Tuesday 1 January 2008

Birthday and high plus low

Following the suggesting I made in my previous entry regarding sending a letter back to yourself, some has expressed interest but is concern that you are unable to find a trustworthy friend for the safekeeping and sending part. Well, I have a solution for you.

Since most of us prefer to type rather than write and keep the letter in the virtual world… what you can is to type your letter in a word document, password protect it and send it as an attachment to me. My e-mail is at the sidebar. I will send the mail back to you next year. Please do not forget your password.

I await your mails.

Anyway, 1 Jan 2008 is a pretty significant for AZAIG because… AZAIG is 1 year old! Can’t believe I have been in this blogging thing for a year now. Excluding post, I wrote 234 posts in 2007, quite a nice number don’t you think? What began as an I-just-want-to-write has now become an addiction.

Sitting down here trying to reflect on the year which sailed pass us like a flash, I just want to highlight my highest and lowest notes of the year instead of bringing the whole year into perspective.

Without a doubt, the lowest point for me this year is the
passing of my mom. Her sudden departure which led to us having to pull the plug was beyond painful. Ya’ know, if someone who has been there all the time suddenly just leave, the feeling is pretty daunting.

Nevertheless, the most important thing to anyone who went through or is going through a low point is to pick oneself up and learn from the experience. I believe I have learnt a lot from it and I am quite a different person compared to the me a year ago. Once again, thank you to all who supported me in whichever manner possible. Sorry if the entries during that period made you cry.

As for the highest note of the year, it is certainly my engagement and the accompanying wedding planning process. How was it? Stressful! If you think work is stressful, try planning for a wedding. But then again, I am always a person who sees lighter side of things so I can be pretty laid back… which pisses Jules off tremendously.
But amidst the laughter and arguments, it was also a very good learning experience for both of us. I think wedding planning is a good preparation for marriage. You learn how to meet somewhere in the middle and it is also a good time for friends and family of both parties to come together. So yeah, the engagement and imminent wedding is indeed the highest point of 2007.

I have a feeling 2008 will be a challenging year for me and most of you. You may read about how 2008 is going to be wonderful and all but I think the picture might not be as rosy. For a start, I am sure many will agree that our wallet will be hit badly in the near future. So let us all be prepared and make the best out of it.

Happy birthday to AZAIG and Happy New Year!

71 comments:

Observer said...

I think I'm almost a year older in blogging too.. started this year... so many has change..

Tine said...

Congratulations on hitting the one year mark. It's been a rollercoaster ride of a year for you, and I thank you for sharing it with us.

God bless your upcoming wedding, and more importantly, your marriage :)

PS: Oooh ... is that photo part of the bridal portrait, or the real thing? :p

Melyong said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Happy Birthday AZAIG!

Keep up the good posts!

narrowband said...

You have had a pretty turbulent year. Nevertheless, you kept your readers excited and your posts always leave them wanting more. Congratulations on the milestone!

ManaL said...

U've done the first 12 months, so carry on, keep it going on and on!

Wishing u the best year round in 2008 and may many more good things to come to us all.

myop101 said...

congrats!

Anonymous said...

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR ZEWT!!! God bless...And Happy Birthday to AZAIG!!! Keep it up bro. And you're gonna be postman for all your readers? Sure u up for such challenge zewt? Hehhe...

zewt said...

freethinker - well, i am sure u wrote more than me...

Tine - it's the real thing... it's our hands there :)

bubbly soda - sure will.

narrowband - thanks... wouldnt have done that without you all.

Manal - hope the next 12 months would be as exciting.

myop101 - thanks.

mar - yup... definitely up for it :)

Anonymous said...

I hope it is smooth sailing for year 2008 but nothing is easy.

Happy new year to You Zewt and i wanna ask you bout ur Angkor Wat trip coz i plan to go backpacking there.haha

Horny Ang Moh said...

