Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Wow.

As 2009 ends and I prepare my annual review à la Chris Guillebeau, I had to stop and think about the insane amount of experiences I've had and people I've met along the way. "Whirlwind" can barely capture the appropriate velocity of the past twelve months, during which time I went from living in Colombia to prepping for a move to Brazil, and an index card bluebrint of arrows and airport codes turned into a series of places and faces that passed all too quickly from dreams to memory. Since bringing in 2009 with millions of people on Copacabana Beach, I've been to 35 cities in 15 countries on five continents. Wow.

It's only now, looking back, that I realize the magnitude of those statistics. After all, while on the road, more attention had to be paid to details like food, lodging, transport, and other logistics than to the entire scheme as a whole. Outsiders had the luxury of awe and wonder; I had to figure out how to get from the airport to my CouchSurfing host's house and where I could find wireless Internet.

Now, I think about the new friendships forged, the old friendships strengthened, the innumerable moments that I yearn to repeat, the people with whom I want to hang out again, dance with again, smile at again, hug again, make love to again, meet again, and say goodbye to again. These memories serve as bittersweet affirmation of the transitory nature of life; that nothing is permanent and every present moment is just that, a present to be treasured.

So, at the end of this calendar year, I give thanks to the Cosmos for 2009 and everyone in it. And for 2010 and everyone in it.


2009 from Fly Brother on Vimeo.

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10 comments:

sherene said...

What a year indeed, mine pales greatly in comparison, boooo!

Wishing you a fabulous 2010, even better if it is possible :)

Unknown said...

Good to see that you'd a great year after all.
Here's hoping that 2010 will be even bigger and better!

Lola A. Åkerström said...

You definitely had a fantastic 2009! Wishing you the very best in 2010
Cheers

'Drea said...

Nice pictorial look back at the year.

Also, I like your *agains*.

Anonymous said...

Great to meet you and glad I made the slideshow.

2009 was fantastic. Happy New Year to you and everyone reading!

TLD said...

Inspirational! May 2010 bring you even MORE joy and excitement! ;-)

Fly Girl said...

Wow indeed. Your escapades are dizzying! So glad I got to meet you and that its preserved in your slideshow! Peace and prosperity in the New Year to you!

Ali Ambrosio said...

Great words. Meus melhores votos de felicidade, diversão e prosperidade em 2010. Look out, Brasilia!!!

Fly Brother said...

Sherene: Thanks for the well-wishes. Too bad we didn't get a photo from that frizzy-haired night in London. ;-9

KHW: No doubt because you were part of it. Love ya!

Geotraveler: Happy 2010 to you too! I'm trying to be like you, very soon!

Drea: I was hoping somebody would be feelin me on the "agains." Happy New Year!

NoDebt: Likewise, dude. Be seein' ya somewhere in the stratusphere!

TaxLawDiva: Thanks a lot for commenting; I appreciate it! Happy New Year!

FlyGirl: I'm telling you, sometimes I gotta sit down to keep from falling over, lol. Hope you had a great rest of the year and I hope to see you at TBEX this June!

Ali: Muito obrigado e igualmente, A Louca! Estou seguro que nossos caminhos vão cruzar este ano. Talvez na Casacali!

Happy New Year everybody!
Feliz Año Nuevo para todos!
Feliz Ano Novo pra todos!

Violence Mask said...

i saw myself in it!!! heheh....que legal!

amei a musica tb!