~~Lets Hope 2009 will be Better~~

Would you join me in my huge sigh of relief?
PHEW!

There we go. Another year has gone by. It would be a cliche to talk about how fast time flies - oops, there I go again! But truth be told, I personally dont think there is a better way to sum up a year - any year - whether it has been a good one or bad.

If one was having a bad year, there's no time like now to bid farewell and welcome the year next.
If it was a good year, it leaves us in great spirits to be even more optimistic about the next 365 days.

And what a year 2008 had been, and there are so many lessons to take from it.

However, moving away from myself, 2008 was definitely a year of changes with many headlines grabbing and history making events that took place locally so does internationally. If there was ever a year that deserved a bumper issue in any publication or production, 2008 would be it.

The number of things that made the headlines right from the beginning of the year - politics, business, sports and disasters, among others, had been plenty. And while there were many good news, there were equally as many bad ones, I think. But still, what an exciting year it has been.

Democracy never rung so loudly in Malaysia in recent history as it did after March 8 when 'political tsunami', as everyone calls it, hit us.

Much later in the year, the United States voted in their first ever black president.

China proved its mettle and hosted what was arguably the biggest Olympic Games the world had ever seen. So many names deserved mentions in the world of sports. Namely Michael Phelps and even our very own Datuk Nicol David.

Closer to home and most recently is the Bkt Antarabangsa landslide tragedy.

However, the biggest incident - where most people are affected - would have to be the worldwide economy. Major companies have gone bust, some gov around the world are raising the red alert. And the bleak economy outlook would surely seep into 2009.

Still, I have great faith in the strength of humanity.

The elections - show what sort of impact men and women can have when we stand united.
Dealing with tragedies shows our resilience in times of troubles.
And our sporting achievements are an indication of how people are able to exceed expectations.

Many people are saying that it is hard to be optimistic about next year. But I think that if we set our hearts to it, adapt our lifestyle a little and think of the times we have overcome hardship, then there is no reason why we cant ride out the coming year. And besides, isnt this the best time of the year to dream and think big? A new slate for a new year.

Happy new year all. Thanks for 2008 and lets welcome 2009!