Aaah brand new year. I guess now is a good a time as any to wish you all the best this year has to offer, and to be honest what this year offers is time and opportunity, what you do with it determines how your year your year turns out. Its a beautiful thing, its a beautiful thing. I have seen a whole lot of derivatives of 2009 some have called it 2000 and shine, 2000 and mine and 2000 and divine for example. All pretty interesting but what’s most interesting is how you can shine, have a divine year or make it urs, through a bit of effort on your part. In my mind it all starts upstairs. Your life, your year, your experiences are what you think them to be. You are what you think. I will stop with the self help stuff right about now, i just hope each of us in spite of our circumstances finds the strength, the willingness and the ability to rise above it all and say no matter how tough it is, i will overcome. I have this feeling...maybe its owing to CNN, BBC, METRO FM, Highveld, 5FM...that this could be one of the toughest years for us all or maybe not, but regardless, i am but too eager to have a crack at it!!

An interesting year its been thus far, it started off on a much tamer note for me personally this year as compared to 2008 or even how 2008 ended. Maximum respect to my New York crew, Mel and Paul, Si, Leah and Mr Ingo, for a very memorable trip. I am not sure if my liver, bank account and sleep patterns are as thankful but ey, its only one life you have. As has become the norm for me nowadays whenever i travel i try read a book. I got this book called “Tuesdays with Morrie” an absolutely brilliant book and i can’t think of a better way to help you focus on what’s important in the year ahead than by reading this book, its such an easy read took me a little over a day to finish it, so it will take you guys a couple of hours  Its about ...actually read it for yourself i don’t want to spoil it for you.

Anyway, as i was saying, an interesting year so far. Israel bombing the sand out of Gazza. 10 Israelis if even killed as opposed to 5 maybe 6 hundred Palestinians. Apparently the Israeli government are telling civilians to take cover and find shelter and the very places that these civilians are seeking refuge get bombed (UN Schools etc.) hmm. In my mind Hamas is wrong, just like any extremist organisation or person. But that doesn’t make all Muslims bad people, its unfortunate that Muslims have all these strong minded terrorist types doing things in the name of Islam, sept 11, Lockerby bombing (i think), Hezbollah, Hamas, recent attacks in India. Hamas was wrong to have broken the cease fire with those random rockets they launched. Israel had to retaliate and so would you or anyone else, but i think the retaliation has been exaggerated. My only concern is you tell me how this will aid the peace process in the region going forward? There is Iran who are saying that Israel should be wiped off the map. Israel is surrounded by Arab countries from all fronts. Extremists in that area will be galvanised by these, if i may say, senseless killings that’s taking many a civilian life. My sadness/shock is the fact that the international community has been relatively silent on this. Bar Mr Chavez, expelling the Israeli ambassador from Venezuela, no other country has done much in opposition. I am a just a normal dude and given the facts I have available. I can easily come to the conclusion that this incursion into Gaza is BS. The Palestinians have no food, water, power...Another interesting thing that i have noticed since this conflict started is that the price of Brent crude oil has risen about $15 - $20 a barrel...hmmm (i guess this benefits the oil producers but i am not sure how it will benefit the oil consumers, unless i am missing a trick)

Interesting year...interesting year. Ghana just had another successful government transition. The then opposition NDC, lead by Prof. Atta-Mills, won the election by less than 40000 votes from Mr Nana Akofu-Addo who represented the incumbent party the NPP. This was Prof Mills’ third attempt at the presidency and good on him, time will tell how he fares. My only reservation about him is that he represents the party that Jerry Rawlings led a few years ago. Reports though are that he hasn’t gotten off to a good start in relation to garnering (if i can use that word) confidence from the people, but once again time...
We have elections in 2 months. I am hoping the momentum that COPE was gaining doesn’t just dissipate into nothingness. I am not by any means suggesting that I am a huge supporter of COPE but I am a huge supporter of whittling down the ruling party’s 2/3rds majority. So guys go out there and vote. Not voting is taking away your voice. If you refuse to speak when you have the opportunity i don’t want to hear a peep from you when things aren’t going your way.

Back home we beat Aus in Aus in the cricket lovely to watch. There is the Confederation cup happening in a few months.

Another interesting time awaits us all. The world is in a weird yet interesting phase at the moment. I didn’t make any resolutions other than to be a better version of me. Yes it was a cop out cos i hardly stick to them anyway. I will like to learn how to play my guitar still so if you know of anyone who offers lessons or if you are keen to be my strumming partner holler

Thats me for this week, you all have a grand weekend. Looking forward to more interaction with you guys this year.

Birthdays
4th Sengetile
5th Pranuksha
6th Ingrid and Darren
8th Jordan
10th Chantel

Maximum respect

Yaw