Happy New Years 2014!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I can't believe how fast this year has passed by! Everything like Christmas and New Years just crept up in the past few weeks. I really don't know where all the time has gone!

If I was to sum up 2013, it would be that this was the year I got baptised, worked part time as a pharmacist and continued studying pharmacy. 

It's been a long time since Ada, a previous pastor and Sunday School teacher at our church encouraged us brothers to get baptised. Slightly over ten years later, we actually went through with it! I sometimes forget that I did get baptised, only because I've been a Christian for so long that I just keep thinking it was a while ago that I got baptised!

I also never thought I'd end up continuing studying pharmacy! I had a bit of a rough time studying a Bachelors of Pharmacy, and to imagine myself doing a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy would be crazy! 

In the first few weeks of doing it, I kept asking myself, what am I doing? I have no idea how I'm going to make it to the end of this, I want to quit! I ended up making it all the way to the end, and I'm so glad I didn't quit! 

I also took a chance and went down to Taupo for a week to do some locum pharmacy work, and while initially anxious about it, I am extremely glad I went down for the experience!

I always get the feeling I didn't accomplish much in 2013, but when I think about it, a lot actually happened and I did actually accomplish quite a bit!

My main goal for 2014 is to start taking risks, going out there and getting things done, not shying away from a challenge. This will be the only way for me to grow and to move forward/upwards! I have to not be afraid of failure and to just keep trying. That's the first step in living a life without regret!

My blogging this year has been quite inconsistent, so you'll see it featuring in my New Year's resolutions for this year, so once again here we go!

- = Calum's 2013 New Years' Resolutions = -

(In no particular order, and roughly the same as last year)

1. Find a girlfriend (nothing to see here, same as before)

FAIL - A could do better here, and actually make an effort.

2. Make two new or closer friends

YES - I've gotten to know Joanna, Wei and Tsun Hei pretty well

3. Find a job 

YES - I did regular locum work at the pharmacy I completed my internship at, which saw me working at least two days a week till the end of October. I do have to find another job now though 

4. Choose what to study at uni and complete it

YES - I ended up choosing to study for a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy and actually completed it against the odds!

5. Participate in some organisation such as a volunteer organisation etc.

FAIL - Didn't join any new group!

6. Join some cultural activity/group/social group

FAIL - Same as above!

7. Pick up the accordion again and start practising a bit more regularly

FAIL - Still haven't touched it all year!

8. Clean the house!

FAIL - The house is still a mess

9. Sign up for and take Chinese classes

FAIL - Didn't get around to doing it

10. Learn and practise another musical instrument more regularly

YES - Does the cajon count? I've been playing it this year as they need it for the English worship band

11. Sit a music theory exam

FAIL - Once again didn't do it

12. Get my full driver's license

FAIL - I did have one driving lesson, but the instructor pretty much told me the Mitsubishi Lancer we have would fail before I even sit the test as it is too boyracer-like!

13. Travel to at least one overseas destination, and one local destination outside of Auckland

PARTLY YES - Did not travel overseas, but I did visit Rotorua with the family early in the year, and went down to Taupo in November for a week to work

14. Give my baptism testimony in Chinese

FAIL - I gave the first sentence of it in Chinese, but due to time constraints and a few issues I had to do it in English :(

15. Get baptised

YES - Finally got baptised in Easter! About time!

16. Be more mature

UM - Possibly not...I'm not too sure!

17. Go for regular runs and try to lose the fat (maybe enter Round the Bays!)

YES - I'm going to say yes because I joined the gym a couple months ago and manage to go regularly for a month! I haven't been for the past two weeks, but Christmas is a very busy time ;)

18. Attend a fellowship at another church or visit another church

YES - I've attended a few Church Unlimited services as well as City Impact's Christmas Eve service which was cool to see how they did things. I didn't get a chance to attend a fellowship at another church though.

19. Build up Anbro!

PARTLY YES - We filmed a few weddings and a school Chinese performance. It was more or less the same as last year though.

So my overall score is 7/19 resolutions achieved = MUST DO BETTER.

OK, so now time for this year's New Years Resolutions!

