December 2000. Is it Christmas already.. again? A year ago, I re-started noticing the movements of the planets. And now the cycle returns with Jupiter and Saturn at the zenith, Venus to the west. Mars will reappear soon enough.
I've had an amazing year. To top it all, I was given the opportunity to create and launch a community project to bring astronomy to the masses: Astronomy 2001 Singapore. This literally fell from the skies into my hands, and I am most grateful to a couple of my friends from Singapore, Malaysia & overseas for their support in this.
I have also met many new acquaintances and re-met many more old friends this year: From the Star Trek World Tour; Vietnam (HCMC); Japan; the Istana archaeological excavation; Malaysia (Mersing, Segamat, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Penang); Taiwan.
The Astronomy 2001 Committee members and volunteers; More from NUSAS; Singastro; SRJC Astronomy unit and NYAA divison; the other NYAA participants; the Guests from the Gold award cermony; the Singapore History Museum; the Toa Payoh Polyclinic Dental unit (for the dental accidents that I keep having this year..)
The camera shops around City Hall; the OIS photo unit; the Contax list; the SkySensor list; the "Angel" unit; the kind drivers of bus 158; and most recently, the folk of AstroBash!VI. Also the upcoming people from Thailand. Countless of others whom I know but didn't list individually.
My warmest wishes to each and every one of you for making this one of my best years ever.
Best but it doesn't mean peachy because like all of life, not everything is rose-tinted (only that the good stuff has tremendously outweighed the bad ones, so I don't feel too miserable..)
Special thanks to a couple of my pals who have made me realise the brutal truth behind the fragile optimistic views I have of life and people. Not the easiest lesson in life, but certainly an eye-opener. I won't learn my lesson well because it's hard for me not to be optimistic. Truth, pessimistic people have the most realistic view of life.
I'm still learning this the hard way.. and I'm glad to have the care and concern of such wonderful friends.
I won't be in Singapore but I'll be sending you my best wishes from the stars.
Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year! :o)
Countless hours of discussions, of organizational planning, of logistics, of avid promotion throughout Singapore and overseas, were not only expended by the Committee, but also by the countless other individuals behind the scenes who would aid the core Committee in all matters.
It invoked the strongest commitment among the volunteers to work almost 24-7 that the event might succeed. It is because of these volunteers that the dream for the spirit of public astronomy is now a reality.
This was undoubtedly a daunting experience and a miracle for the event to have come this far. It began as a simple astrophotography exhibition, planned for a period of no more than four days; then extended to a month; finally to include several off-island camps, talks to various educational institutions, and AstroChallenge 2001.
Launching the proposal for this event without the formal backing of any registered society or organization would prove to be the Committee's greatest hurdle. Thus, it is with heartfelt thanks that the Committee expresses its grateful appreciation towards the following persons and organizations for their extraordinary leap of faith in support of Astronomy 2001.
The Committee is deeply honoured by the support of His Excellency S.R.Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore, towards this event.
May this event be the beginning of a new era in city astronomy; in bringing the universe closer to the public, especially the youth of Singapore.
Warmest regards from the stars,
Lin
