For me, I feel that 2008 was the year the world sort of speeded up, with more intense news coverage, more internet connectivity and use, more of just everything. When you live in a fast-paced city like Singapore, sometimes we often forget to look back and reflect or even just hold on to the past.

My kids’ daycare is moving premises, and on the last day of their time at the old centre we went to pick the children up and I gasped because they had completely taken down every single piece of artwork, every last poster, photograph, set of shelves, divider, curtain – and just white washed the entire space. It was as if the last 2 years of my child’s life in school had been completely wiped out. I mean, sure they are going to a new swanky daycare centre, with brand new facilities et al. But it was the casualness with which they performed this move and erasure that really struck me. After all, a lot of us have the same experience in Singapore; I’m thinking of schools, workplaces, religious institutions and of course homes that have just disappeared off the face of island without much afterthought. I often wonder what this does to our sense of belonging and memory. Singaporeans are a pragmatic bunch, fundamentally, but these constant erasures have to affect us in some way.

(As I write, there are a few days left to the bulldozing of a large part of the Seletar Airbase, a place known for its colonial black and white houses, tranquil atmosphere and community life. Just another casualty of progress of course. Just another blip in our speeded up lives.)

So this new year – I say, be optimistic, look forward and try not to be too bogged down by worries and fears. But at the same time, take stock and remember to look back and appreciate the places, people, memories still around you… in many more ways than one, life is fleeting and there’s no point if it’s not lived fully.

For Primetime Morning I do some producing for segments on lifestyle which can include dining, shopping and arts and culture… While the buzzword for last year’s festive season was luxury, this year it’s definitely budget. Frankly, I don’t think that’s so much of a bad thing, too much excess can cloud our minds with the material and make it difficult to remember the things that are truly important: family, friends, quality time spent with loved ones and really just the simple things in life. It’s important not to see these as some soppy Hallmark card cliches and really think about what it means to be present with your loved ones. We are still really lucky in spite of crashing stock markets and plummeting property prices. Just think, tonight, most of us will have a warm comfortable place to sleep and probably a good meal with friends and family. What could be worth more than that?