Tag - Takeaways of 2007

Since I am still juggling blogging with other chores around the house, I decided to go with another tag. Zawi of Life As I See It encouraged me to try this one titled "Takeaways of 2007", initiated by Jaflam of Jaff Point. This tag is about sharing 3 takeaways from 2007.

Last year was a year filled with blessings, challenges and moving (twice!). We left Germany after six years. While it was sad to leave a lovely country that’s so rich in history and culture, I was glad to return to our own house. Before the year ended, we moved again. Luckily, this time it was just one hour away. We did not have to deal with customs, immigration and the whole nine yards.

So, what did I learn or experience last year that was significant enough to be etched in my memory?

Firstly, people come into my life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. This lesson is somehow taught to me every year. While it is still early to say who will be my pals for a lifetime, I would like to believe that the ones whom I know now will remain till death do us part. The ones who were there for a reason or a season waltzed into my life to be there with me through certain phases in my life or to teach me valuable lessons. One thing I observed from a seasonal pal's actions in 2007 is that there is no need to try and prove one’s worth to the world. The world will see one’s worth through one’s genuine deeds. This seasonal pal also affirmed my third observation.

Secondly, it is easier to deal with the hard times when I focus on the blessings I have. It is easy to complain that life is unfair to me or that other people are luckier than me during challenging times. Dwelling on those thoughts only sends me spiraling deeper into self pity. However when I focus on the blessings, which I take for granted, life is not that bad at all.

Lastly, everyone has a purpose in life. Not everyone is meant for the boardroom. We still need people to do those “it is a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it” kind of work. Apart from those jobs, we need people to carry out dangerous work like climb poles to fix things so that they can help deliver conveniences to our homes such as electricity, telephone, satellite TV. We still need factory workers to help produce things for consumers. We need support staff to help bosses with their selective hearing and memory (whoops! my apologies to bosses out there), and work through ungodly hours to meet deadlines. We also need stay-at-home moms and dads to take care of their families. Just because someone is not "up there", it does not mean that person is not ambitious.

In short, everyone is important in this life, not just the man or woman sitting on top of the ladder. For every man or woman sitting comfortably on top, there are many more people holding up that ladder for them.

Tagged

I found a free hour today amidst my busy schedule and decided to update my blog. What could I do that did not require much effort? A tag!

I was tagged by Ruby Ahmad late last year and within days (or maybe hours) re-tagged by Zawi, I thought it is best not to put this off any longer. So, here's something till I find the time to blog again ....


1. Name one person who made you laugh last night. My other half - the way he was teasing the dog just tickled me.

2. What were you doing at 0800? Trying to get the services of a plumber.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Sweeping, mopping and straightening out my humble abode.

4. What happened to you in 2006? Moved from one place to another .... a lot! In fact, it has not stopped. Hopefully our last move over Christmas 2007 will be final ... well, at least for a few years.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud? Peanut!!!! (my dog was trying to get into my tall aluminium kitchen bin. He has learned to stand against the bin and lift the lid with his nose. Bad boy!)

6. How many beverages did you have today? Two - coffee in the morning. Iced tea at lunch time.

7. What color is your hairbrush? Black, which I hardly use. I prefer a comb.

8. What was the last thing you paid for? New tail lights for my Jeep. arrggghh! (yes, you can guess what happened there).

9. Where were you last night? In my office, at home, going over my expenses.

10. What color is your front door? Ivory.

11. Where do you keep your change? At home? I cannot reveal it here - it's a public place. :)

12. What’s the weather like today? Cloudy.

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Dark chocolate.

14. What excites you? Many things, some innocent and some *ahem*

15. Do you want to cut your hair? I really don't know. I may lose strength if I do. ;)

16. Are you over the age of 25? I am 25 plus 15 years' worth of experience.

17. Do you talk a lot? Is that good or bad? I guess I talk when I have something to say.

18. Do you watch the O.C.? Sometimes ... I watch re-runs of the O.C. on Soap Channel when there is absolutely nothing else on. I like that guy, Ryan - mysterious chap! (sitted right in the middle, in front)

19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yes, but his name is spelled S-t-e-p-h-e-n. He's my cousin.

20. Do you make up your own words? Puppy-licious - is that a new word? Has someone used it before? I use in this context - I have a very puppy-licious dog.

21. Are you a jealous person? Only if my territory is invaded.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "A". Anne Raman

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. Kenneth Forbes (brother of Eric Forbes, a blogger)

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? My other half.

25. What does the last text message you received say? "Hello sis, r u online?"

26. Do you chew on your straw? No. (At least, I don't remember doing it).

27. Do you have curly hair? Why do we need to know this? :)

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? The living room (after I am done with this in my office)

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? Peanut, my puppy-licious pet.

30. What was the last thing you ate? Beef pot roast with baked potato.

31. Will you get married in the future? I hope not. One catch a lifetime is more than enough. :)

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? I have not seen any new good movies lately. I did watch "Gladiator" again (for the sixth time).

33. Is there anyone you like right now? More than one.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes? A few minutes ago.

35. Are you currently depressed? If I were, I would not be doing this tag. :P

36. Did you cry today? No. It is no use "crying over spilled milk" - my busted tail lights.

37. Why did you answer and post this? It was something I could do effortlessly during a busy time. Besides, I owe Ruby "Diamonds" Ahmad and Zawi this tag.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. I am leaving this open to anyone who wants to do it. If you are interested, let me know and I will add you to the list.

