After a mild hic-cup with Yamaha - they kept delaying the start of lessons. The 4th time in a row they pushed out the start, I asked for my $ back.
Went to Kawai - across the street from my place. Incidentally I first checked them out, but somehow assumed Yamaha would be more professional.
The good thing about Kawai, other than distance is that it's 1-on-1 coaching. Considering I'm a complete neophyte, perhaps it's a better thing. I had this mental picture of a sweet mild patient young lady teacher.
Instead this guy in a black leather jacket carrying a coffee - with a bad ass attitude to boot. Like a rocker! And he went on to waste most of the lessons impressing me with riffs from all genres. He likes bluegrass a lot - but I have this distaste for anything cowboy right now :(
He's pretty good and eventually we got to playing some. My rockclimber fingers - which I assumed would be strong, actually aren't! I can't stretch them out far apart enough. He also said I need to practise at least half to an hour daily. Gah!
It was interesting.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
It's dark out...
Sometime ago, 2007, in Singapore HP office, end of work day
And I have 1 more friend in Taiwan now - Kuansie officially moved over this weekend. And... now I can gatecrash the Far East Shangrila's gym. My muscles are still sore from yesterday - legs and arms from exertion and stomach from overeating at the eat-all-you-can mala hotpot place with Kuansie.
Felicia - "oo, it's dark out, time to go home"
Singapore co-worker - "don't be ridiculous, turn your headlights on when you drive home"
Today, Mar 17 2008, Taiwan HP office, end of work day
Felicia - "oo, it's dark out, time to go home"
Taiwan co-worker - "don't be ridiculous, it's only 6pm"
As you can see, when it gets dark out, it doesn't necesarily mean time to go home.
Speaking of it being dark out, I was pretty bumped out last 2 weeks. Skipped all exercise, dinners out... stayed home and watched TV and pretty much convinced myself into depression.
Til Karine's realism... she is right - every job has it's ups and downs. And I realised how silly I was. I've forgotten to count my blessings.
Slowly snapped out of it this weekend. Went climbing and then to watch Taiwan's Bike Expo on Saturday (touched and felt all those super expensive racers).
Sunday morning I woke up earlier to watch the last stage of the Tour de Taiwan before going to 10.30mass at St John Bosco's. A deadly combination - speed, muscles and hunks :) I like!
And I have 1 more friend in Taiwan now - Kuansie officially moved over this weekend. And... now I can gatecrash the Far East Shangrila's gym. My muscles are still sore from yesterday - legs and arms from exertion and stomach from overeating at the eat-all-you-can mala hotpot place with Kuansie.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Yesterday's Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 was a much needed balm. Oh when will Lent end?
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right pathsfor his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right pathsfor his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Beware the Ides of March
I need a holiday...
The PH level in the office is getting to me... People here are way to acidic for me.
I wonder if it's because it's predominately a pre-merger Compaq organisation. A lot of folks here are long time Compaq employees, some have worked for Compaq all their lives. So this organisation is very very Compaq, with Compaq processes and with long serving Compaq employees. In fact, many still talk about Compaq like it's who they still work for. Truth is, HP bought Compaq - Compaq as a company should be defunct. But the Compaq culture remains strong. And its a very different culture from HP. It is more individualistic, aggressive work culture - almost bothering on hostility.
Or is it cos I am dealing with Texans. The cowboy 'fight-em-all', 'shoot-em-up', 'draw!' mentality is so ingrained that everything's a fight with them. There's verbals fights, there's email fights, there's conference call fights, there's face-to-face fights... At the end of a fight, when my colleagues sit back and say with pride and contentment - 'oh that was a good fight'...
This is way too unprofessional for me.
Or perhaps this is a personal Lenten challenge : remain positive, be a change catalyst.
Or, give up & find a new job, or perhaps return to cPC.
Beware the Ides of March, beware the devils within us all.
The PH level in the office is getting to me... People here are way to acidic for me.
