18 September 2009

A year ago, it was a Thursday and I was one of the millions of passive internet surfers, prancing from one blog or website to another. My usual routine was to go to work, come home and then switch on the computer, browse the news/blogs (wait for Stephen to get on skype), comment (sometimes), read some more and then switch off and go to bed. The next day, it would be the same again unless it was the weekend or I was in Singapore. This would only mean just a slight variation to that habit.

However, that late Thursday afternoon changed my life completely. I’d been fidgeting with blogspot but never really gotten around to typing anything. It was something alien to me and I had no idea of what to do or where to begin. What would I write about? Who would want to read? Where would I even start? Credit must be given to the fact that blogspot is user-friendly and because I followed the instructions, I was able to put out my first posting at 6.35 pm. Tentatively.

With that, the thrill of seeing one’s own work in cyberspace gripped me. Hook. Line. And sinker. For a second, I sat at the computer, waiting…. waiting…. nothing happened. If you are new to blogging, you’ll be able to relate to this.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait very long. The moment, I told Stephen, he lovingly put the very first comment in. I felt so accomplished *laughs now*. Yeah, okay, that was a bit melodramatic!

Then, just like that, other comments trickled in and gave me a bit more confidence. Finally, it was my cautious participation at the first candle light vigil that sealed the cap of my blogging initiation.

I found that I could write about the vigils and people wanted to read them. I had loads of encouragement from strangers (who are now such dear friends). What would my life be, today, if I had just given in to that moment of hesitation to send my posting out into the blogosphere? I cannot imagine.

So much has happened. So much has not happened. I’ve met some of the blogger friends in real life. Some I may never ever meet. Many have become very close to my heart.

What lessons have I learnt this last year? I’ll tell you.

I’ve learnt that

-There are good people out there.

-Not every stranger is an enemy.

-Hope is not dead.

-United we must stand.

-Love is all we need.

18 September 2009 falls on a Friday this year and I am probably at work or on my way down south or already there, depending on what time you read this.

So

Whoever you are,

whatever you do,

however you feel,

whenever you want, and

wherever you may be

look for the hidden message in this posting.

(You probably can, but If you can’t figure it out, send me a comment or an email!)