Somewhere And Something New

One of the most important phrases we can offer in life is "I'm so happy for you." The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to simply be happy for each other whenever possible.

So I offered those parting words to Tony tonight after his family and friends (including Jacob) had dinner with he and Vanessa at the Maxwell Hawker Center and drinks at a nearby bar – because what else besides "I love you" really matters?

My primary mission in coming to Singapore was complete when parting with Tony and the end of his wedding-related festivities and so we have an early afternoon flight to Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.

However, after saying goodbye to Tony and his gaggle of supporters, there was one more thing to be done to complete the evening and Singapore experience. We watched fireworks over the bay. In fact, there were two rounds of fireworks over more than half an hour with crowds gathered in viewpoints throughout the city from the Padang to river bridges to Raffles Quay to the Marina Bay area. Singaporeans don't hoop, holler and celebrate loudly often – but it turns out on New Year's they do.

Our taxi driver tonight said Singapore was expecting an unusually large turnout for fireworks because it's been two years without them.Indeed the energy was unusually palpable. It was wonderful to be with Singaporeans in their moment of celebration and release. Moreover, despite all my time logged in Singapore, it was my first New Year's here which came with its own excitement. It was also my first urban, big fireworks New Years in at least seven years because with the exception of 2020 when we had no fireworks, all out other New Years' have been on Bali or in Thailand. This New Years was a change for all of us.

The last day of 2022 was a great one. After getting a little sleep, Jacob and I began our morning walking the city. We walked, ate, shopped and repeated for about eight hours and covered a tremendous amount of ground including Bugis, Fort Canning, Robertson Walk, Orchard Rd and the City Hall area. We covered just as much ground eating, including Jollibean filled pancake snacks, kaya balls, popiah, guotier, hot Macanese egg tarts and a Singaporean ice cream sandwich – a big block of ice cream either between two wafers or wrapped in a sweet rainbow swirl slice of bread. I chose mango.

Two of three parts of the trip have come to a close – but the last, most adventurous one is about to begin. I have long dreamed of Borneo – a place I somehow neglected in my 4.5 years in the region. Still one of the world's least spoilt places, Jacob and I will explore Kuching today and then leave for four days and three nights in the rainforest in the morning. Iban longhouses and wild orangutans await. And who knows what else?

Best yet, like New Year's in Singapore, Borneo will be somewhere and something new. I have moved around my broad, but well trodden world plenty – it hasn't expanded in a while. It's time for new places and experiences again. It's time to put down the mango ice cream sandwich, take the bull by the horns and look the orangutan in the eye. The world remains full of possibilities and wonder – I just need to access them again.

Still, it will be hard to say goodbye to Singapore. I have become comfortable here again in such a short amount of time. I have no real need to leave and have enjoyed myself so much. I'll miss hot yoga with the big window looking out at Singapore. I'll miss walking the city. I'll miss how welcome and safe Singapore made me feel – as though I belong. Thank you, Singapore – for your graciousness, your warmth and for always being one of my places.

I'm so happy for you, Singapore – and I love you.

I can't say 2022 has been easy and I can't call it a terrible year. While it has had some very difficult moments I would not have chosen, 2022 has been a year of change and growth. Not all change or growth feels good. But it may someday. I won't curse 2022 on my way out, but instead wish it a "namaste" and step forward deliberately and confidently into 2023. Every time in our lives has the opportunity to be our best. Let's see what I can make of this new year.

My 2023 started 16 hours ahead of everyone at home – including my children, who thanks to starting their year in Thailand, get an extra 15 hours of 2022. By that same stroke, I got one hour short of a complete year. That's fine by me.

So for those of you reading this on Pacific Time, Happy New Year in advance. I'll get started on 2023 and let you know what to expect before you arrive. So far, it's looking promising. More importantly, I'm so happy for you and I love you. May 2023 be a year of love, satisfaction, reward, meaning, depth, warmth, compassion, treasures and blessings.