I wonder if it's because it's predominately a pre-merger Compaq organisation. A lot of folks here are long time Compaq employees, some have worked for Compaq all their lives. So this organisation is very very Compaq, with Compaq processes and with long serving Compaq employees. In fact, many still talk about Compaq like it's who they still work for. Truth is, HP bought Compaq - Compaq as a company should be defunct. But the Compaq culture remains strong. And its a very different culture from HP. It is more individualistic, aggressive work culture - almost bothering on hostility.
Or is it cos I am dealing with Texans. The cowboy 'fight-em-all', 'shoot-em-up', 'draw!' mentality is so ingrained that everything's a fight with them. There's verbals fights, there's email fights, there's conference call fights, there's face-to-face fights... At the end of a fight, when my colleagues sit back and say with pride and contentment - 'oh that was a good fight'...
This is way too unprofessional for me.
Or perhaps this is a personal Lenten challenge : remain positive, be a change catalyst.
Or, give up & find a new job, or perhaps return to cPC.
Beware the Ides of March, beware the devils within us all.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Bjork in support of Tibet
The Associated Press
Friday, March 7, 2008
SHANGHAI, China: China will be stricter on foreign performers after Icelandic singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end of her concert in Shanghai this week, the government said Friday.
A statement by China's Culture Ministry said Bjork's outburst "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings."
Bjork shouted "Tibet!" after a passionate performance of her song "Declare Independence" on Sunday. The outburst drew rare public attention inside China to Beijing's often harsh rule over the Himalayan region.
The statement, posted on the Culture Ministry's Web site, also said "there is no country that admits that Tibet is an 'independent country.'"
Bjork has performed the song to support other independence movements in the past. She dedicated the song to Kosovo while performing last month in Japan. The lyrics include the phrase "Raise your flag!"
China's 58-year rule over Tibet has drawn frequent condemnation from foreign governments and activists, often inciting a prickly nationalism among the Chinese government and ordinary people. Many Tibetans consider the exiled Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as their rightful leader.
Copyright © 2008 The International Herald Tribune www.iht.com
Living in Taiwan which China views as a thorny renegade province, there're some parallels to Tibet. Except China has not invaded by force... yet...
Friday, March 7, 2008
SHANGHAI, China: China will be stricter on foreign performers after Icelandic singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end of her concert in Shanghai this week, the government said Friday.
A statement by China's Culture Ministry said Bjork's outburst "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings."
Bjork shouted "Tibet!" after a passionate performance of her song "Declare Independence" on Sunday. The outburst drew rare public attention inside China to Beijing's often harsh rule over the Himalayan region.
The statement, posted on the Culture Ministry's Web site, also said "there is no country that admits that Tibet is an 'independent country.'"
Bjork has performed the song to support other independence movements in the past. She dedicated the song to Kosovo while performing last month in Japan. The lyrics include the phrase "Raise your flag!"
China's 58-year rule over Tibet has drawn frequent condemnation from foreign governments and activists, often inciting a prickly nationalism among the Chinese government and ordinary people. Many Tibetans consider the exiled Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as their rightful leader.
Copyright © 2008 The International Herald Tribune www.iht.com
Living in Taiwan which China views as a thorny renegade province, there're some parallels to Tibet. Except China has not invaded by force... yet...
Thursday, March 06, 2008
The Lord's faithfulness
Yesterday's reading was so moving... esp the last 2 verses. I had to re-read a few more times.
Isaiah 49:8-15
Thus says the LORD:
In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;
and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,
To restore the land
and allot the desolate heritages,
Saying to the prisoners: Come out!
To those in darkness: Show yourselves!
Along the ways they shall find pasture,
on every bare height shall their pastures be.
They shall not hunger or thirst,
nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them;
For he who pities them leads them
and guides them beside springs of water.
I will cut a road through all my mountains,
and make my highways level.
See, some shall come from afar,
others from the north and the west,
and some from the land of Syene.
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth,
break forth into song, you mountains.
For the LORD comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted.
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
Isaiah 49:8-15
Thus says the LORD:
In a time of favor I answer you,
on the day of salvation I help you;
and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,
To restore the land
and allot the desolate heritages,
Saying to the prisoners: Come out!