- = Calum's 2013 New Years' Resolutions = -

1. Get a girlfriend (same as before!)

2. Get my full license

3. Get a full time job

4. Get another qualification

5. Go to the gym regularly and GET THAT SUMMER BODY

6. Travel to at least one destination overseas

7. Hang around more people my age

8. Find another social group or organisation to get involved with

9. Sit the HSK Chinese exam

10. Sit a music theory exam

11. Pick up the piano accordion again

12. Make another two more close friends

13. Blog more regularly!

14. Be more adventurous

15. Take greater risks/Step outside my comfort zone

16. Do not rely on others 

17. Do not be as open about my feelings etc. i.e. BE MORE MANLY
18. Keep in touch with old friends and catch up with them more

The last few are quite obscure, but hopefully they'll all make me a stronger, more independent person! I may update this as time goes if I feel the need to, but anyway...

Bring on 2014! 

A Facebook Status Year in Review

It was a quiet year for me on Facebook, Here is a look back at 2012 through Facebook statuses:

January

Good luck with results NCEAers!

Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes I will reply as soon as! If I didn't reply to your txts then I probably didn't receive it..my phone's screwing up on me right now!

February

Packing at the last minute...always happens!

Right to permanent residence in Hong Kong is up for review :O

March

Back to the Nokia brick 

April

GOOO Breakers! Counting down the seconds!

Ice-Cream Sandwich! Finally! :D

May

All out of my hands now

June

Need to stop putting 'Limit Alcohol' on medicine labels for children! 

July

OK time to get back into music!

The lady at McDonalds tonight told me I was such a hustler for a white guy just because I asked for something off the Loose Change Menu!

That's it! Batman has inspired me to join a gym and become a superhero!

Answered the phone using the wrong pharmacy name in front of the boss today..woops..

August

It's all your fault Amy for making me feel so old right now! Why'd you have to remind me of my age! 

The Burger King guy asked me where I was from today. He said he has an Indian friend who looks just like me... 

Aaah Grey's Anatomy...good inspiration! (despite the lack of pharmacists)

September

Professional moppers 

Just has to rain on my days off work doesn't it!

Ever since working in pharmacy I seem to be talking to myself more and more...

Been realising I'm not very good at keeping in touch with people! I will be working on it!

The Lord's Prayer Concert! 

October

Congrats to all the graduates today! Made me feel young going back to uni today!

November

My one week Facebook ban is over! 

Time to do all those things I wanted to but never got round to doing! 

December

Last day at work! Time to find a new job!

So how exactly does end of the world work? Everywhere at the same time, or staggered?

All these Christmas statuses are making me feel Christmasy! Merry Christmas to you all too! 

Year in Review

It's time for my annual Year in Review, with the first sentence of the first post of each month, followed by a summary of that month

January

A year marred by earthquakes, a mining tragedy, and a death in the family is finally over. So long 2010, welcome 2011! 


- We hang out with the Tans, Chins and Chans
- We watch Tangled!
- The annual Children's Summer Programme is on, I dress up as Adam (of Adam and Eve fame)
- We hang out at the Chans' house and go exploring Henderson
- Chinese New Year festivals galore!
- We celebrate Harris's birthday at McDonald's, catch a guy sleeping on the toilet
- We celebrate Chen's 21st birthday!
- Witness a huge fireworks display over the waterfront to celebrate Auckland Anniversary

- Go blueberry picking with church friends

February

I finally have my Annual Practising Certificate to practise as an intern pharmacist!

- I become properly registered as an Intern Pharmacist and start my first day on the job
- Get my arms waxed by Carmen and Grace
- Celebrate Chinese New Year on Waitangi Day!
- Finally join the gym at uni
- Celebrate Scholastica's 21st birthday at a Thai restaurant
- Go minigolfing with the Tans, Tommy and Harris in Mission Bay
- Tim and Gabrielle get married!

March

Today after music classes my brothers and I decided to visit our old high school Rutherford College to check out the 50th Reunion. 

- Orientation Week at uni
- $1 Cheeseburger madness at McDonald's!
- Catch up with other interns at a birthday party in Mt Albert
- Get together with other viola players
- Lose Aonghas at the Lantern Festival
- Visit Rutherford College to attend the 50th reunion but can't find it...

April

It's been a rainy night tonight, and Aonghas was out doing some work while Hamish still hadn't come home from uni. It was soon 10.30pm, so my mum told me to text Hamish to find out where he was. 


