My reflections for year 2016 :
1) We did not plan to do any travelling as we did not feel safe to travel to places like Europe or US ....
Then we received Jon & Winnie wedding invitation and we decided to visit Sydney and then to Melbourne to attend their wedding in July 2016. Luckily, Jas was having his semester break so he joined us.
The main highlight was the family climbing the Sydney Bridge. Initially, I offered to pay for Jas climbing to the peak of the bridge alone but he counter-proposed that we climbed mid-way as a family instead. I was a bit concerned whether I could make it with my OA left knee but with some training and mind power, we did it.
Then we were invited to make up a tour group to go to China - Silk Road in Sept 2016.
The main highlights were seeing the Terracotta Warriors and climbing part of the 45 degrees inclined Great Wall of China. Also, it was an eye opener when we visited Xinjiang which has so many tribes and mixture of people and cultures, though Muslim dominated but their practices seem a bit different; eg. no issue with having dogs and not having more than 1 wife.
Of course, we made multiples trips back to Penang to visit my Mum and elder sister too.
2) I consulted a Physiotherapist to work on strengthening my knees and lower back, in particular at the beginning of the year and I was doing pretty good. As a result, I managed to climb the Sydney Bridge and Great Wall of China, though was very tired after it.
However, with my intense exercises... I wonder whether this has contributed to my blackouts ( 3 of them in 1st half of the year ) before I sought medical help and they reduced my BP medication and we are still monitoring the status now as I blackout again in Nov, after a break of 4 months.
My cardiologist could not find anything wrong with my heart or blocked arteries after some tests. He suspects it to be postural syncope; a sudden drop of BP due to change in body posture from sitting to standing.
I continue to exercise so as to not lose too much muscle mass as I turn 60 in 2017 and for health reasons, of course.
3) I did not manage to start scanning photos of Jason in his younger days and Jack last year. I was not able to find the Macro Photography class to attend in PSS too.
4) I too my shingles vaccination in Mar 2016, this is for life so I should be safe from it. Finally, bought Jas a new ASUS notebook for his varsity study.
I also decided to buy this Andriod TV box ( after monitoring the products available in the market for the past year ) to watch Korean dramas n movies instead of using Jas old Poly notebook to stream online and connect it to the TV, in Dec 2016. A pressie for the family and we have been enjoying the use of this gadget. Portable too as I can easily bring it to Toa Payoh flat and watch it with my in-laws.
Jason told us that he started dating a girl in his varsity.
5) 5th aunt passed away while recovering from her fall in the nursing home, in early Dec 2016.
6) Pokemon Go was released in Spore in August 2016. As I played this game with Jas years ago, and with the big fuss worldwide and this new technology, Augmented Reality, I wanted to play too and see what it is all about.
Jas helped me download on the 1st day of release and he got me started. Eventually, the 3 of us in the family were playing too but Jas dropped out due to his varsity study and I took over his account too.
This game has given one more common interest within the family. My wife & I now enjoy our bus ride more as we can collect balls as we pass by the pokestops and even catch a few Pokemons too.
I am already at level 29 and once I hit level 30 soon, I have reached my goal even if my Pokedex is not full yet.
Well, what are my targets or wishes for 2017......?
I will continue to exercise and eat wisely in this new year again. Ideally, lose a couple of Kg in the process. To hike the Tree Top Walk in MacRitchie Reservoir by the time I turn 60 in Oct 2017.
Initially, I wanted to tour Bhutan but with my blackout and BP not stabilised yet, it will have to be put on hold. We have no other specific plans for any overseas holidays other than our regular Penang trips.
I will start scanning the photos of Jason in his younger days and that of Jack too, to make them into a Photobook.
If PSS offer the Macro Photography class again, I wish to attend it.
Other than these that come to my mind, I wish for good health for all of us.
So have a fantastic year in 2017......!!!
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