Those two words above once depressed me to no end due to the context they were said in. But the outpouring of well-wishes from so many people more than made up for it.

My siblings wished me at the stroke of midnight… but they weren’t the first. KS wished me on Sunday, as he had forgotten exactly when it was.

My dad, stoic as always, left a hong bao on my desk before I woke up; he does this every year . My mother almost made me cry when she blessed me for the first time since I could remember.

There were messages and emails from three wonderful people now residing in Hanoi, from the amazing 15th Ex-Co, from past FOC committees, from CSA members whom I’ve worked with, from the Youth Council, of course from good friends who never fail to remember, from cousins who admittedly were pleasant surprises, from new friends who surprised me because I didn’t think they knew my birthdate, and most exciting of all, to hear from someone from JC who was worried my number had changed. My new presence on Facebook has also led to my ex-colleague wishing me, as well as the virtual drinks I received from others. And of course, Alf left a comment on the blog, and emailed me just in case I didn’t read it.

That’s not to mention the guys that surprised me last night at dinner with a slice of cake, as well as the lunch treat I had today from a friend.

It’s a humbling experience because, looking back, you realise that these are all people who have played their part in forming you into who you are and yet the realisation that you must have meant something to them as well makes you truly consider your place in the world. On the one hand, I do consider myself a selfish person (what is this post, if not tooting my own horn, after all), but actually receiving such a flood of kindness and genuine friendship really redeems myself in my own eyes. For if one person, you, can do so much for the people around you if you only tried, what a better place this world would become if everybody gave that much more of themselves.

Thank you, all.

Ever wondered what the Church of the Holy Familyis like? Here’s a short 5 minute clip produced by our resident parish genius. Our assistant parish priest Father Iggy commissioned it for the 11th Asian Liturgical Forum in Sabah, Malaysia which he attended. Enjoy!

I was talking to JG the other day about how this new guy was distracting her from her long-term guy and I mentioned how it’s good that she’s actually gotten her mind off certain things as a result. It reminds me of how JF has distractions at work that are temporarily taking her mind off her long-term guy, which for me is a very good thing as well.

Long-term guys tend to suck, with a few notable exceptions.

Almost six years ago to the day, several husbands found themselves trapped in a certain-death situation as the planes crashed into the two towers of the World Trade Centre in the US. It’s anniversaries like these that remind you of how relationships don’t always last forever and you need to make the most of each situation that you find yourself in.

Yes, this is your bi-annual Fear post. I’m very happy being single, but I’m not content. Ironic? Maybe. One part of me wants to avoid the pain and hurt that some of my friends inevitably go through, the other wants to be masochistic and endure it for the sake of having someone to share my life with. I’m selfish that way.