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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Did I Tell You
04/01/2011Not Quite But Still Nice!
26/12/2010It was so sweet of her. She had spent time surreptitiously hiding from me so it would not be discovered. After all, she wanted the best for me though she needed my help. Resorting to spy-like maneuvers, she gave all sorts of excuses to be far away from me, out of sight, so she could make her purchase.
Then on Christmas morn, or rather during the wee hours after Christmas Eve, she happily and proudly presented me the little gift, wrapped in paper she had taken from my study.
Ear-rings! Lovely gold coloured ones. Of course she couldn’t afford the real thing. Nor would she be able to get diamond stud earrings and the like, but you know, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter one bit.
Just the look on her face when I opened the gift, ooh-ed over it and then even put them on…. that was good enough for me. So yes, though not quite, but still very definitely a nice gift!
It’s That Time of the Year
14/12/2010I am scratching my head often. What with all the things to do at work, children flying home, family gatherings, friends coming over, children’s friends coming over, days off to juggle….. at times I am amazed my brain is still in one piece, and my sanity along with it!
Over the next few days, I will have more guests over for dinner than I have had in a long, long time. Each group comes along with its own peculiarities and uniqueness. But one common denominator is fooooooood and gifts.
One group will have a gift exchange after dinner. Another group will have a white elephant kind of gift giving after dinner.
There’s the love-a-sing-a-long ensemble and a serious-discussion-over-coffee-always group. And I mustn’t forget the fruits-for-dessert gang and the brownies-and-cakes-post-dinner-delights crowd.
There’s the multiple-generation-and-diverse-age mixture on one day, and another one it’s more homogeneous.
Are you feeling tired yet?
So am I….. It’s THAT time of the year…
But I love it!
No Joy
12/12/2010Hubby took my little point-and-shoot to the shop. Alas, the warranty is over and they will charge just to look at it! Bother!
He is now going to try another shop – direct to their service centre – and hope they would have better news!
Otherwise….. Christmas shopping has just become more urgent than expected!!!
Fancy Speaking French
08/12/2010Hubby has a friend who is from France. Genuinely so. It is fun to hear him talking English. It’s really sweet but also makes me want to break out in giggles. Not very polite, I know, but hey, I am being honest!
Conversely, this is all the French I know: Jetaime, Oui, Merci… Haha!
Frenchman Jean’s name isn’t said as the English equivalent lady’s name. Rather, it is spoken as the English John! Confusing! Hubby often wonders what Frenchman Jean thinks about his Chinese accented English.
The best though, is listening to Jean speak French. It sounds so dignified when he says Caméscopes numériques. It rolls off his tongue so silkily. By the way, that phrase means digital camcorders. Hubby and he were discussing my sad state of a spoiled digital point-and-shoot camera (see earlier post a week ago) One day, perhaps, this Chinese tongue will be able to wax lyrical in this foreign tongue. Meanwhile I must try to convince these two men that a replacement gadget would be in order for my Christmas present!
The End is but the Beginning
06/12/2010Twelve practices over three months by the cast.
Five practices over a month by the children’s choir.
Finally.
Five performances over four days.
An amazing time. Sold out performances.
It has all finally come to an end.
Some don’t know what to do with themselves at the moment! They post on Facebook about their post production syndrome. They sing lines from the songs still. Waking hours still hold echoes of the catchy tunes and lyrics. Mentally, replays of the events creep in unbidden.
But even though the production is over, something else has begun.
Many new and strong friendships, forged through sweat, and yes, even tears. Many lasting bonds and heightened respect for one another.
Most of all, a deep appreciation of the One Who brought it all about.
And that is what this Christmas will be all about. Even as they continue their journeys together and apart, this Christmas will be special because it was the one where a significant milestone in their individual and corporate lives was established.
Senses Stimulated
27/11/2010I was supposed to collect some documents.
Before I reached the entrance, I was already impressed by what I saw. Clean, crisp exterior. The glass facade was unstained and obviously of good quality.
I opened the door and immediately two things happened – I heard one of my favorite Christmas carols playing and I detected a lovely fragrance in the air. Lemon grass, I believe it was. This delightful scent wafted around my head, playing hide and seek, one moment there and disappearing at the next. What a lovely greeting.
An interesting display caught my eye as I walked towards the desk to ask for the documents. So this was the source of the aroma!
I made my request and the lady at the desk replied – with crystal like clarity Queen’s English. What joy! She not only spoke good English, she understood and preempted my errand, handing me the documents even before I finished my sentence.
As I took the package, signed for it, it dawned on me that in one short visit, all my five sense had been stimulated! Cleverly done to create the desired atmosphere. An interesting experience and observation worthwhile sharing as I walked the six steps or so back towards the door to leave, pausing only to snap that picture above…..
Flash Mob in Macy’s
15/11/2010A friend sent me this link. Moved me so I thought I’d share it with you. It’s one of my favourite songs.
Many years ago when we lived in London, we joined the All Souls Langham Place for Christmas.
There, my dream to be a part of a choir to sing this wonderful piece of music came to pass. Even though I sang one part wrongly, the memory of that evening will always stay with me. The voices all around reverberating through the Cathedral as everyone sang for the audience of One!
Gifts
14/11/2010With that Christmas gift in my last post, the “pressure” is on to start looking towards Christmas.
Well, we have a large compound and sometimes we have children coming over and we don’t have anything outdoors to occupy them with. Most parents are not game enough for their to explore the untamed jungles out in our backyard!
So I am thinking that a few wooden swing sets would look ideal out the front yard. Can you imagine the fun they would have? In particular, when we gave a barbeque at the same time! Yes, such a good Christmas gift to myself!
Handmade Hand Delivery
13/11/2010I screamed when I opened the old box. Hidden inside were these gems.
That hand? That’s the hand of the one who handmade and hand delivered it to our office. We could not resist snapping away in joy and awe and delight.
Such detailed workmanship. What a clever way to get the definition of leaves on the tree! She nearly put a star at the top but decided enough was enough.
Love how vibrant the colours are. She makes the fondant herself you know. I tell her it’s because she has lots of practice with playdough.
Such an eye for colour. Who would have thought that these simple designs would show up so well?
Look at these. The amazing colour combination. Why, even the white cup cake holder is part of the design!
Isn’t this fella cheerful? So much detail put into him!
Needless to say, it was rather difficult to decide who should get which cupcake.
So we decided to draw lots.
And I drew this one. 
Well, actually, I didn’t draw it. I let everyone else take their turn and this is what I was left with.
I like it. My little teddy bear now sits on the dry kitchen table, waiting for Arrow #3 to come back from youth gathering so that we can have it together…. it’s actually almost too nice to eat. And certainly too sweet to have too much of… but together… yeah!
Thank you dear friend, for thinking of us enough not just to bake and make and decorate, but also to bring them in….
Now to reconcile devouring this gem with my weight loss regime… I am losing this battle….
