It has been quite a year. I don’t always do this, but I’d like to walk-through the past twelve months, and identify twelve highlights of the year. Of course many things happened throughout the year – good and bad ones, but I’ll just highlight twelve of my favourites.

1. I took photographs of fireworks at Marina Bay Singapore during the first few moments of the year.

That was my first time shooting fireworks. Turned out pretty well, I suppose.

2. I received my first ever paid photography assignment earlier this year.

It was an engagement function of Jonathan and Connie, who are now happily married. :)

3. I photographed Avril Lavigne, Wang Lee Hom, and Gary Neville.

Gary Neville, the former Manchester United defender, was at Sunway Pyramid for a Mister Potato roadshow earlier this year. Fans had the opportunity to get up close with the football star.

Wang Lee Hom, the Taiwanese international star, was flown to Malaysia for the World Vision 30-Hour Famine Countdown event in August. He made a 30-minute cameo at the Shah Alam Malawati Stadium before flying back to Hong Kong.

Canadian artiste, Avril Lavigne’s last stop for her Black Star Tour concert was at Stadium Merdeka of Kuala Lumpur, in February. Over 14,000 fans attended the concert that lasted a little more than two hours.

4. I ran a lot and I signed up for 9 running events in total, but attended only 7 of them.

Energizer Night Race, Standard Chartered KL Marathon, Men’s Health & Shape Putrajaya Night Run, Adidas King of the Road 2012, PJ Half Marathon (DNS), Nike We Run KL 2012, Putrajaya Night Marathon (DNS), Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon, Newton Challenge Malaysia 2012.

*DNS means Did Not Start.

This photo was taken at the Nike We Run KL 2012, in October. I have to admit that it wasn’t the most enjoyable run I participated this year.

From left: Energizer Night Race (15.5km, April), SCKLM (21km, June, first ever half marathon), Adidas KOTR (10km, September), PBIM (21km, November), Newton Challenge (12km, December). Did not receive a finisher’s medal for Men’s Health & Shape Night Run as it was limited to first 500 finishers only – I finished at #506 :(

And Nike only gave finisher’s tees instead of medals.

5. I was one of the participants at Bersih 3.0.

Duduk bantah: Tens of thousands of civilians who rallied in Kuala Lumpur were denied access into the Merdeka Square by the DBKL and the police force, in April. It was a peaceful rally until certain quarters of the protesters clashed with the Federal Reserve Unit officers and the police.

I missed out the Bersih 2.0 so I knew I had to be at the third one.

6. I went to this favourite place of mine called Pulau Perhentian. Twice.

In March, I went on a solo trip to Perhentian Island just to chill. I was then joined by my friend Soo Hong. It’s a lovely place – one of my favourite place on Earth. In July, my room mate and a uni friend followed me back to Terengganu and we made a short trip to the same island. We were on really tight budget cos we didn’t bring extra cash and had to order cheapest foods and share drinks for three days! It was fun and good experience nevertheless.

7. My family and I had our first ever family vacation in Bali.

Bali is such a wonderful place and there are so many things to explore. Our five-day stay was certainly insufficient. You should plan a trip to Bali if you haven’t been there. :)

8. I finally got a smartphone – a Blackberry.

Always connected ever since.

Then this annoying question was often directed at me: Why Blackberry?

9. I hiked Broga Hill for the first and second time ever.

First time was with Go, Suyen and his uni friend.

Second time was with Yen, Ghee, Jean, Jean’s colleague, and Yen’s colleague.

I don’t think I’ll be back for third time soon. Lol.

10. I was flown to Borneo for work right after my examination, like a boss.

Examination ended at 4pm. I left the exam hall and retrieved my bag from the car before getting on the cab that was waiting for my friend and I in campus. We went straight to the airport and boarded the plane. We returned to Cyberjaya on the following evening.

My job was to setup some audio stuffs and give a presentation on the Microsoft Windows 8 upgrade offer. I got really nervous after I realised I was short on time. :(

It was in Sibu of Sarawak actually. Borneo sounds more ang moh mah. Haha!

11. I participated in a futsal tournament for the first time in many years.

It was back in my hometown. Made new friends as I only got to know the team mates on the morning of the tournament. We broke through the group stage and only managed to finish as quarter-finalists. I did not start the Putrajaya Night Marathon because I participated in this tournament – it was totally worth it.

12. I purchased new (proper) tripod for my photography needs.

Hmm. I don’t have a proper photo of my new tripod…

Here’s the photo of its box and specs. Just imagine it’s a beautiful tripod with a Manfrotto ballhead. Haha! :D I love my new tripod.

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Also in 2012, I bought a few pairs of shoes. But I always buy shoes, so not worth to mention. Hahaha! I’ve also created a simple photography portfolio site and watched Harimau Malaya in action at Bukit Jalil Stadium during the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 games.

So, yeah. That’s about it, I guess.

It wasn’t that bad a year after all, I suppose. :)