Once again, it's the annual top 10 people of the year post. This year proved to be the hardest so far as I took a long time adding and eliminating people to and from the list.These people thoroughly deserve to receive some recognition for their efforts and contributions in 2012.
Number 10
Jeremy Lin
No Asian, including Yao Ming, had such an explosive start to his NBA career than Jeremy Lin. A string of outstanding performances for New York Knicks have earned him fame from all over the world especially Asia where the country which he emigrated from, Taiwan, is in. Words like Linsanity, Lintelligence, Lincredible and anything which starts with "in" and sounds legit when you add a "L" in front sprung up.
The 24-year old scored the matching-winning three-pointer in a 90:87 win against Toronto Raptors and was even crowned Eastern Conference Player of the Week once. Lin's fine form earned praise from Kobe Bryant after their match together and had the whole Miami Heat marking him when he faced Lebron James and co. He even made it to the cover of Time magazine's February 27 issue.
Jeremy Lin has proved that Asians are able to shine in a sport that has long been dominated by Westerners. His impressive performances have made Asians proud and Americans envious. He has transferred to Houston Rockets, Yao Ming's former team, this season. Coincidence?
Number 9
Michelle Obama
Enough of her husband. It is time to shine the spotlight on the First Lady of the world's largest economy. Mrs Obama do have a couple of achievements in 2012 to boast about.
She told a story to Americans at the Democratic National Convention. The story about her husband driving a screwed-up car just to look for a coffee table and she reminded them that Barack was the very man that America (and the world) was so enthusiastic about 4 years ago
Her pleasantness and sociability allowed her to trump her direct rival, Ann Romney, who appeared to look rigid and mundane at times. Like husband like wife, one might say. And I am not just referring to the Obamas.
She was also responsible for changing the menus of the National School Lunch Program this year. School canteens and vending machines are now selling healthier food. Although students are unhappy that their chicken nuggets are being replaced with more veggies, they will thank her later in life for forcing them to adapt to a healthier lifestyle.
Number 8
Angela Merkel
As the euro crisis starts to take a less negative turn, we cannot ignore the woman called Angela Merkel. The German chancellor appears to look emotionless in front of fellow leaders of Northern Europe while those from debt-ridden Southern Europe view her as heartless.
Heartless or emotionless it may seem but the German Iron Lady has earned plaudits for her persistence that Europe slash state spending has resulted in euro economies going further into recession.
Merkel is ranked the world's second most powerful person by Forbes magazine currently. She is also the magazine's most powerful woman this year and for the sixth consecutive time. No female in the world wields more influence than her at the moment. SNSD fans might disagree with me.
Number 7
Xi Jinping
The expected successor of China president Hu Jintao probably had his name appeared on newspapers many more times than Hu himself this year. Xi's unofficial assumption of power started during the autumn period. As China doesn't hold a presidential election, this guy had to prove to the Chinese people and the world that he is worth the post.
In order to do that, the vice president had to play between the lines of conservatism and liberalism. He has already begun the process of balancing both sides of the political spectrum. This month, he visited Shenzhen in Southern China which is seen as a feature of the country's endearment of a state-led style of capitalism. The trip was perceived as a signal of backing for more reforms to the economy.
As vice-premier (unofficial new premier), he has gone on a number of overseas trips which include America, a sign that he is ready to make his mark as the top leader of the world's most populous country. Xi is expected to replace Hu as president in March next year.
Number 6
Pussy Riot
Countless of people from around the world have been arrested and/or imprisoned for rebelling and protesting. However, Russian feminist punk-rock group appeared to be the most prominent of them all in 2012.
Three of the group's members were arrested in March for staging a performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour church in Moscow that was directed at condemning the church leader's support for president Vladmir Putin during his election campaign. It is no secret that anti-Putin is one of the themes that the group has in its songs.
