first Saturday 09.

I am going to refrain from describing how I had spent the last moments of 2008 because I have concluded that it is utterly impossible to make it any interesting. Not that it was even remotely near interesting.

I think everyone knows that this year is going to be brutal. So I shall not dwell on it. On the other hand, I guess it's nicer to list out the nicer things to expect this year.

1. Orientation. Crashers are welcome because..hey, I am more than just willing to let others play the "Shampoo" game.
2. Making new friends. Be it freshmen or old men and women.
3. Learning new stuff. (This is just a diplomatically correct answer. Why? At least it looks good on my resume the next time I try to sign up teaching as a career.)

I shall stop at 3 first. The reason being is not that those are the only few events that are 'nice'. Just that I can't think of any others at the moment.

The first day of 2009 was spent at Grandma's place. My Big Aunt requested a family gathering because the grandparents were complaining they were seeing their children less and less and their grandchildren even lesser. If not none at all. I for one had not seen them for almost a year. So trust me when I said I felt guilty as hell when I greeted and conversed with them. The atmosphere there was oddly tense though. Let me tell you why.

There is apparently this storm brewing amongst the uncles and aunties and of course my Mum. This maelstrom was so strong that somehow, us children felt it and tried to avoid them as much as possible. Needless to say, when the topic of 'girlfriend' was broached, those who secretly had ran for cover in the toilet or living room and those who didn't, like me, just cordially smiled along. I mean, the outcome can only result two ways. Either I could be labeled as a homosexual for exhibiting an apparent disinterest or indifference in trying to 'hook up' the opposite sex. Or I am an overdrive, mature too early smart ass who thinks he can handle relationships. So I did what I thought best. Listen to the government's calling for the Land of Million Smiles. When the first cousin took the fall, the rest of us decided it was time to bail. So we headed out for bowling.

The economics R paper is this Friday. I am contemplating not to go because it is seriously stressing me out. I still got Market Structure and god knows what other chapters left to study, mull and scream at. I am going to chuck this depressing piece of news aside first.

As with everyone, I think I will make a list of resolutions. But knowing myself, my ability to adhere to a list normally stops at 3..4, this list shall be sweet, succinct.

1. I will curse, swear and scream at Solman and his economic buddies a lot less. I shall also refrain from holding the lighter whenever I try to comprehend a new economic concept.
2. I will be more optimistic about things.
3. I know this sounds near impossible, but I will try to at least clock 7 hours of sleep a day. It is not inclusive of the number of minutes or hours spent sleeping during tutorials and lectures.

I dreamed that I was smoking along with 3 other lads the other night. It felt real. I could even taste the smoke. Spooky.