How was 2008?

So, it's a brand new year already. How is the celebration for everyone? I hope everything goes well and wishing everyone a blessed year ahead.

I am typing this on a brand new Macbook which is equipped with French keyboard, which obviously is not mine, and with a cat just passing down my cheek to let me know that he wants some attention. I had a wonderful and really "rare" new year's eve celebration last night. I am currently in Liege, Belgium and my journey so far, has been awesome. You may hear more about my experiences if I finally have the discipline to blog hee hee ... but for now, I am determined to at least write something out to start the new year.

So, how was 2008 for everyone? Did it start and end on the high note? Even if it didn't, did you manage to at least learn an important lesson out of it? Or at least something different from what you have been experiencing every year?

I think I did. Oh ... of course I did. To be able to land my arse in Europe for 3 weeks during winter when I am even scared of the air conditioning system in Singapore, living and meeting with completely real-life strangers (I have considered them friends in my mind but to most people, they are strangers), travel mostly on my own and alone with my very broken and basic French language, met up with 3 awesome internet friends in 3 different countries and know even more new friends, etc etc etc ... the list goes and and yes, I did have an awesome 2008. (OMG the cat just passed in front of me again ... huahhhh)

Consider myself blessed, but what is blessing without having the faith and taking the risks to explore something completely out of the comfort zone and being called crazy by some people for taking the leap?

And most importantly, if I have ever learned anything from this trip, it is not the things and places you have seen that matter. Seriously, those are secondary. What I cherish the most from my crazy adventure alone in a strange land are the people. From the people who have been giving me moral support, accompanied me shopping for my winter clothing, helped me in getting great discount on my super important winter coat, made sure I have everything packed, etc to the people whom I have not yet met and yet never failed to show warmth that I don't even get normally from people that I know for long.

So, what makes 2008 special for me? It is the realization that the people that I know have given me the most in the way they could never imagine. And no words can express how grateful I am to know each and everyone of them. The footprints they have left in my heart are more impactful than the sights of Eiffel Tower.

I hope one of the resolution that we all can make for 2009 is to not take everyone that you know and have not yet known for granted. Without people, there wouldn't be much meaning in the game we call Life. But well, feel free to dispose those people who aren't giving much values in your life too. As, you need more spaces for better people to come into your lives.

Have a great 2009, everyone.