Thank You 2012, Welcome 2013

 Hello! Special shout-out and thank you to those who left me messages! (so sorry for not replying, haven’t been active as you would have probably noticed) I hope everyone has been doing fine the past year!

Yet again, we find ourselves back here on the dawn of a new year. Bringing feelings of new found hope, strength and fresh starts everywhere. Before I welcome 2013 proper, I invite all of us to look back on 2012 and think about all that has happened. Did they happen for a reason? Were they results of your own actions? Or somehow, for others, were they due to destiny or fate? Well whatever you may choose to dwell upon, here are my reflections of 2012.

I would say a major highlight of 2012 would be me stepping into office. Me proving to myself, me proving to my critics and me proving to my supporters how much I was willing and able to do for the SMU community. Being in the SMUSA Exco has really opened my eyes to so many things. Opened many doors of opportunity for me and is still continuing to do so. Gosh, there’s so much to say here. I guess I am thankful for some people I’ve had the honour and pleasure to work with and there are those that I will never want to work with again. But I pray for them to continue to grow and fulfill their potential. To those that I have had the honour and pleasure, Thank You. For it is with your company and hard work that we made our term a huge success. I will never forget the countless hours past midnight that we toiled, the unending bullshit that crept up time and time again at the most inconvenient of times. We had our backs against the wall many times but through grit and sheer determination, you got my back and I’ve got yours, we did it. I dare say we freaking did a good job. This year in office has made me grow into a better person. Further honed my skills, from time management to interpersonal skills to management skills. I am glad to say, I’ve grown and I’ve grown with everyone else too.

Well, I am not one who will accept praise readily. Every time someone offers a compliment, a "Good Job Juls", a "Thank God I have you as my HGS" or a "What would I do without you" or a "We’re lucky to have you". I will merely shrug it off. I guess it has to be me always wanting to prove something more, always believing that I could have done better, always believing that the people I care about deserve more from me. Yes, again, being that superman. Everyone might be praising me for a job well done, but somehow I never did praise myself or cut myself some slack. But I guess this time round, I should. Knowing the fact that I’ve done my best with the hand that I was dealt, knowing that I gave my all, knowing that I gave a damn when everyone else didn’t, knowing that I pushed on even when everyone else gave up. I guess this time, I’ll give myself a pat on the back. You did well rookie. 

I’ve always told myself and my successors, once you start your term, you do not belong to yourself anymore. I guess this time, I’m getting myself back finally 🙂 

To my successors, I have full and utmost confidence that they will do a great job and I would dare say an even better job than us. For we did provide one of the best platforms for them to lift off from. (#succession comm ftw!) Seeing them grow from strength to strength has allowed me to let go, to let the new generation take over the baton and run as far and as fast as their legs can carry them to further glory. This old bird can finally rest and not worry haha.

Moving on to other things. 2012, you really did surprise me with one of the most amazing things ever – someone who is worth it 🙂 I’ve finally learnt that when you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things to find you. And well, it did. I look back and it still amazes me up to this day, how of all the many things that could have happened, of all the many ways they could have happened, they happened in one simple, singular way. A way that led to two people meeting, becoming friends and falling in love. I would have never dreamt in a million years that I could have found someone like you. But I did and God as my witness, I am thankful for every moment spent with you, because every day spent with you is the best day of my life. To those that have followed me for a while now and know my story, well I’m telling you now, I did it. I found her 🙂 And I’m not letting go. For something so amazing to happen the way that it did, no words can express my feelings. It’s funny how everyone around me has been telling me I look different, I look happy for once. That I’m smiling more these days. Haha. I guess I am! So, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You. Thank You for everything so far. Really. 🙂 Spending the end of 2012 and the beginning of the new year with that special someone really changes things. It made me believe, it made me hope, it made me see in her eyes that happiness does exist. 

To the naysayers or disbelievers, I pray you turn your head and look the other way. Never give up the good fight. Your time will come. Keep on going and never stop believing. For it is in disbelief that our dreams turn to dust. 

Looking forward, to be honest, when I do that, a certain date pops up. 8th Jan. And somehow, I’m terrified. One more week. When it hit me, I got scared. Really scared. For so much that I am, I find myself mortal. Like I’ve been stripped of all armour, just naked. And I’m trembling with fear. For the first time, I dare say, I’m scared. Many things make me scared. Living in a foreign place for close to 6 months is pretty daunting, especially without my family. And yeah, I tend to get homesick easy. But more importantly, she means the world to me and it’s like my world is staying back here while I’m going over there. The thought of it just rips me inside. My God, I will miss her so much. No words can express it. And it’s funny how I am longing to be back already, even before I leave. But me being me, I’ve made plans, things I’ve never imagined myself doing but I am because it’s going to be worth it, because she’s worth it. It’s good to have people I can trust and rely upon for things back home, so thank you guys in advance.

I know going over there is a new experience. One for me to learn and to grow from. For me to become a better man. A better man for myself, for her and for us. Because we’re worth it. And I know she’s strong and so am I.

Wait for me. I’ll be coming home soon.

2012 – From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. Thank you for the new friendships forged, thank you for the strengthening of old ones.

2013 – This rookie will Live more, Love more and Laugh More.

Here’s a toast to a great year ahead to one and all. May you find what you’re looking for and may you have the courage to pursue and the strength to persevere in all endeavours. 

Till the next time I write, Happy New Year everybody!

Cheers,
Juls