A glimpse of the year that was…

     Another year is coming to a close.  Somehow, it brings a touch of melancholy to close a chapter that has been fraught with so much learnings and realizations.  The year 2007 taught me that hardships build character… that friendships can sometimes be found in the unlikeliest places… that while growing old is mandatory, growing up is a choice… that the most important things in life are usually the little things that we tend to overlook… that sometimes, what we’re looking for is right before our eyes… that God has a perfect time, place, person, and reason for everything… and that even the deepest pain can be healed by the truest love…

 A Bittersweet Start

     The year started with me in Tokyo, spending the holidays with Ate Ains, who was visiting from the Philippines.  Midnight came while we were huddled up in the living room with Ate Lani and Alyana, watching the New Year’s concert that was going on at the Tokyo Dome.  We didn’t light any fireworks, we didn’t cook a fancy meal.  I guess, in a way, we were all wistful about being so far away from home on such a meaningful day.  I was happy that I had the opportunity to go to Japan, but at the same time, I was sad being so far away from my family.  But looking back, it was still worth it.

 Disney Dreams

     The first two days of the year were spent at Tokyo Disney Land and Tokyo Disney Sea with my sister.  It was a childhood dream come true.  And it was a lot more breathtaking than I imagined it to be.  It would’ve been the most perfect days… if only I got to spend it with more people who matter a lot to me.

Deeper Friendships Forged

     Through the distance spanning timezones, despite differences, and inspite of the apparent superficiality of a virtual world, I have found the most precious friends.  This just goes to show that sometimes, the virtual goes beyond itself to reach out to what is real.  I have been, for the most part of my life, a loner.  There has been a time that I have been painfully shy, and a lot of people mistook this as aloofness.  Hence, though school, community, and church actiities have put me in touch with so many acquaintances, I have been blessed with only a handful of friends.  But this year, I have met a group of people who have been willing to really know me.  And in them I have the best friends I could ask for.

 Breaking Culture Barriers 

     Teaching English as a second language has not only allowed me to break language barriers, but culture barriers as well.  It gave teaching a whole new dimension for me.  I was not merely helping others learn a language, I was opening doors for them to share in a different culture.  My stay in Japan has been very rewarding for me.  It made me realize that even the simplest things that I do could make a big impact in the lives of the students that I come into contact with.  Reaching out to others would be something I would like to keep on doing, and I believe that teaching is a career path that would be the best for me to pursue.

 Freshly Fallen Snow

     Although the bitter cold and swirling blizzards made me feel so isolated at times, I would never forget the smell of freshly fallen snow.  It beckons with the soft scent nature and I imagine, clouds and ice.  I would never forget the wonder of seeing a world blanketed in the purest, brightest white.  It gives off a sense of solitude and serenity that gives a touch of warmth despite the freezing drafts.

Sakura Showers

     Two of the most wonderful views that Nihon spring provides would be the simultaneous blooming of the cherry blossoms and the showers of pink petals blowing in the wind.  It gives the world a rosy glow, giving off the impression that it doesn’t get any better than that particular moment.  I spent my Japanese spring vacation predominantly alone, frequently walking along the Sukagawa riverbanks to just reflect and marvel at the beauty of the world around me.

The Much-Longed For Homecoming

     A year of waiting capped off by a six-hour flight delay; this was what characterized my much-longed for homecoming.  A year spent living alone in a foreign land have helped me grow and mature as an individual, but consequently, it also intensified my need to be around the people who mean most to me.  Seeing my family again, and seeing the one I love for the first time after we decided to take life’s journey together, was one of the most treasured moments I would keep in my treasure trove of memories.  And though my patience was tested during my year away, the waiting has perfected my homecoming in a way that words can’t define.

A Love Story Unfolds

     From a casual acquaintance in an online messageboard, a solid friendship emerged.  And from a friendship that grew despite a hundred and then a thousand miles, a fragile love started to unfold.  It was neither planned nor anticipated, but I guess a grander plan by the Creator of all was at work.  Trying to capture everything in words would undermine the true essence of our story, for how can one capture an entire range of emotions in a few carefully constructed paragraphs.  Suffice it to say that I am happy, I am deeply in love, and I feel truly blessed.  James does more than complete me.  His love has given me more than I have ever dreamed possible to have.  And together, we are looking forward to growing more - in life and in love.