2019 has been an amazing year of ups and downs. But most importantly, 2019 has been a year of meeting really inspiring and encouraging individuals, who have changed how I view the world and have challenged me to renew my mind and to see things from a different perspective.
Its 10 days before Christmas. I figured I should write a post to talk about the 10 people who made a huge impact on my life this year. The list is in no particular order.
1. The Youthful Yoongs, Dr Dave and Sue-Anne
I first met Dr David Yoong in his discourse analysis class in 2018. I was awkward throughout and hated his guts for the first nine weeks. But I slowly learned how passionate he is about what he was doing and it inspired me to want to take up discourse analysis for my final research. Fast forward, I am so thankful to have met this wise beyond his years supervisor of mine who not only inspired me to take up discourse analysis for my research, he also in one way or another, challenged me to take my health more seriously. I later met a lot more people through this awesome human being and later, met his beautiful wife too. Sue-Anne is gentle and encouraging. I love how she can see the light in the little things that I cannot seem to find light in. The Yoongs together are one of my greatest support systems who still believe in what I do till this day.
2. Rino and Syazwani
I met this couple at a very dark time in my second last semester. This couple not only took me in, they became some of the very important people I do not wish to lose from my life. We share similar interests and enjoy similar humour. They have taught me so much about laughing at our little mistakes and being a great support system. We will always be wizards, Harry!
3. The Cheeky Chuas
Dear Chuas, you guys have housed me on the days I could not process anymore information or needed a place to let my mind let loose. You have fed me and spent time with me like family. Thank you for all the love you have poured upon me. I am forever grateful for your prayers and hugs, especially my skinny hugs from Zac Zac and chubby hugs from Zephan. You showed me it was okay that things were not going well but to remember that God will always be in control over our lives. You guys are and will always be family, forever and always.
4. Isurinie
Honestly, you are the first friend I have who has openly talked about their mental health battles with me. Thank you for being open and honest and essentially, raw. You are a brave warrior princess who deserves all the love the world can give. Thank you for being there when I cried and needed someone to talk to. I pray the best for you and may you become that advocate for your people one day.
5. Nabiha Ruslan
You, my fellow crazy, have inspired me to look at the world with a broader lens. Even though we may both be emo at times, you have showed me why you are sometimes emo when you talk about things close to your heart. You are smart, brilliant and full of deep thoughts that I would never think I am capable of. I love you and your crazy because we same same.
6. Ash Kew
You will always be my favourite coach. You have challenged me beyond my limits and have taught me to persevere. You will always have a special place in my heart.
7. Eewin Teh
I am forever thankful for you in my life. You are my sister from another mother that I never asked for but desperately needed. Thank you for being there on nights when I cried so badly and couldn't understand the reason behind my tears. Thank you for always being encouraging and being my voice of reason. To infinity and beyond, my dear. I love you very much.
8. Madam Choo
It is rather odd for me to be talking about my superior here, but I had to. Thank you for believing in me when other people tried to frame me. Thank you for giving me second chances. Thank you for acknowledging the things that we do. Thank you for being like a mother. Thank you for being a good role model. Thank you for always being prayerful and holding on to your principles. I am thankful that you came to our school and have transformed it in many ways I never thought were possible. I look forward to 3 more years of working closely with you.
9. Sara Laeu
You thought I was your answered prayer; no, you are mine. I am thankful that you are now in my school and are now my housemate. Thank you for being a good friend throughout the short few years we met, and now as colleagues, we will work well together to bring change to the education world. Excited for the future!
10. A
I remember the first time I met you, I was hangrily buying food in my school canteen and I wasn't even bothered about talking to you when you greeted me. I was excited to hear you speak during your session, but your words regarding my choice of selecting a certain student stuck with me till now.
"Miss Rachel, I don't think she has a problem with reading; I think she needs more encouragement."
To you, it might not mean anything, but to me, it was a slap to the face I needed to understand why I had issues managing my kids. What you said has helped me communicate better with the kids and now, they're getting better. I'm learning to be kinder and more encouraging with my words. Thank you, thank you very much.
In one way or another, you taught me to be more bold. I learned to be more vocal about the social matters I believed in and I was finally able to resonate with my views of wanting radical acceptance for all. You taught me to be more receptive of others. I enjoy our nonsensical conversations about our Penang food and what not. I admire how passionate you are to help every child read and to combat illiteracy. You made me aware of many things I wouldn't have paid attention to. You truly inspired me to want to improve myself every day.
You're amazing. Whatever it is, I hope you will never stop doing what you do. You're going to be a world changer, one child at a time. Wishing you the very best and may the Lord be with you, always.
And I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
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Thank you God, for putting these gems in my life in the year 2019. To a fruitful and powerful 2020. Let's hope we capai our wawason 2020s. Haha!
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