2009 in Memories

I've been meaning to recap a little of what 2009 meant to me. On how 2009 has been different, life-changing and absolutely unforgettable from any other year. One of them being my involvement in running.

I started running in 2009. Beginning early on in the year, I never participated in any running events until almost mid-year. In a span of nine months (end May'09 - early Feb'10), I had managed to run from a mere pseudo-5km (I got cheated in this first run --still pisses me off!) to running my very first half marathon (21km). Never in my life did I think I'd be able to run this far but now that I can, I can't stop.  

This is where it all began. 
(Yea, I kinda turned purple on my first run.)

Running on the bridge was a spectacular experience.

And that's me and my finisher's medal, all sweaty after completing my first half marathon =)

It all catapulted from my unemployment days. I figured even though I was unemployed (by choice really and trust me I have no regrets for taking that super long break, I even have an apprentice who has followed my lead, haha) I needed to do something that was physically and healthily rewarding. There were times I'd run twice a day, it just really became an obsession. I really can't explain what it did to me but what I can say is that it did me good in so many ways. It even came to a stage where I participated in an 11km run right before my very first day of work. In retrospect, it wasn't the wisest of choice but thank God I wasn't limping the next day. Since then, I have gone across states just for a run and will be running my first run abroad soon. 

Life hasn't been the same since.

Work is a different story altogether. I applied for two jobs end June of 2009. In July, one of the companies rang me up for an interview and by August, I had secured an engineer position in the company. You see, the thing is I never wanted to become an engineer. I kept telling everyone at one point that I'd probably go and do something else after graduating. But after five tormenting years of studies plus a lot of time to think, I didn't want to put all of it to waste. I gave myself the benefit of the doubt and pursued my field of study for the heck of it. To give myself a chance. And here I am still giving myself a chance and exploring my limits. I can't say this will be forever but I can see myself sticking around for a while. 

Life hasn't been the same since.

I witnessed many friends get hitched in 2009, give birth to adorable bundles of joy but of all, I can't help but remember Nadia's wedding. It was different, it was memorable and because it was Nadia. She stood by me during the five tormenting years (read above) and saw me in so many happy, sad, panic and confusing moments that it nearly made me cry to see her get married. I knew the day would come but somehow it felt like it came too soon. Nevertheless, I'm super stoked that she has moved on to a more exciting phase in life with the love of her life.

(Pictures courtesy of Nadia's wedding collection)

I'm sure for her... life hasn't been the same since =)


Brings me back to July'09 when the three of us traveled to Singapore. It was a crazy, packed, fun-filled  holiday. It felt like the longest weekend ever with inadequate sleep, being extra high on caffeine, having had too much to eat and practically rolling on our tummies from too much laughing. 

And after Nadia left for UK to be with hubby, for Nirma and I... life hasn't been the same since.


Many great things happened last year, life-altering events if I may. I can't list them all but suffice to say, it's definitely a year to remember.

2010 has kicked off to a great start already! I can't believe two months have gone by. I'm looking forward to a more exciting journey this year!

A butterfly flaps its wings, and it starts to rain. It's a scary thought but it's also kind of wonderful. All these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place at the right time. Because somehow I ended up at the right place at the right time. And as a result, my life would never be the same. -- How I Met Your Mother (2005)