Dear Diary,

I turned 24 this year. I am now 2 dozen years old, 3 x 8. It is the snake year so I have completed a 2nd cycle and come back to my year. Wow. Now I am considered a full adult, no longer a �young adult�, even though I still consider myself a young kid forever 18 (honestly people do think I am still in JC).

It is quite a landmark.

My body has turned stiffer and I must stretch properly before I exercise, given that working life is a lot more sedentary than campus life. I have learned more about myself and it is clearer to me what I prefer and don�t like (which means it is probably easier for people to buy presents for me, for once).

Naturally given my age, my grandma and my other relatives got a bit concerned about my status. It is the same for a number of my JC classmates. Our class is way too smart, we joke. I honestly don�t know why so many of us are still evergreen � we are all very fine people: down to earth, honest and good natured.

Initially I felt worried and dreaded my approaching 24th birthday. I sensed that I was at the edge of a cliff and could fall into depression again. (It was never diagnosed, but I think I went through depression the last time for the same reason.) But this time I seized myself and thought through rationally. There is honestly nothing wrong with being evergreen at 24. Furthermore, God has His plans (which He STILL hasn�t revealed to me despite me asking him several times). There is NOTHING wrong with me. I am NOT a failure because I am evergreen at 24. I do not have to be desperate and suddenly change my attitudes to try to snag a guy. I don�t even have to snag a guy or try to.

I am learning to love myself for who I am flaws and all. I am lucky that I have a healthy figure, so that is one less thing to worry about. I know my headstrong blunt (and lately pessimistic/realistic) character is not the easiest to deal with, but I am continually praying to God to fix me. And I am going to be comfortable with my height and not blame it anymore as the reason for being evergreen. I am not going to blame myself for being evergreen.

I will wear what I want to wear. I will be pretty or sloppy when I want to be. If I want wear make-up, I will. If I don�t want to, then I won�t. I will say what I want to say because I say what I mean and mean what I say.

I am going to be fully comfortable with myself to let myself enjoy life to the fullest. Jesus said, �Love others as you love yourself.� Mum told me, �It starts with loving yourself first�. I will.

I will trust God that He will take care of me in His plans and I will savour whatever He wants me to live through.

This is my manifesto.