Hello there!
2017 feels like a crazy roller coaster ride. A lot of ups and downs happened, so did a few massive life changes.
When I look back on what I’ve accomplished in the past 12 months, I realised that 2017 really is a year of madness. If you told me last year that I would have done so much travelling this year (let alone having all the changes in my life this year alone), I would think you’re a lunatic. Without further ado, let’s go through my 2017 together!
January began with feeling extremely stressed out with my dissertation, which was handed in the second day after Christmas break. Never felt that exhausted in my life, but the moment I handed it in, I was so relieved that it was finally finished. And then I started my last semester at uni, excited to start new modules, yet feeling as surreal as ever. On a cold January evening, I went to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf, perhaps the last time in a few years.
The month went by quickly, and in February I went to Côte d’Azur over reading week to soak up all the sunshine we missed in the UK. I was really excited to be back in France after almost eight years since my last visit with my family! (And I felt just a bit triumphant after my attempt to say ‘une etudiante s’il vous plaît’ at the museum ticket office being understood. And also when I understood them when they asked for my student card in French, lol.)
Without me realising, March came by really quickly. At the end of March and the beginning of April I was off to sunny Southern California and Las Vegas with my university on a field trip. It was my first time visiting the US, and honestly, I cannot wait to visit California again, especially SoCal. The sun, the beach, the La La Land effect – just everything. It felt so perfect. The fact that I was in the US felt so surreal but amazing, and I definitely had a blast. I then went on to San Francisco after the field trip ended in Vegas. There are so many things that I missed on that trip, so I definitely have to go again soon. After flying back to London I was so busy doing my coursework, and then straight onto revising, which was hectic and, quite frankly, really horrible. Because while I was doing all that uni work (one field trip diary which included the pictures I took and the record of all the places we went to everyday WITH analysis, a long essay, and four modules to revise for), I had an eight-hour jet lag to get over. It just…wasn’t the best time. I didn’t leave my flat unless I ran out of food, and I tried my best to buy all the groceries in one go.
Came along May which was a month of even more stressful exams, plus random cafe hopping before going to the library to revise (#sorrynotsorry). But finally I was really glad that everything’s over, and to treat myself I decided to visit Cambridge for the day, and to ‘practice’ for my upcoming solo trip.
June was REALLY EXCITING, because I finally got to experience real European summer. Travelled to Lisbon with my friend, and then to Sweden and the Netherlands by myself, which was AMAZING. Met relatives whom I haven’t seen for years, and had really interesting conversations with roommates at the hostel. I couldn’t be happier to finally visit the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. And till this day I still cannot forget the smoked salmon rye bread sandwich I had in Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm, it really was out of this world.
July came along, and it was when I travelled to Poland with my parents, and then I magically graduated from university. :O I still cannot believe that it happened. Something I also can’t believe it happened was my visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. I’ve been hearing all the things about the Holocaust for years, and finally visiting that horrible concentration camp is just a surreal experience. Seeing all the places with my own eyes where such terrible things happened decades ago…it felt eerie. It also got me thinking a lot about history, but let’s not start something totally unrelated here. Also as a musician, I was really happy to visit the birthplace of Chopin. One more thing about Poland is that the people are really friendly, and everything was relatively cheap. And I really liked Polish cuisine!
If the whole of 2017 was a roller coaster ride, then August would be the bit where the 360 degree turn takes place. From 1st to the 18th was my last 18 days living in the UK. I said goodbye to all my favourite places in London, and travelled to Eastbourne and Brighton. I was really happy to visit those places again, but couldn’t help to feel sad when I was leaving. I also felt really sad to say goodbye to all the amazing people I’ve met in these five years in England. As pathetic as this sounds, even till this day, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t miss England at all.
September to November was all a blur. While I apply for jobs I could not help but to feel irritated all the time because I’m still getting used to living back in Hong Kong again. Not living on your own anymore, not being away from the city centre for only half an hour on the tube anymore, not being able to casually visit Tate Modern for free, not being able to live a Western lifestyle anymore (and trust me if you do, it costs an arm and a leg). It’s just all the little things that I had to get used to again, and I just feel so frustrated. December was a little more fun, and seeing all the festive displays getting put on was exciting. Went to The Peak with my friends on Christmas Day and had a little hike which was nice. Along the hiking trail were great views of different parts of Hong Kong, and it’s less busy and hectic as the main observation deck (which I like!). I actually like it more because think about The Peak, it’s probably the most touristy place in the whole of Hong Kong, yet not far away from the busiest bit there’s a relaxing hiking trail with great views.
2017 hasn’t been easy at all, but it was a great journey. I just had a look on my last year’s review post, and I read the last bit where I sort of laid out my 2017 goals, and I guess I sort of achieved it in a way? Towards the end of this year I tried to blog more (and I did, and I feel like the quality of my posts are improving???). I also said that I was amazed that I went to five countries in 2016, little did I know, I was lucky enough to have been to eight this year. As for 2018 goals…I’ll just keep it to myself, but I’ll update with you all if I’ve achieved it by the end of the year 😉
That’s another year on Delicacy of a Unicorn, thanks for your support again! I hope 2017 has treated you well too! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING. I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! And dear 2018, please be good to me and everyone else out there too.
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Take care and see ya soon! <3
