Mid Year Review

How far have I gone in meeting my goals for 2008?

As of 1st week July

On track
- Meet at least 80 new friends from diverse backgrounds within and outside of Singapore ; update contact list based on people you met over the past 3 years (Very satisfied with the friendships I've maintained and pleased with the new friendships I've formed since I thought about this target)
- Document your life - update blog more regularly, take more photos, track expenses, maintain various personal lists (Still need to track expenses, maintain various personal lists, and connect the scanner that I bought ages ago to get rid of paper in my house) - Support independent artists ; develop a higher appreciation for the arts (music, film, theater, design) (This is the bit I've spent the most time and money on. So far so good. I never run out of events to catch here in Singapore)
- Best effort to take the bus or MRT when traveling on your own but don't punish yourself for taking a cab on a need basis (Finally I began exerting effort to take the bus to and from work except when I'm carrying my heavy office bag and when my foldable umbrella won't be able to handle a sudden downpour. I could still get away with several cab rides but this year has been a big improvement vs last year)

- Decide what you want to happen in 2009 and 2010 and take drastic measures to ensure you have a clear view by October 2008 (While unpublished, disguised in this goal is my intention to apply for permanent residency in Singapore which fortunately was granted in May. This is the first step to having a clearer idea of what happens in the next few years.)

Likely to improve ; be pleased with the results by yearend
- Hit target weight and body fat % by end March and maintain these for the rest of the year; develop upper body strength (Hit my lowest weight in recent years in May. Pants are a bit loose and my belt has moved by one slot. This remains a priority. I really have to jog and lift weights sooner rather than later)
- Strengthen regular prayer and worship life (Have not been able to attend prayer meetings as often as I want to due to business travel, family/friend visits, and a goal mentioned above -- developing better appreciation for the arts. I joined a church choir though. This helps me to not only attend mass regularly but have a higher form of worship thru music)
- Continue to discover Singapore by checking out a new bar/restaurant/ food center per weekend and by exploring the vicinity of the MRT stations you haven't exited from during the past 1.5 years (I have not been tracking this but I need to be more conscious of MRT stations to exit from for the first time. Also need to re-establish my Sunday random bus rides around Singapore)


At risk or already behind (might spillover to 2009)
- Join a swimming school and survive the water on your own when lessons are over (If I dont look fit, I can't swim. If I cant find a good swimming instructor, I won't learn how to swim. I have the trunks/boardshorts and goggles though -- ready to be used; need to shake off the dust from the goggles).
- Take calculated risks in learning how to cook including the use of the oven (I really couldnt figure the degree equivalent of my oven whose controls are in watts! I've been watching cooking shows which have begun inspiring me to cook)
- Volunteer time and effort each quarter to develop the youth or give happiness to the sick or elderly (I havent been exerting much effort to find relevant information to realise this goal. Should do so very soon)
- Spend more time browsing business, finance and IT-related sites and be able to discuss basic/recent topics intelligently where appropriate (I spend more time looking at Straits Times and Facebook than Business, Finance, and IT sites)