Closing a Chapter...

In few hours time we will close another chapter and start another. We say goodbye to year 2006 and usher in year 2007. Many people have already made plans for the new year. New house, getting married, getting babies, salary increase etc; New resolutions has been listed up weeks ahead. As for me I don’t have any new year’s resolution. Infact I didn’t made any before. Resolution is like a promise which is meant to be broken thus I don’t bother making one. It’s a waste of time. I shall just close my eyes and see what I want to see. Close your eyes, what do you see? Emptiness? Ray of hope? Well it’s up to you to decide.

For the past few years, many unforgettable events happened right before the new year starts. In 2004 there was a tsunami which hit Asia, in 2005 there was Bali bombings. It’s no different for this year. It seems that there is always a catastrophe happened right towards the end of the year, it’s somewhat like a reminder to the rest of us that life is not a bliss. Amidst the fun and the party, welcoming the new year, we shall also look back to those who have loss their love ones. While most us welcome the new year with joy, there are few of us who welcome it in sorrow.

Year 2006 ends with uneventful headlines.

• For the past few weeks, monsoon rain hit Asian countries which results in flood. Many countries including Singapore suffered due to the flood. Neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia were hit hard and many died.

• Taiwan was hit with earthquake. Telecommunications was disrupted for few days. In Singapore internet service and overseas phone calls came to a halt. Major trading business crippled down due to lost of communications. For me I had problems surfing and even checking my Gmail. Things went back to normal few days after. Somehow our life is too dependable on these copper lines beneath the sea.

• Then there is war between Ethiopia and Somalia.

• Yesterday Saddam Hussein was hanged. It came to a shock because he was supposed to hang in 30 days time but instead it happened two weeks early. The most unfortunate thing is that it happened one day before the holy day of the Eid-ul Adha. While many rejoice with the death of Saddam, there were few who protest against his execution. I wasn’t sure what to make out of the execution. True that Saddam has oppressed many of his citizens and cause injustice but somehow his death sentence could be supersede with just life imprisonment. I’ve never support any death sentence for one’s mistake. Death sentence should be abolished. It’s inhumane. I believe there would be more bloodshed in weeks to come. The only person who deserved to be hang, shot, mauled by dogs is George Bush. He and his fucking family should be burnt alive on the stake. Just like what the Romans did to their prisoners.

• Few hours ago came news of a ferry disaster in Indonesia where hundreds of people drown and only handful of the passengers survive. Not much information regarding this situation but news would be coming in soon. Live coverage on the television has been keep viewers updated of the latest situation

• Few important people passed away few days before and after Christmas like American ex-President Gerald R. Ford, soul singer James Brown, animator-cartoonist Joseph Barbera and few others.

• Respite all these events, we shall still usher in the New Year with a big bang. These events will all now be a history, in a chapter which we will conclude soon. We will be opening another chapter which bring hopes to many of us. Though the future would be uncertain, many of us know that we would strive for the best to make things happen. Obstacles do happen and its up to us individuals to face it bravely and deal it. Every problem has a solution. So let me conclude this chapter with Best Wishes and Happy New Year!!!