ash'ventures

what does Christmas mean ?

The past few weeks was full of Christmas - you name it - presents, parties, cards, lights, drinks, fake santas, christmas trees. And to top it all - the sky was literally lit with fireworks all around Cebu between 11pm to midnight. It didn't stop till wee hours in the morning.

Frankly speaking, the Christmas experience in Cebu is really something I have not experienced before. I mean, the folks wake up at the wee hours of dawn to attend special masses at 4am in the morning. Even those who never been to church before go and attend mass. Lights everywhere - name it churches, the shopping malls, offices, schools, even official establishements. Well, let's keep that discussion it for another discussion.

Then there is the gifts and presents and cakes. You give gifts and cakes to anyone you know. Thank Jesus for my next 2 months supply of wine's. And not forgeting the giving of presents too. So I did the best I could give - red wine ! Oh well, I didn't recycle the ones I received to give aways, since it is a claimable expense. I promptly ordered 50 bottles of the best red wine I could find in Cebu - from Manny'O wines, and yes the respectable Mr. Manny Osmeña gave me a good deal. But heck, the distributing of presents took a toll. I didn't wanted a delivery guy to send my present, so I made it a point to personally hand deliver my presents. But alas, most of the recipients were not around at the time of the delivery. Oh well, it's holidays for Christ sake !

Talking about presents, I have to mention my dear friend Abon Cimafranca. He is the human version of Santa Claus, true to the literal sense. And to top it all, he had his big red Salvattore Ferragamo paper bag, stuffed with presents of all sorts and giving it out to all those he knows, from the security guards at malls, to the bank tellers, to the restaurant waiters and hotel concierge. Heck, even my maid and driver got a handbag and wallet respectively from dear Abon. Too bad, he didn't have the beard and the tummy !

All this euphoria around me got me thinking, pardon me, as I was listening to the Priest's homily during the Christmas mass. Did Jesus Christ really wanted his birthday to be celebrated this way? Hmmm, with fire crackers, lighted trees, wines, presents and all? Oh, yes - the spirit of sharing and caring, giving and meeting, joy and peace. But is Jesus Christ's birth the only time we think of giving and sharing? Did Jesus wanted it only for his birthday? How did this one event become the most celebrated and spend thrift event in the whole world?

It then dawned upon me - it's just an annual affair that serves a purpose - to remind our forgetful minds and to teach our young ones, the value of giving and sharing, to rejoice in hope and wishful thinking, to literally get out of one's comfort zone and join in some merry making. But alas, for most people, it just ends there. After the presents are unwrapped and after the trees goes back into storage, people just carry on with normal their normal lives. 

Why don't we carry the spirit of Christmas within us every day of our life? Or atleast, once a week, or say, once a month. But it is not practical to hang out the lights every week or every other month. This is where the real meaning of Christmas serves it purpose. While the celebration of Christmas is an annual reminder on the things Christmas stand for, the actual meaning of Christmas doesn't end there. Christmas serves as a reminder on the things we should carry out in our every day life. Caring and Sharing is not just about getting together with loved ones during Christmas or exchanging gifts to those you know. It is meant to show genuine caring and sharing to every one around you. 

We can and we should carry on the meaning of Christmas in every day lives. This can be a simple action such as a courtesy gesture on the road - giving way to someone who has signalled intention to change lanes, bringing a blind man or elderly across the street, extending a helping hand to a colleague who is faced with a tight deadline, offering to help your mother or spouse in the kitchen, being compassionate to a good cause, making a difference in someone's life by just being there etc.

So go ahead and make a list of the things you can do in your everyday life to live the spirit of Christmas after Christmas. And that really is what Christmas is all about - a reminder on the values we should uphold in our daily lives.

Merry Christmas folks !

Hello world

Hello world from Ajish's iPhone!

bliss

I captured this snap on top of the Phuket Big Buddha, a very long time ago. Just felt like posting this picture, as I was talking to someone with some relationship issues. This couple was relaxing at the viewpoint, enjoying the beautiful sight and nothing else seemed to matter to them.

