The last time

When was the last time you tried something for the first time?

For me, it was probably stepping into a LAN shop with 2 guys and 1 girl some few months ago, which I will get to later. I've been so consumed by my commitments that I stopped trying new things for a long time.

The first time I took the public transport by myself? Somewhat liberating, got a taste of what freedom and growing up entails, along with the awareness that I am finally responsible for my own safety.

The first time I drove a car by myself after attaining my license? Oh, no, you wouldn't want to know how fast I went. I felt empowered, I felt like I could go against the world. But I could never multi task. One moment I'm stealing a glance at the speedometer, and the next, I was cutting into half of the next lane. But sure, it was exhilarating.

The first time I got into my car accident. Can't say it carried very positive emotions along with it; in fact it was traumatic. I was in a daze the drive home. I cried because I thought I was in trouble. But as my uncle said, every experienced driver needs to get into an accident for the first time.

The first time you held hands with someone special? Boy, it sure made my heart flutter. I couldn't sleep the whole night as I just lay in bed, smiling and feeling like I was the happiest person alive.

How about that first time that special person placed his or her lips on yours? Awkward, but somewhat magical, and time certainly came to a standstill.

First time you had your heart broken? That was the first time I cried, and boy, did I cry, not over a bruised knee or because my parents scolded me. It was the first time I cried over someone I would have called a stranger and walked past without battling an eyelid 2 years before. It was the first time I felt the impact someone could actually have on me, the first time I understood what it meant to have your heart broken, literally, and the first time my parents knew this was something they couldn't protect me from no matter how hard they tried.

The first time I fished out of bedok reservoir? I came to understand why men could actually find it so therapeutic to look into the sea for two hours. I came to understand that the fun you derive from a date does not depend on the amount of money you spend. For me, it doesn't matter where because it's the companion that matters. You were all that mattered, and everything else was a bonus.

The first time you went traveling overseas with your friends? For me, it was a short trip to Bintan. Worried as my parents were, they knew that they could no longer reign complete control over my life and it was time to gradually release the tight grasp on their youngest daughter. And boy, it sure was fun. It was a time of letting loose where rules and habits were broken. Of course, this is not to say that I no longer want to travel with my parents. I do, I still do. I'm a daddy's girl at heart.

The first time I did something crazy that shocked the nerves out of me? It was 4 years back. I convinced my friends to do the reverse bungee at clark quay with me. It was crazy; crazily awesome.

The first time I stepped into a LAN shop? Hanging out with my favorite boys, all of whom adore gaming, I felt compelled to understand what it feels like to be part of their virtual world. These boys literally breathe gaming. And no, it wasn't as enjoyable as they bragged it to be. I could never be a team player, I was always left behind and had to be rescued constantly. I was what people would label, a liability. I had to quit at half time to go out and take a breather because I was getting dizzy with all the animations. But yet, I had fun laughing hilariously with my favorite boys.

The first time you got a job? Kinda realized that not everyone is as compassionate and patient as your family members. Got scolded at work? Suck it up. Got thrashed? Run to the toilet, cry it out for 5 mins, wipe your tears and promise yourself you will do better. But man, when the first pay cheque came, it made all the shit I went through worth it. I felt a sense of achievement when I gave my parents a treat to Andy Lau's concert (I was so excited I bought 3 x $180 worth of tickets) and for the first time, I was spending money I could proudly say was my hard-earned one.

The first times in my life are endless that I could never recount them all, although some definitely stir up more emotions than others whenever I am reminded of them. There are so many more things that I have yet to try but want to. To do bungee jumping, rock climbing, absailing, start a family (dont judge, haha), and the list goes on forever. We often wish we had more time, more energy, more money, lesser commitment. We could always wish.

But one thing for sure is, I will never stop trying something new, because I only have one life, and my motto is to seize the day, to make my moments count.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. - Hilary Cooper