Happy new year for 2012!

by - December 31, 2011

2011 started off well. Set up house with awesome friends and landed a stimulating job at Diamond Dozen.... And then life turned to crap half way through the year. Fortunately for me we were raised by two appreciative optimists who always manage to find the silver lining in any situation.

Mum Pham's health had been fragile yet manageable for years so when she suddenly became very ill, The Phamly had only a few days to accept she was crossing over. The silver lining: Mum Pham didn't suffer for very long. I got a harsh reality check when the funeral drained my life savings. The silver lining: we were lucky I had enough saved to contribute to the funeral costs. (I will post about funeral ins and outs at a later date to hopefully help other Aussies. The information we found online was dense and confusing so I will try and simplify our experience in an Idiot's Guide To blog. I will also try to think of  a less insensitive title for that blog). Mum Pham and Dad Pham's finances and wills had to be reviewed. The silver lining: I learned about mortgages, stamp duty, interest rates and how to read and write a legal will.

I realised living an independent life in Melbourne was selfish and unfulfilling. The silver lining: Mum's passing set my priorities straight. Phamly first. I left my friends behind. The silver lining: I'd be with Phamly and when I visit it will be quality time spent with friends. I left my job behind. The silver lining: I left knowing I'd made a positive impact on the business and met some amazing people doing it. I arrived in Brisbane unemployed and broke. The silver lining: this great country has a welfare system to help those in need and Dad Pham and Little Sissy Pham are also supporting me where they can.

I am starting at zero in 2012. The silver lining: the only way is up.

Happy New Year, dear World! May all your wishes come true in 2012 but if they don't, remember to stay positive and find the silver lining! Also if you fail miserably in the first three weeks, you get a do over for Chinese New Year on January 23rd, 2012.

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