Matt Harding's dance

This guy travelled around the world dancing to the same step ... enjoy !

 
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

still alive

I'am still alive and did not update this place for more than a month now. I totally forgot about my website until a chance reader Erik send posted a comment which was diverted to my email.

I been busy with my move to Cebu, Philippines and was in the "settling-in" process, basically lots of reading about the new job and meeting new people and lots of eating and drinking.

I have couple of entries of Thailand in draft mode and now that I'am in Cebu, I will post a couple of interesting things about this place too.

Sigh, I miss Phuket and Thailand so much. Partly why I don't want to look through those pics I took in Phuket and update this place. I totally miss the Thai people. Feel like going back sooon !

what goes around comes around

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of this rainy day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was those chills which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson." Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough , especially with the rain . Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty , wet and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk.

The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, "And think of me." He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase.

The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan .

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred do llar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed s omething written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: "You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you." Under the napkin were four more $100 bills. Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day.

That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.... She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything' s going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson."

There is an old saying "What goes around comes around."

Source : forwarded through emails

new domain

This web is now moved to www.ajish.com

free of debts

Finally, i paid off all my debts! I used my bonus to settle off everything. Now im left with SGD 200 and THB 10,000 in my 2 bank accounts, but the feeling is so good ! NO MORE DEBTS AND IAM A FREE MAN. Now its time to start effective money management !

hello singapore !

back to singapore tonight and will be there until 15 july. who is asking me out for coffee ?

until death do us apart

I remember Joseph Lawrence, the eldest son of my chemistry professor Lawrence Michael. We grew up in the same neighbourhood, went to same church, same cathecism school, and years later, same college. He was also friend of my brothers. It appears as if controversies followed Joseph lately.

He married a muslim girl amidst much controversy and he is the father of two kids. Pardon me, he was, because Joseph, his wife and 2 kids passed away last week in a road accident.

The accident was was also kind of controversial. The accident happened some 50km away from his hometown. Following the accident and eventual death, the people of the locality blocked the national highway and held the top government official of the district at ransom until the authorities promised to do something about the condition of the road. It appears as if the potholes on the national highway was the cause of the accident.

Joseph's funeral also ended up in a controversy. It seems that his wife's parents insisted on their daughter being buried in the muslim cemetry and they got what they wanted. Joseph and his two children were buried at the catholic cemetry.

When they took their wedding vows, they pledge to "be together until death do us apart". Ironically, their death happened while they were together, but their bodies cannot be together. 

Joseph, his wife and kids will unite in the "other world", free from the pressures of religion, society, norms, elders-of-the-family, etc - people who dont give a darn about you but always around to give their useless 5 cents worth to stir up shit ! 

Here is wishing you a happy life, together, from now onwards !

im so glad june is over !

I had the lousiest month for a long period of time. June was full of downsides and a hell of a roller coster ride for me ... I was looking forward to 2 work trips to Bangkok and 1 to Chiang Mai. Alas, things went wrong and I did not get to get my plans executed !

On 6 june, i made my first virgin trip to bangkok aka prungtep(for the uninitiated, prungtep means city of angels). i was feeling feverish the previous night, but i braced myself to fly over to bangkok. i flew from phuket to bangkok on Thai Airways with a complimentary upgrade to Business class, in style. Cool right? Soon after the aircraft took off, i literally became cold, thanks to the strong aircondition. upon reaching bangkok, i was feeling so hot ! And to add to all the inconvenience, the pick-up vehicle did not arrive and i had to stuff myself into a very uncomfortable meter taxi to bring me to Holiday Inn Bangkok.

