Blessed in Food, Lessons, Laughter and Life

Last post was more than two months ago - and as always, tons of things have happened since then.

Krabi, Phuket, getting the part-time job at Keisuke, then getting a second PT at the Bistro, flrball league, hockey matches, getting the APL programme, hearing the shocking news that I may actually have to extend an extra semester (still "wtf??")... yeah.

I have to say that despite literally working everyday - or playing floorball/hockey matches/training when I'm not working - for the past two months or so, it's been... no less than great. Tiring definitely, and helping me lose weight (haha), but surprisingly quite satisfying. Probably partly due to the satisfaction of providing decent service to the customers and having a real smile; yet a large part likely due to the enjoyable colleagues and working environment too. Especially at the bistro.

I've learnt so much, and gained so much more clarity and insight into the direction I'd like to take in the future, that I think I'd be forever indebted to them. Plus they seemed to have just taken me under the family wing, that I never really felt like an outsider in this past month. Wow. It's been so great that for the first time, I actually envisioned, AND felt anxious, about a pending farewell, albeit this one being for just a month. Yet I was already thinking ahead to the one year in Japan, and almost pondering how things might turn out if I don't actually go. Wow. How rare this is for me. Probably a first. I've never been one to hang my head over sentimental goodbyes and farewells. I guess this just shows how much they've come to mean to me. Part of it is probably a longing for the loving family environment too, rather than just the 'job' that it may seem to be.

I've learnt about wines, about food, service, customers; seen the good and the bad sides of patrons; picked up on the subtleties of running your own business; shared many a good laugh over the randomest things; felt doted upon; been fed good food and just felt... cared for somehow. There's so much I feel grateful for.

Hmm this post is turning out a little differently from what I've intended... heh. But yeah. I remember thinking on the bus home, that I've found a second source which has me laughing whole-heartedly, so joyfully, openfully and so hard that it leaves me clutching at my stomach. The last time I felt this burst of unbridled gaiety is probably in year 1 when I met Yinshuo. Now there's another. I just feel so blessed. Still can't believe how things turn out sometimes.

Okay gotta stop the gushing - it's turning a little too mawkish haha.

=)

~ st*rcr*ss*d ~