Just like a dream...

Yes...a year suddenly flew by like a dream. I barely had time to catch on and make sense of what has been happening in 2004. The next thing I know is I start to hear Christmas Carols in the air again!

If I have to reflect what happened to me in 2004 and give a wrapup of it like QEII of England normally does at this time of the year, I would call 2004 a year of learning.

It doesn't mean I feel I'm that much more knowledgeable of, more importantly, necessarily wiser. It's just that I feel that this year I spent most of my time trying to learn many things.

I managed to finish my first year of Ph.D. (more or less, all the grades aren't out yet, knock, knock!), took two Japanese courses, studied and sat in the nationwide Dhammasuksa Tri exam and went to Chiangmai for many meditation trips. And this was the first year I offcially teach international law for an International Master's Degree program at Chula.

The question is, did I learn? Well, sort of. I think I was learning something. At least I'm learning more lessons of life--that nothing comes easy, etc. There have been many sleepless nights, worries over deadlines, or simply writer's block.

You can say I floated along this year in a blur. Things were happening fast and I can't say I had a clear grasp of the whole picture. I made many mistakes along the way, too. But at least I learned out of it! Hey, after all, I consider learning to be a lifelong journey. And when you think about it, I cover a lot of ground this year, spending time in the detours and potholes and all that!

There are many people I want to thank for making my year memorable. But the list will be too long for a Blog and I think many of them would rather stay low profile. But, from the bottom of my heart, I thank them all.

Would 2005 be any different? Not necessarily. One thing I'm pretty sure of is that I would continue to dream on. This brings to mind a song that I think is very appropriate for my life's story: The Impossible Dream. Best heard in Mr. Tom Jone's heart-shattering rendition. One day if I have time I'll post the lyrics here.

That's all for tonight. Thanks for reading. May you all reach your dream, whatever it may be.