31 December 2011:
How has 2011 been for you?
For me, it's been an eventful year. I can't remember exactly what happened throughout this year, but I do remember certain details.... I have just spent a while reading through my archives month by month. I remember blogging about how we should read from our archives occasionally, and we can progress and learn from those posts. To be honest, I don't think I've actually grown much.
I don't think I have been successful in ridding myself of some bad character traits I have. Hopefully in 2012, I can further work on that.
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Today Straits' Times had this editorial where some senior writers summed up 2011 in a word. My word for 2011 is turbulent.
Please let me first break into a side note about Straits' Times. I am very disappointed that they actually placed news about Red Tours on its front page. I don't believe that Singaporeans and Malaysians going to China to learn about Communist and Marxist values is so important. On page 3 was something about specialised schools. I personally feel that special education is more important that that communist trip. No wonder people say that our media is so tightly controlled by the PAP Government, and others are saying that PAP has Marxist or Communist roots. Ew.
Please ST, less of Communist or CCP news. Thanks.
Why turbulent? So many events have happened this year. There was the Arab Spring (which unfortunately could not lead to a Jasmine Revolution), two elections in Singapore, lots of natural disasters, and other accidents.
There was a piece of news about how our weather this year is actually the worst since 1800 or so, when people started keeping track. I hope in 2012 our weather would not be as "eventful". Or is that what we have to accept as part of the whole global warming process?
In my personal environment, it has also been turbulent. Relationships were forged and others strained, or even broken. (Thankfully I think forged > strained + broken.) There have been skirmishes and other conflicts. Most (actually I think all) have been settled amicably, so I hope there's no bad blood between anyone. To the people that I have offended in 2011 because I was simply not using my brain before speaking, I'm sorry.
In 2012 I'll try to think more, much more, before I say anything. And yes, maybe it's time to learn how to be more tactful. The worst thing is when I thought people are okay with what I said since they don't look visibly affected, but actually in their minds they are probably throwing imaginary knives at me. So yes, more peace, I hope.
Speaking of peace, I would also hope for world peace. Of course, that's already such a cliched phrase, isn't it? "World peace", it's almost an oxymoron. With 2011 being so turbulent, how can 2012 be the year where world peace is achieved? That's true, though. It'll take a long time for world peace to be achieved, if it can be achieved at all.
North Korea seems good now, but it's still not on good terms with South Korea. But I'm glad that they have opening tourism on Jan 10, which is two days after Leader Kim Jong Un's birthday, if I'm not wrong. I would really love to go to North Korea in time to come, and experience a communist lifestyle for a while. Maybe I can appreciate the benefits of democracy in Singapore (although some still say it's not fit to be called a democracy) and complain about the government.
And speaking of complaining, I do hope lesser breakdowns will occur in 2012. (Ahem, SMRT.) Or rather, on the whole, just lesser national problems that the Government has to add on its platter. Already they have so many things like housing and "foreign talent" problems to worry about. It's no surprise that PM Lee steps down in future with a head of white hair. Or maybe even no hair.
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Okay, I think you must be super bored and unimpressed by now. I think my 3112 post must be the most sombre and uninteresting one amongst other 3112 posts. Anyways, happy new year. I won't be posting any new year post tomorrow, and it'll probably be another week till I do post again. 3 to 6 Jan is Orientation 2012, and I think I'll be too tired to even post anything during that time.
TTFN.