Immediately upon reaching the hotel, i went looking for medication and excused myself for a nap. After the nap, i was feeling normal and i was so happy. Went about meeting people and striking off each items on my to-do list. Decided to rest early and went to bed around 8pm. Throughout the night, i woke up countless times feeling unwell. I took more and more medication, but i was feeling so feverish. To cut things short, i ended up being admitted in Bumrungrad International Hospital. They had to wrap me up in 8 blankets and i had a temperature of 40.6 degree celcius. I was send for countless tests and xrays and dunno-wat-all. After 30 hours at the hospital, i was feeling good to go back. The doctor wanted me to be admitted for another day, but i signed off the against medical advise form and returned back to Phuket the same day.

Unaware of my situation, my mum and brothers expressed their desire to visit Phuket. So i arranged tickets etc for them and they arrived on 11 june. Took leave and brought them for a tour of the island on 12 june. Everything was going on well when i received a message from my brother on 13 june, that my grandfather was admitted in intensive care unit due to heart failure. I arranged for my mum and brothers to return back immediately and arranged for my own tickets. Luckily my bosses and colleagues were so helpful, i got everything done in 1 hour. But there was another challenge, as i was holding Singapore passport, i needed visa to enter India. And the normal processing time is 3 days. I had to catch the evening flight. Anyway with the help of Singapore Embassy in Bangkok, i got my visa and flew to India on 13 june.

From the airport, i went to the hospital and saw my grandfather in a coma state. It was very depressing. Though the doctors gave up on his condition, he was showing signs of improvement. So on 17 june, i returned back to Phuket. Unfortunately my grandpa passed away on 18 june and i had to make another trip to India. Luckily my colleagues in India arranged me a permit to land without visa and i flew to India again on 19 june.

My grandfather's funeral was done the next day and i stayed on until 22 june. I was scheduled to fly on midnight flight, which was delayed 12 hours. And since i was holding staff ticket, i was not entitled to hotel stay. So i spend the night at my friend's place near the airport and flew to Singapore on 23 june. When i arrived into Singapore, my connecting flight to Phuket was about to depart and they refused to accept me on the flight. I had to spend a night in Singapore. As i was holding staff ticket, they refused to give me hotel again. I was really devastated. I havent showered or changed my clothes in almost 20 hours. i reached Phuket on 24 june.

Well, since then, things have been looking good. Royston & Sam came visiting on 25 june and they stayed couple of days. It was good to have them here.

However, throughout all the episodes that happened in June, it made me realize how fortunate I'm to be blessed with this job and good colleagues in a great company. When i was sick in Bangkok, my fellow manager from Chiangmai and colleagues from Bangkok went all the way out to take care of me. When my grandpa was sick and later passed away, my bosses and colleagues in head office and India office did everything to ensure i could travel asap to India. Everything was done in lightning speed. Im also thankful for this job, else i wouldnt have been able to travel to India twice without having visa.

And it was heartwarming to see my mum's cousins and uncle who went all the way out to take care of my grandpa in hospital and making arrangements for the funeral. It was heartwarming to see so many people turn up for the funeral. It was touching to see the numerous condolences messages and flowers from Canada to Melbourne to Singapore.

Perhaps it is karma !

In the news

June 21, 2007 Sraits Times Forum

Helped in dire straits by Singapore Embassy in Bangkok and Indian High Commission in Singapore

I am a Singapore citizen working in Phuket, Thailand. On June 12, I received news that my grandfather was hospitalised in Trivandrum, India due to renal failure and multiple cardiac arrest. The doctor declared his situation critical and I had to make an urgent visit to India within 24 hours so I could spend some time with him during his last hours.

As a Singapore citizen, I required a visa to enter India. As there was no Indian diplomatic representative in Phuket, the only choice I had was to fly to Singapore and secure my visa and then fly on to Trivandrum. I managed to secure air tickets to Trivandrum on June 13.

In my desperate attempt to secure the visa, I contacted Mr Michael Chua, First Secretary (Administration and Consular) at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok. Mr Chua was sympathetic to my situation. As it was after office hours, he assured me he would contact Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters to inform the Indian High Commission in Singapore of my situation.