I am one year plus in blogsphere! I am still learning! Yes! U r right! 2008 will no be a rosy year! My last 2007 activities is at the fuel station!( Read my latest entry )
I am preparing my self for the big crunch after general erection ( unless a 'miracle' happen ) money wise!
Happy new year!

~aSstHa~ said...

Happy New Year Zewt and Happy Birthday AZAIG.

Your journey for 2007 has been trying and in the best sense of the word I found my solace in reading all your entries about your mom and indirectly help me heal.

And thanks for following my (rarely updated) blog and leaving me such wonderful comments. as we move in to the new year I wish you all the best in life and my you have a lovely wedding ahead and a blissful marriage life with enough joys to make you happy and enough sorrows to make you human (it's reality rite? no point lying). trust that each trial just makes the bond between the two of you even stronger and more united.

eh... i shall not depress u anymore least u ban me from ur blog... hahahaha...

Happy New Year again (we must meet up sometime... i promise i don't bite)... *LOL*

Aleckii said...

Wow, one year of blogging, Happy Birthday AZAIG! And Happy New Year to you!

CRIZ LAI said...

Many things happened to you during 2007 but you managed to pull through ever stronger. That's the spirit Zewt. Anyway, thanks for being around always during 2007. Happy 2008 and may your life be filled with lots of love, joy, happiness, health, wealth and success for the new year and many years to come.

By the way, Happy Birthday to AZAIG and also Happy Engagement to the two lovebirds.

http://www.crizlai.com/

Acrelaine said...

hey,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! wishing u all the best for the year to come.. woohoo! *jumps onto bed...* (sound of bed spring breaking to be heard distantly..) wtf

rainbow angeles said...

Happy Blogday AZAIG!! Here's to many more blog entries!

All the best in 2008...

zewt said...

pookyma - sure, just drop me a note.

hor ny ang moh - well, hope the election results will be what we hope for.

aSstHa - hahaha... i wont ban you la... thanks for the well wishes.

Aleckii - yeah... 1 long year... yet so short too.

CRIZ LAI - thanks for the well wishes criz... i wouldnt have had the nice baner becos of u.

Acrelaine - bed breaking sound? hmmm....

angeles - thanks...

Cutiez said...

happy b'day AZAIG & congratez ~!! happy new yr ~CHEERS ~!!

Anonymous said...

You know what, zewt? You've started the new year in the best way possible --- by offering your help to others. Your kindness and generosity to friends and strangers mark you as a decent man, something we can all aspire to.

I've got a feeling no matter how many challenges come our way this year, you'd be more than able to handle them. With a little help from your friends and loved ones, of course. Cos what goes around comes around... :)

Anonymous said...

Wishing you & Jules a Blessed New Year & a Blessed Marriage of Everlasting Love.

Congrats!!!

Cocka Doodle said...

Happy 2008, Zewt! and yum-sing to AZAIG!

Winn said...

happy birthday AZAIG!! i suka read:D

ZB said...

happy new year and wish you all the best for your big wedding day.

Maverick SM said...

Zewt,

Happy Birthday to your AZAIG.

Nice to hear that 2007 was pretty fruitful to you.

I'm certain 2008 will be a better year!

baggie said...

happy bday AZAIG and happy new year to you zewt, may things be more prettier for you and for all of us... ;)

Anonymous said...

congratulation!! - for ur wedding and also 1 year of blogging!

in life there is always up and downs....it's how our attitude towards it that counts!

Doreen said...

I think planning wedding is fun leh though some arguments are inevitable. That's why honeymoon is very important mah, to reconcile and build the relationship further. Hehehe

Happy 2008! May your 2008 is full of love, laughters and $$.

Anonymous said...

You started AZAIG and me moving to wordpress at the same time - except for my first post on wordpress was on the 8th I think. ;) By the way wishing you all the best, congrats for hitting the 365 mark. I've been enjoying every single bit of your post eventhough I might not leave comments all the time. Keep on writing and yes, I think I can imagine how hard it is planning for a wedding as I am helping my aunt to plan for her wedding. Tuff!!

