Wow, we've made it to 2018! It's a brand new year, a brand new start. It's always nice to start the year with a clean slate, that just means there's more room to make new memories, experiences and more lessons to learn. Every year, I'd spend some time writing a reflection of the year that has just passed us by, and highlight on all the things that I'm grateful for. So this year, I knew I had to do the same.
There's just something about 2017 that I know was pivotal to my life- the year that I want to remember, for all the good things, the bad, and the ugly.
How do I feel about 2017? It definitely was a trying year for me. It was the year I've went through more internal battles within myself than I've ever had before. Despite that, God is great and He is fair. As many times that I have struggled, I also have had some of the best days in my life in the same year- the happiest I've ever been. Isn't it amazing how life is like a giant paradox? You can't have happiness without tasting bitterness, and you won't know what sadness feels like without knowing joy.
1) I'm engaged!
Yes, Luke finally popped the question! This has to be my favourite memory of the year and something that I will always remember 2017 by- it's the year that the love of my life proposed to me, and of course I said yes.
A couple of months before that, Luke and I went around to shop for an engagement ring together because he wanted me to pick the ring myself. Me being me, I've always wanted a pave setting diamond ring so that's what I chose. Got it fitted to my size and then Luke kept it until the day he decided to propose. I knew he was going to ask me to marry him at some point, but I had no idea when. I had no idea it would be on our anniversary date.
I should've known something was off when Luke put in a little more effort than usual into planning this date. Like I've always said, surprises isn't one of Luke's biggest strengths so after it all went down, I was deeply moved by the amount of work he's put in to make this proposal a success. It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me, it was beyond anything I had imagined, it was the perfect proposal. And it was... for me.
I know he did this out of pure love and it gets me so emotional every time. I love this man with all my heart, I can't even find the words to describe how much he means to me. This year will be our 7th year together, seven years of getting to know each other, understanding one another and being in love. To finally say that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together feels so incredibly surreal. I'm eternally grateful to God for blessing me with a man like Luke.
2) Buying my Volkswagen Polo
This has got to be one of the biggest milestones of my life. I avoided talking about it and kept it on the down low because I was worried about the judgments and myriad of questions that would come when people know of this. However, it is something that has impacted my life a lot in 2017. Having the car has made me change the way I think and put a halt in my impulsive shopping habits. It has made me wiser in terms of spending, and I realise now the value of money and important it is to save.
Inevitably, it still is something that will bring he first thing that would probably come to mind is, "How could you possibly afford to have a car, at your age?"
I thought it was impossible too, until I realised that it's been a whole year since the day I purchased my Volkswagen Polo. I didn't know anything about owning a car when I first bought it, truth to be told. Now I can say that has changed. Now I know that it's a big responsibility to own a car- and half the time, the pressure of keeping it running isn't as fancy as it is to say, "Oh, I have a car."
I wanted to have a continental car because it's been my dream to own a Volkswagen, and this little Polo was love at first sight. Although it's a second-hand car, it looks absolutely brand new, its white exterior so stunning, and I was even more impressed by the burgundy interior that I've never seen on any Polos on the road before. The car is so beautifully maintained, its mileage is low which means that this car hasn't been overused by the previous owner and the fuel consumption is surprisingly great and that means we can save a lot on petrol. This beauty came with a reasonable price tag, but it still wasn't cheap. I used up my personal savings for the year to make the downpayment, but I tried not to over-think my decision after it's already been made.
Now, you must be thinking, "What's the rush?"
The car that my family has been using was about to be scraped in January, so we had to look for a replacement beforehand. We had been using a weekend (off-peak) car to for the last ten years and when the car's time is coming to an end, we had two choices. To get another car to replace the one we had, or to live without a car. Getting another car isn't easy, the scrape value of our previous car was close to none and to buy another one requires a large amount of money to be paid upfront. We're a middle-class family, so this was a big decision for us.
After much thought, I knew that this was the time for me to help my family out by using my savings to replace the car. I didn't want us to use a weekend car anymore so my parents can drive the car as and when they want to, so I decided to get a normal-plate, and since my family left it up to me to decide on the car, I picked the one I fell in love with- The Volkswagen Polo (which my dad endearingly named Snow White).
