Re-Life

Taking a trip down to Jin's Memory Lane

A collections of gift received throughout Jin's life

01 Gift

Totoro Doll

totoro

- Age

4

- Signifcance

At the age of 4, I received a doll named Totoro which is a character from a Japanese animated movie titled, “My Neighbour Totoro”, by an animation studio, Studio Ghibli. It was my first ever birthday gift from my beloved parents, it holds great significance as it invokes feelings of nostalgia to my childhood where I spent my days captivated by the intriguing world of films by Studio Ghibli. Particularly “My Neighbour Totoro” and “Spirited Away”, two fascinating films that captivated my soul. The combination of lovely characters and heart-warming soundtracks resulted in my obsession with Studio Ghibli’s films.

02 Gift

Basketball

basketball

- Age

9

- Signifcance

At the age of 9, I had the chance to play this beautiful ball game, basketball. I received this gift from my brother during Christmas. The game of basketball has played a humongous role in influencing the growth of my maturity and mindset when growing up. This game has taught me many morals and lessons that played a part shaping me into who I am today. My favourite basketball player is a shooting guard from the NBA, Kobe Bean Bryant, who sadly passed away in 2020 from a tragic accident.

03 Gift

Digital Watch

digital watch

- Age

12

- Signifcance

At the age of 12, it was a period where digital watches were extremely popular and trendy among people my age. Initially, I begged my parents however they rejected me as digital watches were quite pricey. However, I was able to negotiate my parents into a deal where I would be rewarded a digital watch if I scored a distinction on all my subjects on the upcoming exam. Through sheer perseverance, I studied vigorously for the exam which I was compensated fruitfully by achieving distinction on all my subjects and obtaining the digital watch as a gift.

04 Gift

Book

book

- Age

15

- Signifcance

At the age of 15, my aspiration to be a business entrepreneur sprouted when I was gifted an autobiography of Steve Jobs as a birthday gift from my parents. Through reading this inspirational book it inspired me to become an empowering individual that will impact the future society for the better, like Steve Jobs. It eventually influenced me into choosing to major on Business instead of the any STEM majors.

05 Gift

Ceramic Mug

mug

- Age

17

- Signifcance

At the age of 17, it was a period where my adolescence had peaked and was a very confusing time period greatly impacting my mental health. However, through taking a ceramics class it provided me a sense of comfort and therapeutical support during this time. I crafted a ceramic mug and painted cats on it as cats is my favourite animal and looking at provides me with great sense of comfort. This mug is also my first ever gift to myself, looking back on it played a big role in helping overcome my life hurdles.

06 Gift

Pendant

pendant

- Age

19

- Signifcance

At the age of 19, under a Sakura tree during Spring, I confessed to my high school crush of 2 years. This year, I got into my first ever relationship with my first love, Michael. It was a period full of blossoms and love in the air, we travelled around Australia and traversed across seas to other countries such as Malaysia, Japan, Korea etc. Our birthday is on the same day, 19th of January which we spent it in Nagoya, Japan. He gave me this pendant which is the first ever gift I got from my love.

07 Gift

Film camera

film camera

- Age

22

- Signifcance

At the age of 22, this was my last year of university life, it was an eventful and colourful year with my loving family, amazing friends, and perfect partner. For my 22nd birthday, my group of friends got me a film camera which I used to capture many films and core memories from this year. Looking at these films now, I get to reminisce those golden time and as I grow old, I can look back and tell myself “I have no regrets” in this life.

08 Gift

Wedding ring

wedding ring

- Age

26

- Signifcance

At the age of 26, this year I got married to my first and ever partner, Michael. During winter this year, me and Michael went to Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan which is a mountainous district blessed with hot springs, it was a spa region with stunning view and beautiful snowfalls. In the middle of the night, while me and my partner were walking down the beautiful lane filled with snow, he got down on one knee and proposed to me, “will you marry me”, which I replied “Yes!”. This day, I embarked on a new chapter of my life.

Author

Jin, a retired eldery man