Bye 2011. Hello 2012.

Not many would understand the difference of being busy or wanting to be busy. Well in my case, I am busy and at the same time I am always trying to be busier so I will not waste my time. 2011 was a funny year to me. The beginning of 2011 was great but it all went downhill from then on. It's like a roller coaster ride, fun at first but the feeling gradually subsided.

Everyone ought to prioritize what he or she wants to do in life. It's better to have some plans for future than be clueless when we have to make a decision that will affect our lives. I have my goals and I hope to achieve them and I shall not let anything distract me. I can't say 2011 was a great year, like said earlier, it was a roller coaster ride with ups and downs along the way.

However, I am fortunate considering I have a loving family, great friends and of course a strong faith in myself. I always try not to compare myself with others because of my lacking but I am always glad with what I have. I hope everyone will be that too. Somehow, one day if I am successful (or not, it doesn't really matter) I will help the orphans and the unprivileged.

The thing that makes us and them different from them is that we have the opportunities. Orphans do not have a choice to say no to not been abandoned, to say no for been left alone without caring families and so on.

As time ticks closer to the end of Year 2011, like every year, I will always pause and cherish every single moments I had in 2011 (though it's a week left). Sometimes, when I look back at how I felt during the first time I arrived at Korea to now. It was a totally different feeling.

I can remember the first time stepping to the Korea and my university alone. No cellphone (Hence I couldn't contact anyone), no blankets, pillow even on a chilly spring (Never thought it would be so bad then), couldn't speak a word in Korean ("Kamsahamnida (Thank you in Korean)" seems to sound more like some bird species name that greeting. hmmn -_-" ), no internet (for almost a week due to some problems with my room) and the saddest part - I have nobody I can speak to in the language that they can understand. No buddy that assists foreign student, no friends, couldn't call family and friends. It sucks.

As a guy, I hid my fears. Trembling underneath, nobody knew.

But now, I can proudly say "Bring it on!"

This year, after been blogging here for almost 4 years, I was the Best Blogger in WSK (World Students in Korea) organized by Korean Presidential Council on Nation Branding and also surprisingly I emerged as one of the Best Bloggers for a Korea Tourism website (Koreataste.org).

2011 was great but I did very few travel or trips compare to 2010. And during the final month of this year, I am busy with classes and exams. I always thought been a university student was more relaxing but sometimes, I find my high school and university life are almost the same. The only difference is I have more freedom. That's great. Haha.

Sad right?

2012 resolution time. Last year, I wrote 6 things I want to achieve. However, I did not travel to many places (My friend and I had planned to go Egypt and Turkey but we canceled it due to the uprising), my Korean language proficiency was still the same (I think), I did not bake anything but I did manage to cook a few dishes (Look who's the man!! Ahem.. Thanks to the some ready-to-make... shhhh!), a better photographer (This is too subjective. I need a better lenses first), I did not take up another language (My bad) and I did not sleep more (Hmmn).

So this year.

I make a much simpler list.

1. Travel to another country (Doesn't matter if it's on early 2013. Counted too)

2. Be a better guy.

3. Help the underprivileged.

4. Use the guitar.

5. Learn more Photoshop skills from learned people.

6. Practice and play more with my camera.

7. Try to sleep more..

I think I can achieve my resolutions this time around. As tomorrow is Christmas Day - Wishing dear readers and friends a joyous Christmas, a warm holiday and a Happy New Year. May 2012 be filled with joy, laughter and happiness. 즐거운 크리스마스 보내요.