as 2008 winds down...

...it's time for a bit of introspection and reflection on the year that's coming to a close. this year has been one of ups and downs reflected in tremendous upheavals globally...my own top three 2008 moments were:-

1. the election of the first african-america president - the impact of this event cannot be over-emphasized...the echoes of america's slavery past are now firmly put to rest by the fact that a descendant of such slaves has reached the highest office in the land...now as 20 jan 2009 approaches and barack obama takes on the onerous "job", the world watches and waits...he's got a helluva lot on his plate...i hope that he's up to it...
   
2. the tsunami of doom and gloom in the global economy - momentuous to say the least, frightening in its intensity and impact...the sheer lack of market oversight and lax controls was a prime factor in this economic crisis and much has to change in the years to come...as the economy lurches about like a boxer on wobbly legs, everyone cringes in fear of more bad news to come...have we seen the bottom of this trough? i fear not...but i am hopeful that things will stabilise and we may see the light at the end of the tunnel by 1st quarter 2010...*fingers crossed*
3. singapore scoring its first olympic medal in 48 years...when our ladies table tennis team took the silver in the finals against the chinese juggernaut, i was rivetted by the spectacle...not since rome 1960 did singapore manage such a feat. even though there are rumblings of discontent due to the fact that the ladies are "imported" (as they were chinese players), it does little to discount the sheer grit and countless hours of training that they did in singapore plus their assimilation into singaporean life...screw the naysayers, i say!

on the personal front, i am glad and thankful that my job is not at risk but am cognizant of the fact that i need to work even harder this coming year to "combat" the effects of the slowdown in the economy which will inevitably impact the work that the company gets...work harder, work faster, work smarter!

i am profoundly thankful that my marriage is going ever strong but am aware that i should not be complacent and take her for granted...we have to get back to the walk.

i am thankful for friends both old and new and i am glad that i have reconnected with lost acquaintances which hopefully in time to come, will "mature" into closer friendship...

i am thankful that i have this blog to rant/rave/post crap/vent...in doing so, i find that it clears my mind and allows more coherent thought...hard as it may seem to be believed...hehehe...

so, as 2009 beckons, i look forward indeed...thanks for being there, readers...