Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

- Top 10 moments of my life in 2005:

10. In the outskirts of Hanoi, there lies a river that passes through some breathtaking scenery. I rowed a boat with Josh along it. Would rank higher had we not been conned into buying dumb souvenirs from the boatwoman.

9. Flying business class on Qatar Airways to Doha. Ahhhhhh, the luxurious life. And it's free of charge. *pumps fist*

8. Writing my own fortnightly sports column on our country's national newspaper. I keep thinking I'm getting away with something.

7. Back to Hanoi, in a canoe this time, as me and Josh paddled into an enclave in the middle of Halong Bay, accessible only via a narrow channel. After amusing ourselves with the echoes, we quietened down and felt complete, utter silence. Makes the tough paddling worthwhile.

6. Summoning all my courage, I entered a strip club in London all by myself, much to the amusement of the bouncers at the counter. "What's this fat Asian doing here?" they must be thinking. Priceless moment: my busty hostess cooing "That's so sweet", when I said thank you after her topless act. Don't know when I'll be so brave again.

5. Leading my band into a flawless jam on Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends". Pretty cool.

4. Among a few thousand Arsenal supporters during my sponsored (free) trip to Highbury, watching the Gunners beat my team Liverpool - not a good moment, except when Liverpool scored their consolation goal. Instinctively I shouted "YEAH!!!!!", and saw hundred pairs of eyes staring at me from all directions. Gulp.

3. Writing this blog.

2. The misty beauty of the isles on Halong Bay is one scenery that will forever be etched in my mind. As is the bustle of London Underground, and the dusty reinvention of Doha. I'm privileged to have seen these in my overseas trips this year.

1. Long after I screamed myself hoarse as Liverpool overcame a 0-3 deficit to win the European Cup for the fifth time, as I walked back to the underground car park at United Square, hundreds of Liverpool fans are singing You Never Walk Alone. At 5.30am in the morning. I sang along, on a giddy high after seeing one of the most unforgettable football matches. Everyone's face was filled with happiness, and incredulity at what transpired. It's times like these you learn to live again.