02.01.11

So I finally got a week off after months of frenzied activity.  The run up to Christmas had accorded me little time to plan a small getaway from Singapore...and as would be expected, last ditch efforts yielded nothing.  Every destination in Asia was already teeming with tourists, and I could not even get a place in the kennel to board Kulfi.  Which left me with plenty of time at home and to explore Singapore...I know precious little about my current abode other than the usual hot spots - office, Din Tai Fung (in the office building), Dempsey Hill, and the German Shepherd Dog Club.  Oh...and Changi Airport. 

Good time to show Rahul this town, thought my wife.  And she came up with a list of places as long as my arm - Arab Street, China Town, National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisation Museum, restaurants, movies, and of course the famous zoo!  Not being as ethusiastic about gallvanting, I had other ideas...which mainly revolved around reading, writing, barbequeing and alcohol (the order being very flexible especially with the latter which could overlap/ override all the others!).

As it turned out, the report card at the end of the break did not look very pretty.  My body rebelled against the forced inactivity and I fell ill.  My old friend, bronchial asthma, decided to pay me an overdue visit and I spent the last few days in a haze combating heavy breathing with a doze of steriods and anti-histamines.  The brain refused to function actively and I did not get too far with my literary agenda either.  Barbequeing plans were shelved as they would have made me a prime candidate for being jailed for attempted suicide.  Even though I bravely persisted in partaking of wines and Single Malts, I did not much savour the taste...

I learnt that idle time does not equal relaxation (filed away for future reference).

Sure I got some down time...including an overdoze of the idiot box.  And Kulfi is now definitely better at sitting, staying and heeling...thanks in abundance to coaching by Kabir, the exuberant and immensely knowledgeable President of GSDC in Singapore, who paid us a visit one evening.  Kulfi's coffee table etiquette is still less than elegant though...as was evident that day when, soon after an exhibition of his newly gained skills, he cunningly swooped over the finger food and made off with a bowl of nuts - spoon included, mind you.  I am certain his grand plans included annointing his collar with a table napkin and smacking his lips after a sip of Shiraz had I not rudely interrupted with a quick smack on the muzzle!

Over the years I have developed a strong sense of self preservation from NY resolutions.  Which has been effective through the advent of 2011 as well.  As before, I start the year free of plans and resolve...wishing for nothing more than a chance to lead a life of meaning and purpose...a life less ordinary. 

I wish you the same.