Yesterday seen a panoply of dismal expressions to a rather discouraging 2010. Strangely enough, there were actually friends who had liked the entry. Thankfully the likeness was generated upon empathy and not the quenched thirst for sadism through a chain of dejected events happened to me.

Despite a less than perfect last year, it proved to me that motivation could indeed be generated through the establishment of clear goals. Riding on the success from last year, I am again setting out goals which I desire to achieve in 2011:

1. Enter 5 photo competitions. Practices in 2010 have indeed improved my skills tremendously. However, I often find it challenging to motivate myself to carry the heavy camera gear around to take photos. So for this year, with clear objective in mind, I believe the motivation would be escalated;
2. Secure job and achieve saving target. The same goal set for the third year in a row. Sounds naive especially given my visa status. What I believe in, however, is not the evident obstacles to find a job, but is my own determination to never give up regardless of the situation. Moreover, from this year onwards, I believe the universe will conspire to help me;
3. Visit Greece and Spain. 2011 is potentially my last year in Europe. My travel map reminds me that the Greece and Spain must be on the travel list this year;
4. Read four books. Goal set at similar level as last year; and
5. Improve writing. Writing ability had cost me a job in 2010 and I will not allow the same issue to once again jeopardise my career prospects. I set to write an article a week and have it corrected.

Now, these are not exactly goals but some wishful thinking: an iPhone 4 for birthday, a relationship, a win in lottery. Haha!

Despite years of strenuous efforts and self-discipline to refrain myself from being victimised by the numerous Facebook applications, I, motivated by curiosity, had recently succumbed to Top Status 2010.

A year is a long time, especially in an era when status update has become as frequent as every other hour, or even minute through self-broadcasting platforms, including the famous Facebook and Twitter. A tool which brilliantly analyses the statuses based on popularity and then generates a list of top ten statuses thus becomes an intelligent application which everybody is frantically wow-ing about.

After having much fun with the application, I wondered with much greed, if there is an application that broadcasts the top ten events which happened to us? However fancy, I then swiftly realised that unless every single event was digitally recorded by a permitted stalker throughout the year, it is almost impossible for this genre of personal broadcast to become successful.

Therefore, until this state-of-the-art technology makes its presence, I resorted to the traditional channel through this entry. In conclusion, it wasn’t a particularly good year despite some consolations. I will, however, endeavour to avoid magnifying on the negative events, despite the lack of overwhelmingly upbeat events. So here is a summary of the important events which happened to me in 2010:

• An eventful year at work which forced me to change work location. After much efforts to prove that I am a worthy candidate, I finally received the severely delayed promotion which I deserve very much. Nevertheless, the hunt for an ideal job remains fruitless;
• The year started by seeing a chain of arguments with someone I had emotionally attached to. The relationship then turned toxic and finally ended in mid-year. Soon after that, a knight appeared and generously showered attention and kindness I almost forgot I deserve. However, the knight deserted me emotionally, not physically, after a flash presence, right at a time when I started to attach myself emotionally. It is left unanswered if I am capable of leaving it behind;
• My reliable external harddisk drive decided to betray my trust after dropping on the floor. I thus lost my university works and most importantly, photos which documented the two most precious years of my life – my master’s study;
• Early of the year, I moved into a lovely flat with a guy who I thought was a nice bloke. It turned out that he was a selfish, self-centred bastard who broke his own promise to our shared-dwelling agreement. Despite my frustration and hatred, I chose to compromise and lost half a grand financially; and
• My health condition was very good until the very last month when I was diagnosed with having skin disease. Even when I know it was a punishment to my own conduct, it indeed was an unfortunate end to the year.

Not very exciting from the above for certain. However, when looking at the goals set out for 2010, it actually was positive and affirming. Here are the goals and their respective verdicts:

• Secure job and achieve savings target – Verdict: Failed, despite some promising interviews;
• Two trips: Home and Egypt – Verdict: Achieved. A visit to Sahara Desert really was the highlight of the year;
• Read four books – Verdict: Achieved. Books read include Rough Guide: Egypt (Well, it is a book!), Travel Photography by Steve Davey, A Little History of the World, The Alchemist (A superb and inspiring gift from Fiona, thanks!);
• Revamp Sambal Delivery Post – Verdict: Achieved. It really made me proud when an IT friend complimented on the website. Read here: http://sambaldeli.blogspot.com; and
• Develop Photographic Skills – Verdict: On course. My most favourite picture of the year: