The year 2007 is drawing to an end in less than 30 hours time. Since I'm bored, I shall do some reflections. A one-word summary of the year: MESSY!
The first four months of the year, life is all about making sense of the synthesis for the project which I shall not mention anymore. To make things worse, the modules I took were simply shitty. I really don't have much recollection about what I have done in these four months. It was mundane and senseless. The only thing I remembered I was dying to graduate. And I managed to do so in June.
Transiting from being a student to being a teacher is still quite OK. Life became more relaxed with a not-so-bad pay. But then, NIE isn't exactly helpful. The classes held there are boring. Many of the lecturers are obviously there to wait for their monthly pay day. In particular, there is this one who never fails to make me sleep and switch off in his classes. Oh my goodness. The only consolation we probably can have is that these people are out of the main education system and this really spares the poor students the torture of sitting in their classes.
Luckily my tuition classes were doing fine. I am quite lucky to get my Sec 4 Chemistry class. The class is full of jokers. But they brightened my life when I was with them. Thank goodness. If not life would have been so meaningless. I believe I do want to feel needed. These students gave me this sense of satisfaction.
When I finally finished the last semester of my life, I was damn happy. I set off for Vietnam with brother Sean on 29th April. Thanks brother for organising my graduation trip. We went to Ho Chi Ming City for 6 days 5 nights. The city is simple with a slow pace of life. We had some great time enjoying the simple pleasures derived from slacking. I would always remember the day we simply sat by the roadside and had coffee for the whole evening. The coffee in Vietnam is powerful and cheap!
There was another trip which I went and again, this was another event which I didn't really enjoy. The land is full of rude people! Simply shitty. The only thing good was the free accomodation and lodging. Hee hee. You (You know who you are), if you see this post, please upload the photos somewhere. It's high time you do it. This task is 6 months overdue!!!!
The last trip I went for the year was to Egypt. This one I went with Jiesi, Chee Koon and Suresh. The place is exotic. We spent four days on a ship. It was so slow and we were so bored. But the food is really delicious. I got fat from the trip. Many of the places looked the same to me. Almost every temple looked identical to one another. The pyramids look majestic, but from far. Once you go near, it was OK only. Nonetheless, it has been a good trip.
In April 2007, AMK Hub finally opened after many years of construction. And inside the AMK Hub is Fitness First Gym. I became a member there. From then, I started to go gym regularly. I attend these classes: BODY PUMP, BODY COMBAT, BODY ATTACK, BODY STEP and BODY BALANCE. All of these classes are fun and good for my health. We exercise with music in the background. Many thanks to Cheslyn, Kelvin, Jolene, Leonard and Calvin for making these classes interesting. I love your classes!
Obviously, I shall talk about these classes in details because I enjoy them so much. BODY PUMP involves muscle building. It is a great class for lazy bums. In one hour, you build every single major and minor muscle groups. BODY COMBAT is a great class for stress relieve. You go in, you punch, you box, you chop, you block, you kick, you jump, you shout and you pant! BODY ATTACK is high intensity aerobic and is very good for fat burning. I'm new to BODY STEP. My first class at BODY STEP was hilarious. I remembered I could not coordinate and had to stop at times to see how to execute the movements. It was so embarrasing. This is also an excellent fat-burning exercise. Finally, my favourite BODY BALANCE. This one combines tai-chi, yoga and pilates. It is the class that improves overall flexibility and stretches the muscles so as to promote healing from exercise. The class ends off with mediation and relaxation a.k.a. sleeping. You lie down there, you relax and you breathe. It is a weekly recharger that I must go for. Read more at http://www.lesmills.com
On 9th August 2007, I have overcome a hurdle in life. I learnt how to cycle! All credits to be given to Xiao Ling, Suresh and Liang Liang. Thanks guys for your patience in guiding me. For over 24 years, I couldn't cycle. When I acquired the skill after much struggle, words cannot express my joy. Hee hee. Unfortunately, learning a new sport usually means you have to pay some price to be an expert in it. Well, I paid it on 3rd November 2007. Sigh. I banged into a bush while cycling at East Coast Park. Painful. Thanks again for all those who wished me well after the incident. CK, thanks for spending your sat evening in TTSH with me.
Every year, I must go for a long long run. This year, I went for Army Half Marathon with Bird queen and Xueping. The timing improved from 2 h 01 min in Standard Chartered Marathon last year to 1 h 55 min. I am pretty satisfied with the improved timing. Originally, I should have gone for the Standard Chartered Marathon this year. But then, I have forgotten about it and went for my Egypt trip instead. Sigh! There is always 2008. I shall aim for 1 h 50 min next year.
There are many people whom I wish to thank for getting through this year with me. But I do not believe that I need to be explicit in spelling out who you are. All of you have been great in your ways. If you find me emotionless and unempathetic, that is just too bad! This is me. I don't like to say much. For those who decided that I am a bad guy, I am happy for you. One thing I am sure of - I have never changed. I won't bother myself with getting angry or seeking unnecessary attention. Whatever choice you have made, stick by it. Some things cannot be reversed. I'm glad that 2007 ended with you all out of my life anyway.
人生扮演的角色，未必要那么伟大。平安、好好地活着，何尝不是一种成就?
