Hannah Tan

Ms Dhiya
27 August 2022

EXPERIENCES
a re ection of what I learnt about myself

Next Monday marks 18 years of life for me. 18 years worth of all my ups and downs.
My moments of turmoil and pure bliss all compiled in a part of my brain to form memories
for me to look back on and go on to remember as experiences. These experiences might
become funny little stories I tell people as an icebreaker or pieces of advice I might give out as
a person who has lived through a certain dilemma.

I think most people tend to forget their happy experiences. It is as if 5 good memories
could be simply canceled out with 1 bad experience. So, when a person really looks back on
their happy moments, it was most probably moments were they felt the most joy. I still
remember my happiest experience. I was 11 and everytime I went grocery shopping with my
mom, we had to pay a visit to the pet shop on the way there to look at the white siamese cat
with blue eyes. After weeks of persuasion, my mother nally gave in and got me and my sister
the cat. Everything happened so fast I thought I was dreaming but the moment the cat was in
my home roaming around it nally registered in my mind that I now have a pet cat. My sister
and I immediately knew that we should name our new friend “Mochi”. I was a tad bit scared
of cats because of the unfamiliarity but I eventually learned that I am most de nitely a cat
person and that I have so much love for all my furry friends.

My proudest moment might be slightly unconventional but it was when my cat gave
birth. Now, this obviously sounds gory from the get-go, but hear me out. I was terri ed and a
lot of tears were shed but I have never felt prouder looking at my cat and the tiny kittens that
lay before me. It was my cat’s rst time giving birth and I was so worried for her regardless of
how natural the act was. 3 tiny kittens made it out but only 2 survived. For some reason, I felt

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 like a second parent to the kittens and the feeling of caring for them and seeing both of them
healthy today has lled me with so much pride.

I can only think of food when I think about moments where I felt the most satis ed. I
had a birthday party during quarantine back in 2021 where there was so much food. When
the celebration ended, I was left with satisfaction from the good food and the feeling of
ful lment from how a simple intimate celebration turned out. I learned that I prefer being
with people I’m close to during times of joy and celebration as opposed to a large gathering
lled with unfamiliar faces.

Looking back on these experiences have made me realize how much I fear the thought
of losing my memories. I would not be the person I am today without the experiences I have
accumulated throughout my life. I hope to turn 18 and go on to make new memories and
experience new things as part of my journey in the complicated cycle we call life.

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