First Published August 15,2005 at www.traveblog.org/bloggers/gypsygal
SINGAPORE — Life’s a cycle. One thing must end in order to begin something new and hopefully, better. I know that and I think most people do. The thing is, sometimes, I forget that this is how life works, which is why sometimes I tend to hold on and resist change.
Farewells, to me, are always sad affairs. It was always difficult for me to say goodbye to anyone I love. But I had to tell myself, time and again, that this is a cycle. Someone will have to leave in order for a new person to come into my life. Or that I have to leave to start something new somewhere, somehow.
***
On August 5, I sent several emails to my colleagues, friends and industry sources. In my email to my friends, I wrote:
Dear All:
Hi, as some of you must know by now, I just quit my job to fulfill one of my biggest dreams: to backpack around Asia. This is my spiritual journey and I hope that you’ll always be there to
help me smile, be more compassionate, live again.
Many thanks for all the lessons that I learned from each of you. Thank you for being a friend, a colleague, a flatmate, a (coffee and vodka) drinking buddy. And I would also want to apologize for whatever pain that I might have caused to any of you.
Let me end this email by posting a quote from Pico Iyer -one of my favorite writers. I hope his words will explain why I’m a gypsy- I find stability in movement:
“And if travel is like love, that is, in the end mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity, and ready to be
transformed. That’s why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really
end.”
May you always be blessed.
***
These are just some of the kind words that I got from my friends:
from Sheila: “Enjoy your journey. May it transform you and make you
grow.”
from Mildred: “i’m thankful to receive your mail & know a little about you, a free spirit soon to fulfill a dream which not many among us can dare to do, if i may say so….”
from Fistri: “one of the things i’m gonna miss about you..your thirst for knowledge and this ability to challenge the norms and be who you are”
from Mei: “Goodluck and happiness to you as you go on another journey. Be full of love and expect kindness to touch you. ”
from Iris: “My dear dear friend, I wish you the best experience you can have in your travel..yes it is indeed a spiritual journey, and I join you in love and prayers.”
***
I also sent farewell email to my DJ colleagues. Some kind words that I got:
From Fitri, DJ Jakarta-based reporter: “Hi Prime Thank you for helping me during my first months in Dow Jones. It really helped me adjust with so much different working enviroment and pace with my old working place.”
From Ray, DJ-Canberra: “hey prime. you’re gain is our loss methinks. good to work with you.”
From George, a copy ed in Singapore: “I just wanted to wish you good luck with whatever you do, and thanks for putting up with all my questions on your stories. ”
*****
I also wrote an email to traders and other officials who I usually interview for my commodities news coverage:
Hi Everyone:
Today is my last day in Dow Jones. I quit my job tofulfill one of my biggest dreams: to backpack around Asia.
But before I zoom off, I would like to thank all of you forhelping me cover the Asian commodities market.
And I got lovely notes from some of them:
From Khun Yium, Bangkok-based economist: Prime, I am sincerely glad to know that you have achieved one of your biggest dreams.
From Tony, technical analyst in Singapore: Giatay ! Go with God.
from Mr Teo, KL trader: “Sad to here that today is your last day in Dow Jones, wethanks for your rubber informations and reports all this years which we find itvery useful for reference and for market analysis.”
from Mr KT Seong, South Korean trader: “As a reader of your good information letter, I mustexpress my heartfelt thanks to you. Sincerely hope you have great time, and please call mewhen you visit Korea. I will have some soju (Korean) for you*^^*”
****
Reading them actually made me happy that I said goodbye, because it was only through their replies that I realized how much people care. I;m travelling solo but not alone.
Farewells don’t have to be sad affairs.
