Turning 12 - A step into the future

On December 25th, I turned 12 years old. The days which led up to my birthday, I spent enjoying my time in Dubai with good friends. On my birthday, I spent the day at Ferrari world, a theme park in Abu Dhabi. I had gone to this same park 6 years ago, when I was unable to go on most of the rides. Going to the theme park that day helped remind me how much both I and the people around me have grown, physically and mentally. 

2023 was a milestone year for me in more ways than one. It was the year that I began middle school and also where one of my best friends moved to Singapore. All of these changes are a part of transitioning. As my teenage years get closer, I also think that more opportunities are opening up for me. I really enjoy sports, and the year of 2023 was a double whammy. I got to experience the Cricket World Cup final live in the stadium after following the earlier part of the tournament carefully. I also got to watch one of the best football world cups in a long time which had an extremely dramatic final as well. Possibly the most monumental occurrence this year was the fact that I got my dog. Other than the fact that I love him, I think that he has made me more responsible as I have to care for him and walk him.

My birthday is very close to the end of the calendar year and I often feel like it helps close the year out, as well as preparing me mentally for another year with its own challenges and successes. When I celebrate the coming of my birthday, I sometimes reflect on the events of the year which had just passed. I like to believe that with every passing year, I get more and more knowledgeable about my faults and my strengths, and become a better person because of it. 

A tradition though it is to make resolutions on new year's day, I like to make mine on my birthday, as to me it symbolises moving forward with life and growth as a whole. With the passing of 2023, I intend to become less impulsive and think a little bit more before I act. Doing this will make me feel better about myself and hopefully, improve how others see me as well. One thing which happened in 2023 which makes it one of the best years of my entire life was getting my dog. Like this, in each year there is at least one thing to be thankful for, be it big or small.

As a whole, 2023 was a great year and I cannot wait to move forward into the future and try to learn more ways to improve myself. At times I feel nostalgic when thinking about the year which has come and gone. However, instead of reminiscing on the past, I will embrace the future and whatever it has in store for me.