William Chong

This year I’ve grown taller.

It’s mainly as a result of wearing shoes to work. When I take them off I am my normal height, and my normal self. In 2008 I chose to start a career, and it’s been a year of learning, phone calls, research and writing, business meetings, commuting.

This year I spent 20,000 km in traffic. And about 500 hours listening to equal parts stilted conversation, heartfelt fellowship, irate talkback, devotional nudgings, head-banging tracks.

This year I left New Zealand. But then I came back. The trans-Tasman travel I’ve done this year has been purely work-related. It’s almost like a cheap thrill – perhaps less cheap and more thrill – to fly on account of someone’s credit card. It’s almost like a free gift, grace.

This year my sister joined me in the amazing race. I’m still buzzing about it.

This year I started a countdown. Today it’s at 402. And when it counts down, there’s a cord of three waiting; my best friend will become my best friend with a different name.

She’s the love for a lifetime.

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This year was filled with new experiences. A new job. A new church. A renewal of my walk with God.

This year I ran my heart out. It was hard, but it was good. I made new friends, both online and offline. I kept old friends close, or at least tried to. Sometimes you have to accept that you’re thereabouts, but not in there.

I went tramping, and fell in love with New Zealand all over again.

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And now, for a Special Paperclip section!

Open with care: fragile! And thanks for the dinners and the everything.

As a reminder to how we’ve changed through the ‘ears:

LIST OF PREVIOUS Y/EAR IN REVIEWS

Cheryl 2007

Dennis/Ethan 2005
Ethan Waters 2006/07
Ethan Waters 2007/08
Ethan Waters 2008

Henry 2005
Henry 2006

Helen 2005-2007

Kat 2007 (kinda)

Ray 2005
Ray 2006
Ray 2007/08

Sonny 2007

William 2007

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Happy New Year everyone; thanks for reading and sharing life together!