New Year, New Challenges

2014 has come and gone and we welcome 2015 with hope of better things to come. As we welcome the new year we should make new resolutions, set new goals and be prepared to face new challenges.For me the biggest challenge is good health and it does not come with just wishing.We have to work towards achieving this goal. It means leading a more disciplined lifestyle with lots of exercise , rest and avoiding unhealthy foods.I have given up on fast foods , excessive eating and my diet is now absolutely free of fizzy drinks especially coca cola which is proven to be non beneficial with long term negative health effects.I take a brisk morning walk every morning, go to the driving range at least twice a week and a full round of golf at least once a week. Occasionally , I give myself an extra round if the situation permits it.Somehow I still feel guilty about playing during working days .This is probably the result of having worked all my life . Work wise, the contracts have been extended for another 3 years whilst a new one is signed for two years and there is one coming up for another 5 years inclusive of the construction period .Looks like ,as Mum says " You are going to work until 80 or until you drop".I prefer the second option as I cant imagine a life without purpose or a sense of achievement.As long as health permits probably I will go on and on .Though the memory tends to fade at times and the eyes do not see so clearly I believe thare a re still a few more good years left in me. Recently some of the students whom I taught had a gathering in Teluk Intan and I was with them .It feels good to be remembered by your students and better still to see them turning into useful people .What really touched me was that they remembered me with respect and told stories ( I cant remember ) about how I made a change in their lives and how proud and happy they are to have me as their teacher.Guess these are things which only teachers can enjoy..to be respected and revered by our students.What was important was that I am still able to drive to the place and back.This is a blessing which must never be taken for granted. The New Year brings with it the cycle of life again, the Chinese new Year, Ching Ming, work, see the grandchildren grow up and doing all the things which you had done in 2014 and over and above all this is the blessed feeling that you are able to do it again. This is something which I really treasure and will do so for as long as I can.