A.I.

December comes up from behind you in no time at all. I have graduated from 'one year in Hong Kong' to ' just over a year in Hong Kong'. Soon I will be 'graduated two years ago' as we hit 2009. Somehow, the knowledge that you are out in the big wide world for such a length of time is pretty humbling. I mean, I have this misconception that I am old *shut up all those who disagree* and that I am supposed to have some basic knowledge of the fickleness of human nature. Well, yours truly would like to report that the world is not a pretty place, but then you all know that already. We can try our best to make it nice but there is always someone set on sabotaging it by throwing a spanner in the works. And I have learnt that we can either let it go; or wallow in disappointment, self-pity, frustration and anger at the insolence of others.

At this time of year when Stellas go into hibernation, I start thinking of resolutions for the new year. I like to be kiasu I know. I look around at the people around me and see what the Jones have that I don't. So far, the list looks like this:

What the Jones' have that I need to keep up with:

1. Marriage. 2008 seems like an auspicious year for people getting hitched. Either that, or I am hitting a certain age where there are expectations of such.

2. Babies. Everywhere you look, people are poppin' them out like nobody's business. I believe no one thought the world would be in such economic turbulence nine months ago, if they knew they

a) wouldn't have so much time to make babies;

b) would have spent more time on the stock market instead.

Being pregnant also keeps you safe from retrenchment as it is supposedly cruel to fire a pregnant woman. They are however, only now starting to address the issue of racial discrimination in this country.

3. A mortgage/credit card debt the GDP of a third world country. I am thankful that I am financially self-sufficient and can pay for all my frivolous purchases without my mother knowing what I have bought.

4. A hobby. Preferably something like flower arranging or bonsai-trimming. I would like to try sky-diving but I am slightly concerned about fracturing my calcaneums. Maybe learning a language is more practical.

5. Christmas break planned. I have not decided what I am going to do over Christmas. I want to go to Harbin for the Ice Festival (because they have fireworks and I love fireworks) but I don't want to go alone, and it's going to be -20 degrees Celsius.

This weekend I hope to go to China with the Oxford kid so that I can corrupt enlighten Chinese medical students about the wonders of shopping and spontaneous shoe purchasing. Then we can go to Queens Spa for rest and relaxation while the masseuse works on the knots in my shoulders. Bliss!

Oh weekend cometh!

Footnote: This post was supposed to be about artificial insemination but I guess I went OTT.