- Hamish gets beaten up and punched in the face
- Celebrate Gwen's birthday 
- Aonghas drops the car keys down the drain
- Diane's boyfriend teaches me guitar
- We pig out on Good Friday and watch Tangled after the church service
- Go bush-walking through the Waitakere Ranges
- Get given a guide to dating!
- Get my graduation gown!
- Finally get my new glasses!

May

Today was finally my big day! It was to kick off with a breakfast in this giant marquee at uni for graduands and their families at 8am, but as usual our family set off from home late (like 7.50am late!) and were stuck in traffic!

- I finally graduate with a Bachelor of Pharmacy!
- I buy my mum electronic scales for Mother's Day
- I attend Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) for the first time
- We farewell Lindsey who is heading off to the UK
- Hang out with Ting Ting at Starbucks
- Watch Nick's short film at a screening at Toni and Evan's house
- We pig out on Burger Fuel during the 40 Hour Famine
- Assignmenting, assignmenting, assignmenting...

June

I've decided to expand my tastes and try a wider variety of food, so I went into this Asian bakery tonight and picked this strawberry milk cream bun...or something like that! It was pretty nice!


- My laptop dies the night before my assignment is due
- I try the infamous Double Down Burger
- Meet our...nephew (?) Vida for the first time
- Students start to drive me crazy
- We farewell Shen who leaves for Singapore
- Our Oddfellows Youth Group combines with Living Waters Fellowship
- We celebrate our dad's birthday by going out to dinner at Dynasty and having dessert at McDonald's
- Greg Laurie gives a very inspirational talk at the Auckland Harvest at Vector Arena
- The family basketball team take out the championship at the Massey Leisure Centre

July

It has been really quiet at work this week, but fortunately there's been enough to keep me busy throughout the day.


- Catch up with Angie and Gwen for Domino's for dinner
- Our youth group goes out to watch Kung Fu Panda 2
- The rain miraculously stops as we go to the zoo
- We celebrate Danielle's 21st and catch up with many old primary school friends
- I get my professional graduation photos
- Vodafone continues to screw me over

August

One of the ladies at work is leaving this week. She's been working at the pharmacy for many years now, so for all my workmates it'll be pretty sad. 

- One of the ladies at work leaves us
- Mobile internet on my phone finally works!
- RIP Jessica Hosking
- Our youth group does baking
- It snows in Auckland!!
- I attend UoA Epsom Campus Open Evening - seriously consider teaching
- UoA Courses and Careers Day and Andrew's 21st coincide!
- Get mistaken as someone's Samoan nephew

September

After music teaching I went to church to join in on the cleaning and packing up going on. The reason for this is our church is undergoing renovations, or more specifically re-cladding to fix up the leaks.


- Our youth group puts on a skit for Father's Day
- I reluctantly agree to financially contribute to UNICEF
- Aonghas and I perform in the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony!
- One of my students gives me a mooncake
- We pack up the church
- Celebrate Shrikkanth's 22nd (to make up for lack of 21st celebration)
- Natalie, Kunsala and I have our first study dinners
- We watch St Dominic's College's school production Thoroughly Modern Millie

October

On our way home after dropping Aonghas off at work in the city, we thought we'd stop by one of those discount stores and join in on the fun by buying a couple flags for our car! 

- We celebrate our manager's birthday at work with cake!
- The music school I teach at holds its end of year concert early, and my students make me proud
- I do an all-nighter to get all my internship paperwork done
- Our youth group learns a new game...PSYCHIATRIST!
- Oddfellows runs a baking sale at church as a building fundraiser
- I decide not to sit the internship exam next month
- My phone dies
- We buy a drum set, and I buy a Samsung Galaxy S2!
- Rugby World Cup Grand Final at Trusts Stadium -WILD!

November

Tonight the Andersons and the Brens all met together again for a big family dinner. There was a special reason for tonight's family dinner though - Martyn was bringing along Bronwyn (his new girlfriend) and her family along to meet all of us!

- We meet Martyn's partner for the first time
- I make my music theory students sit a mock exam
- NZ elections!
- I go check out the campsite with a few
- We celebrate Aonghas's 21st birthday at an Asian foodcourt

December

So in the past couple days, I've been made aware of all my faults by various people.


