I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

Here lies 2005
Proponent of change. Bringer of uncertainty. Herald of progress. The end of an era.

When I was younger this was a pretty traumatic time of the year. It’s past the Christmas climax, and now you’ve a precious few days before heading back to school. There would be homework I’ve still not touched, and the fear that the next year will be so challenging that if I were to slack off like I did the year before, I wouldn’t make it. And if I don’t, my life as I know it would be over.

How pathetic is that?

When I started working the feeling was replaced by a heavier, sinking feeling that the new year is around the corner, but I’m still getting nowhere with my job, my career and in life. How am I going to afford all those material things in life if I don’t get anywhere with my job?

That is probably more pathetic.

Today as I look back on 2005, I feel tired. It’s been a crazy year, with too many to-and-fros. It was a year of I’m-not-sure-what’s-going-to-happen-next, or I’m-waiting-on-this-to-happen-first. This year, I felt the familiar pang of dread coming into work, something I’ve not felt for 7 years.

This year it finally hit me that things were not going to ever be the same again. So either I move along or move on.

This year I made 3 trips to the US, one to Sydney and now get to to hang out at airport lounges like a true frequent flyer. I still get a kick out of that.

So next year, I’m going to get off my little hamster wheel, and stop running for a bit. I should start exercising somewhat, so I’ll need to go for yoga, or start walking around the block twice a week.

Next year I’m going to take more photos so maybe I’ll get better at that.

Next year I’m going to read more so maybe I’ll be funny again.

Next year I’m going to learn more languages, so maybe I can order food in a foreign country or restaurant.

Next year I’m going to move along, and move along famously.

Goodbye 2005. It was nice knowing you.

The weather finally spells December
Food: been eating non-stop.

Had hotpot with some friends over at Bugis today, it was cool, and it rained, so it was great. Out of the table of 5, two were single, one was divorced and remarried, two had kids – one of which just had her second child. Yeah. Just random stats.

Found out it was easy to make miso soup. So easy, they print it on the lid of the tub of miso. Easy peasy Japanesy.

My new food obsession is hummus. Great with tortilla chips, potato chips and veggie chips. Still thinking about the one I had at Kokkari with my chicken.

Entertainment: very Amazon. Books, music, video, games!

Been reading Anansi Boys. It’s a good Gaiman. Not American Gods good. Good Omens good. So trust me, it’s good.

Will you start to barf if I start raving about the iPod stereo dock?

I need to catch the new Wallace and Gromit movie and A History of Violence. Am also looking for Election and Breaking News on DVD (with Cantonese dialogue).

KF formally introduced me to the Nintendo DS this Christmas, and I’m now a Rookie Doctor at the Trauma Centre with the Healing Touch, no less! I’ve also a Japanese something or another Nintendog that’s called Happy (after my cat). He likes walks in the park (though I don’t pick up after him the other owners “have stern words” for me), tennis balls and baths.

Happy New Year!

Happy…

Birthdays! To the Little Plane and Eh Don.

Winter Solstice! Have dinner with your families, have a bowl of glutinous rice balls, and just enjoy hanging and chilling out.

Happy Christmas! To me! And you! And everyone!

Happy happy joy joy! I went shopping and got myself a nice bag at 60% off. Very very pleased with myself.

All I feel right now is relief
It’s been a trying 3 weeks, and I am not certain if the end product is worth the trouble. Yet it’s always the journey that counts, innit?

So here I am. Trying to keep the momentum going, while trying to soak in the whole Christmas thing. It’s not beginning to feel any quantity like Christmas, should I get worried now?

Tomorrow we celebrate the end of a snowball year at the office with another dinner thing. I could get used to the dinner kinda thing, except for the dress theme. Spanish? Just cos we’re going to a Tapas place. We would’ve thought something Southeast Asian would be more appropriate, but if I’m not organising anything, why should I sit back and fret about it.

There’s something about Robbie Williams
That just can’t be replicated. Not the best voice in the world, but kinda like the Bee Gees, he transcends that with the emotion in each song.

Except the lame Take That ones that I loved growing up.

All the same I’m glad I now have the option to buy Something Beautiful out of the entire album.

And here lies my first entry in the Highlights of 2005 slew of entries – hopefully I’ll get to the end of the list, it’s tough when you’ve a case of chronic procrastination and terminal commitment issues – dedicated to the iPod and iTunes.

I love them both.

May you find that love that won’t leave you
May you find it by the end of the day
You won’t be lost, hurt, tired and lonely
Something beautiful will come your way

Something like the iPod Nano.

Just when I think there’s no other way to enjoy music
I go out and find it all over again.

I first saw this nifty little thing a week back at South Asia Computer over at Funan, while KF and I were looking for accessories for the Nano. It’s a dock that connects your stereo. Not mind blowing, that’s true. I mean, there are all these Harmon Kardon / Altec Lansing / JBL thingeys where you stick your little iPod in, and listen to whatever you have blaring out on dinky little speakers that would maybe compare to the ones on your desktop.

But my dad has a nice amplifier and a decent set of speakers at home – which I utilise mostly when I’m cleaning the house (ie: not often) because I can hear it everywhere.

Now imagine my iPod music on it. With the Kensington Stereo Dock, it isn’t so hard to imagine.

Comes with a nice remote control – though it’s only IR – and charges your iPod while on the dock.

It’s just lovely. No changing CDs. It’s all my favourite music, and it sounds so fine.

And just like this life is good again

Suffice to say, it hasn’t really been my week
The air conditioner continues to leak sporadically. Yet I’ve no time to stay home and wait for people to come and fix it.

I’ve officially lost about 1GB of photos. I don’t know what specifically I’ve lost, but I lost a bunch of Monterey, Sausalito and San Francisco pics which are on Flickr.

The iPod has been flaky with the desktop I have at home. It was really annoying, because some days I think I have tunes in my iPod, and after I leave the house I don’t. And all those great tunes I bought off iTunes – haven’t had a chance to hear them on my iPod. Ugh!

It looks like I’ll be working through the weekend, but thankfully the product hasn’t flaked out too much today. So yay. With any luck this will be over too soon.

And I haven’t felt so tired in a long time.

I don’t know what it is, but the last three years have literally flown by. And what do you know, even your colleagues are having their second round of kids. Besides Primary school I’ve never hung around a place for so long. I’ve not even had a relationship that lasted longer; besides the ones with family – but those you can’t choose, so it goes into a separate basket.

Back to happier programming
Birthday rounds this week go to:

Auntie. Who is a role model for me. Everytime I wonder if I’m going to make it in the US, I look at her and go – she did it alone.

My Dad, who has no qualms dropping very obvious hints on what he wants/doesn’t want on his birthday, or when I go on vacation. To set the record straight, all my years growing up Mom was the one who got the presents. So we’ll have to consider that while I shop for Dad’s this weekend.

I’m going to start thinking about what I want for Christmas. Hopefully I’ll be able to find some time to shop for it, and hopefully it won’t involve another Gameboy.