I spent my personal savings on Snow White and it was a big blow to me at first when I realised how broke I will be after this. But the thing is, what I should've told myself back then is that money can always be earned. As long as I'm working, the income will always be flowing. This car has been a saviour to my family, it has provided us with so much ease and convenience. It has been put to good use, and it's been exceptionally beneficial for me to easily commute to and fro the airport for work as well. My parents help out by paying for the monthly season parking fees and fuel. My brother chipped in for the monthly bills, while I settle the rest of the cost as well as the insurance, road tax, servicing and what not.
It's been a whole year, and if anything, buying a car has made me more disciplined than ever in terms of handling my finances. I struggled to adjust to this change at first, it's crazy how many letters I've received this year from banks and LTA, and how many times I had to step out of my comfort zone to get things done, the kind of things I've never done before nor have I paid any attention to. Now it has become my problem, the kind of responsibility I'm learning to deal with.
I love Snow White a lot. I'm incredibly proud of it, I'm won't even deny it. Some people think I'm crazy to have a car at my age because it's pretty unrealistic. Not going to lie, it does seem surreal to me sometimes but it is true, it's happening, I'm doing it and have been on it for a year- and surviving. I'm also incredibly grateful for my family for being the supportive fam that they are. I couldn't have done this without them, it really would have been impossible without them. And Luke too, who would drive me to everywhere I want to and probably knows the mechanics of the car better than I ever will, he even bought a bluetooth speaker for me so we could play our own songs while driving on our dates. We all love our little Volkswagen Polo so much.
It's our car, our Snow White.
1) I'm engaged!
Yes, Luke finally popped the question! This has to be my favourite memory of the year and something that I will always remember 2017 by- it's the year that the love of my life proposed to me, and of course I said yes.
A couple of months before that, Luke and I went around to shop for an engagement ring together because he wanted me to pick the ring myself. Me being me, I've always wanted a pave setting diamond ring so that's what I chose. Got it fitted to my size and then Luke kept it until the day he decided to propose. I knew he was going to ask me to marry him at some point, but I had no idea when. I had no idea it would be on our anniversary date.
I should've known something was off when Luke put in a little more effort than usual into planning this date. Like I've always said, surprises isn't one of Luke's biggest strengths so after it all went down, I was deeply moved by the amount of work he's put in to make this proposal a success. It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me, it was beyond anything I had imagined, it was the perfect proposal. And it was... for me.
I know he did this out of pure love and it gets me so emotional every time. I love this man with all my heart, I can't even find the words to describe how much he means to me. This year will be our 7th year together, seven years of getting to know each other, understanding one another and being in love. To finally say that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together feels so incredibly surreal. I'm eternally grateful to God for blessing me with a man like Luke.
2) Buying my Volkswagen Polo
 |
| First picture right after I've signed the papers |
This has got to be one of the biggest milestones of my life. I avoided talking about it and kept it on the down low because I was worried about the judgments and myriad of questions that would come when people know of this. However, it is something that has impacted my life a lot in 2017. Having the car has made me change the way I think and put a halt in my impulsive shopping habits. It has made me wiser in terms of spending, and I realise now the value of money and important it is to save.
Inevitably, it still is something that will bring he first thing that would probably come to mind is, "How could you possibly afford to have a car, at your age?"
I thought it was impossible too, until I realised that it's been a whole year since the day I purchased my Volkswagen Polo. I didn't know anything about owning a car when I first bought it, truth to be told. Now I can say that has changed. Now I know that it's a big responsibility to own a car- and half the time, the pressure of keeping it running isn't as fancy as it is to say, "Oh, I have a car."