Their arrest has led to a global outcry and an international support that includes Aung San Suu Kyi, Yoko Ono, Madonna and many more politicians and artists. One of the three arrested members has her sentence suspended in October while the other two, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, continued to serve their two-year jail terms.
Although protests against Pussy Riot's imprisonment were held in Russia and all over the globe from America to Europe, president Putin continues to exude a couldn't-care-less attitude to this matter. He explains that Pussy Riot threatened the "moral foundations" of Russia.
Number 5
Mitt Romney
For all his gaffes and blunders, we have to give credit to Romney for enduring a difficult year in politics. Before taking on a much-stronger Barack Obama, he had to deal with the never-ending nomination process within the Republican Party. Fighting with a bunch of shrewd people like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich (especially) for his party's nomination was already tough enough. Emerging as the winner undermines it all.
He might look lacking against an experienced Obama but Romney still managed to inflict some damage on his challenger at the first presidential debate where his sharpness and quick-wit made the president look flat. Although Obama turned the tables in the next two rounds and made Romney look like a joke, the 65-year old can still beat his chest and claim that he endured and survived a rough year.
Number 4
Aung San Suu Kyi
If Angela Merkel is the most most powerful female politician, then Aung San Suu Kyi deserves to be labelled as the world's most pitiful. In Myanmar, she is no doubt the de facto leader of the opposition. She finally took office this year which saw her being voted as a member of parliament.
After more than two decades, Aung San Suu Kyi finally received her Nobel Peace Prize award, an honour that was given to her in 1991, this year in Oslo. She went on a number of high-profile overseas trips that include Europe and America where she met president Barack Obama.
Although she continues to appear humble on the development of political reforms in her country, we cannot deny that her efforts have finally paid off. 2012 marks the beginning of a brave new world for Myanmar, slowly but surely.
Number 3
Thein Sein
The fact that he was willing to meet Aung San Suu Kyi shows that the Myanmar president is somewhat of a reformist. The former general has begun to instill democracy into a country that has been ruled by the military for years. the 67-year old also lifted Western sanctions and opened doors for investors to do business in this resource-rich nation.
The positive steps which he has taken has not gone unnoticed in Southeast Asia as well as the rest of the world. A historic visit by American president Barack Obama to Yangon in November sends a strong signal that Thein Sein is prepared to allow more freedom in the country's politics and economy. America has also promised to abolish an import ban on Burma.
Thein Sein's efforts have put Myanmar back on track and gave its citizens hope that one day, they can live in a truly democratic nation.
Number 2
Psy
The runner-up for this list looks an unsuccessful spoof of Kim Jong-un. Or maybe a less unglam version of the once-famous William Hung? Whatever the description, we cannot deny that Psy is one of the most talked-about human being this year.
Carly Rae Jepsen with "Call Me Maybe" or Rebecca Black and her "Friday" may be examples of one-song overnight celebrities but none of them can match the dominance of Psy and his "Gangnam Style". The MV on Youtube has garnered more than 10 billion views to date since it first appeared in July, making it the most-watched clip in the video-sharing website's history.
Psy is already a legend and ranks together with Michael Jackson as the biggest pop-stars ever. His music and dance has made him the face of South Korea as "Gangnam Style" continues to spread the Hallyu Wave around Asia and to the shores of America and the West. The rapper is considered to be his country's best export this year after the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
What makes the MV so entertaining and successful is that Psy was willing appear stupid and laugh at himself. The high value of entertainment has overshadowed the hidden and indirect meaning of the song, showing the disparity between the affluent Gangnam district and its less well-to-do Northern neighbour, Gangbuk district.
It is widely expected that Gangnam Style will gradually lose its popularity and dominance next year but as for Psy, and all his creativity and hard work, he will always be remembered as the ridiculously-successful fat man with sunglasses from K-pop.
Now guess who is number one?
Number 1
YOU
Who else? It's you again! Give yourself a well-deserved break tomorrow. You lived past another year and survived that doomsday which unfortunately did not occur due to technical reasons from the unexplainable side of the world. Oh yeah, and without your continuous support, how would this blog have survived another year? Thank you very much and look forward to 2013!
