Top 10 Memories of 2016

I was going to type this up earlier but a) laziness, b) 2016 passed by in a blur so I'm still coming up with 10 even as I'm writing this post. It's not that I don't have enough memories to come up with 10, but that I have too many and they all just blur into one another. So here's me trying to discipline my mind and come up with my annual list of Top 10 memories of the year (in no particular order).

1) I received the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, which allowed me to stay on in Singapore to conduct research from January to August. And I had TOO MUCH fun back home, so much so that I had to return to Ohio to lessen the distractions from schoolwork ;)

2) Being able to spend precious time with family and friends in Singapore. I can't count the number of memories I created with them, which is partly why this list was hard to come up with, so I'm just going to say I will go back to Singapore in a heartbeat if I can find a job there. There's just no place like home.

3) I taught 2 semesters of institute (Bible study): Jesus and the Everlasting Gospel & Foundations of the Restoration. It was tough to teach every week, but I LOVED my students and the new material.
3.5) I took an institute class in Ohio about the Book of Revelations. Oh my word. It was SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! Plus it was a lunch class, so free lunch.

4) I moved back to Columbus to finish up my program. Although it wasn't fun to go through another cycle of election campaigning, and don't get me started on how horrible this election was...it is great to be back with friends here.

5) I dyed my hair for the first time, and went purple. Love, love, love it!

6) Took a road trip in October to visit my friends in upstate New York, New Hampshire and Boston., and later in December, to Michigan to visit the Michigan Dalebouts. Each visit deserves its own post, but I'm too lazy (whoops!) so here are some pics:

 My college friend whom I have not seen for ten years! We stayed in the same freshmen dorm in rooms across the hall from each other. She has 2 kids who are adorable, and I loved catching up with her. She has so many intelligent insights into topics that I've never thought about, and is a fabulous mom. There is also a lot of religious history in the area she lived in that I soaked up. #historynerd

A few weeks after I returned home, I received 2 drawings from her children, which I proudly displayed on my fridge like a proud aunt. So cute!

My main reason for road-tripping was to visit a friend in Exeter, New Hampshire, and see the fall foliage. Despite the horrendous drive there (it rained and snowed the entire 7.5 hours), I fell in love with New Hampshire, even though I doubt I'll ever move there (can't stand how much it snows). FRESH seafood + beautiful scenery + history (#historynerd) + friendship = absolutely fun.

My first time eating a lobster roll @ the Beach Plum, and it was to die for!

And I couldn't go all the way to New England without seeing my bestie in Boston, where I finally met her toddler daughter. Her daughter is sooooo cute...when she isn't hating me. As you can tell from the pictures below, I ate a lot.

Dim sum; another lobster roll and New England clam chowder @ Faneuil Hall Marketplace... YUMMY!

On the way back, I visited another friend in Rochester, NY, and she took me to Bill Gray's diner for dinner. Delicious burger and awesome shakes. 

The last time I visited, child #4 wasn't even born!  We visited the Belle Isle Park's aquarium (had a beautiful green-tile ceiling) and conservatory, and saw Canada across the river. Most of the time we just hung out at home, played Wii and relaxed. I loved every minute of it. 

7) I joined the "3-0" club! Bye-bye young adult years (sob!), and hello to new adventures and experiences.

8) My sister visited me here in Ohio for a few days over the Thanksgiving break. So grateful she took the trip out here. Also, it was the first time I cooked the entire Thanksgiving meal (with my sister's help of course). Phew!

Top to bottom: 2 of the 3 Lai sisters reunited; corn hedge statues at Dublin because nothing screams the Midwest more than bizarre corn statues; Thanksgiving dinner; Jenni's ice cream with all its zany flavors.

9) I wrote finish chapter 1 of my dissertation. YEAH!!! Now just, you know, 170 pages to go...

10) I moved into my own apartment! First time going solo and it has been lovely. There are times that it gets lonely-- I thought about getting a pet for like, 0.5 seconds-- but for the most part, the introvert in me has a happy dance each time I come home. It is such a pleasure to have the entire fridge to myself, put up my own decor, and have friends over whenever I want. And the location of my new apartment is fantastic!

Happy 2017 everyone! Hope your January is off to a good start :)