
• Supermarket runs and things (toilet paper and whatnot) flying off the shelves whenever PM was about to make a televised broadcast
• His pink shirt (or whichever colour the public was predicting he would be clad in)
• His teacup - the one that allowed him to switch to speaking in another language
• Going out for work (and feeling scared about it)
• Zoom workouts every Saturday at 1500hrs
• The putting-on-a-top-while-doing-a-handstand trend (ok I admit this I did try)
• Visits to the hospital (I always say the most dangerous place is often the safest)
• GE2020 (imo Mothership did one of the best daily sum-ups)
• Sending food/drinks to friends' houses (now I have a collection of addresses!)
• The start of veganism 
• My best friend giving birth, and my godson being born!!!
• Daily Skype meetings (without camera)
• House Party (the app/game)
• WhatsApp calls with my friends in the middle of the day
• Cooking (vegan food)
• Skin detox (no make up for weeks!)
• Nightly texts with a then-penpal 
• Receiving face masks from the government (vending machines one inclusive)

Now that we are nearing the end of 2020, I can't remember what it felt like to leave the house without wearing a face mask, but I know I'm really looking forward to when I can slather on lipstick without worrying about stains on it (not that that has ever stopped me from putting on lipstick anyways). Does anyone else feel like you perspire more walking with a face mask? When I watch tv now I feel uneasy when I see throngs of people in a crowd - were we really skin-on-skin like that? Cannot fathom how that can happen again. Well you can guess that I will not be going to clubs if/when they start the trial to reopen nightlife, although I miss that very very much. 

[photo credits: SGAG]

Personally, I don't think I've grown much this year. Not as much as last year as I was transiting through jobs, or the year before when I graduated. 2020 was not in particular a year of change for me personally. I still feel like me! I think I adapted more than I grew this year, mainly due to circumstances. In any case, my own personal goals remain, and I'm not sure if I have achieved them yet. But isn't that what life is supposed to be? We adapt, and keep running towards our goals (because these keep changing). It was admittedly a rough year in various ways, but there were silver linings too. When I look back at the past year now, I can't imagine things to be any different because I wouldn't be here if they were. 

2020 came with its own set of challenges. There were tears - it was especially rough on some days but I'm thankful for the support of family and friends. I laughed a lot too - yes I got lucky (someone else got luckier) and I'm happy!!

For 2021, I would like to be more decisive, and stand ground on the choices that I make. I want to be strong, but allow myself to be vulnerable too. I still want to be grateful for everything in life, whether they may be good or bad. I need to work on my conscientiousness, especially on my lazy days. And once again I wish for my loved ones to always be blessed with the pink of health and happiness. I believe that nothing else beats being healthy - no matter how much money you have.

As we get older, welcoming a new year seems just like any other day. We countdown to the start of the new year, go to sleep, wake up the next morning, get dressed (or not, if we are still working from home) and continue with unfinished work from yesterday. It brings me less joy than it did when we were in school (we had so much more to look forward to then - new semester, new friends etc.). I guess this just that comes with growing older. Time is priceless and truly stops for no one, so cherish it! Happy 2021 everyone!!

PS. Since we are on the topic of time, watch Death to 2020 on Netflix only you have extra time on your hands you want to waste. The satire falls slightly flat sometimes but is a fair round up of what we have seen the past year (not that we really need the reminder). I would recommend YEOLO's Singapore Rewind 2020 instead.