I wanted to have a continental car because it's been my dream to own a Volkswagen, and this little Polo was love at first sight. Although it's a second-hand car, it looks absolutely brand new, its white exterior so stunning, and I was even more impressed by the burgundy interior that I've never seen on any Polos on the road before. The car is so beautifully maintained, its mileage is low which means that this car hasn't been overused by the previous owner and the fuel consumption is surprisingly great and that means we can save a lot on petrol. This beauty came with a reasonable price tag, but it still wasn't cheap. I used up my personal savings for the year to make the downpayment, but I tried not to over-think my decision after it's already been made.
Now, you must be thinking, "What's the rush?"
The car that my family has been using was about to be scraped in January, so we had to look for a replacement beforehand. We had been using a weekend (off-peak) car to for the last ten years and when the car's time is coming to an end, we had two choices. To get another car to replace the one we had, or to live without a car. Getting another car isn't easy, the scrape value of our previous car was close to none and to buy another one requires a large amount of money to be paid upfront. We're a middle-class family, so this was a big decision for us.
After much thought, I knew that this was the time for me to help my family out by using my savings to replace the car. I didn't want us to use a weekend car anymore so my parents can drive the car as and when they want to, so I decided to get a normal-plate, and since my family left it up to me to decide on the car, I picked the one I fell in love with- The Volkswagen Polo (which my dad endearingly named Snow White).
I spent my personal savings on Snow White and it was a big blow to me at first when I realised how broke I will be after this. But the thing is, what I should've told myself back then is that money can always be earned. As long as I'm working, the income will always be flowing. This car has been a saviour to my family, it has provided us with so much ease and convenience. It has been put to good use, and it's been exceptionally beneficial for me to easily commute to and fro the airport for work as well. My parents help out by paying for the monthly season parking fees and fuel. My brother chipped in for the monthly bills, while I settle the rest of the cost as well as the insurance, road tax, servicing and what not.
It's been a whole year, and if anything, buying a car has made me more disciplined than ever in terms of handling my finances. I struggled to adjust to this change at first, it's crazy how many letters I've received this year from banks and LTA, and how many times I had to step out of my comfort zone to get things done, the kind of things I've never done before nor have I paid any attention to. Now it has become my problem, the kind of responsibility I'm learning to deal with.
I love Snow White a lot. I'm incredibly proud of it, I'm won't even deny it. Some people think I'm crazy to have a car at my age because it's pretty unrealistic. Not going to lie, it does seem surreal to me sometimes but it is true, it's happening, I'm doing it and have been on it for a year- and surviving. I'm also incredibly grateful for my family for being the supportive fam that they are. I couldn't have done this without them, it really would have been impossible without them. And Luke too, who would drive me to everywhere I want to and probably knows the mechanics of the car better than I ever will, he even bought a bluetooth speaker for me so we could play our own songs while driving on our dates. We all love our little Volkswagen Polo so much.
It's our car, our Snow White.
2) Almost 3 years of flying
The first thing that I will always, and forever, be thankful for is my job. It's funny how much of a love hate relationship I have with this career of mine, but a lot of things that I have in my life is only possible because of what I do. Being a cabin crew has become a part of my identity, something that people associate me with. It's inevitable how many times I've been asked about every aspect of my job, simply to feed the curiosity of those who are intrigued by this unusual lifestyle.
I guess I can say that I'm both overwhelmed and flattered by the interest, and I'm willing to share as much as I can if it benefits others. It makes me really happy when I get personal DMs from strangers online telling me that they enjoy reading my travel posts or when they come to me to ask for tips when they're about to visit a particular city. I enjoy writing about my travels, and I hope to continue making more memories in as many places as I can for as long as I'm still working in this airline. Travelling does feed the soul. It's nice to be able to get away from time to time.
In 2017, there is a form of familiarity when I visit the places I've been to before. The excitement is there, but it's just not the same as how I felt when I visit a place for the very first time. There were many firsts in 2016, and reading my previous blog post (click here to read) brought back all the memories. It was a nice feeling, being able to look back and see how much have changed and how much I've grown with the airline.
In 2017, there is a form of familiarity when I visit the places I've been to before. The excitement is there, but it's just not the same as how I felt when I visit a place for the very first time. There were many firsts in 2016, and reading my previous blog post (click here to read) brought back all the memories. It was a nice feeling, being able to look back and see how much have changed and how much I've grown with the airline.