Number 10
Jeremy Lin
No Asian, including Yao Ming, had such an explosive start to his NBA career than Jeremy Lin. A string of outstanding performances for New York Knicks have earned him fame from all over the world especially Asia where the country which he emigrated from, Taiwan, is in. Words like Linsanity, Lintelligence, Lincredible and anything which starts with "in" and sounds legit when you add a "L" in front sprung up.
The 24-year old scored the matching-winning three-pointer in a 90:87 win against Toronto Raptors and was even crowned Eastern Conference Player of the Week once. Lin's fine form earned praise from Kobe Bryant after their match together and had the whole Miami Heat marking him when he faced Lebron James and co. He even made it to the cover of Time magazine's February 27 issue.
Jeremy Lin has proved that Asians are able to shine in a sport that has long been dominated by Westerners. His impressive performances have made Asians proud and Americans envious. He has transferred to Houston Rockets, Yao Ming's former team, this season. Coincidence?
Number 9
Michelle Obama
Enough of her husband. It is time to shine the spotlight on the First Lady of the world's largest economy. Mrs Obama do have a couple of achievements in 2012 to boast about.
She told a story to Americans at the Democratic National Convention. The story about her husband driving a screwed-up car just to look for a coffee table and she reminded them that Barack was the very man that America (and the world) was so enthusiastic about 4 years ago
Her pleasantness and sociability allowed her to trump her direct rival, Ann Romney, who appeared to look rigid and mundane at times. Like husband like wife, one might say. And I am not just referring to the Obamas.
She was also responsible for changing the menus of the National School Lunch Program this year. School canteens and vending machines are now selling healthier food. Although students are unhappy that their chicken nuggets are being replaced with more veggies, they will thank her later in life for forcing them to adapt to a healthier lifestyle.
Number 8
Angela Merkel
As the euro crisis starts to take a less negative turn, we cannot ignore the woman called Angela Merkel. The German chancellor appears to look emotionless in front of fellow leaders of Northern Europe while those from debt-ridden Southern Europe view her as heartless.
Heartless or emotionless it may seem but the German Iron Lady has earned plaudits for her persistence that Europe slash state spending has resulted in euro economies going further into recession.
Merkel is ranked the world's second most powerful person by Forbes magazine currently. She is also the magazine's most powerful woman this year and for the sixth consecutive time. No female in the world wields more influence than her at the moment. SNSD fans might disagree with me.
Number 7
Xi Jinping
The expected successor of China president Hu Jintao probably had his name appeared on newspapers many more times than Hu himself this year. Xi's unofficial assumption of power started during the autumn period. As China doesn't hold a presidential election, this guy had to prove to the Chinese people and the world that he is worth the post.
In order to do that, the vice president had to play between the lines of conservatism and liberalism. He has already begun the process of balancing both sides of the political spectrum. This month, he visited Shenzhen in Southern China which is seen as a feature of the country's endearment of a state-led style of capitalism. The trip was perceived as a signal of backing for more reforms to the economy.
As vice-premier (unofficial new premier), he has gone on a number of overseas trips which include America, a sign that he is ready to make his mark as the top leader of the world's most populous country. Xi is expected to replace Hu as president in March next year.
Number 6
Pussy Riot
Countless of people from around the world have been arrested and/or imprisoned for rebelling and protesting. However, Russian feminist punk-rock group appeared to be the most prominent of them all in 2012.
Three of the group's members were arrested in March for staging a performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour church in Moscow that was directed at condemning the church leader's support for president Vladmir Putin during his election campaign. It is no secret that anti-Putin is one of the themes that the group has in its songs.
Their arrest has led to a global outcry and an international support that includes Aung San Suu Kyi, Yoko Ono, Madonna and many more politicians and artists. One of the three arrested members has her sentence suspended in October while the other two, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, continued to serve their two-year jail terms.
