2007:the year of new beginnings

have not yet done my retrospective post of 2006 nor a post about the new year. so this post sort of serves both purposes.

Just came back from Mt. Alvernia Hospital. Lyn had just given birth this morning to a little bundle of joy. He is yet to be named. A couple of names being tossed around are 'Joshua' and ..err... 'Elijah'. Out of the 2 choices thus far, I am partial to the former. Would be kinda weird to go through life being called Elijah. Although if his surname was Wood maybe it just might work....

Probably the best decision I made in 2006 was to finally make that trip to Israel. It was not easy at the start. It seemed like everything was against me. But in the end God made the provision for my trip. And once there in the Holy Land, I was blessed and blessed. And the blessings have not stopped. The friends I made while there , will probably last a lifetime. And more importantly, I walked where Jesus walked. And will never be the same after this.

2006 was also the year I started keeping hamsters. And what a joy they have been. Initially it was Agnes's idea to start keeping the little rodents. But as time went on it became more and more MY hobby than it was ever hers. After all the initial excitement of the births and hamster accessories shopping, things have now settled to a manageable pace. I now have 6 hamsters. And wil probably maintain the population at these numbers. Too bad my dearie turns out to have some sort of allergic reaction to hamsters.

I recently purchased a notebook pc to replace my ailing desktop. Glad I did though. Do not know how much longer it would have lasted. The problems my desktop had are too numerous to list here...

other notes from 2006:

• in terms of our relationship, Agnes and i were rather uneventful in 2006. there were little of the emotional highs and lows that littered 2005. But I know that 2006 is gonna be a memorable one. *hint hint*
• workwise, it was just me going through the motions. Also a rather tame year compared to the previous ones. None of the nonsense from above that brought me to this stage of my career. Not as much anyway. Hasli went off to PPWC, which in a way left me by my lonesome in Sembawang. We did not keep in touch as much as I would have liked. Likewise Lyn and I grew apart somewhat as a result of her nuptials. We still remain close pals, and probably always will.
• Sunny had a good year by his standards. None of the major breakdowns or accidents. He did leave me worried for a while with his CO emissions issues, but in the end he passed!
• Noel folded up D Storm Entertainment and started out as a manager at Bar None. He seems rather happy there. Booze and babes. What else can I say?
• leo and lynn were kinda the same. guess some things never change. But we all hope things work out for the best, yeah?

what 2007 has in store:

• I aspire to someday own my own business and not have to work for the nutcases that have plagued my working experience thus far. It seems that there are only bad bosses. Hope that I can be a good boss. Otherwise I have to eat my words. 2007 seems like the right time to take the plunge. But the lack of enthusiasm from people around me can be disconcerting. I know they mean well, but i rather turn a deaf year to all the naysayers.
• I am 33 now. Agnes is . We are not getting any younger. And I would figure it is about time we settled down and started a family. We have been together nearly 2 years already. Time sure flies when you are in love!
• With the above points, I have to figure out when Sunny fits in to all of it. I love him. he and I been through alot of good and bad times together. But if i wanna get married and start a business, Sunny would be surplus from an economics point of view. The money I spend on him each month could easily be funnelled to my new family and new business. Also there are thoughts to get a minivan or commercial vehicle for my new business.
• the God issue. I love my church. it is the only church where I feel truly comfortable in. But Agnes does not share my enthusiasm. The perpetual battle between Law and Grace! We want to find a church where we are both comfortable in. But it seems like our opinions differ on what constitutes a good church. The most important thing to me is a church that preaches the true Word of God. And Pastor Prince (and his pastors) do that better than any church I have ever seen or heard. It was a long, hard road that led me to New Creation. And it is not something that I will easily let go off. I hope and pray that Agnes and I find that 'common ground'. Because apart from God, we are nothing.

In short, 2006 was a year of consolidation. 2007 will be the year where the fruits of our labour will come to bear. I have grown in so many ways without realising it. Funny how things all work out in the end despite all the odds. A big part of what I am is due to the presence of the lady in my life, Agnes. She has ground out many of my rough edges and made me a better person on so many levels. Before her, there was much doubt and fear in my life. I had been through fire and brimstone. I smelt of smoke. Love seemed like some distant ideal, something to aspire to, but few experience first hand. But Agnes made me realise things. Made me a better man. Taught me that true love does indeed exist.

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