Another year has passed but this new year marks the end of four years in Perth, two years of LDR and the start of full-time work.

It is a bittersweet feeling leaving the quaint little town i called home for the past four years. I've definitely grown a lot from living abroad, learning more about myself and the world around me a little more each day. Having the opportunity to leave some responsibilities behind, I was able to utilise the time and space to focus on other (also) important aspects of life. Still extremely thankful to have been given the scholarship and overseas experience, because life would have turned out very different otherwise, and I might have too.

I'll miss many things in Perth. I'll miss the freedom I have over there, the amount of personal space I get and all the beautiful views Perth has to offer. Despite their unpredictable weather where it pours for about two minutes and stops, or when today and tomorrow have temperatures that differ in 15°C, I enjoyed living there. Huge open views of the paddlepop sky, spotting 11 rainbows on a single drive back from work, jacarandas appearing on the trees in my neighbourhood in spring, spotting dolphins happily riding the waves on a casual day out at the beach, hiking trails with gorges, hills, rivers and waterfalls in less than an hour's drive away - what's there not to love about Perth?

I was very reserved in my first few years at university, and to be honest I wasn't trying to mix with my other classmates as well. Back then, I wasn't comfortable with initiating conversations and superficial conversations were quite meaningless to me. I always had this mentality - what's the point of making friends when the friendship isn't going to last when I leave anyway? So my circle of friends are obviously Singaporeans, I spoke to my classmates only when I had to, conversations never exceeded the topic of netball with my teammates.

I opened up a little in second year, and a little more in third year. I am blessed to have met great aussie friends along the way, friends who accepted me as part of the group even when I didn't talk much, friends who invited me to their outings (even though I avoided going to some of them). Even so, I was still very caught up with life in Singapore i think, always focused on what's happening back there and what events i was missing out while trying to get through the never-ending assignments from school.

It was only in my final year when I started being a little more proactive. I joined Willetton netball club which was the best decision I made - gave me my first experience playing in a more competitive environment, my first go at being a circle and wing defender (yes, I'm too short for that but it was so good and i actually prefer defence now) and actually having a coach around for games and training. I looked for external events and attended them by myself, like kitten and beach yoga. I attended more social outings and actually felt more comfortable around my aussie friends, most of whom I've known for more than a year (I wonder why it took me so long). I basically had a 'F it, it's now or never' attitude, which I should have had from the start. Because of these, I thoroughly enjoyed my final year in Perth.

I am also very thankful to have had great supervisors on both my clinical placements and great colleagues as well. I remember visiting Susan's place in Hopeland with Peihao this winter and it was just amazing how hospitable she was. And for all the clients I have come into contact with, I hope I made some meaningful connections and helped in the little ways I could.