Nine

Unfortunately my list of the 9 biggest things that I did in 2009 does not feature Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Fergie as the star-studded cast... but you'll have to bear with it. Here's hoping that memory does not fail me...

1) Planned a beach wedding that was not mine - One of my personal biggest achievements yet. There were some incidents in between the project that could've got me all jaded but thank goodness all the perseverance paid off in the end. Learnt how to ignore and not let incompetent bitches steal my thunder. Sometimes you gotta pity them since all they are good at is bringing other people down so they can make themselves look kinda useful. Also learnt a lesson for my future wedding: NEVER have it at the beach!

2) Quit my first job since graduation - It wasn't easy to walk away from a lovable team but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. It's great to have gained some excellent friends along the way. Now that's something you don't find everyday!

3) Joined the education industry - Not as a teacher, mind you. Still working in Marketing Communications but playing with a totally different game plan. It's been seven months now and I'm just finally getting a hang of things around here. I'm thankful it's a very new place and despite working alone, there is vast and undeniable space for growth. It helps that people here are really nice and genuine too. Sure there are gossips going around at times, but never the "backstabbing to get ahead" kind. Corporate vultures, take note. You might still have time to repent and kickstart a new lease on life. Just sayin'.

4) Became a bridesmaid for the first time - Swan Wui popped my bridesmaid cherry by asking me to be in her ji mui entourage for her wedding. I was apparently, made head honcho since I did a lot of bossing around. Can't blame me, I was born bossy and fussy. I decided all the girls should wear yellow during the tea ceremony, shopped for props that we made the heng dai entourage wear, made some of the props and somewhat organised the bachelorette night. Of course, there were lots of good friends who helped and I didn't do everything alone. I'm not Katherine Heigl from 29 Dresses. Could never be. The after-party proved how great the day went and everyone was beyond happy for the couple. Waiting for babies to come. I wonder if Swan Wui is capable of popping my baby shower cherry next...

5) Started developing lesbian fantasies - Only reserved for Lady Gaga though. LMAO. Seriously though, the Jason Mraz and Lady Gaga gigs were my first two live concert experiences and they were both unforgettable in their own ways. I was literally right in front of Mraz's mic and it was so surreal to catch him up close. How I would love to add the word "personal" into that sentence... I would've traded my mom for a closer view of Gaga, but who I am to beat the Singaporeans to the front row? But her gig was simply electric, despite having to wait over an hour and being squished to death by sweaty, jumping Singaporean teenage brats.

6) Started freelance writing - I've done similar things before but they were very scarce in my younger years and I never got to see them being produced. This year, the ball started rolling with a job that is now officially fucked up and I have disowned a "friend" due to her irresponsible and nonchalant behaviour in the entire incident. It could've costed my relationship with another friend but we are both victims and he's far too noble to put the blame on me. I'm no longer partaking in any activities or gatherings that she may attend, e.g. Christmas gathering this 26th December. Friends ask me why I'm not joining them and I just refuse to repeat the story again because I would seem so immature. What can I do? Force them to choose between me and her? That is so High School Musical. Anyhoo, thankfully something good did come out of a bad situation and I'm now shamelessly whoring my writing services to peeps who need copywriting for websites, press releases, newsletters, bla bla bla. Do email ashley.lsc@gmail.com for details.

7) Learnt how to drive - Tell me seven months ago that I would be driving and I'd tell you that you're outta your damn mind. I am now a certified terror on Malaysian roads, thanks to my lovely and patient boyfriend who stayed beside me while I was struggling to get used to getting behind the wheel, and allows me to drive his car everyday now. Tell you the truth, I wouldn't be arsed to learn how to drive if it wasn't for the desperation for transportation to my new workplace.

8) Wore a saree for the first time - Darshini popped my saree cherry for her big fat Indian wedding. I borrowed a beautiful purple saree from my colleague and Bebe's aunt helped us (Bebe, Deb and moi) frantically tie our sarees on the morning of Dar's wedding ceremony. Obviously, we were the frantic ones because we were absolutely clueless about tying sarees! But in the end she made us look GORGEOUS. Dar's wedding was a sight to behold. There she was, this Malaysian Indian bride with her lone white groom from England, surrounded by her family and relatives. Not forgetting (in Dar's own words) the Mao Ze Dong reformation army marching in behind the bride at the start of the ceremony and scattered all around for the rest of the day.

9) Sold my family's house - Technically it was my mom who sold our house, not me. But I was just trying to make a point. It's been hard for me lately. At times I'd be lying in bed, staring into space and find it weird to think that in a few months, another kid would be replacing my place in the same room. I've been told to get over it but it's kinda hard. I've been living here for about 10 years now. We haven't even found a new place yet. But I'll definitely be blogging from a new place sometime in 2010. Maybe I'll get over it by then. Before that, I'll make sure to blog about the massive amount of stuff that we need to move from point A to B. It's gonna be scary...

Now I wonder what's in store for 2010?