New Year's Eve/New Year's Resolutions/Make Up Your Mind Day/New Year's Eve Festival (Georgia)/New Year's Eve Fest (Michigan)/New Year's Eve Parade (Texas)
2003-12-31 @ 11:04 p.m.

Since it's the last day of 2003, let me just do a quick recap of the last few days of the holidays before we (most of us at least) trudge back to what we (not-so) fondly call school. Time for some retrospection! Sunday was the farewell party for Doris and Jairus, which went quite well considering we planned everything in a very short time! It was great fun, especially having the band play together. Here's to our continued playing! Then on Tuesday I spent some time at Jun Kai's place, before popping down to watch School Of Rock with some of the YE people. Jun Kai's mum is very hospitable, which translates to not letting me leave before trying her curry. That was nice too, and I still got to Orchard fashionably late. Bumped into Sarah on the way to Cathay Cineleisure, then stepped into the lift with this bunch of RI guys. I think one of them might have recognised me, but what the heck, not that I'd ever find out if he did. So we couldn't find Shirley and Doris there, and I suppose that was my fault for not paying closer attention to Shirley's instructions when I called her. Anyway, School Of Rock is a damn cool show! The kids are damn good musicians, and for some arcane reason, everyone agrees that the drummer (Kevin Alexander Clark) is cool. Haha, his drumming is so good and he's like 14. Then there's the girl (Rebecca Brown) playing the bass, she's cute. He's studied piano, cello, violin and guitar, while she apparently picked up the bass on the set itself. They're all like aged between 10 and 14, and they're so talented! So after the movie, the six of us were wandering about looking for a place to eat. It's so crowded at that time of the evening in Orchard Road. It must take incredible patience to be an "Orchard kid" as Shirley calls it. Maybe I should start hanging around Orchard more, I've realised that I don't know precious little about the place. We ended up in a Burger King, in some place beside Centrepoint. Stayed there until 10 pm, just talking about YE and stuff. Very fun, we should have more outings like that, yeah?

Okay, what's a New Year without resolutions? I know, most of us make them and then go on to forget all about them until it's time to make next year's resolutions. Still, at least I'm making resolutions. That's a start, I suppose?

Number One:
I resolve to start swimming again!

You might not believe me, but I used to swim on a weekly basis. Granted, I was having swimming lessons, but it counts. I quit after getting the Gold Star, partly because I was tired of having to go down to the pool every Sunday, and partly because there wasn't anything left to aim for, in my opinion at least. There was a course which would eventually allow me to become a qualified lifeguard, but when you're 14, that doesn't sound like something you want to work at for another year! So I quit, and I'll probably regret it eventually. Heck, I think I regret it already...

Number Two:
I resolve to play an instrument in YE!

This is quite a pointless resolution, because if you ask me, right now it's next to impossible to accomplish within the year. My dad is fond of telling me that I have musical talent, but I've come to believe that whereever it lies, it's definitely not with the instruments. We bought a guitar a year ago, but it's hardly ever touched by anybody. I quit piano at Grade 5, because the stress just wasn't worth it anymore. I hated the examinations! Maybe I was lazy, but I hated them just the same. You know what I really want to learn? To be a drummer, or a damn good pianist. Currently, I'm pretty hopeless at both. Ask Joshua or Moses, or anyone in YE actually. I like to think that I can sing, but that's about the extent of my musical abilities for now...

Number Three:
I resolve to self-teach Latin, maintain mastery on English, Chinese and French, and pick up a little 'A' Level Chemistry on the side!

I've always liked Chemistry, probably more than some of the subjects I'll be taking next year. A pity that you can't take Chemistry under the Humanities Scholarship, I'd jump at the chance even if it does make for a crazy schedule. Call it a sacrifice, so the best I can do is read up on it in whatever spare time I'll actually be having! Do I sound ambitious? Probably, but one can always dream, right?

Number Four:
I resolve to be more outgoing!

Frankly, I think I'm terribly boring to most people. Hands up all those of you who've had that thought cross your minds before! I don't exactly have very strict parents, so this shouldn't be a problem. I mean, I don't have a curfew, and I've some leeway when it comes to what time I arrive home, so I do think I ought to start taking advantage of that. Midnight is usually the limit, depending on the company I'm keeping. I must be more socially active! Yawn, am I boring you yet? This is the last resolution in any case, so Happy New Year to all of you out there, and have a nice day.