New Year Review

Although slightly late for the calendar New Year and rather early for the Lunar New Year, nevertheless the time has finally come for a quick look back at how 2008 unfolded, and perhaps a peek into the Crystal Ball as to what may be in store for 2009. As followers of this blog will have gathered the early part of 2008 was sadly dominated by my Mother's passing away in February and her presence is still sorely missed. In retrospect, her ill-health over the preceeding 18 months threw into sharp contrast life in UK and in particular close proximity to family and friends, and life in HK where contact with family involves juggling a 7/8 hour time difference and where every late night/early morning ring of the phone heralded fears of bad news.

On a more positive note, 2008 brought promotion at work for me and significant opportunities to travel around South East Asia (albeit mainly on business). My Father also visited on two occassions which gave me (and him) the opportunity to indulge our love of sports (rugby 10s, rugby 7s, cricket 6s, Bledisloe Cup) without feeling too guilty about leaving the family at home.

We also managed holiday trips to Bali and Cebu (as well as a number of visits home to UK) and we have a ski holiday to Japan to look forward to after CNY.

As one might expect, we also saw massive changes in V. and A. V. - now 2 1/2 going on 14 - is presently going to pre-school 3 days a week and a small play-group twice a week and having had very little to say for herself (at least in English) in the first 6 months of the year, is now speaking in complete if somewhat abrupt sentences (maybe the Chinese influence?). As always, she leaves us all in no doubt as to her views on a whole range of issues ......

A. is now going to one of the International Schools having done two terms at the local ESF. He seems to be enjoying it although it is clear that he and his teacher do not see eye to eye on a number of issues. He has certainly being making big strides with his reading and writing (English) and still seems to be doing well with his Mandarin although given neither E. or I have any real idea about the language it is somethimes a little hard to tell. He can sing both the Chinese and Canadian national anthems - the English anthem needs more work. He has also learnt how to swim and enjoying his cricket at the junior gappers.

To the surprise of everybody including herself E. joined "boot camp" (running/stretching/exercising from 6:30am twice a week at the Cricket club) in October and is still going strong setting an example which I aspire to emulate - although so far all I have been able to manage is to slightly increase the frequency I play tennis (twice last weekend).

As for 2009, the purse strings will be severely tightened. Please.