Letter to Jade - Memoirs of 2007

31st December 2007

Dear Jade,

Once again we bid goodbye to 2007 to the strains of “”Auld Lang Sye “ It’s this time of the year when we take stock of the missions accomplished, and the errors made in the year 2007 with a vision for 2008, striking a balance between the ups and downs, good and bad to prepare us to move forward with lots of confidence to face new challenges.

Looking back, through the footprints of the year 2007 one would certainly learn and get inspired by the events and developments, which had a lesson for everyone. The best lesson learnt is to consider difficulties and failures made in the past as stepping-stone to rise up and walk on tall.

‘Experience is the lesson learnt from the past’

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. It is divided into two classes ; those who thought and never did and those who did and never thought

The year 2007 is not just a year that’s gone by but it was truly a year of mixed fortunes on the personal as well as environmental front .

Intermittent weather disturbances in the first quarter of the year brought about the fury and ravages of typhoon ‘Gonu ‘to Oman in June. It was my first ( hopefully the last ) experience in such a natural catastrophe .On a personal note it had profound lessons for life. I was all alone in the third floor of ‘white house’ apartment of SQUH when it struck. Electricity was cut off and I was greatly traumatized by the fury of ‘Gonu’ as it kept hitting incessantly on the windows and doors. Some heart-breaking scenes still flash across my mind each time a storm occurs.

The year, despite its challenges, had considerable things to offer both professionally and personally to members of the OOI family. Professionally, your Ah Ma got her promotion to Head Nurse of Ward 3Red, one of the more difficult wards in SQUH before the end of December 2006. This brought her back to the ward she was in charge when she first served in SQUH from 2000 to 2002. Then she scored another first when she was told to commission and head the new ward , 4Purple, a special paying ward , the very first one, in SQUH. Your dada and your two uncles too had additional feathers on their cap of success. Uncle Ti was seconded to Miri to be in-charge and just before the turn of 2008 Uncle Chien had his mind set to opt out and be on his own as consultant. Although his resignation only takes effect on 31st January, preparations have already been in progress for his new enterprise.

‘ The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it , but what
they become by it.’

‘The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions ,
and not our circumstances’ - Martha Washington


Another achievement that makes 2007 a memorable one is the opportunity to travel far and wide a few in this part of the world. Our first step out of Oman was to Dubai in January 2007 before we went back for the new lunar year. Then in October we took a trip to Turkey and just before the close of the year we went to Egypt. All these not only widen our geographical spheres but have also helped me with lots of insights which make us richer in happiness, contentment and invaluable knowledge. It also helps to recharge the battery that keeps us energetic and focused.

‘ Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on deep
and permanent, in the ideas of living’ Miriam Beard

There were also two very outstanding celebrations that need mention. It was the celebration of the birthdays of the youngest and the oldest. It was just a simple family gathering but yet it was so meaningful. First it was the celebration of your first birthday on 30th June that goes down as another special day for the Ooi legacy –our first grandchild and also our first “lady” with the OOI surname! Then just before the year ended we also celebrated the birthday of our beloved aunt, your Sar Ee Poh Chor’s 88th birthday!

As you can see, Jade, most of the 2007 expectations were met despite some shortcomings. We all know that life has its ups and downs, its obstacles, its glory and its short comings,. Therefore careful meticulous planning and execution are required to weather them all to come out victorious. Success is a journey, not a destination.

“It is what you learnt after you know it all that counts” John Wooden

The year 2008 looks all set to receive us with open arms and as we usher in the year at the stroke of midnight we shall not hesitate to clasp our hands together in silent prayer to thank God for a very successful 2007 and to pray that the good Lord above will bless us with good health, and success in all our aspirations.

“You can’t turn back the clock but you can wind it up “


HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2008