I was lucky enough to be trained for the A350 fleet at the beginning of the year, and it has opened many doors for me to visit some of the new routes and destinations that were being introduced alongside with the operation of the new fleet. Going to some of these new places ignited that fire inside of me that I thought had tamed.
I was blessed enough to operate a direct flight to Barcelona right after the new route was being introduced, my very first time in Spain. Then, in April, I was called up to operate a direct flight to San Francisco, my first time doing an ultra-long haul with the flight time of 17 hours. I was rostered for a flight to one of our newest destinations, Dusseldorf, during Ramadan and it was my first time fasting for 18 hours straight. And 2017 was also the year I fell in love with Manchester, and was lucky enough to be there three times in the same year.
I love Hong Kong. I hate doing HKG turns, but when it comes to HKG night stops, I absolutely love it. I have my own routine when I'm in Hong Kong, but for this trip, I met up with a friend who was doing another flight and we decided to catch up over lunch at my favourite place for Halal dim sum. Bioderma's half price here, and they have some to-die-for egg tarts that I will always get whenever I have the chance.
January
Hong Kong
I love Hong Kong. I hate doing HKG turns, but when it comes to HKG night stops, I absolutely love it. I have my own routine when I'm in Hong Kong, but for this trip, I met up with a friend who was doing another flight and we decided to catch up over lunch at my favourite place for Halal dim sum. Bioderma's half price here, and they have some to-die-for egg tarts that I will always get whenever I have the chance.
January
Manchester, United Kingdom
Houston, Texas, USA
This was my very first time operating this flight, a 12-day multi-sector pattern. It was also one of my first few flights on the new A350. I'm not a big soccer fan, but my dad loves Manchester United so I had to go to Old Trafford to represent my old man and I'm glad I did. It was quite an experience, educational even. Did it change my mind about soccer? Nah, not really. But at least I can say that I've been into the same locker room Christiano Ronaldo once changed in. *wink*
February
Amsterdam, Netherlands
I was lucky enough to visit Amsterdam during my probation days before they changed its destination fleet to the new A350. So my second visit to Amsterdam only came in after I was being trained, a little more than a year after that. Interesting experience this one- I basically smell a lot like weed after spending an evening in a "coffee shop" that doesn't really brew coffee and watching a peep show in the red light district. At least I can check that off my 'bucket list', right?
March
Manchester, United Kingdom
So on the afternoon before my standby starts, I was happily having late lunch with Luke, got the rest of our day planned out but it was rudely disrupted by an automated call from control centre, telling me that I'm activated for standby right after midnight. Where to? To Manchester.
I was low-key pissed off because they activated me before my standby even started, and I had to cut my date with Luke short because I have to quickly pack for a long haul. Luckily, I didn't have to work on that flight as they just needed me to operate on a flight back.
Although I was complaining about it at first, it was actually one of the best standby call-ups I've ever gotten because I was surprised at how well I got along with the set of the crew in the flight I paxed up on, and I spent both my clear days with them, exploring the city. This was the flight I fell in love with Manchester, and the only place that had the Chanel espadrilles in the colour that I wanted, in my size. It's like striking lottery, this flight. One of my favourite flights in 2017, for sure.
March-April
Johannesburg, South Africa
This flight was actually kind of bittersweet for me. I found out that my grandmother had passed away while I was stuck in the aircraft en route to Johannesburg. I spent the first day mourning on my own in the hotel room, praying for my grandmother. It wasn't the best feeling knowing that you can't do much about it because you're in a foreign land, so many miles away from home, for 6 days. Even if I fly back immediately, I still wouldn't be able to see her for the very last time. But I know she's in a better place now, God will take good care of her. And knowing that brings me some form of relief.
My batchgirl, Nad, had the same flight departing a day after mine. So we managed to spend some time in Johannesburg together, and we decided to go horse-riding in the safari. We've both done this tour before, but not together, so it felt exceptionally new, and honestly, I didn't mind anything at all, it was just nice to spend some quality time with Nad and catch up.
