Words to Lyrics Ben Ho's observations from the cloud

3 January 2011

What’s in Store for 2011

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Tags: , , , — Ben @ 10:19 pm

I hope you all had a wonderful festive season and New Year celebrations.

In the days before and after January 1, many people make New Year’s resolutions to achieve over the course of the year. Some are achieved, others not. However the chances of succeeding are greater if you take a look back at what you tried to achieve in the previous year.

I’d like to share with you what were my goals in 2010 and what they will be in 2011.

The first goal was to work hard enough in order to successfully transfer from Macquarie to UNSW. I wrote about this in detail in my previous post. I’ll know the result when the offers are released on January 19.

2010 introduced university life after 13 years of primary and secondary education, so obviously the challenge was to ‘get used to it’. I’m happy to say that I’ve done that.

University life is an opportunity to make new friends and associates. I called this ‘making connections’, because the substance of the friendship is what is most important to me. For example, knowing a person who has knowledge of and/or associations with entities that may come in handy in the future is a connection worth making. The goal was to make as many useful connections during the year, assuming I would only be at Macquarie for one year. I’m happy to say that I’ve done that.

Thus, 2011 will be about preserving these connections, as well as making new ones at UNSW (assuming I get in). What I also want to do is to ‘reconnect’ with those who I have not spoken to or seen in 2010. I think working hard at uni (or my attitude to social life) has deprived me of opportunities to do this.

Many New Year’s resolutions involve starting a personal project, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. These projects are easily delayed by claiming that other commitments took up the time needed to start. And that is exactly what happened with my ‘arts blog’ project, of which I’ve written about here before. I spent 2010 exploring the arts scene in Sydney, but most of what I saw was ‘mainstream’. Probably getting the plan in writing would be more convincing that to have it swimming in my head. I must keep at this in 2011, and start soon.

The other thing that could do with a bit more TLC is this blog. I say this every year without substance, with nothing planned. It’s becoming a bad habit, frankly. At least improving the frequency of posting would be a start…

And finally something a bit out there. This year I want to continue to be inspired you. Maybe I’ll leave you to think about that.

31 December 2009

2009 to 2010

Filed under: Rant,Reflection — Tags: , , , — Ben @ 4:52 pm

What’s interesting is that at the start of every year, we say that the year ahead will be the best one has ever seen. It begins to wear off about 20 years after (you don’t see older people make such a claim do you?) but for now the statement still holds.

2009 has been a fantastic year. I’ve finished Year 12, that’s something. Next year begins the next step of many steps into this wide world of ours.

I’m not a fan of talking about the past. Although I do it often, looking back on it, it has been a very foolish act. Instead, now I will talk about the future more often.

I guess this is what many people do at this time, in the form of New Year’s Resolutions. (Mine will come tomorrow)

But for now, I’m here to tell you what I’ll be doing differently next year. It’s not a big thing, but it has a big impact.

Tell the truth.

Yes, it’s that simple. This past year, I’ve realised that in order to please others, the truth had to be manipulated in some way.

From now on, it’s the raw truth, whether you like it or not. It is undesirable to see a web of lies and cover-ups cloud one’s thoughts and judgement. It is undesirable for one to believe that everything is okay. Nothing is perfect, it shouldn’t be. After all, if the world was perfect, there would be nothing to make us think.

Obviously someone or something will be upset or disturbed by truth in any case. This is not a concern, because when such truth is divulged, it teaches one to deal with the consequence of the truth and to move on.

It is not right for someone to influence or dictate the direction of one’s thoughts or life. Everyone is unique and this is what preserves the diversity in society.

Thank you for reading my blog in 2009, and a Happy New Year to you all.

31 December 2008

2008 New Year’s Resolutions: Resolved?

Filed under: Reflection — Tags: , , , — Ben @ 9:24 pm

In the dying embers of 2008, it’s time to evaluate whether my New Year’s Resolutions (NYRs) were fulfilled. So, here goes.

Now remember, I usually don’t make NYRs simply because I don’t get round to them much.

1. Blog/write more. Well, I’ve kept up this blog, and my other social networks. I could have done more but, owing to how busy I am, I think I’ve done pretty well. Yes!

2. Earn/save more money. In July, I quit my computer shop job to focus on the HSC. I’ve already bought all the stuff I want, so now is the time to save. Also ties in the financial crisis in recent times. Yes!

3. Build my social profile. Over the past year, I’ve said to myself that you need to gain respect. I think I’ve done that quite a bit this year. I’ve improved communications with others and have been a bit more flexible with outings. Yes.

4. Get out more. Not really. I’ve only done walking and lawn bowls. No.

5. Do well at school. Sort of. Next year is the HSC. Every bit will count towards that mark. ?

So 3 out of 5 NYRs successful. Not bad for someone like me who doesn’t like to set NYRs. You’ll have to see tomorrow whether I will set them for 2009.

1 January 2008

New Years Resolutions

Filed under: Forward Thinking — Tags: , , — Ben @ 10:02 pm

After reading Veronica Belmont’s NYR’s, I thought about how many people have it as part of their new year celebrations. For many it is something they strive to do; they put all their effort into it. For me, it’s different.

I have abstained from NYR’s because I feared that I would never get around to them. I was always so busy with school and other stuff, that I thought it was unnecessary to make them. But this year, since I have put so many things on my to-do-list (some to-dos were mammoth tasks), I drew up my NYR’s.

Here they are.

1. Blog/write more. Since I have this blog and many others, I want to keep a good habit of writing and a record of what I’ve done. It gives me something to do when I have nothing to do. At least once a week is good enough; I also have school and my HSC to think about! I would write about what’s happening as well other stuff like news and movie reviews.

2. Earn/save more money. Well, I already have a job and I may want a better one. I like buying stuff online, but I feel I need to save up some money. It also involves getting out of the “impulse buying” habit. I work at a computer store, but this year, I am hoping to apply for a job at the Apple Store in Sydney.

3. Build my social profile. My social life has declined over the past few years, with two years ago being the worst. I was reduced to being alone for most of the time. This year the situation has improved, but it can be better. Now that I am on several social networks (see the links on this site), I plan to use them more often. Also talking to people is a must.

4. Get out more. This means going out with friends to places, as well as nice activities like indoor rock climbing (IRC). I always saw myself as a recluse and this impacts on anyones social life. Getting out more also improves physical health. This isn’t an extreme statement, just a “I want to feel good” statement.

5. As always, do well at school. School is an important part of life. It sets you up for the rest of it. At this stage of high school (near the end), it is important that I do well. I am willing to give up important things to study for exams.

Well, that’s it. I think. There is the to-do-list to write up as well (ugh). Tell me about your NYR’s.

31 December 2007

New Years Eve

Filed under: Reflection — Tags: , , — Ben @ 9:15 am

It’s New Years Eve today. The last day of 2007. I must say, there have been many good things about this year. But it is all over, and 2008 is tomorrow. What is in store?

I am having a quiet NYE with my parents this year. I’m not going out to see the fireworks in the city! Besides, many of my friends have gone away this holiday, and so it has become very quiet in town and on the internets.

What are you doing this NYE?

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