Day 10: Live Colorfully

Photo of the day: 

Taken at one of my favourite brands: Kate Spade New York.

I love that the brand is simple but fun, bold and chic at the same time.
I love typography, words or quotes in designs, so I can't escape from Kate Spade.
It's also reasonably priced and affordable compared to other brands.

Don't really like their handbags or clothing, but love their wallets, clutches, little leather goods and accessories like bangles or cocktail rings.

I'm using my Kate Spade wallet for a few years now, a birthday gift from my mother.
Still love it so much that I don't wanna use any other wallets.

Also partly because I think soft, worn leather is one of the most beautiful things in the world.

Last day of the year, sort of an obligatory time for everyone to ponder on the question 

'What have I done this year?'

A lot, both good and bad, has happened. But I only remember the good ones vividly.

My wonderful family, fantastic boyfriend, amazing friends, inspiring and nice people I met.

Counting my blessings is always a humbling thing to do; to realize that I got more than I deserve.

One thing that I'm very happy about: being able to be happy again.

Used to think that happiness is a very basic thing, that everybody could enjoy it as long as they embrace it.
I still think it that way, that all of us are entitled to be happy.
But now I see happiness more precious than I used to.
All because I have once lost it, for many reasons.
All because I have once let failure, negativity, frustration and confusion consumed me to a point that I couldn't find a reason why I should be happy about being me.

Being happy again is a process.
Step out of the shade bit by bit, changing the way I think one idea at a time, kicking away the negativity one thing at a time.
In the year 2011, I'm very happy. And I'm truly grateful for that.
I'm more positive than ever.

In my third year of university life, I have found myself again.
More comfortable with what I study, more comfortable with myself.
I was once so lost in the world of politics, wondering:

why people do more harm to each other than help?

why are we always flawed & behave in a certain way and could we change it?

why do wars still happen in the 21st century and will it ever stop?
why do we study political science instead of the art of peace and love?

Up until this moment, I have no answer to those questions.
(If any of you have an idea, enlighten me please)

But I'm no longer frustrated or saddened by the reality that we live in a flawed, sometimes very cruel and bad, world.

We might not able to change everything. But we can do it one step at a time.

Like how I find my way back to happiness. Stay hopeful and love life.

I'm not perfect or close to perfect.
But at least now I'm not obsessed with it.
(Confession: Well, I still wanna get As...because if I don't, I feel like I didn't do enough to feed my curiosity. And I'm always curious.)
I still wanna improve and be better, not aiming at perfection, just wanna be a better person in various ways.

I want to be an inspiring person who spreads love and positivity.
I want to serve not just children or the psychologically broken, but also other needy in the world. (which is why I'm preparing for master's application in Canada)

This year, I lived my life with love. Surrounded by love and tried to spread love as much as possible too.

'Love as hard as I can' became the line that represents the year, or my current outlook of life.
I hope my love-life attitude and positivity are staying with me for 2012 or my entire life.

Going to a jazz bar tonight with my boyfriend.
This is the first time I'm not at home or in my boyfriend's or friend's place for countdown.
I love staying home for countdowns, cozy and warm (physically or metaphorically), feeling that love is in the air.
I don't like the crowd and the confusing traffic arrangements.
I don't like being with a million strangers around me, or be specific, only within 5cm around me.
But since I'm having my love-life attitude, I'm gonna try something different this year.

Dear, I wish you a happy new year. Live colorfully, enjoy life and love hard.
Love & a big hug,
N