2006 in Retrospect and Resolutions for 2007

Another year has passed. As opposed to the teaching of Zen to live in the now, I would like to be retrospective and reflect on the happenings in the last 12 months because it has been a pretty unusual year for me. I stumbled accidentally upon a movie and a couple of related blogs which changed my otherwise fast becoming mundane life. Another highlight was becoming a blogger which surprised myself as well as my friends.

The biggest reward for me in 2006 has to be the many new friends I got to know through the blogs. I’m sure as at now, many people are still sceptical about me making friends through the internet. But I assure you that so far, 99% of the people I’ve met online are sincere, genuine friends and mostly mature, thinking intellects. I got to know friends from Taiwan, US, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore as well as Thailand. From online friends, quite a number are now my real life friends. Some of you have become so close to me, you probably know more about me than friends whom have known me for decades. I have my G-plan to thank for providing me the opportunity to become acquainted with you wonderful people. It has been most interesting to be able to share and discuss so many issues relating to life with you. I’ve already met up with some of you in person and look forward to meeting more in time to come.

I followed the footsteps of Tiffany and started a blog with the objective of observing my thoughts and to let a few close friends around me know what’s on my mind. I’ve never written much in my life except academic essays so to post 136 times on my blog from March till December was definitely an amazing feat for me! I never really expected anyone to be interested in reading my ramblings but was I surprised when I found out that friends do read my blog. Umm…I do know that some of you just enjoy viewing the pictures I posted but that’s ok. I like my pictures too! My dear cousins, if you’re reading this, I never knew until recently that you have been reading my blog as well. How about giving me a shout sometimes huh?

I’ve read some good books in the last 12 months and the most interesting book has to be The Journey of the Soul by Peter Richelieu. I’m quite reluctant to loan the book out to anyone because its too precious to me! Gee…I’m supposed to practise non-attachment yet I’m clinging on to this book…hmmm. Anyway, I would like to read it again and again so anyone who’s interested in the book, please try to get hold of your own copy. Come to me only as a last resort ok? I will continue to be on the lookout for books with good teachings and will share them on the blog as I’ve done in the last year.

Ok, enough on my cyber life. 2006 has also been a challenging year for me and my fellow volunteers at CDAC. I was ambitious and took on kids from P4 right up to Sec 1. Yes, it was a stressful and frustrating year coordinating the programme as we were not quite prepared to tackle the different standards, especially the Sec 1s. In addition, we had to deal with an unexpected number of social issues. I then took on more challenges by accepting the pair of twins with learning difficulties into the programme. Despite all the frustrations, we managed to see through the whole year’s programme and to see one of the twins making it to Sec 1 must have been the biggest achievement for us. As always, I wished we could have done more for all the kids but there’s only that much we can do as volunteers. Several volunteers have already indicated their intention to step down. As for me, it will all depend on the progress of my retirement career plan.

I’ve never made any serious new year resolutions as I don’t think I can keep them. But this year, I shall be mindful and attempt to make a handful. Well, most of them are just a continuation of what I’ve been doing in the last one or two years so hopefully they won’t be that difficult to achieve. What are they?

One, to eat well. Although I’m more of a herbivore in the last few years, I hope to eat a more balanced vegetarian diet. I still love my multi-grain bread dipped into olive oil and my brown rice but I would like to remind myself to eat more greens and fruit this year.

Two, I hope I can maintain my exercise routine of jogging 4.2km on alternate days. I did become lazy, slept late and skipped some days, especially towards the end of the year. I hope to be more disciplined, minimise the number of late nights so that I can get up early for my jogs. I’ve jogged twice already since the beginning of the year so it’s a good start.

Three, I’m not meditating as well as I did when I was attending KK Tan’s class so I hope to put more effort into my meditation practice, perhaps even attend one or two retreats this year.

Four, I want to work on a retirement career plan. This is the most challenging new year resolution. I’ve shared it with some of you so if you know what my plans are, do assist me by giving me a nudge if I’m not working hard enough on it.

ps: 2006 ended on a high note with a rare RGS gathering at Irene’s place. It started slowly with just a handful of us but as the night progressed, more people joined in. And when we have a DPP, two seow pohs and a semi-high hairstylist amongst us, there’s bound to be a lot of laughter which must have shocked Irene’s mum and daughter…hehehe! The next gathering shall be CNY at Rajah Court…yippee!