Thanks, 2016.

Despite the numerous celebrity deaths, political craziness, and all the scary things happening around the world that have caused many to dub 2016 as “the worst year ever,” I can honestly say that 2016 has been a really good year for me, personally.

I’ve mentioned it a bit in my previous posts, but I’m happy to say again that 2016 has been professionally rewarding. A YL qualification, a promotion, teacher of the quarter award, another contract completed abroad, and so much learned in the classroom from trial and error, not to mention all the ideas and information I was able to exchange with my incredible colleagues.

I was able to experience another year in a different country, I was able to take little holidays and trips throughout the year, I got all the stationery I wanted, I spent time with my loved ones, and now I’m at home eating to my heart’s content. I honestly can’t complain.

I’m incredibly grateful for the year I’ve had. I am determined to do what it takes to ensure that the coming year will be just as fruitful, if not more so. It will be challenging to top the highlights and achievements of 2016, but I’m ready for it.

So thank you, 2016. You’ve been awesome.

Off to the next adventure.

Post-Vietnam Update

I haven’t been very good about writing over the last month or so — I got busy and writing took a back seat. But here I am, in an attempt to recap the highlights of the last few weeks.

My final week at work went by rather quickly. I had a nice farewell dinner with my colleagues on my final Sunday, and they gave me the traditional farewell card with lovely notes and well-wishes on my last day (a Tuesday) that I was quite touched by.

I spent another ten days in Vietnam after my contract ended, mostly packing up my apartment and eating at my favourite places. I did pretty well with throwing away and giving away my things. Unfortunately, it wasn’t nearly enough.

My check-in luggage was spot on at 40kg and I knew my carry-on was overweight for sure, but I decided to try my luck anyway. Checking in went smoothly and she didn’t weigh my carry-on so I thought I was going to get away with it. When I was about to go through to immigration though, the guy at the gate stopped me and told me that I had too much stuff. I attempted to argue with him, but he had weighing scales for eyes. I had to go back to weigh my stuff and eventually ended up paying for excess baggage.

I suppose I deserved it. I’d been lucky with that kind of stuff in the past and I always told myself I’d minimise to avoid having to go through that again in the future, but then never did it. So I see this as my final lesson — it took an exorbitant penalty to make it stick.

The next three weeks I spent on holiday in Singapore and Malaysia. I very much enjoyed going to the bookstores and seeing proper stationery options and displays after being so deprived of it in Hanoi. I was like a little kid so excited in the store, but at the same time Christmas songs were playing (which I despise), so I felt very conflicted. Also, lots of ramen.

Now I’m back home for the holidays stuffing my face with home-cooked food. It’s been nice being able to take a break from work for a while. I get to spend time with loved-ones, clear my head, and reboot for next year. Things I definitely need. Can’t think of a better way to end the year.

Happy holidays!