The past year has been overwhelming and filled with changes, to say the least…whirlwind is how I would think of it.

I went from unmarried to married (!), from jobless to employed part-time & small business owner (and getting some money blogging about things like air tools) (!!) and from wife to mother-to-be twice (!!!). The last still has me reeling from the excitement and well, amazement of it all. The biggest in terms of physical movement per se is the move from home, family and friends to a foreign country I knew nothing of except that it’s well-known for chocolate, foreign bank accounts and fondue. I’m still adjusting – does anyone stop? – but I can safely say that things are definitely better than the way it was months ago.

I got to visit a few countries in Europe – Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein – and hiked along the Dolomites as well as explore Switzerland even more. Things that many people dream of doing but can’t afford to. Actually, it was a very cheap, backpacker style holiday for us.

On the craft aspect of things, my knitting list of FOs (Finished Objects) has been dismal as I got distracted with things like weaving and spinning. In a way, being unemployed has allowed me to focus on my other loves in life – cooking, baking – and given me the opportunity to discover other crafts which I am now more than passionate about. But that still doesn’t stop Nil from getting me to make a resolution whereby I am not to start any more projects until I finish the current WIPs, which is quite alright by me. Then there is the matter of the stash as well – I have accumulated a very healthy stash for 2008, enough carry me well into 2009. So there, less expenses when it comes to this art involving yarn and needles.

Politically, I remember getting annoyed at the inability to cast my vote in the March general elections back at home (double standards), claim citizenship for my children (discrimination) and well, everything else that makes Malaysian politics and politicians idiotic, to say the least. On the global front, I celebrated with glee when Obama won – it is a sign that people and ultimately, a society & nation really can change! A number of people will recall the earthquakes, the wars, the conflicts, the starvation and so forth…yes, it has been a turbulent year.

Socially, I made a couple of new friends – seriously, no matter what people say, people have heaps in common even though they may come from different cultures and communities – and watched a couple old ones join me in the whole marriage journey. My heartiest congratulations to them and I hope that married life will bring them more blessings & happiness in the years to come! I also closed a few opened books and I wish them both lots of luck in their future endeavours and journey ahead.

I guess you could say that marriage and ultimately, impending motherhood can change one’s perspective even more…

2008…I wouldn’t change it for anything!