The next day, I flew to Singapore and went immediately to the Indian High Commission. By then, Mr Chua had made arrangements with Mr Rajesh Kumar Sachdeva, Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian High Commission in Singapore, to process my visa application.

Thanks to the efforts of these gentlemen, I managed to get my visa processed and flew to India on June 13 itself. I visited my beloved grandfather in hospital and saw him alive, albeit on life-support equipment. Eventually, my grandfather died on June 18.

I wish to thank Mr Chua and Mr Sachdeva for assisting me. They lived up to the the values of foreign service of their countries.

My grandfather is the reason for my success in my life and it meant a lot for me to visit him and spend some time with him during his last hours.

Ajish Henry Morris
Phuket, Thailand

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_131164.html

projects

life is geting very monotonous, boring and dull. i need to do something challenging ... i have 3 immediate projects :

1. start running and bring my weight back to good old 60kg and fit into my body hugging SEED & CK & Armani shirts. damn it ... i miss those days ! i used to be 75kg with a damn 32cm waist line back in 2004. in 8 months i dropped to 60kg with a nice 28" waist. maintained it all the way to Oct 2006 until i came to phuket.

2. quit or reduce smoking. im smoking up to 30 sticks a day now. damn it ... i think i cannot run those daily 20km runs anymore. maybe i should combine project 1 & 2 together and for each 10km i run, cut down smoking by 1 stick !

or maybe i should do both ! ok project work starts on 01 June 2007.

im an orkutter

Im a late bloomer ! My best pal, Kevin introduced me to orkut. It is similar to to friendster. It is pretty cool and im so glad i found orkut. I managed to locate long lost friends from my childhood and teenage days. they even have community based networks. double cool !

so go on and become an orkutter ... oh yeah, you need a google email id or you can create a google id if you have another email service.

new domain

this blog is now available at www.ajish.net

happy new year

Here is wishing you a great 2007 !

the new year here was a bit low key due to the Bangkok bombings. Another bomb went off at Chiangmai few hours ago.

Strict instruction from head office to avoid crowded places. Heck it, i still went to patong beach to enjoy the fireworks ... 45 mins non stop all along the beach and from the hotels and the hills ! Fantastic !! Then i drove back home and slept through the night.

Sigh! i hope no bombs in phuket :(

thai x'mas

On x'mas eve, went to the local catholic church for x'mas mass. funny mass in thai (with some english). they sing the carols in thai.

The light in the confession box was on and there was noone in the queue. On the spur of the moment, i stepped into the box and did my confession, after five years. I dunno what got hold of me, but my words kept flowing and they came straight from my heart and i went on and on ... only to realize tears are flowing non-stop. The priest was good with his words and gave me some sound advises. After doing my prayers, I took part in the mass and received holy communion. Felt so blessed, relieved and in full of peace.

shopping for my overseas posting

bye bye my dear

gave away my beloved bike today. after being with me for 3 years. sad.

virgin trip to phuket

heading to phuket tonite with my CEO for the official opening of our new office there. and to see my appartment and staff. be back tomorrow evening.

savings & investments

i have been working for 5 years now and i dont have a single cent as savings in my bank accounts. this is partly because of repayment of my study loans and extravagant lifestyle. partly because of this, i never believed in investing money in stocks or unit trusts or insurance policies. infact i had no idea about investments and insurance policies.

sometime in Dec04, i met up with Royston and he talked insurance stuff to me. frankly, i did not have any clue about what he was talking. anyway he convinced me to invest my CPF monies. people around me tried to discourage me and asked me to talk to more agents (partly due to the negative perception among the public about insurance agents). however, i just had a feeling to trust him and i blindly signed on all the forms he asked me to sign and my CPF account was emptied overnight. i did not check on the investments until last week and i realized my investments were doing very well and infact the value of my funds is 125% of the investment amount. im glad and this gave some confidence in investments.

