2012 Was A Year Of...

Learning

- Advancing my writing skills in so many ways. 

- Gained life lessons through failures, mistakes and wrong judgements. 

- Finally graduated, with distinction.

...

Love

- Experiencing God's love and favor that has never failed me.

- Practicing love without expecting love in return.

- I might have walked under a bus and got hit by a train.

...

and Letting Go

- Knowing not all friendships last, and learning to let go of people after exhausting all effort.

- Forgetting grudges and forgiving myself and others.

- Releasing the past, so that I can look to the future.

...

2012 had its ups and downs. 

But I have managed to end the year victoriously, despite all the bumps and roadblocks that could have actually slowed me down. 

I thank God for a year full of lessons, and a year where I have matured more than I expected to.

Time to bravely enter 2013, with a goal to end it better, stronger and greater :) 

Greatest Joy

The greatest joy as a writer is being told by a reader that your work is loved.

There is also that awesome feeling when you are thanked by a reader for writing.

What more can I ask for?

The only reason I continue writing is because I know that there are people who would keep reading and supporting me.

It is a real boost of confidence to know that your talent is appreciated.

I am also really happy I got the chance to inspire some readers along the way. That is my bigger goal, after all.

Here I am, truly grateful for all my readers. No matter where life takes me, I will always remember how I started, and those who have stuck around from the very beginning.

Answered in 2 days!

Two nights ago, I found myself sitting on my couch in my bedroom, talking to God about my future.

I also told him that I wanted to free up the first two months of 2013, just to spend some solid time on writing. On that note, I asked him to help me convince my mom to let me have those months off, because ever since the beginning of this year, my mom insisted that I must get a job after I graduate.

She did not seem at all happy that I wanted to delay getting a job, and since last month, she has been pestering me to send in my resume to different companies.

It has been so hard to tell her that I wanted two months free, when she would give me a certain look, like I was asking for something that cannot be given. Of course I know she means well, and she just wants me to get a job so I would quit relying on her so much. BUT, my intentions of those jobless two months was to really focus on writing.

I'm really glad God heard my prayers that night. Because today, she asked me when I wanted to get a job, and I told her I would get a job in March as I wanted to write for the next two months. Thankfully, she did not object to it as well.

It's not a surprise that God answered my prayer, but it has been a while since I saw God act on my prayer so speedily. I really have to thank Him for that. Truly, He remains faithful till the end.

With that simple prayer answered, He shows me that I have nothing to worry about, because He's always there. Once again, I am rest assured my future is in His hands :)

I spent my Christmas morning...

...lending a hand :)

What better way to give, without having to spend a cent, than through helping where help is needed?

This morning, I did not wake up to gifts under a tree. I did not tear through wrapping paper, or squeal at a new toy. I woke up, and headed to a low cost apartment in my state, where I gave whatever help needed to make someone else's Christmas a little brighter.

I did not do much, as all I did was prep the packages of food, and hand out bread to the children, but even with that little deed, I couldn't help but feel that I spent my Christmas day well.

Over the years, I have outgrown the presents, but I have never outgrown the true spirit of Christmas. This is the season of giving, more than receiving; and if God could give his son, and his son could give his life, I should be able to give whatever I can too.

I'm glad I helped out this morning, because it reminded me of the abundance of love God has given to me, and for me, to share.

I hope you had a great Christmas too, no matter what you did :)

There's a couple more hours till the day ends, and soon enough, the year will follow suit. So, here's me toasting to a fruitful and faithful year ahead! May 2013 be another blessed and grace-filled year.

Lunch with...

... some famous people would be interesting.

When I was in my early teenage years, I used to be one of those who think they have the real celebrities' facebook accounts. I would send messages that said, "Hi, can we be friends?" hoping to get a reply.

This is extremely embarrassing,  but I honestly did those things.

After a couple of years, I matured and realized that these celebrities are working to entertain me. So what's the big deal about knowing them?

Though I do not go hunting for celebrities on facebook anymore, there are a few celebrities, or famous people in general, that I would love to sit down and have a meal with; not to drool over how cute they are, or how much I love their works, but to actually get the chance to see through their 'famous' outlook.

After hearing about them, watching them, and reading about them, one can only wish to grasp their true personalities.

So, if I could have lunch with some famous people, who would they be?

1) Tim Burton 

He can bring his wife (Helena Carter) and best friend (Johnny Depp) along if he likes. 

Why? Because he's my favourite film director. And I would really like to know where he got his whole film personality from. How he developed his signature, and how is it like as a storyteller on the days he isn't working.

2) Tom Felton

Because he is cute. The first time I saw him was in Anna and the King. That film was mostly shot in Malaysia, and it was the closest Hollywood film to home. He was so adorable in that film, that I wished I acted in it as well! I think he is the first British actor I've laid my eyes on as a child. 

3) Adam Young

I wrote a blog post about him, and that should answer why. But to cut it short, I want to hear his writer's voice. I think he is as much a writer as he is a composer, and that is why I love his music. It'll be nice to just talk to him.

4) Raymond Lam

Because I have been watching TVB dramas starring him and... I would like to know why he doesn't produce English music albums. He's cute too :) 

5) Last but not least, Joseph

Joseph is dead, but he's pretty famous to some. He was in the political sector in Egypt, back when papyrus was still being used. He has been a real influence in my life, and it is his story that inspired me since I was a child. I'll probably get the chance for a lunch date when I leave earth for another adventure.

If I actually take the time to ponder over this list longer, I would have more names. But for now, these are the few that comes to mind when I ask myself the question on who I would like to meet and get to know.

I probably will never get the chance to meet these people in my lifetime. But hey, there's always make believe; which, I so happen, to be very good at.