(Warning: Another super long entry...this is what happens when there's no one in the office!)
2008 has certainly been an eventful year, with the second half containing the most drama. Things were okay at the start of the year and then it all started going downhill.
I remember back in the first few months of year, the economy was doing well, house prices were setting new records, people were spending like there was no tomorrow. On the downside, oil and food prices inflated with increasing demand and diminished supply.
Fast forward 6 months and the difference is stark.
Not only is Singapore in a recession, the world is facing a global financial crisis that looks set to rival the Great Depression. Companies are going bust left, right and centre or being bailed out by their governments for billions of dollars, tens of thousands of workers are being laid off globally, banks are not lending money etc.
Everyone’s tightening their belts, and in these uncertain economic times, cash is king. Something which I don’t have a lot of, hence 2009 is going to be a very bleak year for me, shopping-wise. Bummer.
Anyway, I can’t remember all the major events that happened this year, but these are the 10 that stand out when I look back on 2008...in no particular order.
1) Mas Selamat Escape
Who would have thought something like this could happen in Singapore’s supposedly secure prison and detention systems?
The escape of Jemaah Islamiah leader Mas Selamat on Feb 27 sparked the biggest manhunt on the island, he was gone in 49 seconds after a series of security lapses and human errors made it easy for him to get away on foot. He’s probably having a good laugh at our expense somewhere in Indonesia right now.
2) Natural Disasters
A major earthquake shook Sichuan province in China on 12 May, killing over 60,000 and injuring hundreds of thousands and rendering millions homeless. A large number of schoolchildren perished because of unstable school structures. It was ranked the 19th deadliest earthquake of all time and occurred just months before China hosted the Olympics.
The spotlight had been on Myanmar just 10 days before when a powerful cyclone made landfall there. We’ll never know exactly how many lives were lost because the paranoid military government refused to co-operate with international aid agencies but estimates place it above 150,000. In the span of just 2 weeks, Asia’s population was reduced by over 200,000.
3) Beijing Olympics
China staged a spectacular and lavish Olympics Opening Ceremony and successfully hosted the two-week long games. The event wasn’t without controversy, as the Chinese have a thing about saving face, but it was still well-organised overall.
The highlight of the Games would have to be Michael Phelps breaking Mark Spitz’s record for the most number of golds won in a single Games, as well as Usain Bolt setting new world records in the 100m and 200m sprints.
On the homefront, Singapore rejoiced as we picked up our first medal in 48 years. Even the National Day rally was postponed so we could catch the table tennis women’s team finals between Singapore and China.
4) Formula One
In September, the spectacular Singapore skyline was beamed to millions around the globe as we hosted our first ever Formula One race. The event was truly ‘Uniquely Singapore’ because it was a street race held around the Marina Bay area, and the first night race in F1’s calendar. Praises were heaped on Singapore for its efficient staging of the event and Singaporeans were caught up in the carnival-like atmosphere.
The final F1 race of the season also ended dramatically as Lewis Hamilton snatched the title from under Felipe Massa’s nose in his home territory. All Lewis needed was to finish 5th or better to secure the driver’s championship and he was on course until the last few laps where he got overtaken.
But miraculously Lewis prevailed in the final stretch because a car in front had slowed down due to lack of fuel, spoiling the Brazilians’ premature celebrations.
5) Tainted Milk Scandal
It’s just one food scare after another for China. They tried to cover up the fact that melamine was being added to infant formula powder somewhere along the manufacturing process but they were found out in the end. A massive recall ensued, milk companies got sued and thousands of babies developed kidney problems. Sigh.
6) Obama
Change is coming to America. Out with Bush, in with Obama. Barack Hussein Obama II is the first African-American to be elected President of the United States of America. He inherits a very troubled economy, the global financial meltdown started with the US sub-prime credit crisis. The US is still at war in Iran and Afghanistan, Israel just started attacking Palestine…he has his work cut out for him.
