365 Days: A Visual Diary

It's been a whole month since I've been back home. How exactly do you summarise an entire years' worth of memories, experiences and lessons into a post? I don't think I can.

Instead of words, I've compiled some photos from my year away. So I present to you (drum roll please): A visual diary (which isn't even as exciting but go along with me).

I spent most of my time in Canterbury, a small little town South-East of England. I pursued my Masters in Political Psychology at the University of Kent. This is where I learnt to cook, where I grew as a creative, where I realize the presence of the sun doesn't equate to warmth, where I learnt to enjoy my own company.

Click to slide for more photos.

The first photo was actually taken during the last week I was there - they had an event (the BOing festival) and set up this huge balloon-like structure with fancy lights and shapes. At this point of time, my camera already died on me (huhu) and I was left with my iPhone 6S+'s camera (that doesn't even have portrait mode, double huhu). Regardless of the poor quality-photo and the existence of an entrance fee for this particular exhibition, I was still glad to have been able to witness such unique architecture (it was also entirely hand sewn).

A lot of time was spent at the Westgate Gardens - the best place to catch water pokemons and to feed ducks. Equal amount of time was spent at Canterbury East/West waiting for the train.

I also had an incredible view of the sunset from my window.

Favourite season: Spring. Especially after the misery of sun-sets-at-4pm and it-is-cold-and-wet and i-just-want-to-wrap-myself-up-like-a-burrito during Winter. Flowers booming, bunnies hopping, the sun - oh the glorious sun.

Canterbury Cathedral (part of a World Heritage Site)

Most unfortunate event: when a sea gull stole my waffle (wipes tears).

The favourite past time: Picnics on the lawn.

The first few months of being in the UK without a job was really tough. With every purchase, I converted the price and hated how much I was spending. I was getting really stressed out - I believed I sent out over 50 applications. I had two more interviews and told myself: if these two don't work out, I'm just going to give up. I don't want to ruin my time abroad worrying about these things. God will provide.

Right after that, I was offered a role. God has always been so faithful in putting me in the right place, where I need(ed) to be. It was like that for my Undergrad course as well, where God opened up doors and I was awarded with a full scholarship - which also gave my parents the opportunity to save up the fees to fund my time abroad. #GodisGood

I worked at Lush - which was an amazing workplace filled with incredible people to work with. Their awareness as a business on its impact on the environment taught me a lot about how to be a more responsible consumer. Working there has definitely taught me a lot of patience - and the functions of lavender, oats and honey as ingredients.

This job also funded all my holidays.

Favourite meal deal: Tesco. For £3 you can get a pre-packed pasta, a drink and a snack. My go-to was the spinach+dried tomato pesto pasta, the green juice and a box of mangoes.

I travelled. In the one year of me being away, I visited 8 countries - including the UK.

Oxford.

Manchester.

Liverpool.

Edinburgh.

Bristol.

Folkestone.

Margate.

Whistable.

Dover.

Broadstairs.

Glasgow.

I celebrated my birthday at Brighton.

New favourite activity (which Malaysia lacks): Mini golf

I visited London way too often.

Hardest days: Chinese New Year :'( Forever grateful for that one Chinese friend I have in London who adopted me for CNY and brought me out for mala hotpot.

Musicals:

Lion King

Phantom of the Opera

Waitress

Hamilton

Something that changed: I started the year really obsessed over getting the right OOTD. Eventually I realize that a photo to prove I'm at a certain place / enjoying my self - isn't as important as actually embracing the culture or atmosphere I get to experience. Also because my camera died on me.

I'm really proud that I funded my own travels (to a certain extent). I learnt how to save, manage my finances, look out for the cheaper deals. I learnt to realize that every penny is a blessing, and being able to be generous is also a blessing (which I'm still learning to actually put to practice).

Favourite deals: You can buy a box of chicken breasts for £1.55, cream cheese for 50pence and cake mixings for less than £2. You can donate a bag of unwanted clothes to h&m and get discount vouchers and wait for their incredible sales.

Budapest, Hungary

Vienna, Austria

I edited these photos in really dim lighting and turned out to be very orange, but I'm also too lazy to re-edit them.

Prague, Czech Republic

Fav ice cream flavour: Lavender (from Creme de la Creme, Prague)

Best thing about Winter: Christmas markets and mulled wine

Venice, Bologna, Rome, Naples - Italy

(In no particular order)

I also went to Stockholm (Sweden), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium) - but the photos aren't really pretty / of good quality because it was all done through my phone :( And at this point I'm honestly pretty lazy.

There has been a lot of debates between how people should spend more money on experiences versus how travelling is just "placebo" and can't produce actual results. I have no data to support any sides - but personally, travelling has exposed me to a lot. The different cultures, way of life, architecture. Studying abroad has also grown my world-view and I have now adopted a much wider perspective. I wouldn't say it was the fact that I was just abroad, I guess it's a lot to do with just having to be independent.

I was no longer surrounded by my loved ones and the decisions I made would then solely affect me. There was then an opportunity to discover who I truly am - what do I enjoy doing? what do I like to eat (Asian food, hands down); do I prefer traveling with friends? I was put in positions where I had no choice but to learn to enjoy my own company, which I feel is a very important lesson as I step into adulthood.

I really can't summarize how I've grown or changed, but I have so much to share. And if you'd like to find out more about any aspect of my experience - my travel itinerary, my course, my adventures of cutting my own bangs, anything at all - please feel free to reach out!

I'm going to close - perhaps not only this post but this chapter of my life - by just giving the glory back to God. He has been nothing but faithful, and I am nothing but thankful.