Monday, December 28

Year 2009 in review

Alot of bloggers have started rounding off what they have done and not done in year 2009.

Below are some of the main things that happened on my side.

(1) 2009 is the year I gave up my 20-year old gaming addiction, and got to know WrathOfNino, who gave me a great link to a site where fellow recovering gaming addicts shared how their life has been ruined by gaming.

After a few months of hiatus from gaming, I have gone back to do some minor gaming at the encouragement of Wifey, who's still very much a gamer at heart. But this time round, I know I am much better at setting my priorities correct. And spending much much lesser hours at gaming.

I'm a better man.

(2) 2009 marked the year when I first visit Japan. It is the most memorable travel visit I have been to, maybe even more than Europe. The culture there is so different, it really gave me a different insight to human behaviour.

Japn taught me that Man are like monkeys. Have the government set rules, and slowly the rules will inbreed a culture, and slowly their behaviour will change to become a social norm. While Singaporeans may not like the idea of littering being a public offense, but their mindset slowly changed and they got used to it. I don't even litter when I go overseas now, it just feels funny.

(3) 2009 continues to be a mind-opening year for me. In line with my mindset to remain open to ALL kinds of investments and talks, I have attended tons of talks. In the process, I have made new friends, and also rekindled friendships.

Not all talks are meant to cheat your money. I have recently been to a one hour talk where they not just gave me free buffett, but also a S$100 Marina Square voucher with no terms and conditions (other than a 1-year expiry date). And I paid nothing.

Quoting Stuart Chase, an American engineer and economist, this is a VERY true statement.

For those who believe, no proof is necessary.
For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.


(4) 2009 has also been a year which contains the most depressing period of my life. Do me a favour not to ask me what it is, thanks. Even my colleagues were concerned during a period of time when I couldn't smile. I'm glad it's over. But I'm glad it happened too, in a way.

What doesn't kill you should make you stronger.
If it doesn't, you fail at life.


Sorry if it offended anyone, but it's how I was brought up. Nothing will break me.

I make mistakes, I cry, I get over with it.
But I hardly regret, because I can't turn the clock back.


(5) 2009 is the year I started taking those Ba Wang anti-hairfall shampoo. It's pretty embarrassing to admit that my hairline is starting to recede a little. But I'm never one to hide problems, I work on them!

If there's one thing good about being married, it's that I worry less about my outward appearance, and spend more time building on my character.

Alot of people will not agree with my next statement.
Why be single when you can be married?

(6) 2009 is the year when Cup of Ice getting more exposure. Thanks to everyone of you here. Have taken the chance to get to know so many new friends. I shall not give names (for fear of missing anyone important out), but you know who you are.

(7) 2009 is the year I first dreamt about a blogger. In fact, it was just last night. I dreamt that I met with HappySurfer and some other bloggers. And HappySurfer turns out to be a guy (gosh!) in real-life. And she also owns the same cafe where we all met.

Isn't it funny how dreams can be so random?
Gosh, I need to get a life and blog less.

(8) 2009 is the year I started a few health targets for myself. Jan 2009 was the year I had a meat-free month, as a penalty I self-inflict on myself for failing a particular target I set for myself a few years before.

A debt may get mouldy but it never decays.

I have also implemented the "1 good meal a day" target. And also the "no more than 2 sugared drinks a day" target. It's seriously tough to implement such targets for myself in a food paradise country like Singapore, but I'm proud to say they have been STRICTLY followed.

Tough doesn't mean you don't do it.
It just mean you should prove you are tougher than tough.


As Uncle Shingo T grows older, he has to be mindful of his own body. My mouth is willing, but my body is weak. Because of that, my will has to be strong, I can no longer be tempted to consume as and what pleases me.

I need to take care of myself. Failing which, I will be a liability to my Wifey, my family and my finances.

You may not remember what you ate last Friday, but your body remembers them FOREVER.

Looking ahead, I have some rough targets in mind for year 2010. Maybe I will list some of them here. As you know, one way I make sure targets are realised is by telling the WHOLE WORLD about it. Anyway, one lesson I learnt when setting targets, never set too many targets a year. Be focused, set a few but make sure you work on them.

Then you can be tougher than tough, like me.

33 comments:

Lily Riani said...

:D good for you! i sucks at doing and listing the 2009s and 2010s... just go with the flow i guess.

இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

You have got your life straightened up nice and neat. Great! Still have not sorted out my previous year's resolution which I made last year.:p

Anonymous said...

This year has been a good year for me. It wasn't perfect but with every ups and downs, things have worked out well.

Here's to a better year awaiting all of us! :)

இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

{明天會更好 míng tiān huì gèng hǎo} tomorrow will be much much better.. Gambate everyone!

[SK] said...

(1) playing games can train you up to be more witty, keep it up.. :p

(2) wow, Japan!! i've always wanted to go Japan, maybe i should set my plan already..

(3) hmmm, i sometimes really wonder how could people earn so much cash, but not me??

(4) hope 2010 will be a great and happy year for you :)

(5) haha, so how's the shampoo?? like Jackie Chan, dong-elle~~

(6) yeah, keep on blogging!! and bloggers rock!!

(7) OMG, really?? HappySurfer is a guy?? i always thot HappySurfer is a lady.. *surprise*

(8) always, on diet is my forever new year resolution, hahahaha!!

autumnmusic said...

man, u're quite the inspiration here =.='''

this is a little depressing, u achieving most of what you set for yourself... me... i'll have a mcd sundae cone later to console meself XD XD XD jkjk!

thanks for the reminder, i actually overset my goals already, no eye see~~

Roxy. said...

Ahhh, u just made me realize that it's my turn to start writing a resolution. yeah, Cup of Ice getting more exposure. Woohoo. It's great that you are getting more popular. Did not know u had a gaming problem. I used to have it too. Spent the entire day on gaming and when i bought those cash items, i spent even more time in order not to waste it.

Shingo T said...

Lily Riani:
haha, you have already achieved so much travelling this year. Even without targets, you have already learnt so much, seen so much.

Your photos are proof of that.

Bananaz:
Publish your targets on your blog. And review them publicly every quarter. It will work.

Mei Teng:
I'm sure you can handle those downs well enough to make them go up again.

No one can give us a better year, but ourselves. ^_^

[SK]:
haha, you make gaming sound like a good brain exercise. Hmm... but sometimes I think it kind of nullified my common sense.

Set a plan for Japan, and start saving up!

The anti-hairfall shampoo is actually quite good. It doesn't grow my hair, but it certainly prevent alot of them from falling.

HappySurfer is a girl. I think the dream could be a result of subconsciously wondering what kind o person she is in real-life. She's a myseterious and happy girl.

autumn:
My purpose of blogging what I have achieved is not menat to depress and impress you. It's meant to show that as long as you set your minds to goals, it can be done!

Put it simple, if I can do it, so can you!!

Roxy:
Wanna share your resolutions, would love to read them.

Didn't expect you to have a gaming problem too. You sound too smart (and philosophical) to fall into the gaming trap.

Cherish Tulips said...

u n my hub have the same vice-playing too much game...he had recently gave it up and is prepared to devote more time to our family and little baby!
Happy New Year to you!

Ice said...

20 year gaming? Wah, you must be playing since 9 years old huh? haha!

I am impressed that you remembered things that took places. I can't really bother, and only remember 1 thing and I know I am still working on that darn 1 thing.

TG said...

Hey Shingo, great post!

I won't go into everything, just tick me off as someone who agrees on every point you make ;)

How old are you, if you are a gamer for 20 years? You must be in your 30s, maybe 40s?

And I'm looking forward to two things:

- You dreaming of me
- Your post about goals for next year ^_~

wrathofnino said...

Happy New Years buddy! :D

wenn said...

reflection on yr life. great! keep up the good works!

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You did well and you should be proud of yourself.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nina said...

Dear Shingo!

I was out for Christmas and I have to tell you ... I missed reading your words of wisdom. I think that you are such a grounded man and admitting to be happily married speaks volumes of character to me (Mst men will neve openly profes to that!). I do hope 2010 will be a beter year for you as well as me. 2009 marked many betrayals of friendships to me and I can't wait for it to be over. I am wishing that God sends you all the blessings that you richly deserve!

Nina

PS What is a "gaming addiction?" Sorry ... I'm really dumb?!

(T) (H) (B) said...

I ate some salad last thurs and fri... Uncle Shingo way to go! =)

The Bimbo said...

I love your quotes... especially this one..
I make mistakes, I cry, I get over with it.
But I hardly regret, because I can't turn the clock back.

