New Years's Resolution

Knowing that the year 2009 is just several days away, it would therefore be a perfect timing to recall what we have been through this year, what we have achieved and lost as well. By the by, I am worried that it would have been a bit of argument: Currently, I am having a two weeks holiday and I am supposed to prepare for my final exam which is scheduled to be started in the first week of January 2009. That means I got books to be studied, I have also some presentational slides to be pored over, several exercise problems to be done and so on. Instead, I am writing a note and mumbling about resolutions for next year which has completely nothing to do with my exam. In other words, I am sort of placing my head on the chopping block and ready to risk my final exam which eventually ruin my hopeful expectations at least for the very first month of the year. Anyway, I would not give a damn and that is factually for a very good reason: most of my colleagues are having a time-out. The other day I chatted with my friend and we were somehow disconnected since I was talking about my exam and he explained to me about his plan for a mini barbeque party in the Sylvester evening. There was also my friend whose holiday I have ruined after he read my previous note, apparently because I mentioned the word “final exam” in it. Sorry! I heard also on the grapevine that a buddy of mine left yesterday for a very touching reunion occasion outside of the town, I suppose he will study nothing for the exam during his stay there. On this basis, I want to wish my friends happy holiday and take some time to finish this note.

So, I want to start off with an unpleasant fact that for most people, the year 2008 has been unmistakably dark and gloomy since the financial crisis has become the top-notch priority of what people should be conquering in the upcoming year. This however gave me a bit of distress since I was informed about the bombshell of economy nearly every single day! For instance, I read the paper this morning about a financial consultant or whatever that is, who was found lying stiff on the day before Christmas in his office in the upper district of Manhattan, with blood all over the floor which came from his cut-off veins. The paper reported that he had lost a whopping one billion, yes! One billion dollar of his own investment and the figure doesn’t include the number of loss from his relatives or family, who based on his recommendation, had sunk their money into the same investment company. What makes it worst, it turns out that the company itself is under investigation due to recent illegal trading activities. Tragic, considering this is the moment where people are supposed to gather with their family or relatives. It is New Year for crying out loud, people are supposed to make wishes, hopes, resolutions, plans or anything that will improve their lives, meanwhile I was choked by the dreary news from the media that in any moment in the near future, another several thousand of people will inevitably loose their jobs. Any CEOs in the major companies show a blithe pessimism of what will happen next year and personally, I refuse to hear those things anymore. I do understand that it won’t help or do any good to me, even by isolating myself to such negative news. However, I just want to point out that there will always be a piece of chance, even if it is very small, that we could escape from this dark era soon.

"One thing for sure, we do not plan to fail, we fail to plan."

As regards to what I have pointed out before, I do have several heartfelt resolutions for next year: I hope that the financial crisis will not go any deeper, I don't know how but I am sure that this shapes to be quite a significant wish since the crisis has affected everyone so badly, myself included too. How could I possibly be able to find an internship offer if most companies share their depressing report of the year, stating about minus profit, zero productivity and so on. Not to mention that the price of fuel in Indonesia is actually plummeting, this is still a hard time for most people and as a student who has absolutely no direct access to the government, I could only hope for the best. The next one is no doubt related to the upcoming internship semester: I hope and if I could possibly expect the internship will go well. To be more precisely, there is something that could be used as a basis for my formal education or even for my future career; get the opportunity to apply my knowledge and develop my skill on the field directly. Thirdly is the study in the university throughout the second semester of 2009, hopefully it will turn out smooth and there is something positive to learn from. Lastly and this is the major one actually: health. I figure that it is important to stay “sane” and as healthy as possible since a proper decision is derived only from a fit body. Additionally, I do hope that my rheumatologist won’t have anything necessary to dwell about my existence in a snowy country next year. Blimey!

Please bear in mind that there will be a lot of hard work to achieve all that precisely. However, no one will find their plans work a 100% smoothly. There will be challenges, problems or even failures which will demand us to be more patient and able to sort a better solution out. One thing for sure, we do not plan to fail, we just fail to plan. In view of several positive surprises came along the year and the noisy semester project with my colleagues, the year 2008 has been both a good and tough year for me. Furthermore, there were a lot of things to be learned apart from my study program: responsibility, dedication to what we are doing, communication skill and others. What about the upcoming year? The resolutions which have been declared will therefore not change at the whim of mine since they are the most important ones I can think of for the time being. Strive and hopefully, they will turn out right.