2010 Reflected

Starting this new year, I would like to look back and see what I have done last year. I know some people say we're not supposed to look back, but to keep going forward. But how else are we able to embrace the future if we don't evaluate what we have done in the past and learn from our mistakes?

So I've been trying hard to remember the things happened in my life in 2010 and come up with this list with some rather important and memorable events that happened which were not necessarily only successes but also failures, in which a few of them were stepping stones.

1. Earned a big bonus and raise.
2. Almost moved out from current place to rent room in another place, but canceled due to some considerations.
3. Started learning French more seriously by enrolling in basic and intermediate French courses.
4. Gave OBIEE training to new employees.
5. Applied for BGF Scholarship to France, but rejected. This was the third time my scholarship appliction was rejected, in addition to the Fulbright Scholarship to US and the ADS Scholarship to Australia applied back in 2009.
6. Bought a 32" LED TV, an iPhone 4, and few basic diving equipment. Almost bought a new digital camera and its underwater housing, but canceled.
7. Visitied Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Dayang (as well as the small islands visited when sailing by catamaran). The visit to Kuala Lumpur was my first time visit to Malaysia.
8. Got certified in scuba diving; at first PADI Open Water level, and then PADI Advcanced Open Water level. 
9. Had my brothers coming over to Singapore for holiday.
10. Sailed by catamaran twice; once around Singapore and once to Malaysia.
11. Visited Philippines during the company trip: Manila and Boracay. This was my second visit to Philippines; the first time was when I visited Davao City in 2004. Almost went to Maldives for the company trip, but it was changed to Boracay instead.
12. Worked on and implemented quite a lot of projects throughout the year. A lot of stress during the current ongoing project, which I had a really rough time with.
13. Made a huge decision that involves spending a lot of money from my savings. This was a decision not taken lightly at all. Related to this, I got my first Singapore credit cards for the first time which come with a bonus of SGD 200 credit to spend.
14. Started learning Italian.
15. Celebrated Christmas and New Year in Singapore for the first time after 3 years living here.

Looking back to the ups and downs of the past, I can now look to the future with hope that 2011 will be an exciting, meaningful, and successful year, but more importantly with hope to live in the moment and enjoy whatever life brings.