Christmas memories warm life in big city

I still remember Christmas Eve in 2007 when my best friend Victoria and I sat beneath the Christmas tree in her house in Auckland, New Zealand, watching as its colorful decorations were illuminated by long strings of twinkling lights.

At the age of 17, both of us had just finished high school and were keen to put our innocent childhoods behind us and embrace the exciting albeit unknown world ahead.

We chatted long into the evening, about memories of our naughty school days, our favorite teachers and annoying school exams. Victoria told me about her medical school dreams, and I shared both the thrill and fear of my imminent trip halfway around the globe to study in London.