Bye 2009 !

2009 is almost over, and soon we'll have a brand new clean slate on which to write a new year. Gee, this year simply flew by . I must admit reluctantly and most unfortunately. I don't have any 'achievements' to shout about nor did I do anything I am particularly proud of. However, I did discover some home truths about myself - throughout this year, I have gotten rather eccentric ( at times), reclusive ( sometimes - some people who have been trying to get me out for dinner will testify to this!) , short tempered ( most times!!) and illogical ( all of the time!). Blame it on the hormones that ran amok during these pre-menopausal times!!! I look at this as a privilege of getting old!!! So, to those in constant contact with me ( especially my family), sorry and thank you for your tolerance in putting up with me.

2009, despite no high points in my personal agenda, was indeed a milestone of sorts in my family. Ian turned 21. We had a little surprise birthday party for him - some very close friends and some of his Bestari school chums - many thanks to Evonne for helping to organise this part and on such short notice too. Julian turned 12 - old enough to get his IC !! My babies are growing up !!! Sometimes I look at the old photos and reminisce about when they were small. Bitter sweet really ....

My cousin Lina from Sydney was here for a visit. Gosh, it was last year since Ian and I visited her and Uncle Eric in Sydney!! Still remember the lovely time we had. Uncle Eric has since passed on and I am so glad we took the time to visit him.

I live my life through my kids. Ian is currently home for his internship and will be here until after CNY 2010. He graduates next year and will ( hopefully) remain in Australia after that. So, I aim to savour this time he is at home. He may not have so much time to be at home next year on!!

Ryan is loving school and all its activities. Was Sportsman of the Year for lower sec in school and has excelled surprisingly in middle distance running!! He has had a great year, was the Nationals Novice champion for figure skating and was voted Most Promising Skater. He passed his Freestyle 9 test, which makes him one of the highest level skater in the country. We are now aiming for Freestyle 10 next year and hopefully he can be the first Malaysian to achieve that. Fingers...and toes crossed!!! But all these are not without its price - he suffered injuries to his knee and for a while had to do physio every other day. Now we are very careful about not over training. Ryan is also selected to attend the Korean Dream Program next month in Korea.

Julian graduated from Primary school and will enter Year 7 next year. He, too had a good year. Was Head Prefect in school and graduated with a special award for achievements in skating. He, too won his category in the Malaysian Nationals. He attended the Korean Dream Program in Korea this year. Did ok in his UPSR , no flying colours unfortunately but nothing to be ashamed of either. He is very excited about entering secondary school next year. He is really growing up and so fast too.

Blue's year was so-so. Affected by the economic turndown and still trying to get back up. He has lost a bit of weight and this troubles me . Firstly for his health and secondly, I am jealous cos I am not losing any!!! He has 'rediscovered' his old school chums, attended a big school reunion recently and is now in constant touch with his mates. Bugs the hell out of us with his repeated requests for help in his emails and facebook journeys. This does not happen everyday - it happens every other hour in a day!!!! Help!

As for myself, I started a blog !!! A total of 49 entries , including this and I have passed the 1000 hits mark. Yay.....my only lapse was during this recent school holidays which threw a spanner in my works!!! Haha...hopefully I will persevere on. I have also added on in the weight category , and am now about 7 kg more than what I should be, or rather what I want to be. People who are kind say I look better but I look in the mirror and am not too happy with what I see! Took a trip to Melbourne earlier in the year for a mini school reunion of sorts!! Mini, cos it was only 4 of us - Cheng Kim, Jow Mee , Hock Poh ( Joni) and me!!! Still, it was fun. Now planning for the big one in 2011 - St Marians reading this please contact me so I can keep you gals updated!

Celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary this year - no do. Just a very quiet dinner for 2. Infact it wasn't even on the actual date cos that day I was flying off to Hong Kong with the boys for a competition!!! This reminds me of my 1st anniversary which I celebrated all by myself in Northampton ( work) while Blue was home in KL !!!

Discovered a new 'friend' who turned out to be really a friend in the true sense. Met up with old school friends whom I have not seen in a very very long time. Made some new 'friends' whom I don't really care for ( Nor they for me, I'm sure - haha) .

Cheers people - here's to a sparkling New Year and many more happy experiences !