You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
– Steve Jobs
Where do I begin?
The year 2015 began in Japan for both the hubby and I. We decided (rather last minute) to fly just before last year’s Christmas to visit Japan. Unlike our previous visits (yes, we love Japan) though, this time around we wanted to see if living in Japan is a possibility. And so we started 2015 in Tokyo, chilling like a local and watching a whole lot of Japanese TV. When we returned to Melbourne, we explored that option again: would moving to Japan be a good idea?
A few things have happened since then…
- I wrote my New Year’s resolutions about wanting to learn Japanese, a friend saw it and kindly offered to help. So it begun, our adventure into the world of hiragana, katakana, and a whole lot of squiggly writing.
- I applied for my working holiday visa in March, just before I turned 31 (cut-off age, because old *sobs*).
- Both the hubby and I did some theological studies to deepen our understanding of the Bible. He also got baptised.
- The hubby applied for his Australian citizenship and is now a proud Aussie. Time to apply for that working holiday visa and look for an English-teaching job!
Packing our bags
So what does this mean? I guess it means that 2016 will include plenty of nervous excitements. I guess it means that we will be spending some time in a foreign country all over again (both of us arrived in Australia many years ago), but this time around, we will be totally clueless due to language barriers. I guess it means going out of our comfort zone to a new adventure; it could be a cure to our Japan-wanderlust. But to me, most importantly, I think it means purposeful living. We only got one life to live, so we better live it for a purpose bigger than ourselves… Because, #YOLO.
Stepping ahead
This makes 2016 a very interesting new year… And with that, here are my 5 New Year’s resolutions:
- Speak fluent (conversational) Japanese. Self explanatory really. We will be living in Japan and of course one of the main purpose is to immerse ourselves into the language and culture of that country. Bring it on.
- Exercise. Walk. Move. Do something. As fun as 2015 has been, it has also been a year of many sickness for me, and yes, everyone keeps reminding me that I have to start exercising. So there, may 2016 be the year this resolution gets ticked off (after multiple attempts).
- Read 6 books. Let’s continue. So many books, so little time. But I’m going to trust J.K. Rowling on this one… “I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.”
- Celebrate the little (and big) things. I kinda miss the days when events & milestones are celebrated. So yup, here’s a reminder to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, and everything else…
- Start projects. I can’t wait to be inspired by being in Japan. I can’t wait to start projects and make things happen.
It feels like a lot of planning and preparations have been laid out this year. Looking back, plenty of dots have been connected and we can really see how the future is shaping up to be, so what’s left is the execution.
Have courage
If there is one theme that I will live next year by, I’m hoping it will be to have courage. Let 2016 be a year of bold adventures and purposeful living!
I began to realise how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good, either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.
– Roald Dahl