Moment of Glory

Yesterday was a moment of honour for me. I did not expect to be mentioned at Nanz's book launch, but she not only honoured me with her words in front of everyone, she also gave me a bouquet of lovely purple roses! Wow... thank you, Nanz, it means so much.

I cannot believe that this ISN'T part of a dream... most of the time, book editors/designers like me are always part of the unseen fabric of the publishing process, while the authors and publishers get the credit. Today, it feels awesome to be acknowledged for making a book happen. I simply cannot describe how elated I feel right now!

Elated because there's a great book out. One that not only reads well, but looks good.

Elated also because I had been blessed with the opportunity to be part of the process. (Birthing a book always comes with a sense of exhilaration!)

And elated because I still get to do what I love doing -- publishing!

Best yet, I met some key power-people at the launch. In fact, they approached me, wanting to be in touch -- perhaps for future opportunities? Well, who knows, but it doesn't hurt to be in touch with the Singapore Book Publishers, right? Or a head-hunting company :)

An Imprint Of Print On This World Citizen

I love being involved in magazine and book publishing... did I say that already? I am thankful that my work is not a chore, and that I enjoy the labours of my hands. Thank you, Lord, for making publishing and print an imprint of my life :)

In the two months before I leave for Canada, I will be gainfully engaged with getting a couple of issues of inflight magazines out. It has been quite a load of fun working with this expanding publishing company, and we're starting to jive as a team. I guess there is a part of me that feels a tinge of regret that I am leaving the country, and therefore the fellowship of these publishing colleagues... but the regret is not enough to make me give up Canada. I only pray that the editors here will be gracious enough to allow me the opportunity to prove that remote working is a possibility, and that I will still be able to get my work done well even from a distance. Just give me a chance, please!

Sometimes I cannot believe that I am actually going to do it... Go to Canada, that is. After talking and talking, thinking and thinking, I'm finally doing it! I can't wait -- despite the nervousness in my heart, there is a tingle of excitement and anticipation of new things, new possibilities... and I must surge ahead.

I have to.

I do not wish for regrets and "what ifs" to mark the landscape of my life story.

Interestingly, I've been meeting people who keep telling me to "go for it". A German-cum-lived-in-UK/Australia/Singapore colleague at this publishing firm I'm freelancing at shared about his journey in crossing cultures, calling the likes of him and I "world citizens". I totally understand that! Others call it "third culture persons" -- we neither belong here nor there, but we can generally fit anywhere.

Well, that's me. I don't fit anywhere and yet I can fit everywhere. And while fitting in is one thing, this world citizen also knows what she likes -- publishing. If all dreams and ideals come true, I will find my niche in print even in the far ends of Canada, for it is what I love to do, and hope I will always get to do.

A Record Of Work

Just for the record here, in the process of the last few months, I've completed several books and booklets -- from a 300 pager business inspirational book to a 110 pager anniversary coffee table book to a 24 pager calendar to a 200 pager book manuscript, not the mention copy-editing three booklet supplements for a local mag. Awesome!

Just wanna thank God for the opportunity to publish, publish and publish!

I lurrrrrve my work!!!

Making Life

Many moons from the last post, da Belle is Back!

Back from Canada after spending a month in lovely winter...
Back in Singapore for two months before going back to Canada in May...
And finally, I'm back on this blog!

This past year has been so topsy turvy, it's been hard to maintain a blog properly. But hey, a few notes here and there, once in a while, is better than none at all, right? So here's da Belle checkin' in...

So what's been happening? After 10 months of adjustments, transitions and hard work freelancing, I finally took a break to Caaaanada, where I spent some awesome time on the snow-capped mountains of Banff and the prairie terrain of Calgary. Not to mention the winter beaches of the hidden escapades of cliff-ridden water-surrounded Tofino and Ucluelet... awesome!!! And the company with me made it all the more fun and delightful -- you know who you are :)

And now that I'm back for two months in the sweltering heat of Singapore, I'm packing up to Make The Move. I'm finally packing up my life here and making that West-bound trip that I'd been talking about for so long.

Am I crazy? Probably. But I don't want to live my life with regrets and dashed hopes, and turning 60 years old and wondering, "What if...", "If only..." or "I should've...".

So that's why I'm throwing caution to the wind, and simply jumping off the safe confines of the cliff... in order to find my hopes, find my dreams, find myself...

And perhaps one day, when this wandering pilgrim on her sojourn can finally find her own nest to settle in, there will be a story of travels to tell... about how life is how you make it to be. No one will live it for you -- it is up to you to find yourself.