Christmas Afterthoughts

It's crazy that Christmas has already come and gone as I post this. 

While I was quietly pondering where I have been and what I have done, I felt like I was in a place I didn't belong...like this world was not my home - and I have to stress - I wasn't drunk.

I was consumed with the notion that we were not made for the anxious feelings of having to work on Tuesday.  We live in a free country, right?  What is so freeing about working for money so you can purchase stuff you so want - that you barely get to spend time with? 

We were not made for this. 

For the first time in my sanest self, I knew what Christmas is all about.  I hope you do too. 

Merry Christmas everyone.

The Most Annoying Xmas Song Award Goes To...

Wham!'s 1984 hit single
"Last Christmas".

The song was voted the most annoying Christmas song in a poll in Bulgaria, beating Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas".

Wow.  That poll was mean.

I mean, I enjoy Christmas as much as you do, and in many a ways, I think Christmas songs contribute quite a large chunk in making Christmas joyful.  Having said that though, doesn't mean I love everything about the festive season. 

There are indeed some really annoying songs out there that put me off for sure.  I can easily give you a whole list.  More so, it is often the seasoning in this festive season which makes you search for joy along with your sorrow.

Christmas makes us nostalgic and we think more of those loved ones who are far away and those someone forever dear to us who are no longer with us.  It is also the time when you know that someone is now eternally rejoicing, your home is empty and your heart is still broken. 

We all know Christmas is about the birth of our Saviour, gift giving, Santa Claus, heaps of food, tonnes of drinks.  Let us not forget its true meaning - spending time with our loved ones while we can.  






 

There's A Tree

Except, no one is putting it up this year.  


The Christmas Tree at home has always meant family to me.  Every ornament is a memory and our tree must have been some 20 year old.

In our teens, my sister and I would stand next to the tree each year and mother would take a photo of us and then compared it to the previous year and see how much taller we have grown.  Every year, we would buy something new to add to it and we all have a few pieces from every part of our lives hung there. 

Now that my sister is no longer staying at home with us, the whole idea of putting it up, pulling it down and packing it away seem very much like a chore to the rest of us. 

The tree certainly doesn’t have any religious meaning to us but it serves as a big fat reminder of unity, and that you won't be here cracking open presents with us.   

Each family member plays important roles in the family and my dear sister, we want you to know you are indispensable in our family and I have decided, no tree will be up if you aren't physically here with us this year.    

It's Christmas, let us all cherish the roles we play in our family.  

 

Mind Boggling No More

Don't we all struggle to find the perfect gift to buy whether it’s for that special someone, colleague, or that annoyingly-has-everything-in-the-world friend?

Still searching for the perfect gift?

Here's Santa's latest piece of advice on gift experiences - worth checking out TaDa! he says.  

Visit http://www.tada.net

 

And May All Your Christmases Be White...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....everywhere you go.

Not sure if you'd agree but there's something about marrying Christmas with snow and nothing quite as captivating/magical as seeing snow in a Christmas advertising campaign.

The Tiffany and Co. festive season ad campaign made its debut this week which features a family of four walking down a street with a stunning scenery of swirling flurry snow. 

An absolutely fantastic ad showcasing the celebration of the joy of the season, the warm embrace of true love and the enchanting festivity.

My favourite thus far.  

Christmas Time Already?

Nothing heralds the beginning of Christmas season like spray paint.

Christmas Decorations in Times Square, Hong Kong

There's still 7 weeks to Christmas actually, but the whole town is already dressed up for parties as if Christmas is just round the corner.

Time to keep my eyes pealed for gift ideas! 

Welcome To The Year of The Tiger

Silent Night

Time flies and I can't believe Christmas Day is tomorrow, which means tonight is Silent night.

Did you know that the original lyrics for the famous carol "Silent Night" is in German, "Stille Nacht", written by Joseph Mohr and melody composed by Franz X. Gruber?

I have picked this acoustic version of the song and I wish to dedicate this to my dear friend, Alda in Vancouver, and her beloved Ginny & Figaro. I chose this version for 1) the snoopy and woodstock attracted my attention 2) because the music to Silent Night was intended for a guitar to go with the simple score, made in time for the midnight mass then.

Simple is always the best I believe and I wish to take this opportunity to wish you a happy festive season and a fruitful year ahead!

6 Days to Christmas

Apologise to the folks out there expecting an xmas song from me. It has been discontinued for 2 days as I have ran out of nice ones to pick.

With less than a week to go, what's higher in my priority, is to complete my xmas shopping list, as underneath our family xmas tree is still pathetically empty.

Day 8: Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)

Are we too grownup to feel a thrill
As we light the Christmas tree?
Are we immune to cookies,
Christmas cards and Christmas glee?

Are we too adult to "Ooh" and "Aah"
At the Christmas candle's glow?
Are we blasé about our gifts;
Do we shun the mistletoe?

Are we too mature for carols,
For merry or for jolly?
Do the decorations leave us cold,
The ornaments and holly?

Fat chance! We'll never grow too old
To love the Christmas magic.
A year without a Christmas
Would be boring, even tragic.

So bring it on! The candy canes,
The feasting and good cheer;
O Christmas, lovely Christmas,
You're the highlight of the year!

Day 9: Last Christmas...

If Wham! is to Christmas of 84,
What is it to Last Christmas?

With Christmas just round the corner, I fancy a little rhyme:

I hope this Christmas enriches your life;
May each day be happy and bright,

Overflowing with pleasure and love;
May your Christmas be filled with delight.

Here comes my all time favourite from Wham!
Making this my countdown No.9.

Day 10 Countdown: Jingle Bell Rock

Now this is getting interesting and I am enjoying this daily xmas song dedication exercise - can't go to bed before this task is completed.

Today's inspiration came from a friend who loves the movie Home Alone. I bet you will come across this blockbuster on tv again running up to xmas.

Let's get ready to rock the Day 10 countdown with today's pick "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms - a truly delightful choice full of Christmas spirit.

Day 11: All I Want For Christmas Is You

I have enjoyed Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You all along, but since 2003 when Olivia Olson sang the same song in the movie Love Actually, I have basically fell in love with this version.

Olivia has this gifted voice and her singing was so perfect that the movie director was afraid that the audience would not believe a ten-year-old kid could really sing the way she did.

Here's my Christmas song of the day for you, on the day 11 countdown to Christmas. Please enjoy!

12 Days Till Christmas Day

Took this shot downstairs in the office lobby on my way to work and wanted to blog it right away as my Day 1 pic of my 12 days countdown to Christmas Day.

Not sure about you, but I have been receiving more Christmas cards this year than the last 2 years' aggregate. The thoughts are definitely there, but my mood ain't there yet - kinda numb about the festive season.



Anyhow, being an amateur disc-jockey before, I decided a way to boost up the festive feeling for myself, is to dedicate a Christmas song to everyone, each day from now, which means I need to pick 12 songs from my list of favourites.

OK - here you go, the first has to be "Ding Dong! Merrily on high" - a secular dance tune that is upbeat and spiritual, I recall singing that song merrily in the school choir and the "Arhhh...." in the chorus seems to take forever.

Wait a sec, I found out one can only post videos and photos in blogger.com but not music, now that's a vast disappointment as a starter!