Merry Christmas!

It is Christmas Day!

Christmas! Yay Yay Yay!!!

But it doesn't really feel like Christmas. Does it, on your side wherever you are?

...

I just returned from a short trip to Ipoh. I had visited the town with R and his family to visit his relatives.

It was a great trip, in that we had locals to guide us to the nice places and the best foods.

But I must admit, it can be a little difficult to be out with elders (I mean it as a general term).

I don't know if I will want to go on future trips together *keep fingers closed* so don't ask me that. Although yes, there may already be one possibility of a trip together again next year. Guess I will think about it when the time comes.

I must confess that R's relatives are indeed hospitable, and I am really thankful for that.

The fact is, they could have treated me slightly aloof (since I am not their relative; only R is) but they didn't. They treated me like family (Ha, I always joke with R in that maybe they thought I was his sister).

I am also thankful for good weather.

You see, December used to be associated with monsoon and landslides and Cameroon Highlands are a big no-no during this time of the year.

But when I was there, the weather was fantastic!! And I am glad.

So despite the few not-so-pleasant conflicts (Since when are conflicts ever pleasant) I am still very very happy!

...

2008 is coming to an end.

I am not sure if this has been a good year or a not-so-good one. You see, that verdict really depends on the parameters.

When I was in the earlier job, in the initial phases, I thought time seemed especially slow to pass. One day practically stretched forever. And it seemed to never end. Not to mention then, one month.

As I neared completion of my Chinese class modules, time seemed to pass quicker.

But it was essentially still in the same domain, isn't it? Time, as it was, will be as it is now, shall be as it will be.

I don't know then why it seemed to pass faster at some points in time and slower at others. Except that the difference was that I was more aimless initially, but I gradually gained ground.

So am I still aimless now?

...I can't answer that!

I am slightly more aware of where I am heading but I am still quite clueless. All I can say is, I want to work towards cognitive psychology or linguistics.

I may end up becoming a teacher. I may not.

I may end up with my ultimate calling. I may not.

I may continue to be aimless. I may not.

All I know is, I don't have the answers, but one day, I shall have them.

...

So what are the hits and misses of 2008?

Let's see:

I finished my Diploma finally (Wait, I should say I kind of finished, because I haven't got my results of my last module).

I took up Japanese (although yes, I am technically the worst student in class but what the heck).

I visted another place (yes, it is still Malaysia but at least I shortlisted one more potential place for retirement).

I started volunteering with SeaGrass.

I learnt that some people are in your life to reveal meaning in other people and certain events.

I understood that lost time is like dead people: they cannot be resurrected.

On the boo-boo part:

I hadn't had the time to exercise so I must factor that in next year.

I hadn't had the discipline to go for dance class so that is something to look at.

I hadn't been able to explore new hobbies with R so next year will be a good time to do that.

I hadn't had the opportunity to visit somewhere far for a long time so I will keep this in perspective.

On this new year (technically, since I am a Catholic and today is the day when Christ is born), as much as I hope to tackle the boo-boos of 2008, I also hope that I will be stronger and more resilient towards any failed accomplishments.

More importantly, I hope that I can really follow my heart truthfully and earnestly, in all that I do.

God bless.

Merry Christmas!