Hobbies, Interests & Pasttimes

In today's posting, we'd like to hear from YOU on what you are involved with in terms of hobbies, interests, pasttimes and recreational activities.

Most of us have worked hard all our lives, and need some areas of relaxation. As the old adage goes: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". You'd probably agree that having a hobby is a great way to relax and enjoy your free hours, and spending time developing interests can also have many emotional, intellectual, and health benefits.

For instance, some of our friends have taken up golf in a big way. I was never quite hooked on the game, but looking at the picture ... hmmm, maybe I now see where the fascination lies. LOL. Anyway some of our former classmates are just beginner golfers and are spending lots of time at the driving range, while some others are already seasoned players. (I'm thinking of a certain NL in Hanoi).

Some still swim or play tennis or badminton, while others have regular sessions at the gym, to keep trim or fight the battle of the bulge.

Others are more armchair bound, having become hooked to a variety of computer or Internet games, from Poker to Mafia Wars, not to mention other distractions on the PS2, Wii and so on.
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Reading and music and writing (or blogging) are other more sedentary activities that some, including myself, prefer. Another area I tinker with is genealogy (read properly, GL!) or the exploration of family history. I find it interesting to try understand where my forefathers came from.
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Over to you .... Do share what you find relaxing - physically and mentally.
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Hobbies, Sports & Interesting Pasttimes

How do you guys spend your spare time? I hope you do have a bit more spare time these days, after about 3 decades of slogging away. Any interesting hobbies or interests outside of your profession or business? Maybe sports or games to keep fit?

I've taken a keen interest in geneology these days. Tracing one's family history can be a fascinating exercise. As someone once said "You need to know where you came from, in order to better understand where you're going". Through speaking to various people in the family (or others who knew past family members) and researching public records, I've built up quite a database of information (these days, PC software help a lot in tracking all the various branches of the family tree) about great grand parents as well as cousins many times removed. Linking some family history to Sarawak historical events is also quite exciting. Now tracing some links back to China.

Anyway, do share what has been keeping you busy these days ...