Memoirs of an Amnesiac

I couldn't forget the first time I asked my students to write a composition about one's new year's resolution. What is it with media in all its grandeur that is could not make this even viral in a society that's highly influenced by like, comment, and share mentality? I was somehow aghast when one student asked, "What is that teacher?" I must admit this somehow made me feel "Jurassic" and that I grew up with a non-existent world.

So I begin the process of discussing how the making of new year's resolution became in vogue during the time people stared at black and white TV, wait weeks or months for mails to arrive, and the only "selfies" people make is staring at themselves in the mirror the whole day. Of course I'm just exaggerating things.

I don't know exactly when the making of new year's resolutions died but I do know that people have become more realistic about making resolutions. This practice has seized to become an end-of-the-year thing but something that people do for every occasion the need to change arrives.

I guess it is at this time of the year that we look back and also think back about habits that we've made in the previous year. We found that excessive sleeping and eating are harmful for one's health that we resolve to be more active and exercise a lot in the next year. Those nagging habits keep coming back and so we try to be more careful and vigilant. No more eating past six pm. (No more heavy meals, that is, frequent snacks can be, hahah).

Savings had been very difficult last year (what with all the midnight sales) so one strives to think about savings first then the expenditures. Oh well, this and let's see what happens when the mall announces the next three-day sale again.

Despite the new applications in smart phones about alarm clocks, one still could not wake up at the time the clock was set. It's always tempting to hit the "snooze for 30 minutes" button and then curses oneself for overindulging in sleep after one gets to be an hour late. Go ahead. Blame the app.

Ever salivate over travel promos and those pictures of friends over Facebook, exhibiting another trip to no-man's land and have time off work but couldn't because of financial issues (brought about by sales)? One resolves to at least travel this year and spend more time with someone or oneself (no choice) to a land where other FB friends could salivate about.

How about that promotion one has been eyeing for a year? One resolves to be more hardworking at work and spend more time doing and planning work goals instead of leveling up one's game accounts or chatting with friends (who just arrived from their travels at the no-man's land) and updating statuses on social media (especially when the boss is out of town).

Change of course, need not be an end-of-the-year thing. It has to be as expedite and necessary as when one needs to change smelly clothes. Like clothes, they have to also fit snugly to the one who wears them. If you're not comfortable with it, then don't wear it. Wear every color you like. You can be as drab and simple yet classy. But don't get naked. It pays to have some resolution somehow.

Cheers to a new look this year.