Closing the year 2010

It’s such an ‘Adelaide’ tradition to close off the year with a scorcher – the temperature is forecasted to reach 41C before a change comes to cool the mercury down a bit. Last night was warm – the temperature only reached 28.2 at 6.40am. Thank God for my airconditioner! I’ve been taking the days really easy – it’s hard to get into some kind of routine when you have switched off mentally. On the other hand this condition leads me to a sense of boredom – I’m a creature who needs order and habit *laugh*. Today, we’re planning to head off to church at 6.00pm and afterwards, no doubt we will be heading somewhere to see the fireworks. The organisers have said that they may need to cancel the fireworks if conditions are too dangerous – as you may know, bushfire is a real risk during hot days, especially when the northwesterly winds are blowing.

So before we bid 2010 adieu, here are some of the things that I would remember 2010 as:

THE HONOURABLE MENTIONS

1. The year that I switched career into the field of academia – I’ve always thought about academic life and teaching. At least I’m doing what I thought I would like doing.
2. The year of Jehovah Jireh – Last year I wondered how on earth I would support my family, being a full-time student again in 2010. Flash forward to the end of the year, I am not starving, nor is my wife. We’ve got a mortgage that is paid on time and although my bills can’t get worrisome at times, they are also paid. God does provide.
3. I learn how to drive – I’ve finally conquered my fear and emerged as the victor. It’s certainly quite unusual for somebody my age who is yet to have his first car. It took me longer but heck, I’ve done it (with the fine print that I still need to do my ten hours of night driving!).
4. My first year as a married man – I learn a lot about myself and realise that I’m not the easiest man to live with. Thank God for a compatible wife who loves me the way I am. I love her a lot too – first year of discovery is done, looking forward to many more years to come!
5. My first ever academic conference – Having a paper written, submitted and peer-reviewed is a good experience. I’ve talked in various other conferences, but it’s certainly a new experience to join an academic conference. Academics are certainly a different ‘breed’ indeed!
6. The year of domestic bliss – I have always enjoyed gardening and it gives me a great sense of achievement to see the grapevines successfully growing around my pergola and to see other trees that I planted flourish. On top of that, I have also taken baby steps in baking and dessert making. I won’t ever turn out to be Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson but at least I can do my duty to share the calories with my friends. 😉 *laugh*.

THE DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS

1. The growing pouch – Ouch! Getting on with age means that my pouch is growing larger. Perhaps it’s time that I do the push-ups in the morning again!
2. The almond trees are slowly blossoming – Mmmm, I’ve discovered more grey hair. Does that mean I’m growing wiser? Thank goodness that Yani enjoys plucking them out. Hahaha.
3. Politics, glorious office politics – Unfortunately it’s a part of life, whether you like it or not – wherever I work.

I’ve learned that it’s quite easy to find something to be thankful for – I could’ve extended the first list tenfolds of the things that I am thankful for: family and friends, my health, new experiences and for things that I am leaving behind. When I go to the second list, I struggled to find things that I really despise. I don’t want to list nitpicky things so I am sticking with three. 🙂

So wherever you are, I sincerely hope you find things to be truly thankful this year. Having read this means that you have functioning eyesight, you are alive and breathing – and you have the means to pay your internet connection, either on your phone or at home. If you’re reading this at work, that means that you have a job to keep you busy during the day, and to pay off your bills. See? There are so many things to be thankful for. 🙂

Have a safe New Year’s Eve celebration, friends! Wishing you a peaceful, blessed and prosperous 2011. See you in MMXI!