Looking back

Because I am a slow coach, and suffer from acute analysis paralysis, I reckon, now that we are almost at the halfway mark of January 2007, it's a good time for me to blog about highlights of 2006. Did I hear you say "You think?"?? OH, it wasn't you?? Right...perhaps that voice is the same one that's made its home in my head. Right. OK here goes...

The biggest milestone for me last year was when the husband and I crossed the 10th anniversary mark. I still can't believe we've made it this far. But 10 years on, it still is a lot of work trying to keep this marriage alive, let alone interesting. Add three kids to the equation and it is so very easy to slip into a routine that sucks the life out of the marriage, and out of us. Things are not all rosy and peachy all the time; I do think we have some things we need to work on to keep us both happy in this marriage. It's a lot of work. I wish there was an instruction manual and a list of FAQs that we could refer to. It doesn't help that we are both surrounded by marriages that struggle to survive and those that collapsed. I can't think of any marriages - from family and friends - that I could view as role models. And to me, that is pretty scary and worrying.

Last year, the husband and I were also officially the biggest loser in terms of our helper of 4 years, deceiving us and leaving us in a lurch. So learning from this experience, I think I need to be a little more vigilant, a little less nice and a lot more wary of letting my guard down. Sara still talks fondly of the ex helper and still harbours hope about her coming back. We've been gently telling her, it ain't happening but she's a kid and such tough reality takes time to sink in.

Work for me was excellent in 2006. A couple of projects took off really nicely with terrific outcomes (and those, ladies and gentlemen, will have an impact on my performance pay which is coming up reeaaally soooon!) Sure, there were a few d*&kheads whom I'd like to castrate (though I'd hire a hit man coz I won't do it personally because that would be nauseating) and leave them in some remote sand dunes where they will never be found, but I digress. The majority of the folks whom I worked with were class acts. My friends at work, I don't think I could manage the crazy times without their support and humour. I am truly blessed.

My Qur'an reading lessons with the kids also went well, although the ustazah (female religious teacher) is still perplexed by what I do for a living and why I have to go overseas for work. We're continuing these lessons this year, with the ustazah kindly agreeing to continue with the existing schedule. As with our weekly halaqa (religious study circle) with an ustaz (male religious teacher). Hopefully we get new people joining us this year.

I exercised regularly last year, although someone thought I was pregnant when I was in the lift with her yesterday. I told her nicely I'm not pregnant, I just look it and she was sheepish about it. As she should be. Grrrr.

I really don't know what to expect in 2007... but I pray for happiness and peace. For me and for you.