…a brief glance…

Happy New Year! As the cliche goes, can you believe that a whole years has passed and a new one just began? How time flies (yet another cliche)! Seeing as I cannnot access my old journal, I figured, with the New Year, let’s start a new one.

Brief summary of the past year? Hmmm, well there was a small portion of traveling involved! Yay! Though no where near enough, I was blessed enough to visit Italy (again), Paris (a couple of times), & Cologne for the World Youth Day!

I suppose the best way to sum up the year, isn’t where I went, but the people whom I was lucky enough to have been positioned in my life. People who have made an incredible impact in my life, in one way or another (some are subject to interpretation of course..hehe) The circumstances and experiences. With only a few months left in my Visa and the uncertainty that looms in my HarperCollins future, I am somewhat forced to ponder and look back on how amazing and completely blessed these last year and a half been, for which I am completely grateful. To look back and see how one part intertwines with another, and how one season has transitioned into another ever so swiftly, with such purpose and grace that it can only have come from God. Even times of trials, as I look back I can see how it was necessary as a platform to get to the next stage.

I don’t have to name you guys, to those I am aiming at you know without a shadow of doubt that you’re a part of those I am referring to. In your own ways, each of you have challenged and taught me so much. From compassion, intergrity, patience (some by mere practice *aherm*) and so much more than I can even begin to put into words.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in the last year, is that Seasons exists…like all things it has a beginning and an end. Some things have a higher shelf life than others. Not rocket science, but it’s amazing how it’s a daily lesson for me. In more than one area of my life.

I know that my season in London will too come to an end. When it’s time, I am confident, I will be ready to go, but if there’s one thing I have learned about this trip. As much as I had it all planned in my head and even heart, it’s not what I had concoted…it exceeds far more than I had ever imagined, in more ways than one. Not to say I’m at all ready to go home right now, I trust that if I am meant to stay, it will happen. Ashe and I have been talking extensively about this, for reasons we would rather not acknowledge, as the reality of it is actually a little nerve racking…

I celebrated the festive season with Friends who have definitely become family. Christmas eve after the Christmas Service was spent at Ate Ghie’s house for Noche Buena! We were up till almost 6 in the morning and were fast asleep till well after noon. Let’s just say my ties to the song ‘How did you know’ have not faded as proved that evening when the Karaoke mike was handed over. For the girly cousins back in Sydney, and Ate Rose/Ate Nora especially, you’d be proud to know that I sang ‘I Can’ and ‘Evergreen’ in your honour.

New Year’s Eve the Lil’ One’s joined Ashe, Tamsin, Aunty Lorraine and myself at Sherrod’s house for dinner and funnily enough…more Karaoke. When the Lil’ One’s left,we headed over to Waterloo to watch the fireworks, which was nice, but admittedly I had reached homesickness by then. It seemed weird to be out and about…there was a part of me that just wanted to stay home…but I am glad that I didn’t. It was a great experience…that is if you didn’t mind ringing out the New Year with about a million others.

Now I am back to work, and it has to be said, aside from my lunches with my friends, and daily banter with Craig, being here totally does my head in. I know politics exists everywhere, but why oh why do I always pick em! I feel that a lesson lies here and until I have learned it, I will be here. I feel totally unchallenged and frustrated by definitive double standards that is ever growing….lessons lessons.

As for the ever popular topic of my non-existent love life, aside from the relapses that naturally happens, I am more than happy, and content at my singlehood. As Ashe says ‘Boys are just trouble’…hehe! In all honesty, no one has really made my heart beat faster, nor weaken my knees. Without that? What’s the point? I have long since vowed ‘…anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary life is a waste of time. there are too many mediocre things in life, and love shouldn’t be one of them…’ I am lucky enough to be positioned amongst married couples/couples in general who are clearly meant to be together, as a reminder that I will never settle. I am blessed to have friends who share the same sentiments, and one in particular who reminds me that good is good, but it’s not the best. Which isn’t saying that I don’t have or appreciate the random ‘kilig’ (goosebumpy) moments…it’s just that I have yet to meet that …. can’t eat, cant sleep, over the park, home run… kinda guy. Call it silly and naive, but I believe when the time is right, it will come and God will make sure I know, and until that time…that go ahead. Every guy is ultimately a FRIEND… (I just heard my cousins protest all the way here!) …not to mention some of my friends…who should know better!

Anyways…I think I have rattled off enough. I will try to keep this blog updated more. Hope all is well with everyone. Have a good one. Much Love! Be blessed!

For recent photos click here: http://dcooksterztrip.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php