2024 - Conclusion

Once again, another year is coming to a close. Crazy how time flies, and what a year it has been!

2024 was another year of learning for me and new discoveries. The only difference is, I did not have to navigate this year all by myself. I closed off 2023 with a new love, and began 2024 with love, with each and every month trying to improve on such love. So far, it's been going quite well. I am truly blessed to have found my love after all these years.

In summary, 2024 was mostly smooth sailing. There were many good times, shocking and sad times, and moments of development. 

There were less car cruises this year, but lots of parking lot meets. I made sure to attend as many as I could to socialize with the usual groups, to take in new scenery and so forth. One thing that I'm constantly reminded of is how short life really is. 

One of the very first Porsche friends that I met back in late 2018 had unfortunately passed away in October. It came as a huge shock to everyone as this was very unexpected. The family made very difficult decisions at the end of life, and donated his organs to save others' lives, because that was also the kind of person he was - one who was caring, loving and selfless. He sacrificed his life so he could save others. Wilfred, you will always be a hero in our eyes. 

From that moment on, we did a couple of memorial cruises for him, as well as a cars and coffee event dedicated to his life. It's heartbreaking to know that we won't see him again on this Earth, but we all know that he fought a great battle and that he will always be the fun loving guy we all got to know. Thank you for bringing all of us together.

This fall, I also had the honour of attending the EDTNA 2024 national conference held in Athens, Greece. I was one of two presenters (the second being my PCM), and representing the only Canadians. Woohoo! It was definitely a surreal experience as this was my very first european nephrology conference. As always, the networking events were always very insightful. In between the conference, I got to check out the beautiful city of Athens with my man. And this leads me to this...

Ladies, if your man doesn't walk you from the hotel to the conference (and carry a pair of nice shoes for you to change into when you get to the conference), you need a new man. I've never been this pampered before, but it was the sweetest and unexpected move. He took care of things while I was away at the conference and made sure to pick me up once the conference was done so I didn't have to walk back to the hotel by myself. He was also my tour guide, as he researched all the local areas and then took me once I had free time. I felt so safe, so loved and pampered. This was the best workation I've had, and wished I could've stayed longer to explore Athens with him. When you are with the right person, everything feels so right.

There were also 3 weddings to attend this year for friends (and more to come!). All the weddings were so beautiful with the amazing bridal parties. Cheers to all for a wonderful married life!

Towards the end of the year, we had to deal with a family emergency, in which I stepped away from work indefinitely until things stabilized. Again, this reminded me how fragile life really is, and to embrace those around you. Don't forget to say I love you to your loved ones.

Which leads me to .. life is so short.

Take chances. Tell that person you like them. Who cares about embarrassment. The worst case is things might get awkward, but YOU can control how you act around others. YOU can control how you say things. How YOU act around others. You want to get to know that person a bit better? Ask them out. Who cares if you're a girl waiting to get asked out by a guy. Just ask the guy. There's no harm. I was one of those girls before who would wait until a guy asked me out. I never had the courage to say anything without it being awkward. But guess what. I finally grew a vag and told him my feelings. What I got in return is a future husband. 

Believe in yourself. Take chances. No regrets.

Versace Aevitas Pumps

Let's begin by saying these are my very first Versace anything. How did I come across this item? They were having a sale on their website so I decided to check out the items.

Originally I wanted some sort of boots. But they didn't have it in my size, so I kept scrolling. And then I saw these.

I think this is one of those YOLO moments. I've always had basic classy things, nothing too crazy. I figured this was the time to go a bit crazy. They're called the Aevitas pumps. In metallic pink. I went ahead and ordered it online from the Versace website. I can't remember how long it took for delivery but probably about a week and a half. 

Here are some pictures and reveals!

 

Now I am about 5'6 or so. With these pumps, it shot me up to about 5'9ish. 

My first time wearing them was on my birthday. They are pretty snug, but that's probably because they haven't been broken in so everything felt very tight. It was a bit tough to walk in, and I have to admit, I did get foot cramps in the beginning because of how stiff it is. I'm sure with more wear, it will be much better.

All in all, I don't have regrets getting these. They are pretty hideous and cool. Can't wait to wear them out more this year!

2024 - A New Era

Happy Belated New Year! Cheers to 2024! 

I hope you are all well whoever has made it this far in reading my random thoughts over the years. I broke my promise that I would not wait too long between posts, and yet I have not posted anything in almost a year. Time to play catch up because it was A LOT! I will leave work out of this one because everyday has been a blur for the past year. I will however shift it to ... love adventures.

The last post I wrote was about dating apps. And it felt like I had totally given up on love (at least on finding anyone on dating apps). I kept believing that maybe it was a sign I would be single forever, that it would be my final fate. I was ok with it, yet my heart still was longing for love, hoping that I would still meet someone somehow. My first step was to get out of my room first because I wasn't going to find love if I stayed in my room forever (or maybe they'd find me).

About a month after my post last year, I had a couple of coworkers come up to me to try and set me up with people...people they either knew or were of friends of friends. The good thing about it is at least someone knows they exist. Now, this could go either good or bad: if things go well, then everyone is happy. If things go bad, the friendship/relationship would be awkward.

At that time I was still a 50/50 in meeting new people. I ended up chatting with both guys that were referred to me (man, this sounds like a job interview). One was a gentleman and successful and we had a few dates here and there. The other was a bit more socially awkward and spoke a lot about himself. Never met up with this one as he would ask me after midnight if I wanted to meet up the next day for lunch, so he was dropped for inconsideration of my time. 

As things progressed with the first guy, I had to remind myself that I was not going to be dating around for fun, but for marriage purposes. Is he the one? As nice and successful as he was, I didn't feel that feeling of "he is the one". People tell me all the time...when you know, you know. You can't force it; you'll end up resenting him (same with guys). I always hate having to tell someone that although they're a great person, this wouldn't work out between us because of ABC. But it is better to tell them than waste everyone's time.

After that very interesting month, I decided to just go back to my usual self: the workaholic with a car cruising hobby. I promised myself I wouldn't dare find another guy in the car community so participating in cruises and rallies would be fine. I wasn't participating to find love, but to enjoy the hobby. I aimed to keep my mind busy and not sulk on what I didn't have.

Until he came back.

Well actually, I had already met him 6 years prior in a non-car community setting (hallelujah). But to finally say I found love (and organically too!) is so rare these days. It's funny how love is, and how God works in mysterious ways over the years. The main difference this time? I can finally say I know that feeling. The right feeling. The feeling of true love. The caring type of love. The calmness that love brings. The exciting type of love. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found my one. The one to be with for the rest of my life. 

I will leave my journey of love on the next post. This time, I swear it won't be a 2025 post. For those who are still single and waiting on love, you will want to read the next post. Don't give up on love.