My 2006

In my typical David Letterman top 10 (ish) style.

What I achieved in 2006

1. survived breaking up with Hon. For the longest time I didn't think I would make it. At every turn, I'd imagine he'd call me & we'll reconcile somehow - after all we had broken up and made up numerous times over the 4 years of being together. In 2006, I survived alone - 1 new year, 1 chinese new year, 1 valentines, 1 birthday, 1 christmas. It was, is still, painfully lonely.
2. keeping my sanity with mom. My mom drives me nuts - she wins hands down the award for "most immature, negative & sarcastic mom". In early 2006, I really wanted to move out. But I also knew that she would not be able to live alone. It was such a difficult decision to stay. Thankfully my brothers understand (empathy is easier when you've successfully moved out) & made attempts to ease things off me, e.g. take her out for dinner whenever they could. The battle continues as sadly I see no way out. Life with mom-bitch carries on...
3. struggling through a very vulnerable faith. In spite of my struggles, God has been great this year. Giving me blessing after blessing in the most obvious way that I cannot but stop and give Him thanks.
4. learning to not regret my decisions. I got a few opportunities for a do-over. E.g. Choon Yee re-entering my life. He's still has this thing for me - probably since when we first met in 1997. And as I couldn't when I told him so in 1998, I still can't imagine being with him. I can't understand it - the man's rich, successful, sweet and loves me! Groan.
5. seeing the world. In 2006, I made 1 trip every month - either a work trip, dive trip - mustered 4 dive trips including diving Manado, weekend getaways mostly to KL to climb and, the highest point - going to Miri to share CaFE.
6. visiting and climbing the Great Wall of China.
7. being patient with people. Learning to accept/appreciate different people for what they are. Francis will live in his own world and no amount of nagging will move him off his procrastination. He will move when he's ready. Helen will continue to be Helen - losing your cool with her doesn't help matters, just cover her mistakes and move on.
8. trusting God. Kuan and Teresa are desperate to be in a relationship, every time I have dinner with them, I end up feeling all panicky that I'm 36 and single. I try to avoid dinners with them now. While I can appreciate the ticking time clock, found myself finding kids cute! *horrors* Instead I will take this to God, that He will provide in His time according to His will.
9. driving in the US. My last trip was THE trip I will try to drive. Eve had everything booked for me. I even had a printed map of how to drive from the airport to the Homewood Suites. It was dangerous - returning the car was the right decision. I was looking at the rear view mirror in the wrong place, I couldn't even keep my car in my lane.
10. buying my own place. TOP Dec 2008. I can't wait.

What I need to work harder on... (2007 goal target)

1. focus on relationships with people. I will one day succeed in being kinder and gentler - esp with the people I don't like.
2. Discipline. Discipline. Discipline.
3. stop gossiping. If I can whinge without getting personal...
4. work on my faith. I pray that God will continue to close to me.
5. 2007 will be a year of uncertainty. The job in Taiwan is still up in the air. I need to keep trusting in God.
6. open. Be open to new things, new events, new way of doing things. Stop being a stick-in-the-mud.
7. be a friend to all.
8. work less. Stop working beyond 6pm every day.
9. sign up for musical keyboard lessons. Something I've said since 1996 - Yamaha I must!
10. drive myself in the US.

Christmas came early this year!

Christmas came early for me.

Today's the last working day of the year for us as the office is shut down between Christmas and New Year. It's really quiet today anyways since many of my co-workers were either on leave already or working from home instead.

I had gone to lunch with Brenda - there were no marketing folks to eat with!

Came back and presto! Someone at work gave me an iPOD Nano for Christmas. Wowee... my jaw dropped.

Houston 10-15 Dec

My first taste of Texas. I was expecting BIG everything - the stereotypical Texan cowboy with big words. But I never saw that. Nobody I spoke with - from hotel clerks to mall staff, nobody even had a Southern drawl. No cowboys nor boots with spurs too. Hmmm... It just looked very US.

Eve had me all setup in a great hotel - Homewood Suites and a car. But I was feeling sick before I left & worse by the time I arrived at midnight. Decided the safest thing was - shuttle. Thankfully Benoit from EMEA was staying at the same hotel, so I managed to get free rides around. Plus the Frenchies were a pretty entertaining lot.

The best part about the hotel - next door to Willowbrook Mall. Got my Christmas shopping done :)

Bring CaFE to Miri, Sarawak 1-4 Dec

In my usual fashion, I had to want to do everything and was so busy right up to the last moments before leaving for Miri. Meeting time was 8.30am at Novena Church, but I HAD to stay longer on the Procurement update, HAD to send out a few last emails on SCV. At 8.30am before leaving for Sarawak, I was already exhausted. Didn't help we flew el cheapo Air Asia thru Senai, JB to Miri, Sarawak. By the time we arrived at Miri, it was evening.

Thankfully I had really low/zero expectations, cos our rooms at the Kingwood Inn is absolutely dismal - it was disgusting actually. Barely tolerable.

But everything else went so smooth, it was truly God in action.

My first thoughts - sitting here after my 1st good clean shower in days.
- the great enthusiasm for CaFE just blows my mind. From the youths of Brunei (I love them!), the Kuching team, the Ipoh team, 1 incredibly brave Felicity intending to start CaFE singlehanded in very very Islamic (PAS run) Trengganu. I salute them all. If put in their shoes, I would not have stood up as valiantly as them.

- how God loves me. He knew what I struggled with. And He provides over and above. From the overwhelming hospitality of our Miri hosts - we feasted (and this is an understatement) on every meal from the moment we arrive, right until the last moment of leaving for the airport.

- That Singaporeans take our blessings for granted. Our religious freedom, having 30 churches with numerous Sunday masses, our beautiful & very comfortable airconditioned churches, our creature comforts, our high quality of life - I never thanked God for all these. Until I realised what my new friends in Brunei, Sarawak, Ipoh, Kuching, Trengganu don't have.

Picture of the Cathedral in Miri, Sarawak. It is so spartan - really old wooden pews (I had some bird poo on my right knee after mass, eee), bare concrete floors.

- That I can be such a whiner. When did I grew so selfish and spoilt? I am so good at whining to God and to anybody within earshot what I lack & exactly what I want. Not being thankful for my blessings is 1 thing, but I can imagine what a pain in the a** Gwen must feel!

- I'm a little tired from the physical exertions of travel to think about my spirituality. I owe Gwen that as homework. Need to pray and feel about that.

Do I regret missing the Standard Chartered Marathon this weekend? NO.