Celebrating Three Anniversaries that Changed My Life

There's something refreshing about the beginning of September.  It's the beginning of the school year  and having been a geek all my life, it was always something I looked forward to.  It's the beginning of fall, my favourite season, especially in North America; the air is crisp enough to wear a jacket (I have an unhealthy obsession with jackets) and sleeping with the windows open requires that extra blanket so you don't catch a cold.

This September marks some important anniversaries in my life.  One involves gaining independence, one involves a loss and one involves a journey of discovery.

It was ten years ago this September that I packed up a minivan full of my possessions, drove down the 401 past hundreds of farm fields to a small city called London, Ontario.  Here, I would attend an amazing university, the University of Western Ontario.  Here is where I would gain independence - no one was accountable for my grades, my bills or how I lived my life except for me.  While there's not much of that Orientation Week that I remember (most likely due to the copious amount of alcohol that was consumed), I remember meeting a floormate who would turn out to be my roommate for the remaining three years and still an incredibly good friend today.  More friends were gained along the way, some were lost, but overall, I was lucky enough to meet some fascinating individuals, some of whom I have had the great fortune of traveling with on my trip around the world.

It was two years ago this weekend that I talked to my grandmother for the last time.  Having battled lung and bone cancer for over a year and a half, she died shortly after collapsing on her way back to her room at the hospital in Los Angeles.  Luckily, I was fortunate enough to have planned a trip to visit her that Labour Day weekend and had a nice chat before she passed.  It was my grandmother that really encouraged me to reconnect with my father's side of the family.  It could have been guilt from all of the mean things that were said and done during my parents' divorce, but her one message to me throughout the entire time she was battling her illness was that I needed to patch things up with my dad.  If it wasn't for her urging and what I believe is her continued guidance on the matter, it wouldn't have led me to where I am today.

And it was six months ago today that I quietly sipped on a gin and tonic while watching Toronto disappear from my window as I sat on my midnight flight to Taipei.  Half excited, a quarter drunk and the remainder anxious, I had no idea what was in store for me in my year off.  I had left a comfortable life for the unknown and having always been the person with a plan, not having one made me feel empty and lost.  It never occurred to me that I was pretty empty and lost all along, even with my plans.  What I was missing was family and having had the chance to be with my dad's side of my family 24/7 for two months made me realize how much I needed these people in my life.  It also marked the start of an incredible journey that would take me to new places I had never seen before like Tibet, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Scotland.  I've experienced some great moments like celebrating with thousands of Spaniards on La Ramblas after their Euro Cup win or taking a dip in Loch Ness while the sun blazed down on us sipping whiskey on the beach.

This weekend has certainly been a time for reflection - this perfect storm of anniversaries have made me appreciate that saying, "everything happens for a reason."  Within the last six months, I've learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses - these next six months will be about how I take that knowledge and determine what I want to do moving forward.  May more eureka moments occur, and may more truths shed light on paths that need to be followed.

Saying goodbyes...

Yesterday was a tough day. My last day of work for a long, long time. Most people must be thinking, "You're fucking crazy! How can you possibly find it so tough to leave work?!" The answer is simple, it's hard to say goodbye to such amazing people who've made you laugh, learn and grow as an individual.

I often joke about how I don't have any emotions - strict Asian parenting has reinforced the message that crying is a sign of weakness. But I'll admit it was hard even after the first couple of handshakes and hugs to not get that lump in your throat feeling - that step right before you're about to bawl your eyes out. Thankfully, Sailor Moon tears did not emerge from my eyes, but a sad face was crying on the inside.

What made it even harder to say goodbye was the fact that so many people showed up Thursday evening at the Pilot for goodbye drinks - it truly made me feel special. My agency friends from my past three agencies showed up to my sendoff and it was was great to be reminded of how many awesome friends I've made in the last five and a half years. I truly appreciated all of you showing up and helping me get intoxicated to the point that I had trouble remembering where I lived.

I left work just a tad early yesterday afternoon and as I walked out of the doors of 2 Bloor St. West for the last time, I repeated to myself, "I'm really doing this. I'm done working for a long time." Then a big silly grin appeared on my face.

To all my lovely friends in advertising - much love and mad respect. You're good, kind-hearted and hard working people who have made a big impact on my life. Thank you.