“Do you ever wonder if we make the moments in our lives or if the moments in our lives make us?”

2007 was a year of many milestones and one big tragedy. Ironically, despite the darkness of death that shadowed upon the family in the tragic month of December, this new year celebration to usher in the year of 2008 is the best I’ve had in many years. One of those scrapbook moments that went down into the history of our memories is the fact that our beloved friend had to shit 20 minutes before countdown and in the middle of a dreadful traffic jam to get to The Curve. It was one of those S.O.S Shit moments that cannot wait and so in all urgency, we stopped at One World Hotel and had the best bird’s eye view of the fireworks without the pushing and shoving (my worst were KLCC in 2003 and Bukit Bintang millennium countdown). We thought our friend had a bird’s eye view of his own fireworks too in the toilet as we counted down to “threee, twooo, oneee….” without him.

We stayed up all night playing cards and had a hearty dim sum breakfast early in the morning. We didn’t need loud music, alcohol or a room full of beautiful strangers to have fun. Just the cozy company of five fun-loving friends with good humour and pockets full of cash.

Friends since we were 7

As I was enjoying a good breezy new year afternoon at the Curve, I caught a glimpse of a once-special-someone in front of me and I ducked. Well, technically, I didn’t duck since there was no room to actually duck. Sort of did a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired stoop although real life is a lot less graceful than what it looks on tv. Then I quickly regretted what I did and thought just how childish I behaved, “for God’s sake, I am turning 27 this year!” I then typed a message to my girl friend which said,

“I saw ******. So I quickly hide. I hope he didn’t see me or see me do that,” and pressed ’send’ ….. to that once-special-someone named ******!!

The things I do to embarass myself. Now, I really gotta go bang my head somewhere and hope I disappear into thin air if he’s ever around.  

I also managed to catch up with my cousin Lynne whom I haven’t met for many years since she started working in London. As we were window shopping while updating each other about our lives, we found ourselves standing in the middle of falling snowflakes at the Curve. It invoked the nostalgic moment when I first experienced snow with Lynne in London when I was 15. We were staying with Uncle Yang at that time.

I spent lunchtime with the family and dad was quiet but grumpy. The quality of the food at Friday’s that day and the state of emotion of the family – family day out just wasn’t the same anymore. Medium-grilled steak was too hard and chewy while the beef ribs were a little too soft. Something else was missing and it was the voice of my brother and his presence. Even in the busiest and noisiest of places, the silence was deafening.     

Desires of the heart I wish to hold dear in the confines of the voice within, I wrote down renewed dreams and rekindled hopes I wish to achieve in 2008 in my little black book. While some people express themselves through words, art and music, I spent time at home doing these … my priorities for 2008.

So watch out for this Taurean bull in 2008.

“Looking back on what I said all those years ago, all the hopes and dreams I had, I’ve come to the conclusion that if having things turn out the way you wanted them to is a measure of a successful life, then some would say I’m a failure. The important thing is not to be bitter over life’s disappointments. Learn to let go of the past. And recognise that every day won’t be sunny. But when you find yourself lost in the darkness of despair, remember it’s only in the black of night that you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. To stumble and fall. Because most of the time the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scared you the most. Maybe you’ll get everything you wish for. Maybe, you’ll get more than you ever could’ve imagined. Who knows where life will take you. The road is long. And in the end, the journey is the destination.” 

*Quotes from One Tree Hill