7) Mumbai Terror Attacks
Pakistani terrorists raided several buildings in Mumbai on Nov 26 and took on hostages in 2 hotels. 173 people were killed over 3 days, including one Singaporean whose death was mourned by the whole country. It brought home the message that something doesn’t have to happen here to make us a victim of terrorism.
8) Thai Airport Shutdown
Thousands of passengers were stranded at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport when Thai protesters staged an airport sit-in. Flights were disrupted for several days and it eventually ended when the courts dissolved the ruling party that the protestors were opposing.
How thousands of people marching towards the airport was not stopped before they reached baffles me, as did the silence of their much-revered King. Things have been unstable in Thailand ever since Thaksin was ousted and not likely to be resolved anytime soon.
I feel sorry for the majority of Thais who are caught in the power struggle between the elite and rural folk, it’s hurting their economy.
9) World Financial Crisis
The crisis is still unraveling and deepening, in October things started to get really serious. The stock market has taken a beating, people cannot pay their mortgages, tourism is down, shoppers are not shopping, exports are down, growth forecasts have been slashed, billions of investments lost, everyday there is news of retrenchments… Las Vegas has turned into a ghost town, construction has ground to a halt in Macau. All quite depressing really, not to mention confusing as to how it all began but I’m not going to go into that.
10) Hollywood Baby Boom
Swana and I had a baby each this year and so did a lot in Hollywood! Nat and Gigi will be the same age as a lot of celebuspawns, notably:
There’s lots more that happened in the world too but these are some of the ones I will remember 2008 for. I wonder how 2009 will pan out…
2008 has certainly been an eventful year, with the second half containing the most drama. Things were okay at the start of the year and then it all started going downhill.
I remember back in the first few months of year, the economy was doing well, house prices were setting new records, people were spending like there was no tomorrow. On the downside, oil and food prices inflated with increasing demand and diminished supply.
Fast forward 6 months and the difference is stark.
Not only is Singapore in a recession, the world is facing a global financial crisis that looks set to rival the Great Depression. Companies are going bust left, right and centre or being bailed out by their governments for billions of dollars, tens of thousands of workers are being laid off globally, banks are not lending money etc.
Everyone’s tightening their belts, and in these uncertain economic times, cash is king. Something which I don’t have a lot of, hence 2009 is going to be a very bleak year for me, shopping-wise. Bummer.
Anyway, I can’t remember all the major events that happened this year, but these are the 10 that stand out when I look back on 2008...in no particular order.
1) Mas Selamat Escape
Who would have thought something like this could happen in Singapore’s supposedly secure prison and detention systems?
The escape of Jemaah Islamiah leader Mas Selamat on Feb 27 sparked the biggest manhunt on the island, he was gone in 49 seconds after a series of security lapses and human errors made it easy for him to get away on foot. He’s probably having a good laugh at our expense somewhere in Indonesia right now.
2) Natural Disasters
A major earthquake shook Sichuan province in China on 12 May, killing over 60,000 and injuring hundreds of thousands and rendering millions homeless. A large number of schoolchildren perished because of unstable school structures. It was ranked the 19th deadliest earthquake of all time and occurred just months before China hosted the Olympics.
The spotlight had been on Myanmar just 10 days before when a powerful cyclone made landfall there. We’ll never know exactly how many lives were lost because the paranoid military government refused to co-operate with international aid agencies but estimates place it above 150,000. In the span of just 2 weeks, Asia’s population was reduced by over 200,000.
3) Beijing Olympics
China staged a spectacular and lavish Olympics Opening Ceremony and successfully hosted the two-week long games. The event wasn’t without controversy, as the Chinese have a thing about saving face, but it was still well-organised overall.
The highlight of the Games would have to be Michael Phelps breaking Mark Spitz’s record for the most number of golds won in a single Games, as well as Usain Bolt setting new world records in the 100m and 200m sprints.
On the homefront, Singapore rejoiced as we picked up our first medal in 48 years. Even the National Day rally was postponed so we could catch the table tennis women’s team finals between Singapore and China.