To those in darkness: Show yourselves!
Along the ways they shall find pasture,
on every bare height shall their pastures be.
They shall not hunger or thirst,
nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them;
For he who pities them leads them
and guides them beside springs of water.
I will cut a road through all my mountains,
and make my highways level.
See, some shall come from afar,
others from the north and the west,
and some from the land of Syene.
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth,
break forth into song, you mountains.
For the LORD comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted.
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Best Asian expat city - Singapore
From the Taipei Times today, the best asian city according to expats is, Singapore!
And Taipei ranks no. 6 within Asian cities, no mention of what the rank is within global cities.
Majula Singapura!
And Taipei ranks no. 6 within Asian cities, no mention of what the rank is within global cities.
Majula Singapura!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Day Tour to Yeliu & Junming Museum
Garin & I had wanted to do this tour for a long time. Since Kim and her friend were here, we all went as a 4-some.Yeliu are rocky outcrop carved out by erosion - the most famed of which is called Queen's Head.
The weather was perfect even the no. of tourists couldn't marr it - we kept getting swamped by the China & Korea contingents...
Next was the Junming Museum. But enroute, we managed to persuade the driver to take us to Teresa Teng's tomb. I have no idea why I wanted to go, guess cos it's nearby and on my tourist guide book :)
Junming is a pretty famous sculptor. When u see his works, then it all looks so familiar. We've had his stuff displayed all over back home. But he really blew me away especially with his wood works. Real creative guy and very very prolific. His works span the whole mountainside, from metal to bronze to stone to wood... I was really impressed.
Was a great tour! Worth every last $. Thank you e-go tour and Garin for making all the arrangements and bookings.
I'm also relieved to have my apartment back to myself.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Rambling
Was kinda busy earlier this week cos Kim and her friend came to crash in my tiny apartment and also work wise, preparing for checkpoint meeting on Tuesday, which thankfully went smoothly.
Managed to get my 1st climb in on Wednesday nite finally. Was starting to feel depressed with office place politic-ing and all. But after the climb, I went with the Taiwanese folks to have coffee - well, I sipped jasmine flower tea while they had coffee (it was 10-ish, drinking coffee would be asking for insomniac-ness). I realise the Taiwanese are really humourous but their brand of humour is not personal, ie not targeted at anyone. Mental note to self, learn that!
Thu was peace memorial day - to remember 228 incident. Had packed Kim and her friend off Hualien & Taichung, so had a bit of space to myself. Went to boulder in Neihu with Peter then jogged in gym for a bit. Felt much more energized with some sports in. Oh Peter took me to see the guitar shop he mentioned, you
know you're in Taiwan, when the guitars look like this...
know you're in Taiwan, when the guitars look like this...
This Sat, we're finally going to Yeliu and the Junming museum. I had wanted to go for the longest time but never gotten around to it until now. Yay!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lent 2008
Made an unsettled start to this year's Lenten season due to Chinese New Year and returning home since moving to Taiwan.
We're into week 2 of Lent and I haven't even decided what personal sacrifice to do this year. As I explained to a colleague, it is not about losing weight or self-improvement nor deliberate suffering. It is about a step towards our faith, remembering my faith amidst the day-to-day living in a very secular world. Not about own efforts cos really without His Grace, our effort rarely amounts to anything.
- I hope to pray the rosary daily. Thanks to Sister Lily, I ripped the rosary onto my iPOD.
- and more difficult, to be more tolerant in the office place. Folks here are so political and I was starting to allow the resentment to eat into me until last Sat's Gospel Mt 5:43-48.
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies,and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,what is unusual about that?Do not the pagans do the same?So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
A tough call ain't it?
We're into week 2 of Lent and I haven't even decided what personal sacrifice to do this year. As I explained to a colleague, it is not about losing weight or self-improvement nor deliberate suffering. It is about a step towards our faith, remembering my faith amidst the day-to-day living in a very secular world. Not about own efforts cos really without His Grace, our effort rarely amounts to anything.