April
San Francisco, California, USA
I got called up for a flight to San Francisco right before my rostered flight to SFO in April. Not that I mind it, but they just had to call me up at 5am in the morning when the reporting time was at 7.25am. I remember sitting up and stoning after that damned automated phone call, just questioning my existence and asking myself, "How on Earth am I supposed to pack for my flight, paint my nails, and get ready in 2 hours?"
Somehow, almost miraculously, I made it right on time.
The flight was nice though, it was indeed very tiring but I honestly enjoyed myself in San Francisco. I just love it in the States, you know. The jetlag and crazy time difference don't get to me at all, I just love being there.
April
London, United Kingdom
I've been to London so many times, but I've never been to the Tower Bridge before. So right after my typical routine of breakfast at The Muffin Man, I made my way to this bridge and it was my first time witnessing a bridge literally open to let the boats go through, while the drivers on the road just waited patiently for it to close again. And like the typical, excited tourist that I am, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
May
Milan, Italy
Cinque Terre, Italy
The first time I was rostered to Milan, I purchased my first luxury. When I found out that I was going to be in Milan again a year after, I told myself that a little treat wouldn't hurt nobody. This was when I purchased my Givenchy Antigona Mini and it's become my favourite every day bag. I still love it so much that I don't want to move on to another luxury purchase, like that's seriously saying something.
May
Salzburg, Germany
I was also rostered for a flight to Munich in May. I've always wanted to venture out of Munich to do a little bit of sightseeing, and so I took the 2-hour train ride to the city of Salzburg and had a day-trip with the set of crew.
June
Dusseldorf, Germany
This was my first time in Dusseldorf, and I like it! The flight was incredibly smooth, passengers were such angels and the load was comfortable. It was especially good for me because it was the fasting month, so any chance to use less energy than required is great. It's also the very first time I fasted for more 18 hours straight, I honestly thought I couldn't possibly do it but I did! Two other muslim crew and I happily broke our fast together in my friend's room, laughing our asses off while watching this terrible Malay movie while providing hilarious commentaries every now and then. It was a ball of a time.
June
Brisbane, Australia
It was one of those rare days I'd actually go out and do something fun in Australia because I was rostered for a long-stay Brisbane. The flight turned out to be pretty fun actually, we went to the Koala sanctuary to see, well, Koalas and Kangaroos. And we get to feed them! My favourite part. I've never seen so many kangaroos so openly in one place, it's quite an experience.
July
Sydney, Australia
I thought this Sydney deserved a special mention because it was the Sydney that I particularly enjoyed. I did this with a batchgirl of mine and there were a few of us who were down to go out straight after touching down, which is very rare for a Sydney flight (most people would just go out to grab food and then knock out till check out). We went to chill at this super aesthetically-pleasing cafe after lunch, and yeah, it was one of the more fulfilling Sydney flights I've done.
August
Auckland, New Zealand
I did this flight with a JCL (business class) batch mate of mine, we were rostered together and I had no idea until she texted me! It made it all better because I honestly wasn't looking forward for the flight, as usual, the pre-flight blues. However, it turned out to be one of the best Auckland I've ever done- we went to Whatipu Beach on a clear day. The pictures did not do justice to just how beautiful the place was, it was a nice little adventure.
September
Barcelona, Spain
One of my favourite trips in 2017! Barcelona is a relatively new destination for us, so naturally, most of us wanted to sightsee- and we had 3 nights here so it was pretty much a holiday flight. It was also crazy tiring because we went out non-stop every single day, making the most out of our time in Barcelona. It was a blast, and the people in Barcelona are the loveliest ever. I can't wait to go back! There's a lot to love about this place.
September
London, United Kingdom
This London was a little different from the other ones I've done in the past. I changed into my friend's flight because we found out that our London flight was only a day apart, so we tried to change into each other's flight so we could do some sightseeing together. After two years of flying and multiple times in London, I finally went to the Stonehenge and Roman Bath for the very first time. It was one of the most memorable London flights I've ever done, so glad to finally tick these off my bucket list. Checked!