since i will have some excess cash from the overseas posting allowances, i decided to move a step forward and take some cash investments and a life insurance policy with Roy. Now that Daniel is also in the business, i decided to support him by taking a small savings policy for my niece, so i can present her a good amount when she is ready to go to university.

hopefully when i turn 35, my CPF investments will give some good returns so i can get my HDB flat. in the long term, hopefully enough $$ to lead a good retired life traveling around the world. not to mention, say sometime awful happen to me, then my parents & siblings can enjoy the insurance cover.

here is a shout going out to Royston : thank you for introducing me to the world of investments, unit trusts and insurance policies. thank you for "torturing" me day & night with lectures on all the good things about investments.

another shout going out to Daniel : i can see that you put your soul and heart into this and i have never seen you more determined. im sure you will do well. all the best!

anxious and worried

26 days left. as the day draws near, im getting sad of leaving singapore. and at the same time anxious about being lonely in a strange land. sometimes i think of throwing in the towel and request not to be posted overseas. but reality check - i need this exposure and the money.

the last 2 weekends, i chased everyone from home to my brother's place so i can experience what lonely life is going to be like. so i was lazing at home, watching tv/dvd, went to gym/run/cycle, spend lots of time on internet/msn/irc etc, reading books/journals/magazines etc.

its horrible ! i dunno how im going to cope the next few years. i hope i can survive.

and im more annoyed because of this stupid injury of mine. cannot go gym/run/cycle !!

going to shanghai on 19Oct.

hurt

fell down at east coast cycling path. a lil girl dashed into my path. tried to avoid banging into her. end up i fell on the road and hurt my shoulder. lots of blood. luckily cycle was not damaged. so cycled back home and took a cab to TTSH. sigh. wanted to train this week coz im on leave. end up bed ridden :(

come to phuket !

The Straits Time, 11 Sep 2006, Quick News

TIGER AIR TICKETS FOR LESS THAN $1

BUDGET airline Tiger Airways is celebrating its second anniversary with tickets priced as low as 88cents. The fares are applicable for travel to various Asian cities, as well as Australia's northern city of Darwin. Booking starts today and is open till Sunday, for travel from Jan 5 to Feb 28 next year.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

life as it is

how do i get some motivation to live on with life ? Life is geting monotonous waking up in the morning, going to work, coming back, sleep ... that's all. Weekends i just hole up at home, watch tv or surf net and that's it. Maybe occasional gym and running. My social life is a big ZERO now, my phone hardly rings or beeps. my email inbox is always empty. what can i do to spice things up ? its geting too lonely and boring and meaningless.

changi airport cannot-make-it model

back to gym

a boring monday

my take on minority rights & anti-discrimination laws

i read an entry on a friend's blog advocating for minority rights and anti discrimination laws.

my take is that there is no need for any minority reservation for jobs or studies. this because, if someone of the minority race is bloody good in what he does, there is no force to stop him from going places and geting succesful. just an example is J Y Pillai, ex SIA chairman and currently chairman of Singapore Exchange.

discrimination laws only encourage people to be more sympathetic and worse off, it encourages people of the minority race to be more complacent and lazy. it does not encourage non-disrimination. my take is, if u have the worth and what it takes, prove it and get the due respect and recognition. based on my personal experience studying and working in Singapore, no one has knocked me down or gave me the racist attitude in school or work because i know what i do and i'm bloody good at it.

sometimes all these racist and discrimination comments from the minorities are just an escape mechanism built within them. it is easier to blame it as racism rather than look at the real reason for not being accepted by the other party. for instance, i have a subordinate who is of a minority race and is not very efficient in what he does. when the boss chide him for his performance, the easier way out for the subordinate is to say the boss is racist. someone with a positive mindset will examine his own worth and correct himself rather than give an opportunity for his boss to find fault with him. when that happens, even if the boss is racist, there is no grounds to be discriminated.