- I hope to pray the rosary daily. Thanks to Sister Lily, I ripped the rosary onto my iPOD.
- and more difficult, to be more tolerant in the office place. Folks here are so political and I was starting to allow the resentment to eat into me until last Sat's Gospel Mt 5:43-48.
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies,and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,what is unusual about that?Do not the pagans do the same?So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
A tough call ain't it?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Year of the Rat
1. In 2 weeks, I start my guitar lessons at Yamaha here. Paid up for first 2 months lesson on the way home today. This ends some 10 years of procrastination that began when I first joined Creative Technology and said I wanted to pick up a musical instrument. I toyed with guitar, keyboards, piano, back to guitar.. FINALLY!
2. I signed up for a half-marathon today - Carrefore Marathon. Dragging with me 2 colleagues. Taiwan has more races. I used to just be able to run the Army Half Marathon (Aug) and Standard Chartered marathon (Dec). The Taipei Running Association has some event going on every couple of months. Woohoo!
Now if I can sustain this momentum...
2. I signed up for a half-marathon today - Carrefore Marathon. Dragging with me 2 colleagues. Taiwan has more races. I used to just be able to run the Army Half Marathon (Aug) and Standard Chartered marathon (Dec). The Taipei Running Association has some event going on every couple of months. Woohoo!
Now if I can sustain this momentum...
Flying home
I went home for the Chinese New Year break, 1-14 Feb. I expected to be bored, but it turned out ok. Climbed alot with the Hard Cores (small sidetrip to Camp5 in KL), ate alot, slept some.. I missed people I guess - friends, family mostly.
Being away, I relooked Singapore with new eyes. Singapore is a great place to live in. Everything's nice, green, pretty and efficient. If I were raising a family, this is where I want to be.
Being away, I relooked Singapore with new eyes. Singapore is a great place to live in. Everything's nice, green, pretty and efficient. If I were raising a family, this is where I want to be.
However, Taiwan offers more just by sheer size. The 1st wknd back, I went to the gym, caught a movie, checked out the Chinese New Year laterns at the Sunyatsen Park, went shooting (we tried out the rifles this time).. and all at a leisurely pace.
It's still fun I guess. Ask me again in a year's time.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Rip van Felicia
Is it my all to comfortable mattress? (thanks to my family who helped me test numerous mattresses before we picked this 4star one)
Is it the chilly mornings of winter? (I can only fall asleep with the heater merrily humming away)
Is it a lack of morning conference calls? (Houston time difference means all my conf calls are in the night, 10pm to midnite Taiwan time)
Is it lethargy from less exercise? (gym closed down on me ; can't climb cos I pulled an arm muscle)
Is it a slower pace of life? (being in a backend organisation, nothing time critical like closing biz deals as I did in the past)
Is it age? (did I grow older and now need more sleep perhaps)
Why do I need so much sleep since moving to Taiwan? I don't mean the lazy sleep in type... I really feel tired and will fall dead asleep.... Hmm...
Is it the chilly mornings of winter? (I can only fall asleep with the heater merrily humming away)
Is it a lack of morning conference calls? (Houston time difference means all my conf calls are in the night, 10pm to midnite Taiwan time)
Is it lethargy from less exercise? (gym closed down on me ; can't climb cos I pulled an arm muscle)
Is it a slower pace of life? (being in a backend organisation, nothing time critical like closing biz deals as I did in the past)
Is it age? (did I grow older and now need more sleep perhaps)
Why do I need so much sleep since moving to Taiwan? I don't mean the lazy sleep in type... I really feel tired and will fall dead asleep.... Hmm...
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My Dream Apartment - available at a price
The Rain Tree. My long awaited dream apartment is up. Francis sneaked in and got some excellent pics. The view is just what I wanted - the rain trees of Bukit Timah.
Should I sell or rent it out? Anybody wanna offer S$1 million?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
New Year resolutions, part 2
Did I neglect to mention this?