Although protests against Pussy Riot's imprisonment were held in Russia and all over the globe from America to Europe, president Putin continues to exude a couldn't-care-less attitude to this matter. He explains that Pussy Riot threatened the "moral foundations" of Russia.
Number 5
Mitt Romney
For all his gaffes and blunders, we have to give credit to Romney for enduring a difficult year in politics. Before taking on a much-stronger Barack Obama, he had to deal with the never-ending nomination process within the Republican Party. Fighting with a bunch of shrewd people like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich (especially) for his party's nomination was already tough enough. Emerging as the winner undermines it all.
He might look lacking against an experienced Obama but Romney still managed to inflict some damage on his challenger at the first presidential debate where his sharpness and quick-wit made the president look flat. Although Obama turned the tables in the next two rounds and made Romney look like a joke, the 65-year old can still beat his chest and claim that he endured and survived a rough year.
Number 4
Aung San Suu Kyi
If Angela Merkel is the most most powerful female politician, then Aung San Suu Kyi deserves to be labelled as the world's most pitiful. In Myanmar, she is no doubt the de facto leader of the opposition. She finally took office this year which saw her being voted as a member of parliament.
After more than two decades, Aung San Suu Kyi finally received her Nobel Peace Prize award, an honour that was given to her in 1991, this year in Oslo. She went on a number of high-profile overseas trips that include Europe and America where she met president Barack Obama.
Although she continues to appear humble on the development of political reforms in her country, we cannot deny that her efforts have finally paid off. 2012 marks the beginning of a brave new world for Myanmar, slowly but surely.
Number 3
Thein Sein
The fact that he was willing to meet Aung San Suu Kyi shows that the Myanmar president is somewhat of a reformist. The former general has begun to instill democracy into a country that has been ruled by the military for years. the 67-year old also lifted Western sanctions and opened doors for investors to do business in this resource-rich nation.
The positive steps which he has taken has not gone unnoticed in Southeast Asia as well as the rest of the world. A historic visit by American president Barack Obama to Yangon in November sends a strong signal that Thein Sein is prepared to allow more freedom in the country's politics and economy. America has also promised to abolish an import ban on Burma.
Thein Sein's efforts have put Myanmar back on track and gave its citizens hope that one day, they can live in a truly democratic nation.
Number 2
Psy
The runner-up for this list looks an unsuccessful spoof of Kim Jong-un. Or maybe a less unglam version of the once-famous William Hung? Whatever the description, we cannot deny that Psy is one of the most talked-about human being this year.
Carly Rae Jepsen with "Call Me Maybe" or Rebecca Black and her "Friday" may be examples of one-song overnight celebrities but none of them can match the dominance of Psy and his "Gangnam Style". The MV on Youtube has garnered more than 10 billion views to date since it first appeared in July, making it the most-watched clip in the video-sharing website's history.
Psy is already a legend and ranks together with Michael Jackson as the biggest pop-stars ever. His music and dance has made him the face of South Korea as "Gangnam Style" continues to spread the Hallyu Wave around Asia and to the shores of America and the West. The rapper is considered to be his country's best export this year after the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
What makes the MV so entertaining and successful is that Psy was willing appear stupid and laugh at himself. The high value of entertainment has overshadowed the hidden and indirect meaning of the song, showing the disparity between the affluent Gangnam district and its less well-to-do Northern neighbour, Gangbuk district.
It is widely expected that Gangnam Style will gradually lose its popularity and dominance next year but as for Psy, and all his creativity and hard work, he will always be remembered as the ridiculously-successful fat man with sunglasses from K-pop.
Now guess who is number one?
Number 1
YOU
Who else? It's you again! Give yourself a well-deserved break tomorrow. You lived past another year and survived that doomsday which unfortunately did not occur due to technical reasons from the unexplainable side of the world. Oh yeah, and without your continuous support, how would this blog have survived another year? Thank you very much and look forward to 2013!
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