- We have a sleepover at Karvin's old house
- Some of my students give me Christmas presents (I love being a teacher at this time of year!)
- New Gabrielle plays her Chinese harp for us
- We finally get around to celebrating Aonghas's 21st birthday
-  We buy a new car!
- We catch up with Diane and Chen over minigolf
- The Oddfellows Band perform for the first time, and we exchange Secret Santa presents
- We celebrate Christmas at church in the morning, cousins for lunch, BBQ at Western Springs then waterfront in the evening
- We farewell Jireh at the airport

Year in Review Survey

1.What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

I got my arms waxed (purely an experiment!), flew to and stayed at a different city all on my own, and visited Palmerston North for the first time!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I think I kept the resolutions which involved making purchases, but most of them I failed...I'll post my New Year's Resolutions soon!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Greg's (my cousin) partner gave birth to a baby girl this year, naming her Vida (an almost-anagram of my late uncle/his father David)

Fiona (one of our youth group leaders married to On, another youth group leader) gave birth to Abigail

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly Jessica Hosking passed away in France this year. While I wasn't exactly close to her, she was the daughter of my old swimming teacher, and was good friends with my cousins. Her passing away also came as quite a shock as it was completely unexpected.

5. What countries did you visit?

I didn't visit any other countries, but I did go down to Wellington for three days all on my own for a pharmacy internship training course. 

I also travelled by bus to Palmerston North with Hamish for Phillip's (our old neighbour) wedding in November. Passing through all the small towns was quite a good experience.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

I'm sure I said this last year but I'll say it again - full license! Oh...and maybe being able to travel overseas a bit more, more freedom and maybe...a significant other? haha

7. What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Probably the day of the major Christchurch earthquake. I can't exactly remember what the date was, but I remember hearing about the earthquake on the radio while I was at work. My workmates checked the news on the internet and there were photos of buses crushed by falling debris. The effects of the earthquake are still being felt now.

Another one would probably be the Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony. Participating in the ceremony will be something I'll always remember and treasure. The craziness on the waterfront afterwards was also something I'll probably never see again!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Oh this is quite hard. I think there was a dearth of achievements this year - maybe passing the big Assignment 3?

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not sitting the internship exam in November because I wasn't ready.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I think it was mainly just suffering from colds and my on-going cough. I'm sure I've had more colds this year than any other! Customers are probably to blame!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I'd have to say my Samsung Galaxy S2 has been quite reliable so far, and it feels great being able to install any sized app I want, as well as being able to take good photos and videos! I've been neglecting my iPod Touch recently!

I also helped purchase a new car which is turning out to be a beauty!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

A few good friends who have constantly been there for me all year, texting me everyday, helping me get through everything. Thanks for not giving up on me guys!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

I don't really want to be specific but there was one or two people I really struggled with this year, and I really have been doing my best to get along with and hope I treat them the best I can

14. Where did most of your money go?

While I made a bit more money this year, it meant I had to start paying my mum board!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony! I'm so glad I did it! I almost pulled out, as I didn't think I'd be able to get time off work to participate but I'm so glad I did now

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder?

I'd like to say happier but I don't really know. It's been a tough year, one that I'd like to forget more than remember.

thinner or fatter?

Definitely fatter! I'm sure I'm carrying around more tyres than before!

richer or poorer?

I guess I'd have to say richer financially but not by much!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Exercise, study, practising music, catching up with friends 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Going on Facebook and eating junk food!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent the morning at church, lunch at the cousins, dinner/BBQ with church friends at Western Springs, and the evening with the family and Grace walking along the waterfront!

21. Who deleted question 21?

It wasn't me!

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?

I hope I didn't because it would have been unrequited love!

23. How many one-night stands?

Zero!

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

Hi! My Sweetheart, Amazing Race, and still Grey's Anatomy

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I don't think so

26. What was the best book you read?

I guess I'll have to say Community Pharmacy by Paul Rutter became my best friend

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

David Guetta! Enough said. 

28. What did you want and get?

A new phone that I was actually happy with!

29. What did you want and not get?

Let's just say the right answer from someone

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

If going by movies I actually watched in the cinemas, then I'd have to say...TANGLED!!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 22, and celebrated by going to Wendy's with the family and Jireh's family (sounds a lot like my birthday last year!), before going on to Westfield Albany to walk around.