October
Paris, France
I think during this period of time, I was on an all-time high because I was doing so many flights with my friends. It really does make a world of difference when you fly with people you're comfortable with. And in October, I managed to do a flight with Liting, one of my closest friends ever. And this is also one of my favourite flights of the year. Imagine being in Paris with one of your best friends, it doesn't feel like work at all, it's pretty much a holiday for the two of us. Best flight ever!
November-December
Manchester, United Kingdom
Houston, Texas, USA
My year started with a multi-sector flight to Manchester and Houston, and ended with the same flight, as if there's a certain symbolism to that matter of fact. Nonetheless, I absolutely loved this flight- also one of the flights that I will remember for a very long time. I met the loveliest girls on this flight, that I still remember so fondly. It was amazing how well we got along, and I didn't expect to have this deep of a connection with these girls but somehow, it just happened so naturally. We spent the last night in Manchester bunking in together, the three of us in one bed, talking about life until we fell asleep.
Again, Manchester has proved to me just how amazing it is- it's the only Chanel store that I've been to that has never disappointed me. I bought the last pair (that isn't the display pair) of the classic Chanel earrings I've been eyeing on, here in Manchester! Three times in Manchester this year, and it's safe to say that it's definitely my favourite station now. There's just so much to love about it, particularly how peaceful it is- I absolutely love it.
4) Stepping out of my comfort zone
Getting a driver's license
If there is one thing that I fear, it has to be the fear of driving. I've been contemplating on getting a license for the longest time because I was so afraid. I decided that this will have to change because I've already gotten a car, wouldn't it be a waste not to drive it?
I told myself that I cannot be afraid forever. Driving is a beneficial life skill, I know someday I will have to get over my fear and get it done anyway. I don't want to stay stagnant, I want to keep improving and working on myself, to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. So I braved myself and signed myself up for the lessons. I think I've briefly mentioned this in this post I've written in November, and I'm happy to say that I'm halfway there. This is honestly the hardest thing I've ever gotten myself to do, kind of had to force myself but I'm glad that I'm not giving up just yet.
They say you'll never grow if you don't push yourself to get out of your comfort zone, so I hope that I'm doing something right over here. Hopefully by this year, I'll be able to see myself driving Snow White, inshaa'Allah. Keep me in your prayers, guys.
Travelling solo
In my latest post, I wrote about flying to Dubai to visit Bonnie in December. That is the first time I went on a trip on my own, if you don't count all the times I did for work. It might not seem like a big deal because all these time I've travelled to all these countries, I'm technically by myself too. I guess it's different to me, because I'm doing this on my own free will.
It was a fun experience for me, and kinda therapeutic too. I like how I had full control over what I do at this point in my life, whereby I can just tell my parents, "Mummy, Baba, I want to go to Dubai to visit Bonnie" and they'd be like, "Okay, sure."
5) Finding peace within myself
Things weren't always great all the time, this year. I've spent a lot of time self-reflecting, thinking about everything that I've done so far and how can I become a better person, and how can I promise a better life for myself in the future. What can I do now, that my future self will thank me for?
I thought about the future a lot, about what's going to happen next.
Perhaps it's because the high of flying is over, and I'm slowly preparing myself for what's to come when it all comes to an end. I've done all that I've wanted to do, seen all the places that I wanted to see, and experienced more than I could possibly ask for throughout the time I've been in this airline. I'm almost ready to say goodbye.
 |
| Driving lesson in progress~ |
If there is one thing that I fear, it has to be the fear of driving. I've been contemplating on getting a license for the longest time because I was so afraid. I decided that this will have to change because I've already gotten a car, wouldn't it be a waste not to drive it?
I told myself that I cannot be afraid forever. Driving is a beneficial life skill, I know someday I will have to get over my fear and get it done anyway. I don't want to stay stagnant, I want to keep improving and working on myself, to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. So I braved myself and signed myself up for the lessons. I think I've briefly mentioned this in this post I've written in November, and I'm happy to say that I'm halfway there. This is honestly the hardest thing I've ever gotten myself to do, kind of had to force myself but I'm glad that I'm not giving up just yet.
