julin is a punk.

Dear 25 year old Swazie,

A month (and 7 days) from now you’re turning another year, and it’s not just an ordinary year, it’s going to be different. 26 is near 30 and 30 is near 35; 10 years of your future self that you have not planned as of yet. You stopped planning at 25 because you thought you’re going to find love and go from there-live happily ever after, unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.

So far you have learned that you can’t always get what you want. It doesn’t matter how BAD you want it, sometimes it just won’t fall into your lap if it was not meant for you. Expect less, but don’t lose hope. Work hard for the things you desire. Keep winning and face losing with a brave face always.

Right now, your career feels pretty much stagnant, that’s because you are not using all your potentials. You are procrastinating, you are lethargic and sleepy, always sleepy. You are a great, intelligent, amazing girl, use that to your advantage. If you continue with being lazy, in 10 years, when you read this, you will be full of regrets asking why you didn’t give so much when you had the time and energy. Wake up, now! But don’t stress yourself too much either. Love the pressure, enjoy the load of work- complete as much tasks as you can, and don’t ever forget to have fun because that’s the core of your being- FUN.

Never lose focus, okay, maybe once in a-sleepy-moody-siesta-while but not for long. Get back on track asap once you’ve shaken the blues off and run forward, always forward. I know right now, you don’t have an idea where exactly you’re headed to, but maybe if you keep pushing forward you’ll get to your destination. Find yourself in your journey and maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for. Your career is the most important thing you have right now - don’t lose it by slowing down. By 35, you’ll be this powerful working woman, strategizing, making important decisions, mentoring young girls to become like yourself :-). I’m sure it’s a great feeling knowing that your ideas are turned to gold. People will BELIEVE in you, I promise, they will believe and rely on you and ask you for help. You will take great pride in providing solutions to complicated cases-the major ones. You’ll be important not because you just want to, but because you make things right for others, right and better-and this is not just about work. You will touch lives because you know that we are all responsible for each other. You will give a helping hand to those who need it- UP taught you this, never forget.

You will travel a lot, and not just in the Ph-it’ll be Asia, then Europe. You will get to France and Italy, and I swear you will. You won’t be alone in these travels, friends will find you and you’ll have the most fun ever as always. Your friends that you have now will be your friends forever. You will grow OLD with them and look back so much and laugh about the stupidity of your youth. You will share more ups and downs with them and the good thing about it is that they will stick with you-no matter what.

Your career will be great but your life will be so much better! You WILL FIND LOVE, TRUE LOVE. The kind of love that you can give will be the love that you will receive. Don’t dwell in the past. The memories of your first heart-wrenching love will be washed away by a greater love, greater partnership, companionship that you’ll ever know. You’ve yet to meet him,by the time you’re 26 or 27-he’ll be everything you ever wanted and maybe more. He’s from UP, he’s an athlete, maybe futebol or he climbs-he’s the type who loves the outdoors and an artist. This is the man you have prayed for, not the guys who came and left, this one will stay. He will be fun and smart and good in geography and stupid sometimes too. He loves your bizaare humor and your laugh. He will look at you, see through you and he will understand, and smile while looking at you. You will love to see how he sees you. He will be awkward and sweet and weird and thoughtful. He’s not perfect though, but he’s cute, really cute, and he loves you for everything that you are even at times when you are being too much. And you will love him with all your heart, while guarding yourself too, and he will love that you love him the way you do. You will be smarter this time, loving yourself while staying in love with the man you chose and who chose you. It’s love and friendship combined-yet not too comfortable. Its about passion and compassion, it’ll be kilig and frustrating and hurting and loving. It’ll be a crazy-fun love. He is one of the imperfect guys on Earth who wants to do good and will do good as much as possible. He’s going to be a good father and a good provider.

You will give birth to twin boys with curly hair. They are oh so cute with their small hands and legs and start kicking once they got out of your womb. They will be strong boys. They will love futebol or any sports or ballet haha. It’s ok if one is gay-I will love him just the same.

You will live a great life so stop cursing because of the mess, because of the pain, because of the things you did not get, you will soon get better things out of life. Be grateful for all the pain, it will make you strong and smart, cliche I know but VERY TRUE, and you will be the proof of it.

Doesn’t it feel good to know that you are on your way to a really great life? ;-)

Claim it and these are all yours.

P.S. you will lose weight, maintain it at 127 lbs, your skin will be smooth and supple, and your hair will be so fab. Try to live a healthy life too!