Wrapping up 2006 (Part 4)

Trivial Pursuits.. not exactly
Stuff I did that helps me feel alive!

Looking back I gotta say, 2006 was kinda amazing. I read a bunch of books, 25 to be exact! The best ones would have to be “The Road Less Traveled” and “The Kite Runner”. Thanks to my LibraryThing recommendations and leads from friends, this hobby can only get better. Plus my frequent trips to Borders.. wonder if I can get a part-time job there as a literary enthusiasts or ardent book reviewer..

On the music front, I caught Coldplay and Jason Mraz live! Definitely some of the highest points of my life. I was high from the whole thing for days, buzzing with crazy energy. I even managed to go to several classical concerts. Hearing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons played live is definitely an experience worth repeating.

While I didn’t quite become the nature lover that I hoped to be, I started developing a serious love for gardening. My Japanese Roses are thriving and I’m so proud of the multi-colour blooms that add a riot of colours to my homelife. On a more adventurous note, I tried white water rafting for the first time, and lived to tell the tale.. barely. Safe to say, while I’ll try everything at least once, that single experience is sufficient to last me this lifetime!

Watched a bunch of movies and discovered some really awesome TV shows. While I won’t call myself a couch potato (although my physique suggests otherwise), I can now state quite boldly that good TV is not an oxymoron. One need not go far, just tune in to shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Lost and Supernatural (okay, the last one is more eye-candy factor than anything else, but Jensen and Jared are worth it – minus the calories!).

I’m yet to make good on my goal where volunteering is concerned. The closest I got was the Terry Fox Run which was such good fun, I’d do it again next year. Heck, I’d do it every year if the local organizers are game.

On the gathering of “things”, I changed my car. It gave me some trouble initially, but me and Ruby Blue (that’s what I call her) get along fine these days. I bought a bunch of stuff too, but the best investment would be my Creative Zen Micro. It has 4 GB worth of storage and I’m almost maxed out, though I can’t recall just how many songs I have in there. Other than that, I’m not so much into stuff. Except books, which I don’t mind splurging especially when there’s a warehouse sale on. Which reminds me, I need to get a new book shelf some time soon.

On people I call friends, they remain few in numbers. Actually I have different categories of friends. The nearest and dearest would be those who are privileged to see me reduced to tears every now and then, or bear with me while I analyze every insecurity and inherent neurosis. Then there are those I’d hang out with for a good time, share some laughs over a good joke or a cup of coffee. Another group of people dear to me would be my online friends at 43Thing.com . They are amongst the kindest, most selfless, endearing and encouraging bunch of people I’ve ever met albeit online. They keep me sane and swapping cheers and comments on the site have definitely been good fun all the way.

2006 has been a good year, despite some of the hang-ups I had to deal with. I know I’ve learnt and grown, hopefully wiser though definitely older! As always, I remain super-optimistic where the future is concerned. I don’t usually make new year resolutions but I have goals left over from last year, so that should keep me busy apart from the daily routine of work and family life.

Can’t wait to see what lies in store for me for 2007!