Bring a closure to 2011

December 31, 2011

Today marks the last day of 2011 - just like any year, this day would come, opening all of us to a whole new year filled with excitements and hopes. Yet, the day also brings back some memories, good and bad, of the year that passed - and together with it is some mixed feelings. A bit of regrets that a year is now gone - i can no longer hold on to it, but also a bit of excitement - wonder what the new year will bring me with.

Every year is a special year for me, and I treasure every moment living in it. This year is no exception - it has been an eventful year, a year that I had to leave a few important things behind, but also welcome a few new valuable things to my life. The two things dont cancel each other out, I still feel sad for having to say goodbye to those things, but I also feel happy for having new additions in my journey. Each event, good or bad, is a treasure in its own sense to me.

Take a moment to reflect of what 2011 has been, so I can look back a few years from now, and see the journey I have been through:

1. Probably, the saddest of all in 2011 for me was the big loss of my grandfather. Not only a loss to me, but to my whole family. It's been almost a year, and I sometime still wished it was just a dream... Grandpa, I know you are now resting in peace in heaven, but please do know we all miss you dearly. Thanks for creating such a wonderful family that I can be a part of.

2. A wonderful birthday and valentine day of mine, two in one. Started with the sweetest surprises from my dearest friends at GSB at the Facebook house - they filled up our swimming pool with lots of floating lanterns for me. I told them I would love those lanterns when watching the Tangled, and they did it for me. Thanks to all my dearest friends. You know I miss you all - and so unfair most of you are doing countdown in Thailand now! But Cindy and Bunny will do countdown in the beautiful SF :).
- It's also the first birthday/valentine day that I got to celebrate in person with my then boyfriend. A bittersweet experience - as it was the first and the last, but it was a wonderful celebration we had for each other.

3. Left behind a 4+ years relationship, over Easter. No regrets for the great time we shared, and I wish you best of luck in the new journey.

4. Did some amazing trips with my best friends at GSB: Crator Lake, Catalina Island, Yosemite, Death Valley... Cant even name it. Thanks to a so bonding time we had together! It made my b-school experience sooo much more meaningful (yup, it's these time that I remembered the most, not much about classes lol)

5. After 2 years of HARD work (haha, my friends who know me will totally disagree on this, but who cares :P), I earned my two degrees. It's the concept of "buy one (degree) get one (degree) free at Stanford" lol jk. I'm grateful for the amazing opportunities I have had over the past 2 years. Feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful instutitions, and it has changed my life, personally and professionally.

6. One of the best summers I could remember - a full 4.5 months FREE, doing nothing but recharging and spending quality time with my family, especially my nephew and niece. Happy with the family travel trips we all did together, to New York, Boston, DC, Chicago, Miami, Vegas, LA, San Francisco. Cant remember the last time I got to spend that much time with my family - it must have been 12+ years... Grateful for how lucky I was to have had that opportunity.

7. The summer also marked my new endeavor with my non-profit that my friends and I have started. A challenging but rewarding feeling, and I would trade many things to get this experience. Probably the best way to spend my free time, in a meaningful way. Thanks to all the support and efforts of all my dear friends, whom I have known for so long, or those whom I just got to know, and even some then strangers now friends. Without you all, College Sponsor (soon to be called VietSeed) wont take shape. Lets build VietSeed together, for the better of many young kids.

8. Moved to San Francisco, and started my new job. Felt strange to start working again (or seeing income again) after 2+ years. Turned out to be not-so-bad transition (at least for the income part) lol.

9. Settled down in a new apartment in the city of San Francisco - or my new home. Grateful to have a new roommate, a chance to build a bonding friendship again! Have experienced the most unforgettable Halloween weekend - an uneasy conversation with a great friend, or slightly more than that - followed by some hiccups in the apartment at night, or 12 hours later. All happened 3 weeks after I moved in to the new city, but as I looked back, things happened for a reason and for the better - and i'm glad we all sailed through the storm. Thanks for all the best support from my greatest friends during a little tough time (you know who you are!).

10. Started a little journey of something that has become more common these days for young professionals - especially in this Bay Area (nope, i cant be more specific). I'm sure this journey will bring some wonderful experience, regardless of the outcome.

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End of reflection :). So funny how it ended up itself with 10 take-aways. I didnt know how much I would have when I started it.

Looking back to 2011, it's been an amazing journey for me, ups and downs, but eventually it made life a lot more meaningful. I obviously could not have done this journey alone - it's all surrounded by family and friends. Thanks to all for making 2011 a wonderful year for me. Especially,
- thanks to my family for always being there - give me the strengths and support that I need. And give me a home I could fall back on whenever I need.
- thanks to the facebook house, its extended family members and my forever-suppport group - you guys know you have made my gsb experience one of the best 2 years of my life.
- thanks to the College Sponsor/VietSeed family, especially to the early members and sponsors who have put in so much commitment, efforts and passion - cant thank enough for helping me build a journey. It's VietSeed that keeps me up at night, and it's definitely something I wake up to do.
- and thanks to the little community of friends, a network of support in San Francisco - you guys know you have made my transitional experience so much easier. And a new "home" in Sonoma too - thanks for that! (well, regardless of you two allowing it or not, i now call it another 'home' :p)

Leaving behind a wonderful 2011 - Ready for 2012.

Happy New Year to all!
Big hugs and Luv from San Francisco,