(Update: Looks like we have a volunteer)

1. Kaylee

On a long coffee break

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,

As a new year starts and an old one ends,

We contemplate what brought us joy,

And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,

Remembering how they enriched our lives

We reflect upon who really counts,

As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who do,

I immediately think of you.
Thanks for being one of the reasons

I'll have a Happy New Year!

By Joanna Fuchs

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By the way, this is also to inform you that Jacqui's Curve will be inactive for a couple of weeks. I will return earlier, if I am able to. In the mean time, have a splendid 2008.

P.S. I will try to respond to all comments the soonest possible. Cheers! (oops... I can't do that with hot coffee)

Thanks for the memories

"Have you been naughty or nice?"

Although this question relates to Christmas and receiving a gift from Santa, I believe we can use this question to reassess what we have done throughout the year.

2007 has been, on the whole, a good year for me. Although there were occasional hiccups, I choose to celebrate the positive things that took place. Besides moving from country to country which left me a little drained, I entered the exciting world of blogging, thanks to the encouragement of Tony Gayondato. I have to admit that when I first started blogging, I was more active with my posts and visits. It seems like I had more time on my hands. Thus my ability to start a blog. However, as time wore on, other activities seeped in and I had to learn to divide my time. Some days, it feels like I should have my computer room set up this way ....

I have made so many new friends from blogging. Friends who are, more often than not, lovable and encouraging - friends who have helped me journey in this life and made me a better person. I appreciate each and every one who have waltzed into my life ... yes, even the blogger who told me that I am not ambitious. (Read here). I appreciate that moment because it made me realise that I always have choices in life. I choose to believe in myself.

So, have I been naughty or nice?

Well, I heard that nice girls get good gifts from Santa and naughty girls get what's coming from his brother, Chuck. Although I have been fairly nice this year, I would like to say that I've been naughty. (Hello Chuck! yeeha!)

Since I am naughty, there is no sense going back to nice. So, here's something naughty I would like to share from my archives ...

A Christmas Story

'Twas the night before Christmas--Old Santa was pissed.
He cussed out the elves and threw down his list.
Miserable little brats, ungrateful little jerks.
I have a good mind to scrap the whole works!

I've busted my ass for damn near a year,
Instead of 'Thanks Santa'--what do I hear?
The old lady bitches cause I work late at night.
The elves want more money--The reindeer all fight.

Rudolph got drunk and goosed all the maids.
Donner is pregnant and Vixen has AIDS.
And just when I thought that things would get better
Those assholes from the IRS sent me a letter,
They say I owe taxes--if that ain't damn funny
Who the hell ever sent Santa Claus any money?

And the kids these days--they all are the pits
They want the impossible--Those mean little shits
I spent a whole year making wagons and sleds
Assembling dolls...Their arms, legs and heads
I made a ton of yo yo's--No request for them,
They want computers and robots...they think - I'm IBM!

Flying through the air...dodging the trees
Falling down chimneys and skinning my knees
I'm quitting this job there's just no enjoyment
I'll sit on my fat ass and draw unemployment.

There's No Christmas this year now you know the reason,
I found me a blonde. I'm going SOUTH for the season

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By the way, end of the year usually means it is time for your employers to evaluate you. Good luck!

Since this is my last post for the year, I would like to wish all who celebrate the season, A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Thanks for the memories, my dear friends.

Random sharings

I have the same complaint - I do not know what to blog about (what?? again??). I could talk about the folks around here but there isn't much to share. I hardly see my neighbours around unless I take my dog for a walk, pick up my mail from the post box or when I am washing our vehicles. Truth be told, the conversations I have with a couple of neighbours are just not worth repeating. It is like those kind I used to get in Malaysia when I am at the train station and a familiar face comes up to me and asks "waiting for train ah?"

Of course, I cannot say it is the same for all the neighbours. The one that lives next door is very friendly. Whenever she comes to town (she lives outside New Orleans and keeps a house here as a getaway), she makes sure we get together to do something. So far, we have exchanged home-made cakes and gone out for a picnic with her family.

One interesting thing I have noticed is that everyone around me has stopped cleaning up their gardens. So now, I don't feel bad neglecting the leaves strewn all over the lawn. If I think my lawn looks bad, I just have to look over the fence and feel better. :) Some say it is good to leave a layer of leaves on the ground. That way the grass will not freeze on some cold mornings. I have yet to see temperatures dip down to zero degrees celsius and as hard as I try to ignore the garden, it is getting unbearably ugly. Then again, there is no point in my raking leaves today because mother nature will present me with a fresh blanket of dead, crispy leaves tomorrow. One thing I can appreciate about this season, there are some interesting plants I have not noticed before. Here are pictures of what is growing in my garden. A garden which is yet to be cultivated or landscaped to the way I want it. It will take some years and money. Slowly but surely.

What shall I blog about? I could talk about what took place over Thanksgiving but there is nothing much to share except the excitement of meeting a couple of in-laws I have not seen in some years. It was fun catching up with them. Food was good too. That resulted in some men sleeping in front of the TV after a huge meal. (By the way, I did not notice any unbuckled belts or unbutton pants - a much talked about behaviour of some men after a big meal). You'd think that a huge meal would have been enough for them. No siree ... after a couple of hours, the men woke up for dessert and joined in the laughter and conversation.

Here are pictures taken on Thanksgiving Day.

So, that was my I-don't-know-what-to-blog-about post. Before I sign off, here is one of my favourite ads of the season, which I know my male readers will appreciate ...