I wanna be married this year too. Pls God if you are listening, here's where it's all You! :)
I wanna be married this year too. Pls God if you are listening, here's where it's all You! :)
Monday, January 14, 2008
My 1st Race in Taiwan and in 2008
I woke up at 5am, walked 15mins into a chilly 14degrees dark, damp morning to run my 1st race - Nike Run 2008 here in Taipei.
It was kinda strange cos everybody was jogging around, up/down, all jiggly.. and when the starting gun went off, they all took off like jack rabbits. I was thinking, wow, Taiwanese run fast... Then at the 4k mark when people starting walking, I realised why.. They were cold. At 14degrees with a chilly wind blowing and wearing only dry fit t-shirts, it was freezing.
Of cos kiasu me wore a jacket. And I kept my windbraker on the whole time. Are u kidding me? It's 14DEGREES C!
It's a 9k run and I clocked just over an hour - not great, but then again considering not running in months, it was good :)
Also, Garin and I found a go-karting place this weekend. We raced.. and came in last and 2nd last. Sigh.. I think we're growing old when racing scares you. Yes, I was scared. These are 270cc karts, and very speedy on a very windy track.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Almost Roadkill
I had gotten used to having my iPOD plugged in all the time, to drown out the sounds of Taipei (traffic, the chimes of the dustbin trucks, scooters bleating away, loudhailer mounted on vans traveling around coaxing Taipei citizens to vote in this Saturday's legislative elections)...
This is such a noisy city.
Went out running yesterday and enroute to SYS Hall, I was hit by a scooter. Waited at a pedestrian crossing, when the green man appeared, I re-started my stop watch, stepped off the pavement and WHAMMO!
I was so shocked - of cos I couldn't hear him coming with with my iPOD plugged in. Took all of 2 secs to recover enough to scream 'GREEN MAN, YOU Axxxx!'.
That was when I realised everyone else on that pedestrian crossing was staring at me like some alien.
Amazingly, my guardian angel took the impact, except for 2 grease stains on my left forearm where scooter met flesh, nothing, no bruise, nothing. It was just so amazing considering the loud crash when he hit me.
Some lessons
1. God's divine protection works all the time, even when you aren't aware of it
2. don't jog on streets with music plugged in, you need to know if there's a kamikaze scooter aiming for u
3. i gotta learn to scream in Chinese here. Nobody knew what the @#$ I said. ;)
My new jogging grounds
- 10mins to get there, 5mins to do an outer loop (within the trees). In Chinese, this place is called 國父紀念館 - and yes, I know, that doesn't even translate to SunYatSen.. Sigh. That's another story in itself - how Taiwan gets real complicated for those who can't speak Chinese.
This is such a noisy city.
Went out running yesterday and enroute to SYS Hall, I was hit by a scooter. Waited at a pedestrian crossing, when the green man appeared, I re-started my stop watch, stepped off the pavement and WHAMMO!
I was so shocked - of cos I couldn't hear him coming with with my iPOD plugged in. Took all of 2 secs to recover enough to scream 'GREEN MAN, YOU Axxxx!'.
That was when I realised everyone else on that pedestrian crossing was staring at me like some alien.
Amazingly, my guardian angel took the impact, except for 2 grease stains on my left forearm where scooter met flesh, nothing, no bruise, nothing. It was just so amazing considering the loud crash when he hit me.
Some lessons
1. God's divine protection works all the time, even when you aren't aware of it
2. don't jog on streets with music plugged in, you need to know if there's a kamikaze scooter aiming for u
3. i gotta learn to scream in Chinese here. Nobody knew what the @#$ I said. ;)
My new jogging grounds
- 10mins to get there, 5mins to do an outer loop (within the trees). In Chinese, this place is called 國父紀念館 - and yes, I know, that doesn't even translate to SunYatSen.. Sigh. That's another story in itself - how Taiwan gets real complicated for those who can't speak Chinese.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Firsts in the New Year
I did it - I ran.
Stupid Alexander Gym closed on me - pls pray with me that I get $ sorted out.
So I ran to the nearest park - Sunyatsen memorial hall.
Why suddenly so motivated? Becos Nike Run 2008 is next Sunday, I signed up for the 9k. I am so in trouble...
