Those end-of-year posts.

As 2016 draws to an end, I guess we should do an obligatory end of the year post.

List for the many things I am grateful for:

1. (Rather) Good health, for myself and for family

2. Being introduced to my current job, and not screwing up anything major thus far

3. Having run my first 10k, though I had to walk with a limp for a few days after that

4. The chance, the company, and the ability to visit Japan like a leech, and getting to eat so so so so so many nice things (screams tuna sushiiiii)

5. Taiwan, whereby I got to buy lots and lots of fls and experience transport from a now defunct airline

6. And the recent Malacca, which was eat sleep eat eat eat sleep - sinful and blessed

7. Nice people around me. They say you are the average of 5 people you spend the most time with but I don't think I am as nice as you all. Thank you for lending a helping hand, for showing concern, for going on theme park rides with me, for encouraging me to share what is on my mind because I suck at expressing myself, for knowing what I will say next, for playing the lame games I design, for giving me the parts of the fish without bones, for helping me peel crab, for having my diet in mind when we meet up, for encouraging me when I dont feel like jogging, for treating me to food, and for putting up with me for another year.

GP

I have seen this GP of mine for 10 years. Never was any consultation more than 10mins long.

Today I went to him for a problem and requested for help. He expressed that he is unable to take sides but would provide an opinion when asked.

What he did do for me in a 20min consultation is to help me put things into perspective. To help manage expectations and yet give his two cents worth on the harsh reality of life from his years of practice. And as a rash(er) young adult who hasn't had to see many of the uglier things around, it did help me understand and manage my emotions.

In the midst of singling out unfair things that happen to us, sometimes we forget that there are more important things that we have that no one can take away. It also reminded me of something I was told a long time ago - 人生还有很多亏等你去吃.

So I guess instead of focusing on giving my best and being fixated on the results which are, more often that not, disappointing I should take things in stride.

Best of all, the 20min lesson was free.

My best.

I think lists help me sort out my life a lot. I make lists at work and cross out whatever I have done. I also make lists when there are many things on my mind and I don't know where to start.

1. Will give my best: Grateful for the opportunity to go overseas for work and learn so much. I am really thankful for all that has been given to me at work, and I want to pick up all the skills and gain all the knowledge that I can to do my best.

2. Have given my best: Glad that I finally got the much needed closure (for the lack of a better word). As with all things, I gave it my best. And perhaps the stars just wouldn't align for me but it's fine I guess. In the greater scheme of things, this wouldn't matter.

3. Going to give my best: Received some news and got a rude shock, then denial, then how do I solve this, then what is the worst that can happen, and finally I'm going to fight this. It would be tiring, but I'm gonna give it my best.

I can do this.