2 days before Christmas and one week before the turn of another year. 2012 has been especially generous and kind to me and I wanted to take this time to reflect back on what this year meant and all the achievements accomplished.
1. The Italian Job
Back when we were 12, my best friend, Z and I made a promise when we turned 24 we will go to Cape Town, South Africa as one of those trips you make to celebrate a milestone in your friendship. At 24 we figured we did not have the means nor the resources to go so the trip was postponed for a few years. Finally at the end of 2011, when we decided that it’s finally time the venue was changed to Italy.
For months we planned, and in March we flew into Rome and thus began our 10 days Italian trip termed as “The Italian Job”. It was our first trip together and we covered Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Capri & Florence in that 10 days. We ate loads, walked loads, and had our unforgettable “Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie” moment which involved getting stuck in a 3-pointer turn close to the Prada outlet, pushing a car manually, and waving frantically from the side of the road to flag down for help – all because we didn’t know to get into reverse mode on a manual car on a European car, you’d have to pull the knob up before pulling it back to reverse.
Endless trips of gelatos
Blue sky in Sorrento
THE best meal of my entire life, and just the way to celebrate turning 27
Ah, joy
17 years and going strong – my awesomepossum BFF
2. Vikasa Yoga, Teacher’s Training Course
The trip that altered everything internally and within me. They say to build or break a habit, keep doing something for 21 days. The 1 month spent on the beautiful island of Koh Samui fulfilling a schedule of 6 days a week of yoga, philosophy and self inquiry gave me the amazing gift of a new habit. My morning practice is invaluable to me as it provides me with the time and space to center my thoughts and get in touch with what really matters before I face the crazy rat race each day.
I discovered my love of teaching, that I could combine it with my obsession of healthy food, healthy living and geeky thirst of wanting to know every muscle and every bone in the body. I experienced an unexplainable sensation of joy, incomparable to any kind of happiness I have ever felt that moved me to tears. And most importantly I learned forgiveness is without a doubt, very very possible.
Setting our intentions out into Koh Samui’s skyline
When you are so alike, it’s not hard to bond over a very short period of time
3. The most beautiful, intimate, and amazing wedding to date
When Nan and Indar got engaged late last year, I knew deep down this was a union that will last for a long time to come. Their wedding this year solidified that belief as I became part of their beautiful wedding and watched happiness oozing out of every action, every event, every gesture and word that they uttered. Although I could not attend all of their events, I was especially honored to be able to walk with her into the temple as part of her family entourage. At her reception, I gave my first wedding speech ever and was ultimately relieved and proud that it went down as planned where the audience laughed when I wanted them to – perhaps this could be the moment that began my career as a stand up comedian? Haha ok maybe not..
Still, I had a lot of fun and their marriage re instilled my beliefs that weddings CAN be a fun and a joyful affair.
If happiness can be encapsulated to just one couple, this would be it. Congratulations Nan & Indar!
Of course there are other achievements I’ve reached this year in my career which remind me that I can indeed achieve anything that I put my mind to, and perseverance will eventually pay.
Looking back into the past 12 months, these 3 events stood out amongst all the rest precisely for the impact it has on me. It reminded me that God is generous in all His beautiful and mighty ways. Subhanallah
Closing the year off, I will be in Jakarta to visit a dear friend from Vikasa. Indeed this has been a year of travel, a year of adventure, a year filled with self inquiry and revelations of who I am and a year filled with challenges yet a one that is brimful with rewards too.
May 2013 continue in momentum of these positive growth and may it be filled with abundance, joy and love. Happy New Year!
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