“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

– Franz Kafka

Exactly one year ago today, I made my very first blog post.  I was so reflective and introspective in that post because I had just come off of many changes in my Second Life, and I was at the cusp of discovering who I was and what I wanted to be in my virtual world.   As I write that, I’m struck with the oddity of that statement given that it sounds a lot like what someone would say for their real life.  A casual observer would say that we aren’t supposed to be “finding ourselves” in a virtual world.  It’s not real… it’s just a game, just deal.

But, for those of us who have spent time in Second Life, we all know that in so many ways, the virtual mirrors the reality.  We make friendships.  We create families.  We find love, and sometimes, we experience loss. If it was as one-dimensional as being “just a game,” I doubt many people would be on here for as long as they have been.

So, now I’m in the position of reflecting again, and this time I’m happy to report that my last year has brought me more blessings than I thought possible. I have found something that I love doing (photography), and I strive to improve on that skill on every shot I take.  I’m also proud to say that I have an awesome set of friends, superb designers and creators that I’m proud to blog for, and a wonderfully supportive family comprised of my sister of the heart, Sungyoung, and her daughter.  And, together, we built our home sim, Mabalani, which we plan to invite everyone to come either explore, take photos, or just hang out.

I guess I can say that this past year, my window of opportunity came and showed me a more beautiful side of Second Life than I ever imagined when I first started.  And, that is what I’m grateful for the most.

❤

CREDITS

On Me:

Outfit: ghee | Boho Skulls Flair and Top (Found at the Black Fashion Fair, which only goes for 2 more days!)

Hair: Milk | Bang! Bang! Short in Brown with shaved hairbase

Jewelry: Maxi Gossamer | Lyra Bangles and Ring

Earrings: [7891] | Enid Diamond & Silver Ball and cuff

Shoes: Slink | Lorelei Stillettos in Silver for Slink High Feet (past 21 Shoe event item)

Poses by .Infinity. (Blowing Bubbles and Catching Bubbles Poses)