and yes when it comes to career advancement and promotions, if you are excellent in what you do, no one can step on you.

seriously racism in singapore is not that bad. if we compare with UK, US etc ... singapore is heaven. atleast they majority (chinese) dont beat up the minorites on the street or in car parks. but as in all cases, there are bound to be some rotten eggs in the tray.

recent state of mind

:dejected
:low morale
:everything i do is going wrong

:lazy to
:go gym and run (been 3 weeks)
:go church (skipped church 2 weeks)
:work

:all i do is
:think think think about what went wrong
:smoke smoke smoke
:sleep sleep sleep
:dream dream dream
:brood brood brood over spilled milk
:waste time online

:i need
:a break
:motivation
:to wake up
:a slap
:a life
:friends

:i'm
:lethargic
:lonely
:tired
:lost

ajish is a qualified driver now

Ended my chase for class 3 licence with 6 demerit points. Glad it has come to an end ! But not buying a car for time being.

citizenship oath taking ceremony

I had to go to ICA to take oath and collect new IC and passport. Royston went with me and poor thing got scolded by the commissioner for oaths when he tried to snap a pic of me taking the oath. hehe

ajish is singaporean

Blue to Pink IC
does'nt make a difference other than when u buy a HDB roof ?
and yeah no need to apply VISA while traveling overseas ...

i been busy with

parents coming to singapore

Got the visa's for my parents and bro to come to singapore. Its $20 per person and can you imagine the long queue at ICA Visa section. So much of money they are making !! Luckily got the mutiple entry visa. So in between if I bring them to Malaysia, no need to go back to ICA and queue up.

Got the tickets for them under my dependant priviledge travel. Yet i had to fork out roughly $200 per head to pay for the insurance, fuel, security and airport taxes. If i did not have this benefit have to fork out a fortune on the air tickets itself. The perks of working in an airline ... The more i should stick to this industry.

Next have to go to Malaysian embassy to get the visa to enter Malaysia. I think it is $40 per head. More expensive than the visa to enter Singapore. Wonder why !! ... issit coz Malaysia is a bigger country ? Anyone knows ?

I need to find a place to house them for 3 weeks ... anybody got lobang ? Dont want to go through housing agents ... have to fork out extra commission on top of the rent. Friends, pls help if you know of anyone who want to rent their place for 3 weeks (23Apr to 15May). Tolong pls.

Now all the logistics are settled, I need to plan what to do with them for 3 weeks. Where to bring them ? Maybe one weekend at Sentosa ... 1 weekend to go to KL ... what else ? any pointers ....... ???

Horoscope for 2005

I'am not a believer of horoscopes, but this sounds too good to resist !

The Intuitive Snake - The "Learned One"
In 2005, aesthetic Snakes profit by life and complete some of their most personal projects. You will lean toward the idealistic side of your nature, and some may well daydream and procrastinate to the point of losing track of reality for a while. Strive for a balanced view of people and circumstances. Snake souls are within the Triangle of compatibility with the Rooster year and throughout 2005 -- love is in the works! Don't let a love affair turn into tabloid fodder or scandal. Spend some extra time with family as they will need your emotional support now. In 2005, Snakes increase their income and a promotion is heading your way. This paves the path to a much more interesting and satisfying career. This pleasant financial surprise will allow you to purchase something you couldn't previously afford. Resist any form of greed or temptation to take your comforts for granted, as both wealth and poverty walk down the same road.

During the year's first half your focus is improving on your personal, domestic and family life. It's everything from redoing your home or wardrobe to resolving tensions. This may be dull, but eliminate worries, clutter and distractions and you're free to respond to the exciting developments from August onward. Look your best. Be bold and show that confidence in your attitude. New friendships appear, romances thrive, and you're on a creative streak.

