Full of sweet cheer

These candy cane reindeers are all i can afford this Christmas.

Things haven't been going too well lately and it's even harder now to get into the mood of the season. But i am (again) reminded that even in my darkest of days... someone usually comes along to cheer me up.

So for this year... i know it isn't much... but i bought a whole bunch of candy canes and 'spruced' them up a bit.

To all my friends, i wish you a very Blessed Christmas!! My apologies for not being able to give to everyone, but to those who will be receiving one, hope it brings a smile to your day!!

Happy holidays everyone!! Love you all.... *hugs*

Before Christmas is stolen

ACK!!! It's December already?! Didn't even realize it till i (finally) took some time a week ago to meet Siryn for dinner. Was frantically looking for a parking spot and wondering why there seemed to be more people than usual milling around. As i walked into the mall, EVERYTHING just hit me that moment. Christmas decorations, HUGE displays, candy canes, busy shoppers, lost children, fake snow (yes.. we're a sad lot), gift packs piled to the ceiling, etc.. etc.. etc...

I stood there stunned for what felt like eternity (alright!! it was probably only 5 seconds) before it dawned on me. IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS!! (ok.. like durr...) I have been so caught up trying to finish up work projects that it seems as if the world has gone ahead without me. Nevermind that i have been having christmas dance practices with the Youth these few weeks... somehow it didn't sink into my head that CHRISTMAS is coming. (yes.. you can say another Durr :P)

Crikes!! This means i have to quickly buck up on the Xmas shopping. Haven't done anything yet.. Aaaargghhhhhhhhh....... i blame the 'blurness' on the drugs. Yes... i do. Clumsy me had a fall during dance practice a couple weeks back. Nothing major except a slightly bruised hip & rib bone. Still... was in discomfort for a few days.

BUT before i could recover from that, i got bitten by an insect in the office. Don't know what that bugger (pardon the pun.. it's the drugs i tell u!!) was but after a few days it swelled to size of golf ball. Plus it was infected & bleeding thereafter. Ewwwwwww...... so last Saturday, the doctor had to cut it out. UGH!!! Double ewww!! And for the next week or so, i have to go back to the clinic every day to change the dressing. SIGH!!

There goes my plans for shopping. :P With all these recent incidents, am now 'forced'
- to eat regularly (so that i can take the medication)
- to rest and stop running about so much (can't move much less i wanna aggravate the wound :P)
- to cut back on my 'social' commitments (SIGH)

Maybe it's God's way of reminding me to slow down. I've not really taken any proper holidays this entire year and spent the last few weekends working as well. Guess it's time for me to get my life back in focus... lest i forget the reason for this season and for living. ;)

So.....as i lie here on the couch... trying not to go bonkers staring at the cracks on the ceiling or is it from the drugs?? (Going bonkers from the drugs i mean. Surely cracks not caused by drugs?!?! ) Alright Siryn.. shush!! i know what you're thinking but Noooo... am not bouncing about from the painkillers. :P

To all my dear ones, May your days be merry & bright....*hugs*

I Will Be Here

I heard this song (by Steven Curtis Chapman) at someone's wedding many years ago. Till today, the lyrics still move me. :)

~~O~~

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here

Made in Vietnam

Finally, after all the hulla-bulla of work and ridiculous deadlines, our company 'closed shop' for 4 days and packed us all to Hanoi, Vietnam. And believe me, i felt like a 'dragged' luggage indeed having to rush last minute materials to suppliers then run some errands before going back to the office to wait for the bus to the airport. Mind you, our flight was at 6.30am.. which means check-in at 4.30am.. which meant leaving our office at 3.30am. *collapses*

When we arrived in Hanoi, the air was dusty and the sky was foggy. Add that to overworking and no sleep, by time we got to our hotel, was already floating in sub-conscious mode. Had some food and went straight into exploring the area by foot. The place is swamped with motorbikes and NO traffic rules (or so it seemed). Everything is cramped into small spaces and alleyways. Claustrophobics beware!! Went to the market then to Hoan Kiem Lake before exploring the many streets leading back to the hotel.

Next day, we took a 3 1/2 hour journey by bus to Ha Long Bay and stayed over at Cat Ba Island. It was the boat ride that was of interest coz when we arrived on the island, there wasn't anything else to do. :P

Headed back to Hanoi the next day for more 'shopping' and exploring. Was rather disturbed by the sight of roasted dog in the market. Yes... they eat DOGS in Vietnam. They probably don't understand the meaning of 'man's best friend'. *shudders*

Shan't elaborate much about the trip here. Too much to tell. The people there seemed to move in their own rhythm and beat - and probably the very thing which threw Wiseman boss and i off kilter when we first arrived. It was with mixed emotions when the trip was over. Strange as it may sound, was almost getting used to the haphazard life and harrowing traffic.

Anyway, posted the rest of the pictures in 'Captured Moments'. Go see!! Work calls now. *SIGH*

In a cup

Call it what you want. Up to every Down. Black to every White. Yin to every Yang. This past week/month/year (?) has been one crazy thing after another.
Each day is a series of new happenings. Just when you think it's calm, the storm winds suddenly blows you off course. Yet at times when you prepare for rain, a ray of light peeks through dark clouds instead. Trying to keep myself in balance is like attempting to walk a tightrope blindfolded.

Some recent random happenings:

Wanted to buy tickets for a show on a particular...only to find it's been sold out. Had to choose another day/time (which is not as convenient) BUT then, suddenly given an upgrade to better seats.

Worked through long hours & weekend with crazy deadlines...only to have the project postponed till further notice. Makes you wonder why you bother to rush in the first place...BUT now we can go on the company holiday (on the same weekend of initial project launch) and not worry about calls from client.

Feeling hurt over some comment someone said...which i know was not deliberate, yet feel 'crap' about it anyway. Then finding an old school friend online, whom i've lost touch with for years and to hear that they thought i was 'the prettiest girl in class'. (Heck... and all this time i never knew. Always thought i was the 'ugly duckling') ;P

On short notice, was asked to help choreograph some dance steps for the Christmas presentation. And being busy at work, i totally forgot till the morning of the practice. Was frantically trying to gather my thoughts when i saw a 'fwd' email come in. Almost deleted it BUT in opening, saw the 'dancing icon' doing the VERY steps i was trying to piece together. (It was a 'hit' during practice. ;P)

Someone once said to me that my life seemed so full of drama and there's never a dull moment. At times i wonder if i bring anxiety to myself by trying to do too many things at once...as if by being 'still', it would mean i have been 'unproductive' or 'idled' my life away. :) I suppose it's how we choose to look at it. Would you say the cup is 'half full' or 'half empty'??

I would say "Make mine a Venti....... Oh, and 'to go' please" ;)

Have a good weekend everyone!!