I just wished Taipei citizens would stop gawking at me on the streets.. Never seen jogger on the streets ah :(
Stupid Alexander Gym closed on me - pls pray with me that I get $ sorted out.
So I ran to the nearest park - Sunyatsen memorial hall.
Why suddenly so motivated? Becos Nike Run 2008 is next Sunday, I signed up for the 9k. I am so in trouble...
I just wished Taipei citizens would stop gawking at me on the streets.. Never seen jogger on the streets ah :(
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
The Day I was a human popsicle
Since I was on leave I asked Peter if he'd go hiking with me up to Yangmin mountain.
It was the last day of 2007 and also coldest day in 2007.
I never knew riding a scooter up the mountains can be that cold, plus it was 10degrees out. I almost died.
The view was awesome.. I love hiking!
Then we scootered to Beitou, found a openair hotspring (sorry, no pix were allowed, I couldn't shoot), and I managed to thaw out somewhat. The hottest pool was 50degrees, I couldn't even step in!
Then we came back into the city by MRT, he didn't think I'd make it back alive. And GH, Sharon, Angela, Peter and I watched TV, ate chips, icecream, snacks until the countdown and the fireworks over Taipei 101.
We each chooped a window, leaned out and shot videos and photos. It was awesome
All my pix on my Flickr - my last fun days of 2007. 2008 - I will start to work hard!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/
It was the last day of 2007 and also coldest day in 2007.
I never knew riding a scooter up the mountains can be that cold, plus it was 10degrees out. I almost died.
The view was awesome.. I love hiking!
Then we scootered to Beitou, found a openair hotspring (sorry, no pix were allowed, I couldn't shoot), and I managed to thaw out somewhat. The hottest pool was 50degrees, I couldn't even step in!
Then we came back into the city by MRT, he didn't think I'd make it back alive. And GH, Sharon, Angela, Peter and I watched TV, ate chips, icecream, snacks until the countdown and the fireworks over Taipei 101.
We each chooped a window, leaned out and shot videos and photos. It was awesome
All my pix on my Flickr - my last fun days of 2007. 2008 - I will start to work hard!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8062670@N07/
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Hello 2008, Goodbye 2007
And suddenly a new year looms. How time flies. Re-read what I blogged about last year this time - the mood's different this year, for starters, I'm happier. I guess I have much to be grateful for in 2007:
- God for giving me a do-over opportunity with Taiwan
- for a closer walk with Him in sending me here alone cos sans distractions it's easier to witness the Good Lord work His miracles everyday
- friends esp those who were there during the down times. Sadly enough not many, but to those who did, thank u.
- family plus Michelle (who married Ian in Oct 06 - my agent and a great friend)
- good health for everyone in my family
- fresh new adventures here in Taiwan
And this leads into obviously, New Year Resolutions... Thinking thru, I realised the list I made last year this time can be recycled. Not that I hadn't made much progress, but a majority are nontheless still WIP. Recycled from last year's list :
- focus on relationships with people
- Discipline. Discipline. Discipline.
- stop gossiping
- work on my fragile faith
- Be open to new things, new events, new way of doing things
- be a friend to all esp those I don't like
- sign up for musical guitar lessons
- God for giving me a do-over opportunity with Taiwan
- for a closer walk with Him in sending me here alone cos sans distractions it's easier to witness the Good Lord work His miracles everyday
- friends esp those who were there during the down times. Sadly enough not many, but to those who did, thank u.
- family plus Michelle (who married Ian in Oct 06 - my agent and a great friend)
- good health for everyone in my family
- fresh new adventures here in Taiwan
And this leads into obviously, New Year Resolutions... Thinking thru, I realised the list I made last year this time can be recycled. Not that I hadn't made much progress, but a majority are nontheless still WIP. Recycled from last year's list :
- focus on relationships with people
- Discipline. Discipline. Discipline.
- stop gossiping
- work on my fragile faith
- Be open to new things, new events, new way of doing things
- be a friend to all esp those I don't like
- sign up for musical guitar lessons
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