It was a wasted month, that pretty much sums it up. The supposed postdoc thing is still not signed, so even though there were minor movements toward its beginning, it is currently still an uncertainty. I wasted much of the time on the internet, and that’s doing so badly for me. I started the idea that I should be working on some side projects, like writing a book of Bible questions, or creating boardgames. No substantial work has been done, of course. And what am I supposed to do with my future? If I want to remain in academia, then certainly I need to write a paper, do some independent research, stuffs like that which I hate. But if I don’t, I need to acquire new skills to survive, but what skills? What would I be looking for anyway? I have absolutely no idea. Yeah, sure, as many constantly said, God will make a way, but man, these people who said that have secure jobs and families that are seemingly impossible for me.

Meanwhile… (a) I have constant flashbacks to the end-of-year trip to Europe, but more often than not I would be thinking about the extremely painful moments from the trip, rather than the magnificent panorama of the Swiss Alps. (b) I claim to be doing “volunteer” work, which consists of driving people around, tutoring Roger math, supplying boardgames… (c) Chinese New Year came and went, I still don’t care much for it, haven’t spent it with family ever since immigration, and the program I did at church took so much time yet it was a failure. (d) Pandemic is apparently a hit with the Wei household (and possibly others), but the heroic game seems too difficult recently. (e) There is a disturbing trend where I simply do not want to care about the church and fellowship anymore…

Things I’m thinking about: I’m getting old. It’s not fair. Why am I still here? I hate this life of confusions and disappointments. Why am I so bitter? Hmm…I better stop before this gets too nasty…

When saying “Thank you” becomes impolite: Saying it to someone who has not responded favourably to your request.

When doing nothing is hurtful: Doing it when something needs to be done.

When stealing is helpful: Stealing from the blinds.

New Year’s Day: Woke up late, stayed home and do nothing interesting until the evening, where three of us went to Forest’s place to play cats and cards. It wasn’t that much fun this time around, primarily because we do realize that most of our friends would rather spend time with their loved ones. It’s just us losers who had to make something happen for ourselves. Perhaps solitary confinement is a better choice.

Day After New Year’s Day: I basically spent the day packing and doing laundry, then spent the night moving. It’s…not that interesting, either.

It’s kind of sad…looking at the new year and see nothing ahead.

Here’s how I spent the extra-long New Year’s Eve: Woke up in London, had very little appetite for the hotel breakfast, then off I went to Heathrow and fly to Toronto. It was a surprisingly smooth process, both the tubing and the flying, which is a nice end to the rough and tumble trip. Once I arrived, the formalities of customs and picking up luggage were quick, found my car and off I went (the parking situation was also quickly resolved). Decided to drive to T&T, but was stuck there because of too many cars in there… Left (after getting stuck for a while) and came home at around 5:30. Decided that something’s got to be done on New Year’s Eve, but only Harry was available, basically, so went out to eat dinner at Ben Thanh, which was the worst restaurant experience ever, so I will never go there again, and do not suggest anyone go there!!! Couldn’t get anything working for a gathering for the night, so I headed home and went to sleep at around 10pm. Yup, I slept through the end (and the beginning) of the year.

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t remember what I did during last year’s New Year’s Eve…

I would like to do a year-end review of 2008, so much has happened… Maybe I’ll do it later…in 2010.