With 2008 behind me like a used plastic bag waving in the wind, I dug in my heels in January without much care for the commencement of another year.
If last year was a year of new people, new things and new challenges, then this year is stock-taking for me: clear out the junk, abandon the gunk. Easier said than done, if those of you who have ever experienced episodic constipation will understand.
Speaking of ballooning behinds, Daniel insists quite sincerely that my ass has expanded since 2008, news that dismayed me greatly, since I have one of those categorically non-existent variety of ass that came aesthetically ready-made and require no additional maintenance. Or at least I used to. (2) This, combined with my increasing sharpei-looking mid-section, has prompted me to go into damage control mode: weekly yoga (to mitigate the effects of (1) and muscle cramping from lack of exercise), weekly tennis (running after balls is an effective workout) and a more discerning diet, comprising namely of cooking twice a week.
(3) Renewing and maintaining friendships and acquaintances has been a surprising yet rejuvenating development this year. I am thankful that many of my friendships from many places in the last 20 years of my life have endured and blossomed till today. I consider this a personal achievement in the aspect of human relationships, which is more than I can say for some people I used to associate with. In any kind of human relationship, I've learnt that my biggest responsibility is in effort. I had been less selective in regard to whom I invest my efforts in. Sarcasm aside, this will also be a year of growth, as Daniel and I continue on our journey of Living Together Without Legal And Social Obligation To Be Nice to Each Other. Lesson of 2009: how to forgive your partner when he keeps calling you an SPG.
Finally, (4) learning how to play tennis and speak German because I have no choice but to do it will round up my year of things to accomplish. As mentioned in point (3), investment in social relationships such as Daniel's non-English speaking parents is one of those things to which I accord importance. So is picking up Competent Tennis in 2 months to prove to Daniel once and for all that women are not disadvantaged in sports by their gender. If I can teach myself to play Chopin's Etude No.2 in 4 weeks, I can do tennis in 8 - after all, it's the same hand-eye coordination except I have use an extra set of muscles while doing it.
It's just more fun spending a Saturday night with friends.
Daniel, Francois and Vivi play a round of 301.
Daniel wasn't very good at first...
By sheer luck...
Vivi made TWO bulls-eye! 
Rob just beat every one.
Daniel: Rats! Can't beat Rob.
Final scoreboard: Rob - Daniel - Francois - Vivi
Happy Valentine's! 
