Looking back 2008

It's the last day of 2008! I have seen many posts that fellow bloggers have put up on New Year Resolutions, Christmas Celebrations and Summarizing 2008. I have done a short and sweet (??) New Year Resolutions post earlier and thought I should also do 2008 Summary post. So what's worth noting in this year? Here goes:

1) I did my half marathon!!! Yippee!!! Ok, I promise this shall be the last time that I am writing about my happiness of finishing this. But I am really and still happy. So please just smile and say something nice;

2) I moved to my current apartment this year in Feb. Prior to moving, we stayed with my in-laws for about half a year. I can't say that they were difficult people to stay with but it's always good to have a place called my own.

3) There had been many stressful projects and moments at work this year. Some difficult to handle and I tried to avoid co-workers in the work arena. But overall, I am glad that I had set myself realistic targets for myself and my team. I would be reporting to a new boss next year. He is based in Australia while I am here in Singapore. As he told me in his last trip here, we will need time to get to know the style of each other.

4) I did not blog much this year. With this post, I am closing this year with a pathetic 90 posts.

5) I have tried to try new things this year. I took up bookscrapping and have delighted many friends with my own creations. I would definitely be bookscrapping more this coming year. Hubs has a bow and arrow set that he bought from US when he was studying there. He is thinking of teaching me archery this coming year.6) I am glad I visited Burma, where my love was born. It made me realise how fortunate I am to have the life I am having. I must say that my perspective of life changed quite a bit after the trip. I feel myself more grounded internally (if you know what I mean!).7) I am glad I made very conscious effort to be in touch with my own family this year since this is sort of the first year since I got married and live on my own. We have many shopping trips, Food+Gossip sessions, Parks walks. My mom and sis woke up at 3am in the morning to cheer me on my first marathon. They even video me running! I would continue to make time for family. For they serve as anchors of my life.

8) I am sending 2008 and welcoming 2009 with a new hair style!! Quite different from the usually straight and easy to maintain style. I find it refreshing.

I am thankful to all who crossed my path this year and all events that happened to me to add more colours and flavour to my life. Thanks 2008!! Thanks to you too. Thanks for being willing to read my humble blog and many shallow thoughts. Your very kind comments have added much colour to my life and encouragements to push me into achieving what I aspire.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
May it be a better year for everyone.

In 2009, I want to ...

1) Run with less pain, with more enjoyment.
2) Eat with less consideration for pleasure, with more awareness for health.
3) Connect less virtually, more in reality.
4) Plan less. Live more.
5) Set less outer goals, achieve more inner peace & awareness.
6) Spend less and yet live rich with appreciation of simplicity.
7) Talk less, Judge less.
8) Appreciate more. Reflect more. Forgive more. Let Go more.

What about you? What's in for 2009?

Reflections from Myanmar Trip

I just got back from a one week holiday from Myanmar last Sunday morning. Friends were puzzled that I was actually on a vacation to such a backward country. "What's there to see?", most raised their brows and asked me. Here's what I gained from this trip:

Appreciation of a nice, clean house to go back to everyday.

The above picture is actually home to a family.

Appreciation of being born in a safe and clean country.

Appreciation that our children can be brought up

with good food, toys, education.

There are kids I could not bare to watch with dirty clothes

and eating whatever they could find.

Realization of the importance of finding peace deep within myself.

There are people so poor financially and yet so rich in spiritual peace.

Such can be seen from the many faces with genuine smiles.

Appreciation that we have clean and safe drinkable water piped to our houses.

There are people who can't afford to have even a toilet or bath room.

Showering means splashing of cold icy water

right in front of the house wrapped in sarongs.

Seeing the effects of Nagris. This huge tree got uprooted.

I am thankful to have good public transport and safe to take.

This is the way people go to work or anywhere everyday.

I realized how spoilt I am for choice of good, clean food. And variety, too.

There are people who can't afford to talk

about cleaniless or variety when income is an issue.

I am thankful that I have a good job with decent pay check

to bring home every month.

There are people who get less than SGD1.00

for carrying loads up and down a slope each leg lasting 45min.

It was not the usual kind of vacation that anyone would take but I am glad I did. Many friends came back from vacations with feelings of not wanting to come back. I came back eagerly. I felt so blessed that I have such a beautiful country to come back to.

Thanks to all who crossed my path in Myanmar.

You have given me the gift of counting my blessings.

Singapore Marathon 2008 - I did it!!!

Reached Singapore on the delayed flight from Burma at 245am.
Slept at 4am.
Woke up at 5am.
Ran at 630am.
All the training did not go to waste.

Half Marathon is no longer just a dream.

I did it!!!

As promised .. with a smile!!