December
2000. Is it Christmas already.. again? A year ago, I
re-started noticing the movements of the planets. And
now the cycle returns with Jupiter and Saturn at the
zenith, Venus to the west. Mars will reappear soon
enough.
I've
had an amazing year. To top it all, I was given the
opportunity to create and launch a community project
to bring astronomy to the masses: Astronomy 2001
Singapore. This literally fell from the skies
into my hands, and I am most grateful to a couple of
my friends from Singapore, Malaysia & overseas
for their support in this.
I
have also met many new acquaintances and re-met many
more old friends this year: From the Star Trek World
Tour; Vietnam (HCMC); Japan; the Istana
archaeological excavation; Malaysia (Mersing,
Segamat, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Penang);
Taiwan.
The
Astronomy 2001 Committee members and volunteers; More
from NUSAS; Singastro; SRJC Astronomy unit and NYAA
divison; the other NYAA participants; the Guests from
the Gold award cermony; the Singapore History Museum;
the Toa Payoh Polyclinic Dental unit (for the dental
accidents that I keep having this year..)
The
camera shops around City Hall; the OIS photo unit;
the Contax list; the SkySensor list; the
"Angel" unit; the kind drivers of bus 158;
and most recently, the folk of AstroBash!VI. Also the
upcoming people from Thailand. Countless of others
whom I know but didn't list individually.
My
warmest wishes to each and every one of you for
making this one of my best years ever.
Best
but it doesn't mean peachy because like all of life,
not everything is rose-tinted (only that the good
stuff has tremendously outweighed the bad ones, so I
don't feel too miserable..)
Special
thanks to a couple of my pals who have made me
realise the brutal truth behind the fragile
optimistic views I have of life and people. Not the
easiest lesson in life, but certainly an eye-opener.
I won't learn my lesson well because it's hard for me
not to be optimistic. Truth, pessimistic people have
the most realistic view of life.
I'm
still learning this the hard way.. and I'm glad to
have the care and concern of such wonderful friends.
I
won't be in Singapore but I'll be sending you my best
wishes from the stars. Happy Christmas and
a Merry New Year! :o)
