The biggest year for me yet!

If I were to write a book of my life, 2007 would be my most intense chapter. In 2007, so much has happened. I'm not just saying this because 2008 is closing in. I'm saying this because it's the truth. I see my friends doing the same thing day in and day out. Working stiffs, slaving over that 9-5 job and then sitting in traffic as the precious time passes them by.

Last holiday season was hard to endure. With the restaurant closing, I watched as our Ding Ho family comprised of all the happy little Chinese cooks, waitresses, and my immediate family finding themselves with out jobs. It was hard to go through. It was hard answering questions about why the restaurant closed, and even harder letting it all go. As much as I hated the business consuming my parents' lives, I still loved what it meant to me. It's a place I could go where I knew I could find my family. Even my grandmother worked with us. It was home. I watched as my parents went on unemployment. I worried for them. What would happen to the family? What would happen to our home? What would happen to me?

Last Thanksgiving, my dad and I butted heads as usual. He hated me working dead end jobs. So on a whim, I enrolled at Lincoln Technical Institute in Lowell. I was to become a pharmacy technician. At first, I didn't know if I even wanted to be in that program. But as the modules rolled by, I grew to love it.

In 2007, my relationship with Michael was almost at an end. But I learned to become a bigger person, as my sister would say. Regardless, I loved my Michael whole hearted. And because of that, we're stronger today. I'm grateful for him and for his support through the past year. He's been my rock.

March came. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors gave her 3 months to live. It's funny how you think someone will live forever. God, we joked that she'd out live me. She was almost 90. She was a strong woman. It's hard to realize she's gone. Her and I never got along. All the years that I'd get punished for my brother's wrong doings. All the Saturday morning lectures she'd give us which was like listening to a recording over and over. The crazy folk tales she'd tell us of the old country. Tigers eating baby girls in the mountains and the thunder god kicking off our heads for not eating every grain of rice. Such nonsense. As the cancer spread, I found myself with the responsibility of taking care of her. My cell phone would be on at all times. Making calls to the house to make sure she was alright and comfortable was automatic. I'd leave class early to give her morphine and a glass of water, and tuck her in at night. Telling her that I'd see her in the morning. Though my grades suffered for my absence, it was an honor to take care of my family. It was so painful watching someone once so strong, to slip into elderly infancy. Constantly needing help to walk and eat whether she'd accept it or not.

My whole family came from all over to spend time with her. And we had a dinner to honor her life and my family. She was happy. I remember she kept worrying where my sister and I were before. And the night of the dinner she met Michael and she met Mark. It was nice to know she approved of them. She kept telling us to make sure we cooked for them and to keep the family well fed. Silly things like that I never understood. I remember my aunt went to a psychic a few years back after my grandfather passed in 1997. My grandfather told my aunt that he couldn't go anywhere because he passed away at my aunt's house but he couldn't visit my grandmother because Luke, my dog, wouldn't let him in. Turns out, my grandmother never burned his passport. My grandmother passed on July 4th right after the fireworks when everyone went home. In Chinese culture, fireworks ward off the evil spirits allowing safe passage for the traveling souls. I got a phone call from my brother no soon than my arrival at my apartment.

In 2007, my dad was offered at full time job. My mom went back to school. Things were alright without the restaurant. I turned 21 this year. Most people say it's no big deal. To me, it marks my entrance into adult hood. And to officially mark it, I got a tattoo to honor my family.

I graduated school with a 3.79 GPA. I passed my National Certification Exam. My dad and I are closer than ever. Michael and I are happily in love. And I have an offer to work at Mass General Hospital.

For Christmas, my dad finally said that he was proud of me. Mike gave me a promise ring. Life is finally falling into place. I couldn't ask for a more perfect Christmas!

2008 is going to be a great year!! I look forward to it with open arms!