2013 and Moving Forwards.... Hello 2014

Wow. Whaddaya know.... it's December 2013. I'm going to sound corny (and possibly repetitive) but time flew by! I actually hadn't realize that it's the END of the year despite it being December until I was asked to do the plans for 2014 at work.

It's my second "winter" in Myanmar and on reflection - as I always do every year, 2013 had been awesome. There had been some painful "Myanmar Moments" as how I call them, but overall, it was great. Well, actually, 2013 had been a very busy year.

As always, I close the year with a prayer of Thanks that I am surrounded by so much love, that everyone I love and care about is safe, sound and healthy and laughter permeated our lives throughout most of 2013. For that, I am thankful for the kind blessings from Mr. B.

I guess the highlight of the year for me really was the significant improvements with regards to the disadvantaged children I work for. I wrote about them not too long ago. You can read my post here. Another highlight is meeting and getting to know so many kind and generous souls who believed and supported my endeavors with the kids. Hey - they talk about the "law of attraction"... and I'm a believer :)

I suppose, another highlight for me was the increments and bonuses I got in the workfront - that's counting 3 times in less than 2 years... whilst I appreciate that I am being appreciated by Da Boss Woman, and I will continue striving to help her meet the company's business objectives in the coming year, the last increment was a little scary for me. Scary because I realized that I have very little interest in retail science and as such, may not totally enjoy the workscope if it gets larger than my MARCOM area. And also scary that I may not be able to afford the time that is expected out of me with the 'increment'. Nevertheless, I have a pending lunch with DBW and hopefully, we will both work something out.

Moving forwards, 2014, I foresee is going to be a year where I will pray for the courage to do the right thing everyday. This brings me back to a conversation I had with my idol - TC - she told me "You do this with your heart and if your heart says it's not right, then it's not right. Forget about the bigger picture bullshit." Uh-huh. That's right. I believe I was blessed with the wisdom (don't laugh!!) to fight for what is right and just. I just have to learn not to get "too" emotionally involved so that I am able to make rational decisions - and usually, this is where MOH comes in, bless this pillar of strength in my life :)

I have big plans in the pipeline - and there is no better time than now to fulfill my dreams. It may differ slightly from my childhood dream, but nevertheless, it is still along the same path.

I would like to open the Children of Tomorrow Youth Centre in 2014 - a centre where disadvantaged youths could come and hang out, take up computer or English classes, have weekend recreational activities like art or music or sports, have access to a library and have opportunities to create and start their own businesses. The business profits started within the Youth Centre will (hopefully) be used to sustain the centre. The Youth Centre will also serve as a 'halfway-house' for youths above 18 who had just landed their first job and would like to learn what it is to be independent. They can stay for a nominal fee per month up to a certain time period in which by they should fully grow their own wings and soar high.

I believe with hope, faith and most importantly, courage, I will be able to see this through - especially with the moral support of my family and friends who believe in me and believe in the reason I am doing this.

As such, for 2014, I pray for strength, I pray for courage and I pray for tenacity and unwavering faith to climb the mountain up ahead. "One person can make a difference and everyone should try." So if you wish to, come hike with me :)

Till then, have an awesome 2014 y'all!