Friday, January 2, 2009

2009 With A Big Bang

Contrary to the title of this post, I did not have the so-called big bang celebration to usher in the new year. No—I spent the new year eve having a claypot spicy chicken rice with Mia, JJ and my mother-in-law at the Grace Garden eatery.

We were home by around 10pm. Then I spent the rest of the evening stuck to my notebook; JJ was watching Wall-E for the 100th time; and Mia was working on some documantation for an upcoming project.

Elsewhere, people were partying up till very late night. I happen to know that the Tanjung Aru Beach would be congested as people would actually swim in the water when the clock struck 12 midnight. I don't know who started that tradition, but it has been going on year in year out for as long as I can remember. That is not so fantastic, really. When I visited my mom in Vancouver, they had the traditon of swimming in the sea on new year day in the icy cold water. Now that is madness!

But some people were inspired to celebrate the new year, literally, with a big bang like never before. Well, at least I'd like to assume that they never did it like that before. Twenty-six people in a hotel room—I wonder how all of them were able to fit into a single room. They must have been all over the place. But at 3:30am the banging hadn't started yet—it makes me wonder how some people take such a long time for foreplay. I guess it adds to the excitement. Too bad the police had to spoil the party amongst consenting adults, but then what can I say, this is Malaysia where such a party is illegal.

Yesterday afternoon I went for my usual short run at the Likas jogging track. I could immediately feel the new year atmosphere. There were at least 5 times the usual number of joggers there! Those of you who are active people would know that the vast majority of the human race will suddenly get inspired to start exercising at the beginning of every year. They will come in great numbers to overcrowd the jogging tracks all over the country. They will continue doing numerous forms of physical exercises—be it running, bicycling or just walking—for about 2 weeks at the beginning of every year. And that's about all the physical exercises that they will do for the entire year. The next time they do that again is at the start of the following year. It never failed to make me smile—some things will never change.

So here we are in 2009—eleven more years to reach 2020, the year when Malaysia is supposed to achieve the "developed nation" status. But to be quite honest, when talking about "developed nation", I don't really know what are the criteria for a country to qualify as one. Someone mentioned to me that one of the requirements is that at least 40% of the population is "sufficiently" educated. Well, judging from how hard some people are trying to lower the education standards in Malaysia these days, we should be able to achieve that 40% target sooner than 2020.

New year resolutions? Well, age must be catching up—somehow I no longer have a big drive as in the good old days. I might even say that I'm getting soft these days! If I can find good opportunities, I want to buy and move to a bigger house this year or next year at the latest. But that is if I can find a bank which would lend me the money for the purchase!

I foresee tough times ahead as far as business is concerned, but I suppose everyone will be going through the same ordeal. I read in the today's papers that an astrologer in India predicts more calm and prosperity this year. But those of you who know me well, especially if you've read one of my earlier posts, would know that I am not a believer of astrologers. A little over a year ago, a famous Malaysian astrologer gave a talk in a hotel in KK. After explaining his reasons, he predicted that Hillary Clinton would become the next American President. Who in his right mind would've predicted that Obama would win then?

I have also initiated some discussions with a friend to try to co-clerk a hunt in KL for the very first time this year; and with a view of making it an annual event too! I will try my best to suppress my inclination to introduce too many "new twists" in my clues, but I doubt that I will be very successful.

JJ will be entering primary 1 next Monday. She's all excited to go to school again. Plenty of new friends and plenty of new things to memorize. And I look forward to see her front tooth grow again.

Happy New Year to you all; and all the best from Mia, JJ and yours truly!

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