Happy New Year Shingo...

Toothfairy said...

I believe that too: what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

It's how I like to live my life. Conquer all, regretting nothing!

And I agree with you on being married as well. I think it's a stable way of living, instead of being single, always wondering and looking for someone, or not... But I do know a lot of people don't agree!

loves

Sharon said...

nice recap! :)
well i'd like to be married one day too but MR RIGHT will have to come my way first right? :(
i like how you're so straightforward in you're writing, and i share your sentiments with the phrases you mentioned.
now that you remind me, i gotta start dieting soon!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

TZ said...

Let's hope for a better Twenty Ten :)

Nina said...

Hello Shingo T!

I passed on The Haute Mess Award to you in my blog today. Please check it out?

foongpc said...

So this is some of resolution for 2010 for you? I make resolutions every year and follow up on them every 3 months - believe it or not, it works very well for me!

foongpc said...

Didn't know you and your wife are addicted to gaming! Well, good thing you have control over it now.

About that statement 'why be single when you can be married', well, it's a fact that happily married men have longer lifespans. I'm not sure about unhappily married men though, I think they have shorter life span than single men! Haha!

foongpc said...

Very good of you to implement the "no more than 2 sugared drinks a day". Congrats for successfully following it! : )

All the best for 2010! : )

7-8 said...

Sorry to hear about the depressing period. But it's good to know that it's over.

Anonymous said...

It is rather interesting for me to read that blog. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more soon.

HappySurfer said...

Blimey! What have I done to bring on the sex-change. LOL! Dreams are so funny and strange sometimes, don't you think? Thanks much for the link.

Psst.. receding hairline is a good sign. It's a sign of one's prosperity, so there, not to worry too much.

Manju said...

isnt it supposed to be 'man has evolved from monkeys?' xD
and you say meat-free month like it was so painful haha, this made me seriously LOL

Shingo T said...

Cherish Tulips:
It's isn't easy for most man to give up gaming. Kudos to your hubby on setting his priorities right.

Ai Shiang:
I normally forget stuffs easily, unless it's very memorable. ^_^

MKL:
I might get nightmares of you soon, after putting me naked in the snow. =p

wrathofnino:
Happy New year to you too, bro. Update us on how you are doing.

wenn and Shakira Choong and TZ:
Have a great year too!

Nina:
The gaming addiction refers to the many many hours that I wasted playing online computer games. If you have never been a gamer, please don't start.

Gosh, betrayal of friendship sounds really terrible. If this year was bad, next year will definitely be better for you.

HB:
I love salad. yummy yum yum.

The Bimbo:
I tend to repeat the same old quotes, so expect to be bored soon.
*blush*

Toothfairy:
We are similar in many ways. Except for the fact that I don't wear a dress. And I don't work in a "painful" profession. =p

Sharon:
Aiyo, why do skinny girls always want to be skinnier? Diet for the sake of health, not superficial reasons.

foongpc:
Kudos to you for keeping track on your resolutions every 3 months. Most people set them at the start of the year and review at the end, only to realise they haven't achieve any of the goals.

Haha, I agree with you that unhappy married men probably have shorter lifespan than unhappy single men. Call it high returns, high risk.

numbernine:
Thanks bro, I'm fine already.

This is actually one of those rare comments you make that has no XXX reference. Are you the real numbernine?

Anonymous:
Thanks. ^_^ Do give me a name that I can identify you with the next time you post. Everyone has a personality, and I like to interact with them.

HappySurfer:
In the world of HappySurfer, there is no black, and no grey. Everything is white - pure, good and positive.

Manju:
Are you a vegetarian? Because alot of vegetarians say its easy refraining from meat.

If I start another no-meat campaign on it, I'm sure it will be easier this time round.

7-8 said...

This is the first time you're admitting to depression. Are you the real shingot?

Shingo T said...

numbernine:
Haha, yes I am.

But knowing me, you know nothing will put me down for long. I'm a fighter!

Roxy. said...

i only sound smart, but am not smart.
Btw which game were u addicted to? Just curious.

Shingo T said...

Roxy:
In that case, you are smarter than what you think. Well, at least you gotta agree there's something you excel at. Never underestimate yourself.

The last addiction was World of Warcraft. And the one before that was a cute MMORPG called Fairyland.

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