So Long 2007, and Thanks for All the Fish
Well, another year has passed. And so it’s time for a brief review, about me, Switzerland and the world in general. I do this from the top of my head, so it might get superficial and rantish :-)
The Past: 2007
It certainly was an interesting year. I‘ve visited two countries, moved to my own flat, and had a quite sucessful but very demanding time at school. At work, our team underwent some painful personal changes but is back on the right track.
Reflecting on myself, there were some unnecessary mistakes, and some unavoidable ones. I don’t regret them, but I’ve learnt some lessons, and paid for it. Overall, I enjoy a feeling I seldomly used to have, the one of moving in the right direction. I didn’t change my attitude, but advanced in confidence and independence, developing a deeper sense for the humbling struggle of trying to do the decent thing.
Switzerland infamously made the news because of some sheep, and later went on to vote the shepherd out of its government. There was much rejoice. And disturbance. So many a politician had to step forward and voice his opinion and do a wordily fight. But all was well in the end, because Christmas arrived, and the populace quickly turned its attention to gifts.
The world has seen many crises. Iraq’s progress is slowly and at a high price, at best. Dafur got some media love, but that doesn’t help the hungry and threatened people in any way. There’s still no solution for Kosovo. The US government commits tortures. Pakistan is in turmoil, and so is Kenya. And the list goes on.
However, not everything was bad. Annapolis brought all actors together. There’s still much do be done about global warming, but at least the threat gets acknowledged and worked on. India’s growth and progress turns out to be sustained, and could have a lasting effect on South Asia. South America remains stable, with Brazil and Mexico going strong. Africa finally sees some long needed cooperation as well as new investments. The integration of Eastern European countries into the European Union goes smoothly. And this list, too, goes on.
And the pending: 2008
I don’t make any new year resolutions, as I like to take on changes immediately. However, one goal for this year is to finally run a half-marathon. The one I’ve set my mind on takes place in June, which gives me plenty of time to prepare.
Unlike me, some countries have good resolutions for the new year:
* The United States of America will elect a new President, trying to make the rest of the world love them again.
* China will host the Olympic Games, trying to play down their undemocratic and unjust regime by looking friendly and advanced to potentional investors.
* Switzerland, together with Austria, will host the European Football Championship, trying to look not too bad.
* The countries of the Middle East will remain hostile, not really carrying what anyone, including their own citizens, think of them.
Meanwhile, the population of the world will continue its move towards cities. The overall economy outlook remains good. Kosovo will try to become an independent country, and will most likely succeed, even if not by name. Russia will be everything but a democratic state, but it will integrate and behave itself better.So will China, at least for 2008. Still, Burma will be neglected, unfortunately.
That’s is. Or rather, it isn’t. For it first has to become, and that means it all can be shaped.
Happy 2008!
