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 ...