As the year draws to a close, it is fitting to spend this time reflecting on the year (from my eyes).

This year certainly has been a test and a trying one for me mentally — with stress and worry certainly playing a huge large part. With problems encountered throughout the year (which I do choose to keep private and not discuss), I do owe my current wellness to my wife and family. They certainly redefine the statement “love is an unconditional” as they have given me the priceless support and help I needed to get through a very tough year. I am truly blessed to be around a wonderful wife and family. I am not sure how my wife tolerated my mood swings and emotional struggles this year but I am grateful for her patience and unconditional love. Thank you J, you have showed me that love is a strong bond that can’t be cracked with the toughest of tests. I will certainly be there for you through thick and thin as you have been here for me when I needed you the most. I love you!

I would lie if I said this year didn’t have spurts of happy times, one in particular — the birth of J’s nephew, a cute and adorable addition to an already lovely family. As I am writing this post, I can’t think of other truly happy times besides the end of year Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers with the family. It seems that being with the family makes me forget some of the stressful times I have experienced throughout the year.

[1] Things that stand out this year (in current national and global news) that made an impact on me were the Amish shootings, the mudslide in Philippines, the Indonesian earthquake and yet another tsunami that killed thousands (in May and July) and Saddam Hussein being found guilty (finally). I also felt more than ever this year that global warming and other environmental concerns are becoming a reality with increased natural disasters and occurances throughout the world. It was pretty unusual to see that many earthquakes and tornadoes happening nationwide too — a scary thought about the earth’s future if we don’t do something about it pretty soon. I seemed to remember a picture on Google that really stuck in my mind i.e. a Polar Bear sitting on a melted iceburg fragment surrounded thousands of smaller other ones as a resultant of the earth’s climate — one that might put them on the endangered species.

[2] This was also the year I sighed at yet another (boring) Roger Federer dominated tennis season, cheered in excitement of seeing my fav. lady tennis player Martina Hingis back on the ladies tour (and winning), watched Andre Agassi play his last ever tennis match and was in awe of Tiger Woods obliteration of his golf rivals in all tournament play. Ohio State made it to the BCS Championship and the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t do too bad by reaching the 2nd round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Also enjoyed the World Cup (soccer) tremendously, something I look forward to every 4 years (as it is only a once in 4 year event).

2006 introduced me to a great outlet of expressing my frustrations, stresses and happiness too — blogging. In the process, I met some good blogging friends along the way and found a loyal group of Foo Logs readers too. What will I ever have done without blogging technology! Thanks to Blogs, Blogging and all of you out there — your well wishes and genuine concerns when I was pouring my heart out certainly went a long way.

As I conclude this post, sitting here alone in my in-laws living room on a recliner with dimmed lights, typing away @ 2.36 am in the morning, I do certainly look forward to the new year, a chance to put 2006 behind me and look to the future. With J next to me, the endless family love and support from my family, I know the future is bright and it’ll stop raining sometime. I can’t forget to mention the joy cute [3] Miles brought to us during the year and I am sure he’ll grace us with his presence for many years to come. (BTW: he is sleeping on my right foot as I type this post).

I do have several New Year’s resolutions/ goals to accomplish (and could realistically achieve). That would certainly make 2007 a promising year and a year that could bring many smiles and happiness back to me again … something I have been missing for a while now.

So with this, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year. I hope 2007 will be a fruitful one for you and your family! Look forward to reading many of your blogs again and for years to come.