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

See question 29! Oh and also becoming a registered pharmacist so I could move on with my life

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Tighter t-shirts, denim shorts and yellow shoes

34. What kept you sane?

A few good friends constantly texting me everyday, especially in the mornings before work

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

ooo tough one. I tried to live in reality a bit more so I don't think I was too fixated on any celebrity figure, but hey if they were hot, then I probably did fancy them! ;)

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Charter schools. It's quite new but it's something I completely oppose.

37. Who did you miss?

My uncle

38. Who was the best new person you met? (as in someone I've met/gotten to know this year)

They're not exactly new but I've become really good friends with Eva and Rebecca this year. I'm so glad I've gotten heaps closer to them

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

In life there'll always be things you don't like doing, but they become essential. 

Life just keeps going. Get the most out of it, because before you know it, it will be gone

Life hasn't given up on you, so don't give up on life!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday!"

A Facebook Status Year in Review

Here is a look back at 2011 through Facebook statuses:


January
Calum needs a distraction 
Thanks guys for all the birthday wishes! I'll thank you all very soon! 
Go Li Na! 


February
First day of work down...another 10 months to go? I'm counting down the days!
At least I can come home from work at night with the satisfaction of knowing I've possibly prevented another unwanted birth!
I've finally joined the gym after two years of saying I would! Muscles here I come! 
Five more days, here we go! 
Wow the gym really does make you feel better about yourself after a bad day at work!
Boo Valentine's Day! 
So quiet today I'm doing stretches in the dispensary 
Girls can be so MEEEEEAAAAN! 
Now whenever I see someone approaching me holding a white piece of paper, I just naturally assume they're coming to give me a prescription to dispense! 
So many first years on campus today! 
Calum smells funny after trying on all the different creams and lotions at work
So maybe uni starting up again wasn't something to look forward to...


March
Well 2011 is going to be a write-off, looking forward to 2012 now! 
Escaping my sheltered life 
My preceptor wants me to smile less...and stop walking into things 
One hour of Sesame Street is more than enough for one day! 


April
Sniffed a bit too much coal tar at work today 
Phew for the Breakers!
Calum Is trained and ready to sell Thin Lizzy! 
It's the never-ending nightmare :S


May
Calum has finally graduated! Thanks for all the wishes and those who came to take pics today, really appreciate it! 
Thanks for the peer pressure guys o.o 
Go Eurasians for winning Masterchef! 
Thanks a lot Ting Ting K for making me give in to the fries! :O 
Cold = Time to self-medicate!


June
Just finished watching another drama series, time to find one without 楊丞琳 Rainie Yang in it! 
Never thought I'd have to pull an all-nighter after graduating...
Slowest day ever! These uni holidays are going to go by very slowly... 


August
Come on Cerazette come back in stock tomorrow! Girls need their pills!
Can't believe the youth of today haven't heard of such pop legends as N'Sync, 5ive and the Backstreet Boys!
Thinking about what to do next year makes me feel like it's my last year at high school all over again!
Someone asked if I was their Samoan nephew today. Someone else asked if I was Middle-Eastern..


September
Yay for a day off! Time to sleep in!
Still waiting for the first upset of the World Cup!
Was wondering why my bank account was unusually low, then remembered it went to those poor kids I unintentionally sponsored! 


October
Preceptor asked me to check if a drug was available on PWR website, without thinking I went to Pricespy! 
Hoping this won't end up being an all-nighter! 
If SBW hadn't come on I don't know how the All Blacks could have won
Upgraded my phone to a Nokia 3315 8-) 
I forgive you Stephen Donald!! 


November
I have a GirlFriend now!!!! 
false alarm guys, sorry to disappoint you! (watch out guys I'm going to get you back!) 
Five minutes after we depart Huntly, bus driver : "did the person who went off to the toilet get back on board?" 
Was on the phone when it hung up and What Makes You Beautiful started playing...slightly disturbed! 
You'll push for a busway along the North Western Motorway, Phil Twyford? SOLD! 
Welcome back Winston Peters! (Too premature?) 


December
Burger King cures all pain 

Year In Review

Time for my annual Year In Review, looking at the first sentence of the first blog post of each month with a summary of what happened that month:


January


"Wow 2009 is finally over, the first decade of the 21st century has passed and 2010 is just beginning!"


