Welcome, 2009

Wow. 2009.

2008 went so fast you feel your head is still spinning.

2009. This is gonna take a little while to get used to.

So much went down in 2008. Is it what you expected? Some are. Some are even better. A moment of reflection made me realize that 2008 was like that ice cream rocky road. It's sweet, cold (winter sucks), bitter at times, rocky, but sprinkled with marshmallows.

I got into the university that I wanted. I got my very first piece of writing published. I tried things I shouldnt. I got the chance to meet wonderful, admirable and life coloring people, not only friends, but even enemies and mentors because they all make your life just a little bit different. I realized race does not matter, it's who they are that you befriend, not whatever background information they have.

I realized how spoilt I was. I know now that dishes do not just magically dissapear after you leave the dining table. Nor does your pile of clothes. Floors need to be vaccumed, food need to be prepared by yourself. You learn that you must make sacrifices. For isnt it true that scarcity is indeed inevitable. What matters is how you make the tradeoffs.

I realized theres so much more to life than what I assumed.

And so I wont burden myself with a bunch of resolutions this year. I know I'm gonna remember it only this week anyway. But one thing I wish to remember at all times: to be thankful. It's so easy to forget everything else when you have everything you wanted. The hard part is perhaps still being thankful when you got the nuts instead of the marshmallows.

There is so much little wonders that we should be thankful for. Hectic metropolitan life has perhaps made us forget that. The simple joy from a smile you get from a complete stranger. The mere fact that you still have a family, regardless, that loves you for who you are. Even when you give them nuts instead of marshmallows. Focusing on the little things that adds joy to your life, instead of the big issues that pushed you down to the icy winter ground.

So smile. Smile even for no reason. And realize once again that the world is wonderful. Even when it's 2009, with all the premature hopes and pessimism.

Have a rewarding 2009, everywhere you are, whoever you are.