2016: A Review
It's been a ritual to do a yearly review and this year will be the same.
The Grand Plan
For many years I have put my TCM physician work as the first item to update. I come to realise it is because of a calling of sorts, that one day I can truly do what I truly like for a living while helping others. Although I have not reached my dream, I have made some progress this year. This year I have incorporated a company and started working with a friend to come up with a website and branding strategy. While the website is not ready, I have a nice logo to call my own. A year of practicing as a locum has taught me lessons on managing a clinic and I also learnt from some of my classmates who are already running clinics of their own. I almost had a chance to start my own clinic towards the later part of the year, but fate would have it that I have to wait longer. But I will not be discouraged. This year also saw some successes in me writing articles for the Chinese newspaper and even an overseas newsletter. I have also given talks at various locations to add to my portfolio, including the university that I work at. I have also not stopped upgrading myself as I attended a scalp acupuncture workshop in Feb at KL and a acupuncture balancing workshop in June at Shenzhen. These are quite expensive courses but I can feel my acupuncture skills upgraded by a big deal after that. Hope to see my grand plan unfolds more in 2017.
My Full Time Work
Lesser known is my full-time work as a learning designer. Boss is happy in my work as I am groomed to take on management roles. In fact, I am considering to take on studies for Masters or Doctorate in Education on the university's sponsorship. Perhaps it is contrary to my grand plan that I signed on a bond, but I also feel it is a rare opportunity provided and I should be able to manage both. I had been a professional student for 7 years of my life while juggling work so I might just go for it.
Singing
If learning design is my full-time job and TCM is my part-time job, I will still need an avenue to relax. Joining back SMC this year is a decision I did not regret even though I knew it would be another commitment on top of my already busy life. Apart from a successful season cumulating in a performance at SOTA, I cultivated great friendship with my fellow baritones and with other choir members whom I have never sung with before last time when I joined SMC. The part where I acted as emcess was a bonus, which I do not think I want to go through the stress ever again. I did try helping out with committee work (mainly on the marketing) but I guess it wasn't really my cup of tea either. I really prefer simple music making through singing. Hopefully my schedule can allow me to continue with choir in 2017.
Other Significant Happenings in Reverse Chronological Order (Thanks to FB)
* Virgin visit to Vietnam in mid December finally touching the waters of the grand Mekong River
* Discovering there are tunnels and fortresses in Labrador near where I lived. Also, going back to Alexandra Hospital after 44 years, all part of a heritage trail I signed up in early December.
* Doing my part to raise funds for DK52 as an amateur cyclist in end November. I still have the sunburn marks on my back.
* Trying to be cultured by watching Monkey Go West and Nutcracker in November and December respectively. I enjoyed the theatre but I think I would need to work harder to appreciate ballet.
* Bought an Apple Watch as a birthday gift to myself.
* Up close and personal with PM Lee as he visited our university end October for a dialogue session. Is that considered significant I wonder?
* Visited Kuching again in August, this time participating in their Kuching Stanchart Run. Also did the Run in the City and Green Corridor Run, all with my dearest.
* Discovered the Balestiers were actually one of the first Americans in Singapore from a talk in July where I also bought the book
* Got in touch with my primary school classmate and teacher in the form of a whasapp group! Yay to social media!
* Watched Boo Jun Feng's Apprentice with him in person in a movie event in June. Totally love the movie!
* Discovered the original Fullerton lighthouse is actually now at Harbourfront. Thanks to heritage tours I've attended of the Singapore waterfront in May. Also did a tour of the National Galleries. Simple loved such tours where they talk about the good old days.
* Also a virgin trip in April, to Japan to explore Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. The highlight is the Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology. I don't just love old stuff but also new technology.
* Was in Bangkok in April as well, for the nth time. This time got Soong Joong-Ki and Cao Ni Ma as highlights of the trip.
* My dog bit me again in March. Bummer!
This year also saw King Bhumibol passed on, Brexit, Trump becoming President and the world go crazy over Pokemons.