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

well..happy new year mate! and congrats on the weddding..writing a letter eh? i think its already nostalgic as it is when you read one's older blogging posts..but maybe i should consider..hmmm

frostee said...

Happy 1 year old AZAIG!

Panning for your wedding is indeed stressful. That's why we always say that one wedding enough! Haha! Take note... be prepared for things to go the way not planned.

Our wedding coordinator couldn't make it to our wedding at the very final moment because of unforseen circumnstances. Sent her husband who could only make it after the wedding as they live in S'pore. Our worship leader lost his voice the night before and more people turned up than those who RSVP-ed for the wedding ceremony which ended up with limited food during the reception. Sigh...

Once is enough!

Huei said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AZAIG
HAPPY NEW YEAR

and have a

HAPPY WEDDING!!!! =D

Sharon said...

now it sure feels like everything is worth it isnt it? :)
oh well happy new year and have a wonderful blessed happy marriage!

Purple~MushRooM said...

Happy New Year to you Zewt!!! May this year be filled with lotsa fun, love, joy, happiness, wealth, good health, and sex for you!! Muahaha!

Happy Birthday to AZAIG!!!! Keep up the good work!

zewt said...

maegen - hi maegen... how are you?

kennymah - i am just glad to be of assistance. yup... together, we will all be able to ride through the challenges ahead. supporting each other will be important.

Jemima - thanks jem.

cocka doodle - yummmm sing! but don get too drunk.

winn - terima kasih banyak banyak...

liyiesther.C - thanks esther.

Maverick SM - let us all hope so. :)

Calvin's wife - for all of us indeed! :)

zewt said...

lynnwei - and what character we develop out of it too...

Doreen - oh yeah... i am definitely looking forward to my honeymoon more than anything :)

cibol - your aunt? oh... i think i saw her pic at your blog the other day. well, whatever you do, make sure it fits their requirement first. never make decision for them.

constant craver joe - oh yeah... older post is also quite something. which is why i still read my posts of my mom regularly.

F.O.N @ frostee - worship leader lost his voice... my goodness... i hope that doesnt happen. and more ppl turned up? that's pretty screwed la.... sigh... oh well, i am prepared for some unforeseen things that's for sure.

huei - thanks thanks thanks...

Sharon - fruit of the labour they call it.

purple mushroom - hahahaha... ok.. i shall filled 2008 up with those... thanks!

Supergirlfriend said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your baby..erm..I mean..your blog! Haha.. You've taken very good care of AZAIG to bring it this far in a year..congrats! :p

may said...

Happy Birthday to AZAIG! it's been a good, long read. cheers to more great posts and a great new year ahead.

kyh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kyh said...

happy birthday AZAIG and happy new year! i hope to hear more about some pretty controversial, provocative, flirty, filthy entries. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I found a website that lets you email yourself in the future:

http://www.futureme.org/

Check it out, you can even set the date to whenever.

Happy new year Zewt!!

Jorji said...

happy birthday and happy new year!

drumsticks said...

Blessed new year 2008! Will be a great year ahead as a new life begins for you as you get married and all. Wish you all the very best in everything!

Wah, so many readers to your blog. It must be fun for you making so many friends while blogging..

Helen said...

Happy Birthday to your blog and all the best wishes to you! lol

Lingzie said...

happy new year zewt!
your offer to send us back the letter to ourselves after a year sounds very tempting...thank you so much for offering! :)

Anonymous said...

I wish to write a letter too, but no time 'cos I am supposed to be studying now. Heheh..

Anonymous said...

Hey. Happy 1st anniversary! Keep going. I am sure most of us are enlightened and inspired by your posts. Have a great New Year!

hcfoo said...

Happy New Year and hope you'll have another great year in 2008!

BaitiBadarudin said...

happy blogthday and a happy new year!

gracieq said...

Happy Birthday, AZAIG and Happy New Year, Zewt!

Terra Shield said...

