Despite the pandemic, I've got to say that 2020 has been an amazing year thus far and here's why;
1. Seoul, Korea.
The pandemic was just about to start when Aisyah and I decided to travel to Korea. We planned everything in less than a month (after finals to be precise) and voila, Annyeonghaseyo Korea! It wasn't easy persuading my parents to let me go, but the process was really worth it. The best part is that both Aisyah and I have never traveled on our own before and that made the trip even more adventurous. We got to experience Winter, played with the snow, went skiing, explored Nami Island, random late nights trip to local stores, skincare shopping, and many more. On our last day in Seoul, we actually used the public transport to discover some places on our own.
2. Losses weight
During the lockdown, I have been following @soiamjenn on Instagram where she would post her everyday workout routine and I was inspired to do the same. I committed to Chloe Ting's 2 weeks shred program and Tabata exercises for one month (during Ramadan) before changing to Intermittent fasting because I was too busy with school. As a result, tadaaa,
Before MCO weight: 54 kgs.
After MCO weight: 47 kgs.
3. Graduate LL.B (Hons)
The final semester was rough because everything's online. We attended classes, tutorials, and conducted group meetings online because of MCO. Some days we would stay up until 3-4 a.m. to complete our assignments. The only good thing about online learning is that our exams are conducted online and we are allowed to refer to notes and books which is h e a v e n.
Online learning burnt me out honestly. Some days I can barely open my eyes and attend classes even though I am just few steps away from my laptop. Sometimes, I even forget I have a class i.e. there was this one day, I was waiting for my parcel to arrive that I completely forgot I have a Bankruptcy lecture. Lucky for me it was just a one-time thing, otherwise... RIP my final semester.
Anyways, happy to tell I got through the sleepless nights and the burn out(s) and graduated from law school on July 2020. This feels really surreal. I remember writing about getting an offer to pursue pre-law and shared bits of my journey as a law student at UM law school here. It reminded me of all the things I have to go through to make this possible, and for that I want to thank myself for not giving up.
4. Went on an Island trip at Pulau Tioman
This was the most random and last minute trip! I remember doing grocery shopping with Dania when I received a text message from Nabila asking if I am free to go to Pulau Tioman the next morning. Gathered my courage to ask for my dad's permission and lucky I was, my application was approved. I got to unwind a little after went to one interview for Chambering (lol @ me). Also get to cross off one thing of my bucket list... oh wait, two actually! 1. Holiday at an Island, 2. Tried snorkeling for the first time!
5. Started my Chambering
Right after I got back from Pulau Tioman, I received a phone call from a firm informing me that my Chambering application was successful, Alhamdulillah. I have been doing Chambering for almost 2 months now. I was really blessed to be guided by supportive and helpful master and associate. I mean, they taught me from the littlest thing a Chambee should know; from writing letters and handling files to drafting Statement of Claims, Notice of Application and Affidavits for some cases. (More on this later, inshallah?)
6. Soulmate?
Probably the highlight of my 2020- I found my long lost soulmate that I have been looking for 23 years of my life. Whom would have thought I would be meeting someone who sees all my imperfection in the most perfect way possible and for that I am truly grateful for his presence in my life. Let's just pray that this relationship will go a long way. <3
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I have been feeling somewhat overwhelmed these past few days that even when I had the privileged to be working from home, I thought of it as a bad thing. I tell myself that I probably need to do a bit of a reflection, and here goes a long list why 2020 has been amazing thus far. I mean, yes, the pandemic has gotten in the way of what could be a much more spectacular year but things happened, and for now we could only make the best out of everything we have. Maybe to some, it really has been a bad year- some people losses their income, some people has to go back to zero but I want to look at 2020 as a year which opens a lot of opportunities for me to grow as an Adult. I did a lot of new things, I discovered new places, made new friends, and fall in love; what could be worse, ay?
We are left with two months before 2020 made its way. Most people probably don't even want to remember we ever live through this time, but I wouldn't want to forget what it has brought me; love, happiness and most important of all, contentment. Therefore, I would just want to keep on making more and more memories before the curtain falls.
Lots of Love, Nurzafira Sabrina.