A new year

It's been a year of highs and lows. 2009 has come and gone.

Jan
Bruno turns 3 yrs old!

April
Murray turns 3 yrs old!

Climbed the great wall for the first time. (me, not Murray)

Acquired new boss

May
Celebrated Mum's bday in her fuss free manner.
Realised she is probably the healthiest 75 yr old around. And I pray and thank that she remains healthy.

July
Opened 3 stores simultaneously in Ion
Did not have a life for a while

Aug
Opened a new brand in Spore

Sept
Celebrated Dad's bday and had EVERYONE together and enough food to boot (!)
Realised my dad is a year away from 80.
Realised my dad has survived his op for almost 2 years.
Realised my dad has lots of white hair.
Realised I still think he is 55 yrs old.
Realised he trips quite a bit nowadays.

Saw Xian's terracotta warriors and was in awe for a long time.
Ate duck blood in spicy sichuan soup.
Gallery Hotel has the nicest bed and bathroom. Esp when shared with a dear dear friend.
Found out Zhoulibo is a really funny man.

Oct
Visited Philippines for the first time.

Mum had a fall and fracture - the 2nd fall in 30 yrs.
Realised Mum is not superwoman, mum's now a 75 yr old grandma with brittle bones.
My sis moved to her new house. Gave Sassy to new home far far far away. Almost gave Samson away.

Nov
Gave a talk in a local tertiary institution for the first time
Lost a dear aunt to colon cancer. I didn't know how to comfort my cousins except to be there physically.
Attended the wake of a dear friend who lost her father suddenly, all too suddenly

Dec
Opened a new store in a new mall

Celebrated Christmas in 2 new homes - yay!

Had photos secretly taken and posted on FB. And I found out.

Missed Christmas log cake tradition cos some idiot had no brain.

Realised Samson can sing doggy songs in howling voices when I sing with him.

Finally my HG friend is back from London to take a much needed break from Life and All Its Demands.

Met with Uni mates from XX years ago, it felt so like yesterday when we were in school again. Growing old with peers makes one feel young forever.

A dear friend lost her peer who suddenly passed on in life.

New boss departed. Back to old boss.

And a very dear friend sent me a very dear note on the last day of 2009, rendering me stunned for quite a moment in the midst of rushing a report and preparing for sales. It was a surreal moment that forced me to take a deep breath when all around me everyone was gasping for air.

This year, too many people have lost loved ones, some in a more sudden way than others.

Life is fragile, handle with care. Speak gently, listen carefully, and love kindly. Be generous with encouragement, patience and most of all, time. Take time to be, be there, be available, be patient. Too often we take time for granted, that we never have enough time when we need it, and time is too long for those who wait.

In the new year, I just want to be. Be in the moment, to enjoy the time I have, to appreciate the people I am with, and savour the experience the life has to offer.

I will spend more time with my dogs, my family and make more effort to catch up with more friends. Life is, after all, about the journey, not so much the destination.