One year on
I turned 26 years old yesterday. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m aging and I feel as if my life is moving forwards. My priorities haven’t changed much in the past year. I don’t care much about money, although I’ve saved enough to feel secure. I still refuse to spend money on things like cellphones. Nothing has changed about my perception of people: I don’t find much that interests me in them.
I’ve become more cynical – I guess that’s one thing that has changed. I dislike organized religion more than ever. Christianity in particular bothers me. One thing I feel very positive about, however, is East Timor. I seem to be spending most of my time working or hanging out with the locals. I have lots of Western contacts here, but I wouldn’t call them friends. The Western friends I do have I don’t see very often, which is something I didn’t envisage before I came here.
More than anything my time in East Timor has been one of reflection and learning about people. Last night I was with some young FRETILIN supporters and what they told me was both intriguing and terrifying, but I’ll leave that for another day. I passed on the offer of going to a club and ended up home about midnight I think.
My views on relationships haven’t changed. I see marriage as unnecessary and I certainly don’t want children.
I’m looking forward to going home next month. I’ll have about a week in the UK to catch up with friends and then a week in France to see my mother and brother. I know that it means a lot to my mum that I’m going home for Christmas. I am certain she will start crying as soon as she sees me.
After Europe it looks as if I will arrive in Bali at 6 pm on New Year’s Eve, which is not an ideal situation to be in, especially after flying Bordeaux to Paris to Doha to Denpasar in the space of a day.
But that’s life.
happy birthday ! have a blast in Europe
In 30 years time when you are married with 5 children and Bishop of Guildford you might regret these comments!
Happy birthday Matty Boy! :)
How can you say that you are not intereste in people when you soend so much time with them and writing about them ?
"Last night I was with some young FRETILIN supporters and what they told me was both intriguing and terrifying"
I think you are fascinated by people and by human nature (your comment on the Church is revealing!).
I believe that inside your head you spend a lot of time and neural energy dissecting human behaviour and trying to understand what makes us tick.
hi matt, and happy 26 !
I am following your adventures for a while now, and its look great, what you live now will serve you in your life for sure.
You are very sensitive in my opinion, and not every people have a claim to do this, keep this asset.
What you do and did in Timor or Thailand are great, I would be proud to say what I have done if I was you, but keep it for yourself, most people won't understand you, maybe because they are not "aware" ;)
Before, I was a little like you I think, but now I know what I really want, a wife, a family and a normal life.
Have a nice christmas, many emotions for you when meet your mother and family, enjoy it.
Jul
HBD Matt !!
Happy, healthy n successful ;-]
Thanx for sharing yr great stories. luv it !
Prim .
Happy B-day Lost Boy…sorry, I don't know how to send you cake, so here's a cyber-toast instead. Enjoy!
another British private school rich-kid with to much time and money???
Hahaha. Good one, Matt.