Being ruled by the planet of energy itself, Mars, you achieve more in a day than others do in a week. Often those around you - friends, loved ones, work colleagues - benefit more than you from your enthusiasm than you do. During the year's first half situations closer to home will demand your attention. Many will have been on your mind for some considerable time, but something always kept you from dealing with them. True, it may take a crisis, or perhaps the demands of somebody you look up to, to get your attention. This is partly because tasks are tedious, so you've been putting them off. However, by the Aries-eclipsed New Moon on 8 April, you realise the more of the past you're ready to let go of, the more exciting the future that awaits.

This leads to a personal review as well. You reconsider everything from your priorities to life's pleasures. Here, too, a serious clear-out is in order. Take time considering what you want to do, this year and in the coming years. Similarly, invest time in exploring new endeavours or hobbies and trying things you've always considered too expensive. At first this seems frivolous, but soon you'll begin to see yourself from a new and unaccustomed perspective.

Thus, as May commences, you're feeling uncharacteristically insecure, yet optimistic. This is when you're most vulnerable, particularly to charmers or those who reassure you. Ordinarily you wouldn't need this kind of flattery. While others' advice may be worthwhile, discovering whether certain individuals are trustworthy takes time. Usually you'd take a chance, plunging into any relationship, business or romance that intrigues you.

If you find yourself linked with somebody who's unscrupulous - which is highly possible between 12 June and 28 July, when your ruler, Mars, is actually in Aries and you're particularly headstrong - you'll probably need support. Initially you may insist things are OK. But soon you'll realise that what those around you – friends, family or colleagues – know would make things easier. What's more, others will be keen to help you. Let them. You'll also come up with numerous exciting ideas. Explore these, but here, too, accept others' guidance.

In mid-July the powerful Saturn moves to accent romance, as well as those who are dear to your heart - children and close friends. This also involves creative pursuits. This cycle, which lasts well into 2007, encourages you to pursue your goals, strengthen close relationships and seek happiness. This sounds easy, but you soon realise that in many cases you're unsure exactly what that means. That's as it should be, particularly because this is a time of discovery. While your zest for life is an asset, it means that you'll sometimes cut short the process of questioning or exploration. Now it seems as if the planets are determined to slow you down so that you can make the best of this extraordinary opportunity to learn about what – and who – makes you happy. Some goals make seem so distant that they're not even realistic. But if ever there was a time to aim high, it's during the last half of 2005 and all of 2006.

It's also important that you balance what you do for others with activities that involve your own interests. It's rare that an Aries is greedy. In fact, when making plans or promises you sometimes neglect to consider what arrangements will demand of you or what you'll get for your efforts and, as a result, short-change yourself. Now others encourage you to examine what you commit to beforehand. Dealing with facts, figures and practical matters seems boring. But you soon realise that you'll save time, acquire welcome support and end up much better off.

If you don't take time to check out commitments first, you could run into trouble. If there are any pitfalls you must be wary of during 2005, it's making hasty decisions or commitments. Here, too, the support of others is vital. You hate asking for help, but it can save you time, money and complications.

Making the best of this year requires a combination of positive thinking and caution. You begin with positive thinking and visualisation, imagining what you'd like to have, do or achieve. Make lists or even paint a picture in your mind. While you're building these images, ensure that you do not allow the doubts of others to overshadow your enthusiasm. Next you'll have to find others who will help you achieve your goals. You may simply attract them to you. But it's always helpful to let others know what you're thinking. So talk about your plans and ideas, and your hopes and dreams.

By the year's close you'll have become acquainted with a new side of your nature, you'll have developed a new style. You may have made new friends. And most of all, you'll have a new perspective about your future, one that's more balanced than your life has been in the past.

While you'll be as strong as you always have been, you'll have learned how to rely on others. Most of all, you'll be in the midst of a cycle of discovery. You'll learn how to be closer to those you love. You'll invite new love into your life. And you'll be involved in creative projects that renew your enthusiasm for life.

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