Oh... Happy blogversary! :)

Angel Eyes said...

Wow.. Happy B'day to the blog!

All the very best in 08'!

warrior2 said...

Happy Birthday to your azaiz and a wish of a happy new year zewt.

Have a wonderful life!

zewt said...

Supergirlfriend - thanks... coudnt have done it without u all.

may - same to you may. aust in the horizon... hehe.

kyh - hahha... flirty entries... shall work on it.

jasonphoon - i dont trust those site cos they can read your letter. that's where they analyse ppl.... u know?

j or ji - thanks bro. man utd yest not convincing la.

drumsticks - hi there and welcome to AZAIG. yeah, it has been an incredible adventure. i hope more good things will come out of this.

Helen - thanks Helen...

lingzie - yup... make sure u send it via a password protected document.

zewt said...

lynnx01 - i am very sure u have time... u just have to want it enough to do it.

gina - i certainly hope so. :)

hcfoo - 2008 sounds like an exciting year :)

BaitiBadarudin - for a while, i tot who is this :)... thanks for the wishes.

gracieq - thanks... hope yours will be cool too.

Terra Shield - blogversary... cool...

Angel Eyes - thanks... why wow though? :)

warrior2 - thanks warrior... cheers to a wonderful life.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday AZAIG and Happy New Year!

totally ignorant! said...

Happy New Year Mr. Zewt and keep the interesting blogs coming!!

sharlydia said...

Happy Birthday AZAIG! and i've got a birthday present for ya...

check it out - http://sharlydia.blogspot.com/2008/01/ive-been-tagged-monthly-flavors.html

lovie said...

Congratulations to you. One year anniversary. Did you celebrate? =D
Happy New Year to you. =D

Rashikaps said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rashikaps said...

A year of highs and lows.. for me too. Congratulations and good luck for your wedding. Stay Blessed.

missironic said...

happy birthday & happy new year! keep blogging, i'll definitely keep reading..cheers! =D

Anonymous said...

well, i must also add that u've done spectacularly well! dont be so modest. :) see, ur readers lvoe u!! :) planning a wedding is very stressful but it's really fun. expect hiccups here n there, because it's those hiccups that make the wedding more memorable. :) anyway, hope it's not too late to wish u a happy new year! may 2008 be more productive n your new year resolution[s] come true. :D *xoxoxo*

Jun said...

"laid back" is the aussie way of life. i see that u're already adjusting to the aussie life here eh? :)

oh, and good job on maintaining ur blog zewt! *pat on the back*

zewt said...

Jason - thanks thanks.

bensiu - i certanly will :)

sharlydia - i know... i saw it.. and i also said that i wanted to say lor... haha.

lovie - nope... but i dont mind if anyone here wanna throw a party! haha.

Rashikaps - thanks Rashi... stay blessed too.

missironic - i am very thankful to have a reader like you.

yvy - not late at all. yeah, i am expecting some hiccups, hopefully it's not something i cant handle.

Jun - hahahaha... i didnt know i have that bit of aussie in me. thanks...

Ah Yun Wong said...

Hey zewt,

A blessed 2008 to you !

One year only mah, jeff ooi five years already :)

Anyway. keep on blogging.

What's your new year resolution ?

zewt said...

linken lim - hey, how are you? thaks for your well wishes... new year resolution is rather spiritual :)

Anonymous said...

Hi zewt, I really enjoy your writings, all the best for this 2008, and wish you and Jules live happily ever after, ah... like those in fairy tale story :D Cheers!

zewt said...

Cen Ni - hi there... thanks for your well wishes. hope i can continue to produce all those nice entries.

Sheena said...

I love that hand-holding picture! So sweet!

And I'm totally with you about enjoying the process of preparing for the wedding (or at least, trying to enjoy it). The engagement has to be be fun, since the actual wedding lasts only for one day.

zewt said...

sheena - well, it's only nice when you look back at it after the wedding :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to AZAIG!

zewt said...

jam - now... this is belated :P