Before 2020 ends

Half a day left till the new year so here I am. It's been quite a year. Families separated, borders closed, plans askew-- the list can go on and on. But what I want to remember most of all, is everything that I am thankful for.  

2020 Gratitude List

1. Went to my friend's hometown in India and had the unique experience of a soft introduction to that amazing subcontinent.
2. Celebrated my actual birthday with my sister and two of my best friends.
3. Volunteered at an orangutan and sun bear sanctuary.
4. Learned a lot of cool new things when we had to teach online.
5. Made a bunch of new friends during (sort of) lockdown. And we're still friends!
6. Started speaking to strangers in (broken) Spanish.
7. Moved to a new pole studio that is a joy to go to.
8. Had a breakdown and found out who my real friends were. I even found friendship in the strangest places.
9. Signed up to do a diploma course in TESOL.
10. Started hip hop classes.
11. Read a poem I'd written in front of a live audience.
12. Had a different but wonderful Christmas.

If I were to start thanking people on this post, I probably would have to spend the rest of the day typing. There were so many times this year when I wasn't quite sure how I was going to come out smiling. I'm grateful to everyone who supported me, those who made me laugh and even those who made me cry. 

I'm thankful that I have a good job. I am so lucky to be in Vietnam. I also feel lucky that we live in this day and age where we can call whoever we want whenever we feel like it. There's no end to how grateful I am for all the conveniences technology brings us, all the little luxuries that we can enjoy anywhere we are. 

I don't know what 2021 is going to be like. I'm just hoping the next leap year isn't quite like this one.