10.01.10 may look like a cool-looking date of the year, or a binary code system, but it is a particularly special date for me. 10.01.10 is the date I turn 21; the age where you are officially an adult.
To mark this milestone, family and friends threw THREE birthday celebrations for me. The first one was at Upperstar with a bunch of primary school mates, the second at a classy Mediterranean restaurant with family and relatives (huge drama when the bill came... read about it in my mum's blog), and the third involves me dunking my face(my third dunk to be exact!) into my birthday cake (third cake dunk -___-), thanks to my awesome and sweet friends!
I'd like to make this post a bit more meaningful, so that when I look back and read this one day it would teach me a thing or two about how I was like at 21. Therefore I will not be doing a write-up on how xyz gave me a present and how we played musical chairs in the party (no we didn't you fool), but I will write about what I have learnt in my journey thus far, in the last 21 years of my life.
In a nutshell, I have learnt 3 things (more than 3 but I will keep this simple and not bore you out):
1. God
He is very real. Very real indeed! For a lot of people, God is some distant, disconnected entity that doesn't really care much about humanity. But, I DISAGREE! I believe God is completely connected, active and constantly drawing us closer to be in a deeper relationship with Him.
He was there for me. Through my happiest and saddest moments, He was there sharing those special moments with me. I needed Him. I've always did.
I've learnt that no matter how much we screw up in our life, He will always be there to pick us up and push us forward. He is always there for me and for all of us. We just have to reach out to Him. :)
I'm really glad I have this bond with the Lord and I WANT to strengthen it day by day!
He is my...
Jesus. Saviour. Master. Lord. Father. Friend.
2. Friends and Family
I have loads of 'friends' that come and go in my life. But what makes a real friend? There are times in our lives where we may have made a HUGE mistake, we may have been really down, or even short of money. Who are the ones who would be there for us?
A true friend would be more than happy to help us in these situations! A true friend listens and advices. They do not use us for their personal gains. They respect us, our body, our personality and our mentality. They are willing to trust us no matter how much we are to blame, they would gladly lend us a shoulder to cry on when we are upset and most of all, they'll try their very BEST to be there for us.
A true friend is patient and forgives, no matter how bad the situation would become or already has.
I cherish these people as they are the real diamonds in the rough. Through the years I have only found a few, but that's good enough for me. I really thank God I've met them. :)
You guys can go figure who you are. :P
I am really glad that I am born into this world, into a wonderful family. My parents, grandparents, siblings and relatives, all of them unique. I'm really blessed to be part of the Hongs and Ngs. :)
I'm really grateful for all the love and support from my parents. I've made a lot of mistakes which disappointed them, but they were always there to give me a second chance. Always forgiving. Always wanted the best for me. They were there to comfort me, sharing the joy and the pain that I've gone through last few years!
Thank you mommy and daddy. :)
Lastly, my siblings. Yi and Wey. I am proud and overjoyed to have you guys! Yi, always there to help me out when I'm in trouble. Wey, always there to listen to me rattle when I am upset. You guys are awesome! So, so AWESOME!
I WOOF (LOVE) YOU ALL!
3. Love & Relationships
I know this is a touchy topic but isn't this one of the most vital things we have to go through in life? They say it is better to love than to not have loved at all. And I can testify to that. I have learnt what it means to really love a person, and the complexities and joys and pains that goes with it. People ask me, don't you wish you have never started it at all? But I want to tell you all, and those who haven't been through a loving relationship, or those who are hurting, that I am so glad I have gone through one though I was burnt in the process.
The good times were really awesome, and I cherish every bit of it. But for the darker times, I wished we could have avoided it. Although it has already happen, we all have to learn how to move on. Relationships are just not worth the salvage after too much damage. It's better to talk and resolve it together, rather than going for replacements or other alternatives. Resolve things before it worsens. Better be safe than sorry!
I am so glad I have been in a relationship because it has taught me a lot, it has made me really realise what I want and what I do not want in a relationship. What I wanted in the past I do not want it anymore. It has changed me as a person, and I am glad it did! :)
What I want, is characters and values above anything else. It has always been this. It is not just all about attraction, and whether the person ticks my superficial checklist, rather, if I could point out 3 of them, it would be:
1. Friendship... for obvious reasons! We must become best of friends eventually!
2. Joy... we must be able to laugh a lot, even when I fire up my 'Did you fart?' joke.
3. Loyalty and trust.......... which also means, we must share the same values and she must have good character. I do not want someone who will bring me down, but someone who I know I can trust and depend on. In Psalms, it says to never let love and faithfulness leave you, for your good and to gain favor from both man and God. More and more, I believe that this verse is true.
I know that I mentioned only 3 points, but the 4th, and above all, is LOVE. :)
Some pictures to end my post!
