It Should Always Be about The Journey

Eight months ago, I sat in the middle of the dusty road that encircled Qing Hai Lake in Xi Ning, China, just being the usual crazy me.   It was an impromptu decision to join a backpacking friend for a week, after quitting my job of five and a half years, and this trip was significant to me for several reasons.  

Firstly, I had always declared that I NEVER wanted to go to China.  The perceived impressions I had received of that country's culture simply were not attractive...Not to mention my struggle with the language.  Yet here I was, wandering around a tiny portion of that giant country, and blown away at finding it vastly different from my initial negative apprehensions.  The locals I met along the way consistently proved me wrong, surprising me with their friendliness and helpfulness - they went out of their way to help us when we were lost, gave directions, and even paid for our train ticket fares!  They were even patient and kindly amused at my terrible broken mandarin.  

"The trip pushed me out of my comfort zone with the different culture, people, and language, and opened my mind to many new experiences." 

It was also my first time backpacking.  And the sense of freedom and adventure and independence was addictive... Seven days was definitely NOT enough. No, not even close.  

Thirdly, I was at the start of a new chapter in life with a new job.  I had no idea what to expect, no way of knowing what the future holds for me.  It was like the road I was traveling on - I couldn't see the end of it. All I knew was that it was going to be an exciting and incredible journey that would change my life and me in many ways.. And that, for me, was enough.  

Now I look back and marvel at what an amazing journey the last couple of months have been, and how blessed I am... it is way beyond what that girl sitting on the road could have hoped or imagined. 

 I am grateful. 

"I made up my mind not to care so much about the destination, and simply enjoy the journey."

- David Archuleta

I remember Moments.

Last New Year, When the clock struck midnight, I was standing in the freezing streets of Times Square, yelling "Happy New Year!" through chattering teeth and beaming at all the lovebirds smooching around us.

I was happy - partially because 2013 was finally here, and mostly because it meant I could finally get out from the cold after walking and standing for the past 7 hours!

But it made for a memorable experience, since it was my first time in the US and as such, my first time in New York City and counting down at Times Square in 2°C weather with the other crazy one million people.  

It was also the opening of the door to yet another memorable year.

 2013.  

A promotion.

A new nephew.
42KM Marathon.

Hong Kong.

Quitting Fuji Xerox.

Backpacking in China.

Australia.

A new start in Amazing Borneo.

Friends, old and new.

Europe.

Choices.

Lessons.

Growth.

It came, and it has gone.  

And just like that, my life is completely different from 365 days ago.

What happened to the days that whizzed by? 

LIFE happened. 

 I remember….

… when my colleague thoughtfully placed a sandwich on my desk, because I had not been able to attend a lunch meeting due to another work meeting.

… those lunches and dinners when I met with various friends, and we just talked.  No Facebook checking in, no picture taking to "capture the moments"... just ENJOYING the moments and the company.

... moments of despair and exhaustion, when I felt like the uphill battle at work never seemed to stop.

… when my nieces ran to give me spontaneous hugs.

… how during karaoke session we were supposed to be happy and having fun, but I nearly cried instead, because it was our last time celebrating together as a sales team.

… the evening that my two guy friends and I walked into a karaoke bar, not knowing it was a lesbian hang out; and my friends still managed to be huge hits among the girls, thanks to their amazing singing abilities.

… exploring the streets of different cities around Europe, and drinking in the sights and sounds.

I remember...

 … the afternoons when my sea babes and I chilled out on the boat with beers and chips and wakeboards.

… receiving the fateful call from the Sales GM that evening, about getting a promotion to Major Accounts.

… the longest week of my life where I was stuck in bed with high fever for 5 days straight, and my strength simply refused to come back.

… being lost in Chengdu Airport, and my awesome cousin saving us with his ability to speak Mandarin.

… stepping out of the Fuji Xerox office for the last time after five and a half years.

… the special lunch that my sis brought me to, her customary celebration of my birthday.

… when sis, bro, and I trekked through the Blue Mountains… and watched the Mother Whale and Baby Whale playing in the waters outside the Darling Harbour.

… when a sweet little girl whispered to her mummy, “I love Jie-Jie Emily”, and my heart melted on the spot.

I remember...

… taking pictures sitting in the middle of a long windy road at Qing Hai Lake in China.

… making my way through a snowstorm to the Bayern Munich Stadium with my friend, and there was just the snow, and us, and more snow.
 

 … club hopping in the underground clubs of Hong Kong.

… the first day at my new job in Amazing Borneo.

... my sis and I, sitting in the kitchen after a long day, laughing so hard till we cried.

... the crazy night with my AB colleagues in the mountain lodge after a day of hard-core jungle trekking.

… saying goodbyes; some in person and some in the heart, and all of them hurting me deep inside.

I remember... 

… standing at the top of Mount Kinabalu, 

knowing I had made it after the thousands of small steps, 

and knowing it is just the first of many more mountains I intend to climb.

I remember MOMENTS.

And I know 2014 is going to be filled with so many more. 

Precious moments.

Crazy moments.

Painful moments.
Breakthrough moments.

Loving moments.

Beautiful moments.

The scary part is not knowing WHAT exactly is going to come in this new year.

The fun part is that too. Exactly.

And whatever comes, I know I'm not alone.  

Because right beside me are all the people I love most in this world.

We're facing this new year together, 

and it's going to be downright AWESOME.

Because we are.

 And because YOU are.

To my dear friends who read this blog, 

who have followed my writings and empathized with me 

through the struggles,

and the joys, 

and the moments, 

Thank you. 

Thank you for the support, 

whether silent or spoken or shown.

Thank you for just taking the time to read.

You are awesome.

You are the reason 

why I choose carefully every single word that I type out.

Your support encourages me

to strive for my best in whatever I attempt to do, 

to live my life to the fullest.

Your support reminds me

why I can face each new day and each new year 

with a smile and with head held high.

So these last lines of my post are dedicated to you: 

In this coming year, 

I wish you Enough.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

May God bless us all in 2014!

**Her New Year Resolution:  To improve oneself 1% each day**