I've been wanting the RENT soundtrack ... got it, finally!
525,600 minutes (how do you measure a year)
As I wrap up the 10th day into the new year, and chilling to RENT in the comfort of ma chambre, I wonder - how have the years in the new millenium measured up?
2000: FLIGHT
Year I took flight for the first time. Yup, my first flight into the adult working world, first flight on a rewarding journey in the media industry and first AIRPLANE travel to destination Bangkok! A short one, but good enough for the maiden flight of someone whose furthest destination, up to that point, was Singapore. First time I ever owned an international passport, and first time I lost a passport too (keeping my fingers crossed, it will be the last!). A great start to great travel tales in the years to come!
2001: DISCOVERY
My second flight was to Europe in Feb, 2 months after my maiden flight. I was lucky! And of course, being the waghalsig that I was (though I had yet to discover the meaning of the word despite being in Germany), I didn't think it too difficult to travel solo. After scouring the Alps with Allen and Chit and the faithful Opel, I packed my bags in August for the U.S.A. to fulfill my American Dream - to attend a NSYNC concert! The concert brought me to US-Mexico bordertown El Paso, Texas. The bigger American Dream got me round to Orlando, Florida - and the Walt Disney World. Boston spellbound me with its old-town charm; New York City was a last minute addition because I wouldn't have been to the U.S. of A without a trip to the Big Apple, the City that doesn't sleep, would I?
That day - Sep 11, 2001, I saw the great city brought to its knees, me to my tears. I witnessed senseless revenge, I saw millions pull their spirits up and generosity flow. I saw the most amazing sight of selflessness in a time of great adversity, a glimmer of hope in humankind, especially those who have long been labeled selfish individuals hot on the heels of material pursuit in the sinful labyrinths of megalopolises. I discovered people.
2002: CONQUER
A friend and I spent a lovely May morning on the highest peak of Southeast Asia - the Kinabalu. I brought home some Australian abalone on a trip to the Gold Coast, something for Grandma, a rare delicacy that she hardly ever tasted, if she ever did...
2003: LOSS
The saddest year of my life. As I watched Adrien Brody collect his Oscar for The Pianist, I received a phone call that informed me of Grandma's fall. I knew that was it. Hardly any elderly could survive a fall, even one as tough as Grandma. She passed away on Aug 12, 1.30pm. If I had one regret, it was not going home to see her over the National Day weekend because we didn't want to brave the "long-weekend crowd". I think I'm still in a state of denial. I haven't been too eager to go home these days; I'd rather my parents come visit more often. I'm losing ties with my birthplace.
2004: AWAKENING
The year I got my priorities right. I quit my super-tedious, time-eater job. Went home, learned to drive, spent time with my family, wrote, dabbled with graphic and multimedia design, traveled. Simply doing things at my own pace, in my own interest. Things that used to rank far down the to-do list when work was king. I guess this year the commoners rule!
2005: ANXIETY
I crept into the material world again. Slowly. But at a quicker pace, my savings were seeping away. I needed a regular source of income; freelancing was cool but terribly unstable. Yet, finding the one satisfying job proved to be a real challenge.
2006: RETURN
Return to full-time work. April. This time, with a design consultancy. Product design was an entirely new area, but Trends was not. It was close to heart. The travels that came with the job were too. Except I was expecting more editorial-based responsibilities, but as the year rounded out with much restructuring of the department and individual roles, it seemed I was being nudged into my old role of producing.
2007: UNCERTAINTY
The year kicks off with butterflies in the stomach of various breeds. Professional, relationships, dreams, life. 11th day into it, I'm curious how the next 511,200 minutes will measure up.
{Exciting!}
