As I have promised myself on the last day of 1996, I will review what I have done in the last year. And hopefully, I live a better life in the year 1997.
As I was playing my guitar tonight, singing the song “Nobody Knows”, I remembered my days back in the US. Indeed, that was one of the happiest moment of year 96, or perhaps my life. Being influenced by US culture (movies, music, and jeans) for so long, it was the first time I have ever stepped into the land of liberty. I still remember the excitement in me when I first landed at the San Francisco Airport. The limousines. Everything seemed so different – the roads, the buildings and even the air.
I drove into Chicago so many times and I could not remember how often. I was with Collin all the time. Great friend to be with. I still remember we got lost initially all the time and eventually, he directed and I drove.
Three weeks in St. Charles. I hang out with Collin, Yoshito (Japanese man), Mitzi (Korean lady) and another Australian lady. Great friends to be with. The drinking parties in my room and the lovely conversation with Collin and the beautiful Mitzi. Life was good.
Vividly I remembered a pub with a large dance floor, country style. Collin and I left the party without telling Mitzi, who was too busy dancing with all the guys on the dance floor. And she was not happy when she knew that. The next day, before she and her friend flew back to wherever they came from (Australia), we had a conversation by the fireplace. Some random topics and Collin and I saw them into the bus.
And then, I felt a sense of emptiness. Suddenly all the friends were gone. And I was back in Singapore, facing the hot sun. The whole period in US was like a fairy tale.
Yet, there was another fairy tale – my two trips to Paris. The first one lasted for 5 days and the second one lasted for 60 days. The BNP promotion with Francis was fun. We had great food and since we are not the fuzzy type, we can get along very well. I showed him Paris whenever we had time. The other trip was for Societe Generale. During the first 3 weeks, I had Damien with me. I miss those days with Francis.
Life in Societe Generale was pretty peaceful. Work started at 9 in the morning and usually ended at 6 in the evening. The people there were very nice. Sad to say, Sophie, Claude and Lionel left for Sydney in the middle of my stay. But my days with Aurore, Noubi and Mohammed was great. Especially Mohammed, we called each other brothers.
Weekdays after work, I usually went downtown to have my dinner. As for weekends, I always started from La Defense and ended up in Paris center at night. One movie and one meal and back home. During nighttime, I composed electronic messages that captured my feeling and observations during the day.
The food was good. The MTV in the morning was good. The French music was good. By the way, I felt in love with Mylene Farmer. Her music is just fantastic.
During those days back in Paris, someone thought that I was lonely. But I was not, I was in another state of mind. If I had my guitar with me, I would have composed a lot of great songs.
Back in Singapore, I am glad that I know Sam as a friend. He has introduced me into his circle of friends (which is big). Through him, I know a lot of people. Although they are all men, I don’t really mind. All the Wednesday night out, cheap dinner, and Karaoke.
Enough of stating what happened in year 96, but that was not the main topic in here. What could I have done better, hopefully in year 97 ?
The New Motto: To actively pursue what I want. I have been too passive. Not determined enough. Always avoid the reality. Must face it and direct the future into whatever I dream of.
Action: To plan and stick to it. I must treat my personal life as yet another project. To self improve or to exercise? It must be planned and followed.
Beware : Spend within budget. I have been spending too much money on things that may not be necessary. This is no good and must change. I must keep track on how money is spent and plan for future saving.
Goal: Must list out all the goals I want to fulfill this year. Thought goals, I will have motivation.