Notes

Living in Hanoi has given me endless opportunities from both a knowledge and personal standpoint. Hanoi, as I've stated so many times is the past, is the land of possibility. I have been given the chance to look at life in a whole new way, and realize that I can shape my world however I want to.

For the first time I feel like the life I have is mine. I have created a world in which everything I have is completely mine. When we're living in our comfort zones, we rarely stretch ourselves beyond what we know, we often remain stagnant. When moving to a foreign zone, we are immediately catapulted into a plight where our destiny is completely up in the air but also ultimately what we make of it.

I am not disparaging my former existence, in fact quite the opposite, I loved it. I was happy. I love everything I have now, I love Hanoi, I love my family, I love my friends and appreciate the familiarity of it all. However, I think moving away showed me how much I needed to get away. That will be essential for my growth as a person to step away.


I've often stated that I've had lots of time to think, evaluate and been faced with elements of my personality, habits, and being that I never really examined before. It wasn't always yielding, there were times that it was beyond difficult, but I believe that everything I've taken away has been invaluable. The most paramount lesson I learned was the importance of self. In the past, I tended to neglect myself, who I am, and my needs. I tended to just go with the flow, follow the path that I thought I should take, and this often resulted in doing what was easy rather than challenging myself.

This is the first time in my life that I've felt fully satisfied. I look at the life I've created for myself, and I am happy and proud. I have a new and exciting job, I have a robust social life complete with friends from all walks of life and differing opinions that are a constant stimulation and joy. I have hobbies. I've built a life for myself and I built it entirely on my own. I've learned that being single doesn't mean being alone. I've been ok. More than ok. I've done it gracefully and with a strength I didn't realize I had. One that I probably wouldn't have discovered if I lived stateside. I've become a more balanced person, one filled with determination, drive and confidence. I've made mistakes, and been alright with that. I no longer have a fear of failing because I know that there is no such thing as failing. That whatever happens, it's something to learn and grow from. I'm open to myself and all that being that person entails. I don't make excuses or apologies for that anymore. If you don't like me, I won't stress about it, because I am finally in a place where I like me, and that's much more important.
I'm truly happy with my life EXACTLY how it is, there is not an element that I feel is missing from my current state. I wouldn't change a thing.
This so tayipoven, a nov set alain met a acted challenge of what this brings.

Goodbye 2010, you've been better to me than I could've even imagined and I can't wait to see what 2011 and beyond will bring.