They say you'll never grow if you don't push yourself to get out of your comfort zone, so I hope that I'm doing something right over here. Hopefully by this year, I'll be able to see myself driving Snow White, inshaa'Allah. Keep me in your prayers, guys.
Travelling solo
In my latest post, I wrote about flying to Dubai to visit Bonnie in December. That is the first time I went on a trip on my own, if you don't count all the times I did for work. It might not seem like a big deal because all these time I've travelled to all these countries, I'm technically by myself too. I guess it's different to me, because I'm doing this on my own free will.
It was a fun experience for me, and kinda therapeutic too. I like how I had full control over what I do at this point in my life, whereby I can just tell my parents, "Mummy, Baba, I want to go to Dubai to visit Bonnie" and they'd be like, "Okay, sure."
5) Finding peace within myself
I thought about the future a lot, about what's going to happen next.
Perhaps it's because the high of flying is over, and I'm slowly preparing myself for what's to come when it all comes to an end. I've done all that I've wanted to do, seen all the places that I wanted to see, and experienced more than I could possibly ask for throughout the time I've been in this airline. I'm almost ready to say goodbye.
The Beast
Come back down won’t you, little child?
Can’t you see the world is grey?
A life filled with diamonds,
fast cars and champagne high,
Run far, far away.
Come back down won’t you, little child?
Those things aren’t what you need.
A kind heart, a humble soul,
A little more love to give.
Come back down won’t you, little child?
You’ve had it better than the rest.
Life has a way to turn things around,
and fill you with regret.
Before that comes, may God forbid,
Come back down, my little child.
Save your soul from the beast.
The naïveté that I used to wear around me like second skin is slowly shedding, and I feel like I'm starting to see that life isn't all rainbows and butterflies all the time anymore. It's going to be hard, it's going to be one hell of a challenge, but it's all going to be okay.
2017 had been eye-opening, if I had to describe it simply.
There were days I feel like I'm on top of the world, and there were days I just wanted to hide away from the world and write. All in all, I feel like I'm no longer the same girl I was at the beginning of the year and that, to me, is enough. It shows that I have learnt and grown from the lessons that life has taught me in that year, and I'm on the road to becoming a much wiser, much better person than I was before.
2017 was the year the love of my life decided that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and proposed. It was the year I made a big step to make a commitment of owning a car for the sake of my family. It was the year I told myself that I should stop being so afraid, and conquer my fears instead. It was the year I continued my adventures, and made many more memories than I ever thought I would. I'm so thankful for it all. Just reading back on all my adventures made me realise just how blessed I am to be doing something I love for almost three years, the longest I've ever committed to a job. I may complain about being away, but this job has opened so many doors and changed my life into something that I never imagined it could be. I'm living a life interesting enough to tell a story that's worth telling- and that's a life good enough for me.
At this point in my life, I feel like I have found peace in myself.
All that I hope for in 2018 is to continue working on my shortcomings, and work harder to ensure a better future for what's about to come in the future. Luke and I are in the midst of planning not just our wedding, but our whole lives together. Before anyone gets excited, I'll just say that we've already set the wedding date- but it's not going to be this year. So put that excitement on hold till later okay, guys? We still have a lot to save up for, and we're still waiting for our beautiful home to be ready. I won't promise anything, but I'll do my best to document every step of the preparation when its due time. I want to share as much as I can on this space- it feels like the blog has grown together with me, all these years. I hope to keep writing for as long as I can.
And to all of you who have been reading my blog all these while, those of you who would take some time off your day to read my long-ass posts every single time, thank you for following me on this journey, it almost feels like you guys have watched me grow. And y'all are the true MVPs really, this blog post is probably the longest post I've written in the history of this blog, so if you made it this far, kudos to you man. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my cheesy-ass heart.
May 2018 be another year of discovering ourselves, unforgettable adventures that feed our souls, and lots and lots of love all around.
God bless all you beautiful souls.
Love,
Ashhy
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