4) Formula One
In September, the spectacular Singapore skyline was beamed to millions around the globe as we hosted our first ever Formula One race. The event was truly ‘Uniquely Singapore’ because it was a street race held around the Marina Bay area, and the first night race in F1’s calendar. Praises were heaped on Singapore for its efficient staging of the event and Singaporeans were caught up in the carnival-like atmosphere.
The final F1 race of the season also ended dramatically as Lewis Hamilton snatched the title from under Felipe Massa’s nose in his home territory. All Lewis needed was to finish 5th or better to secure the driver’s championship and he was on course until the last few laps where he got overtaken.
But miraculously Lewis prevailed in the final stretch because a car in front had slowed down due to lack of fuel, spoiling the Brazilians’ premature celebrations.
5) Tainted Milk Scandal
It’s just one food scare after another for China. They tried to cover up the fact that melamine was being added to infant formula powder somewhere along the manufacturing process but they were found out in the end. A massive recall ensued, milk companies got sued and thousands of babies developed kidney problems. Sigh.
6) Obama
Change is coming to America. Out with Bush, in with Obama. Barack Hussein Obama II is the first African-American to be elected President of the United States of America. He inherits a very troubled economy, the global financial meltdown started with the US sub-prime credit crisis. The US is still at war in Iran and Afghanistan, Israel just started attacking Palestine…he has his work cut out for him.
7) Mumbai Terror Attacks
Pakistani terrorists raided several buildings in Mumbai on Nov 26 and took on hostages in 2 hotels. 173 people were killed over 3 days, including one Singaporean whose death was mourned by the whole country. It brought home the message that something doesn’t have to happen here to make us a victim of terrorism.
8) Thai Airport Shutdown
Thousands of passengers were stranded at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport when Thai protesters staged an airport sit-in. Flights were disrupted for several days and it eventually ended when the courts dissolved the ruling party that the protestors were opposing.
How thousands of people marching towards the airport was not stopped before they reached baffles me, as did the silence of their much-revered King. Things have been unstable in Thailand ever since Thaksin was ousted and not likely to be resolved anytime soon.
I feel sorry for the majority of Thais who are caught in the power struggle between the elite and rural folk, it’s hurting their economy.
9) World Financial Crisis
The crisis is still unraveling and deepening, in October things started to get really serious. The stock market has taken a beating, people cannot pay their mortgages, tourism is down, shoppers are not shopping, exports are down, growth forecasts have been slashed, billions of investments lost, everyday there is news of retrenchments… Las Vegas has turned into a ghost town, construction has ground to a halt in Macau. All quite depressing really, not to mention confusing as to how it all began but I’m not going to go into that.
10) Hollywood Baby Boom
Swana and I had a baby each this year and so did a lot in Hollywood! Nat and Gigi will be the same age as a lot of celebuspawns, notably:
- Harlow Winter Kate Madden, 11 Jan (Daughter of Nicole Richie)
- Max Liron Bratman, 12 Jan (Son of Christina Aguilera)
- Emme and Max Anthony, 22 Feb (Twins of Jennifer Lopez)
- Nahla Ariela Aubry, 16 Mar (Daughter of Halle Berry)
- Honor Marie Warren, 7 Jun (Daughter of Jessica Alba)
- Sunday Rose, 7 Jul (Daughter of Nicole Kidman)
- Levi McConaughey, 7 Jul (Son of Matthew McConaughey)
- Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, 12 Jul (Twins of Angelina Jolie)
- Zuma Nesta Rock, 21 Aug (Son of Gwen Stefani)
- Bronx Mowgli Wentz, 20 Nov (Son of Ashlee Simpson)
There’s lots more that happened in the world too but these are some of the ones I will remember 2008 for. I wonder how 2009 will pan out…
1 comment:
I must applaud you for this entry... for doing this major recap of all the events that took place... down to the names and birth dates of celebrity babies!
Good one!
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