A good 2018 heralds a better 2019: Happy New Year

The End is Nigh’ is a phrase usually applied to apocalyptic events, but somehow, well at least from my perspective, 2019 looks like being just another great year to be, as my Dad says, “on top of the ground.” I usually take the opportunity to cast a few bouquets and brickbats for the year upon which we are drawing down the curtain, but 2018 has been a pretty positive year in most respects, so I think we’ll just focus on the events we can, and should celebrate, and what we should be thankful for, okay? My doctor, and my best mate, Vishal, has had a quiet year, mainly due to the commitments to his daughter Anvisha, who is growing up at a great rate of knots. Of course, his wife Yasha takes on most of the workload where the little ankle-biter is concerned, but Vishal is doing a great job in the role of the doting father. Most interesting has been the ‘junior’s’ ability to unlock and navigate through the start menus of Mum and Dad’s mobile phones, this phenomenon occurring subsequent to buying her a little plastic phone of her own. The kid’s clever, she even called me a couple of times recently. Of course, she didn’t mean to, but when I returned Vishal’s missed calls to me, it became quickly apparent that junior was the ‘guilty’ party. It’s forced a change in mobile phone protocols around their house pretty quick-smart, I can tell you. On the health front, however, I must say Vishal is doing a good job, as my blood pressure and cholesterol are both in the region of where they should be, and I’m continuing with my programme of late evening walks, to shed some kilos. Yes, he does still ‘lord’ his Range Rover over me, with its push-button rear door, and its built in sat-nav, and all the other bells and whistles, and Yesha isn’t allowed to drive it, but my little Green Picanto only uses about 3 rials of petrol each month, whereas his fuel bill is... touche. One thing I can celebrate this year has been the dynamism of the students I have been fortunate to be teaching across my university courses. They have been right out of the box. Almost without exception, they have invested time, effort, innovation and passion in their subjects. In their courses, they have revealed a depth of emotional response, and a clarity of expression of their thoughts that have been quite profound and very rewarding to me personally as their facilitator. They have been enthusiastic in learning more, invested in the environment, and conservation, and proven brave and resourceful in discussing and writing about just what ‘is’ going on in the wider world. The group has been a revelation. I guess, at the end of the day, or year, I must be doing something right. I guess that is what I will most take forward from 2018 to 2019, is that I have absolute confidence in the young women of the Sultanate, and especially in the area of education and learning. These students, and the likes of budding Sharqiyah educational resource developers Maya and Raya al Mugheiri are the future, but let’s not wait for the future, let’s get stuck in and utilise this talent pool now, beginning 2019. So, “the beginning is nigh.” I trust you all made the most of 2018, and from Lena, Sasha, and all our wider family and friends, I wish you a happy and prosperous Omani New Year.