- Sky Tower fireworks are a bit of a disappointment
- Spray the house with '30 Seconds Spray and Walk Away'
- Have a sleepover at the Chins', and get my hair straightened
- Fine dining for Diane's 21st and do a bit of clubbing
- Help out with children's summer programme at church, I'm in charge of singing
- BBQ at Grace's!
- The church congregation goes for an outing to the Botanical Gardens
- I have Wendy's on my 21st and KFC with the Chins and Grace 
- I score a job as a Student Ambassador at University of Auckland
- Some Indian lady cons us into giving her our peaches!


February


'Last Friday night was the first 'official' youth group of the year. There wasn't much planned for the night except for a potluck dinner where we each had to bring a plate of food to share.'


- First youth group of the year, get the letter I wrote to myself back
- Have a reunion for children's programme helpers, as well as a shared dinner for my mum's church group
- My alternative NZ flag makes it on the NZ Herald website!
- I have a 21st birthday at my cousins' house on Waitangi Day
- Chinese New Year Festivals!
- Watch Avatar for the second time, this time with the family
- Bye-bye old brown couch
- Jeremy and Asumi get married!
- Diane and I have a catch-up and spend the time at the park
- Meet my recorder students for the first time


March


'Last week was Orientation Week, in which I spent helping out as a Student Ambassador around uni. Okay, maybe it would be more accurate to say that I was paid to be a Student Ambassador!'


- Orientation Week and I help out as an ambassador!
- Lantern Festival and Japan Festival brings out the Asian in us
- I hurt myself twice in the aseptic dispensing lab, smashing stuff on my hands
- Join all these clubs at uni, rejoin an entirely new Dessert Club Committee
- Lecturer chucks chalk at me for falling asleep in his lecture
- Have a couple meet-ups with Student Life people
- Learn about STI's!
- Our car tyre blows out on the way to Piano Traders
- Our church goes on camp!
- I find a black beetle in my hot chocolate from McDonald's
- We have fun at Jennifer's 20th birthday
- Pita and Estee get engaged!
- My uncle's health takes a turn for the worst
- Our Dessert Club tries to sell cake at uni after a movie day


April


'I completely forgot it was April Fools' Day again for the second year in a row! I had an aseptic dispensing lab all morning and only realised after midday when I was in the toilet! Grrrrr!'


- I miss April Fools Day again!
- Special Easter service at church
- Jennifer and Derek from church get baptised
- Dessert Club have their first Easter Bunny Hunt!
- I attend a first aid course and get a certificate
- We buy a massive amount of ice-cream that will last us the next year
- Gabrielle gets engaged!
- My brothers and I go out for Korean BBQ with some Student Life people
- Oddfellows have an Ultra-Mega-Get-Together, we go watch KickA$$
- A week later Oddfellows go bowling, first day for Amy!
- Keep getting complained at in dispensing labs


May


'Today I taught my new class of beginners for the first time! Originally I was expecting only two new students (twin brothers), but in the end I got four!'


- Number of recorder students continues to grow
- 4th Year Pharmacy class dinner at La Porchetta
- Dessert Club holds their annual Pie Eating Competition, we make a whole lot of pies
- Oddfellows perform/rap Jay Chou's 'Ting Ma Ma de Hua' for mothers on Mothers Day
- Celebrate Jane's 21st 


June


'RIP our beloved rabbit Caramello. We've had her for many years, but she passed away this morning when our dad went outside to feed her and clean up her hutch, only to find her motionless.'


- RIP our rabbit Caramello
- RIP Uncle David, who passed away on first day of exams
- Impressed with quality of choirs at The Big Sing Choral Festival
- Oddfellows put on a musical to farewell our leader Karvin
-  Spend a week in Christchurch on hospital placement, staying with the relatives


July


'This was the last day I would be staying at the Borastons’ house as they would be leaving tomorrow for Blenheim to go olive-picking.'


- Travel to Wellington for a day for a job interview in Lower Hutt
- Spend a week working at a community pharmacy
- The Huang family come from Australia to visit! We visit Western Springs and dine at Valentine's
- Oddfellows have a sleepover at church
- Last ever semester at uni starts, bump into Zippo
- Get hooked on Asian drama
- Rejected by Lower Hutt Hospital for a job
- Have another job interview at a community pharmacy
- Our pharmacy indoor soccer team comes 2nd...again


August


'I attended my first MHSSSO (Medical Health Sciences Students Symphony Orchestra) rehearsal tonight after a while.'


