It's been a long December...

It will have been 14 years since that song came out from the Counting Crows, yet it still resonates with me. The soulful lyrics bring me back to those lonely December nights where I felt I had no direction in life, and the month just seemed to stretch on forever. The weather being cold, drab and overcast only added to the misery.

This December marks 20 years since my mom passed away so unexpectedly. My family tells me that I changed so much overnight, from a rambunctious 10 year old to one that was very quiet. While my character change was dramatic, her death and subsequent losses the next few years made me the person I am today. Strong willed. Independent. Caring. For that, I am happy in the fact that I know I am the kind of man that would make a mother proud of her son. Yet I feel incomplete. There is still a yearning to explore and enjoy life and all its wonders and mysteries, but also at the same time settle down and raise a family. Who knows what the next year will bring, but like the lyrics say, "maybe this year will be better than the last."

"Congratulations! We've chosen you..."

"...as our host speaker for this year's Global Sales Meeting dinner!"

Me: "Uh, thanks? I didn't realize I had signed up for this....honor?"

"Well, we were looking for someone who is cute, funny, and can speak English decently. So naturally, you are a great choice!"

Me: "Ok....who were the other candidates?"

"No one else, you were first and only choice!"

Me: "Fuuuuuuuun."

So yes, I will be the host along with another girl at my work's annual Global Sales Meeting dinner, where marketing and sales from across the globe converge in Taiwan for...I honestly have no idea. Not only do I get to host, I get to write my own speech too, so yay? At the very least, it will make me very visible since I'll be speaking in front of 300+ people and who knows what I could parlay this into. The dinner is being held at the Grand Regent Formosa Hotel, so it should be pretty good food if nothing else.