Happy New Year!!

This may have came a little late but it's always better late than never. :) 2013 had been such an adventure for me, and I am certainly looking forward to a brand new journey that I will be embarking on in 2014!

As many people would start off the new year with a list of New Year's Resolutions, I would just like to share my Top 10 memorable events that occurred in 2013. Starting chronologically by months,

1. Close-invite dinner with Minister Wong of MCCY

2. Fall Semester Honours Excellence Award 최우등상 


It's my second consecutive semester in obtaining this Highest Honors Award. I did not understand what was this award initially, until I realised it was an award similar to what most of us would be accustomed to hearing - the Dean's List. I was really glad that my efforts paid off from school but I am definitely guilty now since I had obtained both a B and C for two of my courses so far during my exchange T.T Well, technically exchange students would just have to pass the courses, so I hope the school would not mind my bad scores.. After all, the classes offered here in University of Toronto definitely felt much more intensive than the classes I had back in Yonsei - certainly lived up to its ranking of #16 in the world!

3. Full Yonsei Tuition Fee Scholarship

This was undoubtedly the happiest moment of my life. Without this full tuition fee scholarship, I would not have been able to convince my mom to allow me to go on the Student Exchange Program. Before this full tuition fee scholarship, I used to only get stipends or partial scholarships for tuition fee. Now I am proud to say I am on a full tuition fee scholarship, which really lightened the financial burden :)

4. World Embassy Chorus for Seoul Friendship Fair


5. Turning Legally 21



6. First flight alone to North America

7. Exchange Program in University of Toronto



FROSH. I thought this was a clever compound word as it instantly made me realised it meant Freshmen Orientation. I was assigned to be in New College, and given a chance to join the NC Frosh Week with the rest of the freshmen of the school. The Frosh kit cost me CAD140 and I had my doubts and restrains about it initially. "This is a great way for you to make new friends!" - this was what I was told by most of my other friends, when I consulted them for opinions. After much persuasions, I did. One full week of orientation spent with my frosh group - GNUafected. As a third year (Junior) student in my home university, and considered a fourth year (Senior) here in UofT, I definitely felt awkward with the froshies at the beginning. I could safely say that I am either the same age, or older than almost all the frosh leaders. Hahahs. Coming from a student council who had planned and organised orientations for a few years (through middle school to high school), it certainly felt surreal to be a participant in a camp again. I am glad I blended in well as a freshmen, and pleasantly or shockingly surprised my frosh leaders and other fellow groups' leaders that I was 1) twenty-one years old and 2) just an exchange student for one semester. In any case, I had bonded well with my group, and I'm proud to say that we are one of the most kept-in-contact groups among the rest :)


Also, I joined an international student organisation that I always wanted to join back in Korea or Singapore but didn't have the chance to - AIESEC! Although it was only a short 4 months period, I definitely had fun with my PR Portfolio, especially the social media team! Love my director and team mates! Made lots of new friends across different portfolios and even other local chapters from Ontario region! If you had not heard about AIESEC, here's a video that gives you a brief idea of what we do. :)
And of course, not forgetting the friendships that I had forged with friends from all over the world, including my two home countries - Singapore and Korea! I am glad that I am able to meet Singaporean friends that I met back in Singapore over this upcoming Chinese New Year, and also Korean friends when I am back in Korea this coming February! To the rest of my international friends, I do hope to visit you all one day in their respective home countries! Exchange had made me learnt so much and gained so many new friendships that I would never forget. :')

8. Travelling around the US East Coast


As I am writing this, yes I am still here in the States. In Cincinnati, Ohio to be specific. I'm pretty much stuck in America right now because I overspent during my shopping trip in NYC and do not enough money to travel down South as planned. Instead, I am staying at my friend's place here for free accommodation and food. Oops. But I am really thankful to have met these great friends when I was in Korea. Without their kind hospitality and understanding, I would probably been worst. That aside, my trip along the East Coast had been pretty much fulfilling. States that I'd travelled to are as follow:

i. Buffalo, NY
ii. Knoxville, Tennesse
iii. Washington, DC
iv. Philadelphia, PA
v. New York, NY
vi. Pittsburg, PA
vii. West Virginia, VA
viii. Dayton, OH
ix. Cincinnati, OH
x. Oxford, OH

As of now, I have been in Ohio for almost 2 weeks. And I will be leaving for Chicago the day after tomorrow and that will mark the last state to visit during my stay in the US for now. Plans after NYC was originally a road trip down South, to Florida and Miami for the warmer weather. However, due to tight finances, I had to give up the plan and chill around in Ohio instead. Transportation (including car rental and gas) and accommodation took up most of the expenditure, excluding shopping. Henceforth, do not underestimate these expenses! I was lucky to be able to save on my accommodation in Philadelphia, Ohio and Pittsburg! So, start contacting your friends if you have, and ask if you could have a couch!

9. Getting a ticket (summon) in US for illegal parking


10. New Year's Eve Countdown in Times Square, New York City



The clock strikes 12 and it symbolised a brand new year. 13 hours of wait in the cold was a mental and physical test, but it was unquestionably memorable! I'm glad to have fellow Singaporeans friends whom I met here and to have gone through this one in a lifetime moment together!

Wow, this was a long wordy post. Thank you if you had made to the end of this blog entry, I truly appreciate it :)

Gotta turn in early as I will be traveling to Chicago, the last stop of US before heading back to Toronto!

xoxo,

irenesiah