- Attended first MHSSSO (Medical and Health Sciences Students Symphony Orchestra) rehearsal, felt exposed as only violist
- Jesus Week at uni, get asked some really weird questions
- Go through the Yellow Pages, contacting almost every pharmacy in West Auckland looking for a job
- Free pizza for pharmacy students!
- We support Phillip at the Rutherford X-Factor competition, seeing him take out 2nd place
- We then support Cleo at her school's Chinese Extravaganza
- Angie and I catch up over lunch a few times
- Another job interview all the way in Hobsonville
- We farewell Mr Yale, Jonathan
- KBB School Orchestra Festival!!
- Job interview at Campus Pharmacy
- I help out as ambassador at uni Courses and Careers Day
- Rayson's live stream of his wedding doesn't work, so we just hang out at the Chin's
- Dessert Club's Epic Race turns out to be too epic for some
- I get a job!


September


'This morning I finally managed to get my mum to give me a haircut after the AA man came to fix our car.'

- Chen, Rose and I have lunch together, revisiting old memories 

- Alice invites me to join her MCC team and compete in a case competition - we reach the finals

- Some Hari Krishna woman cons me into paying for her book

- We support Eva in her school's production

- Naughty kids disrupt my music class and I have to kick them out

- The MHSSSO performs at a charity concert

- It's the Pharmacy Ball/Formal Dinner!

- My USB Stick of 4 years dies on me, and I lose all my work

October


'After spending a whole year together, our group finally got our final year dissertation finished today! '


- Our research dissertation is finally complete and gets printed!
- I get my thumbnail buffed and polished
- I buy an iPod Touch!
- We learn how to encourage people to quit smoking
- I meet up with Rutherford friends for a Japanese dinner
- I buy a massive bolo bao while having lunch with Angie, then bump into Zippo!
- Oddfellows have a baking night
- We get our leaver's hoodies for pharmacy! 
- We have our last classes ever
- I farewell Dessert Club by giving a speech at the AGM 
- EXAMS!!


November


'This morning I had my PHARMACY408 OSCE (oral exam). I don't do so well in the dispensing lab and with this whole lab process as I always end up making stupid mistakes, or get criticised by the supervisors for one thing or the other.'


- Exams are over, freedom! But...nothing to do...
- We give our dissertation presentation and give our supervisors lolly jars with cartoons of ourselves on them
December
- Try to make origami Pokemon out of total boredom
- We check out the new Chinatown in East Tamaki!
- Phillip, our old neighbour comes over with his fiance and we set off some fireworks
- Lindsey holds a dinner/BBQ to celebrate his birthday
- We watch the Waitakere Fireworks from church, I trip over and scrape myself all over after challenging a girl to a sprint in the church carpark
- Mum buys a deep-fryer, we deep-fry stuff!
- I grow long facial hair due to my injuries from the sprint race, but soon shave it all off
- A few of us from church spend the whole day at Kathmandu before having dinner together
- The final Dessert Club event of the year - Mulan Rouge!
- We buy a small BBQ set, put together and try it out on Hamish's birthday
- Celebrate Zahir's birthday by playing Xbox Kinect
- Celebrate Zahir's girlfriend Alex and Yeeping's birthday at a party a week later
- Aonghas gets a lot of cakes on his birthday, we go out for dinner and visit the Telecom Christmas Tree


December


'I got a letter in the mail from Santa Claus!'


- My students make me proud at the end of year concert
- We sing carols at Waitakere Hospital
- Us Rutherford friends have a Post-Exam/Pre-Christmas dinner at an Italian restaurant
- We rehearse hard for the church's Christmas play
- It's Janice's 21st birthday party and this time we make it!
- We farewell James at the airport early in the morning
- Sing carols outside Asian grocery stores later that same day
- Scholastica shouts me buffet lunch!
- We have a church auction to fundraise for the church building
- We also play music at the church's Christmas service
- Catch up with Chen and Diane over Nando's and bowling
- I buy my Desire
- Jireh and I go do some manly shopping
- It's Christmas Eve and time to perform the Christmas play!
- We hang out at the park for a BBQ on Christmas Day
- Spend Boxing Day at church and dinner with the relatives