The best month of the year!

31 days in a few paragraphs, it’s quite a challenge! I’m finally 23. Not sure if ‘finally’ is the right word! Had a wonderful and most memorable birthday. My family came back from their mission trip the same day I turned 23, met up with a few friends, engaged in a few phone overseas and local phone calls, tons of sms-es… had lunch with the five-some Chin’s and a beautiful candlelight dinner with sweetheart! It was the intricate parts of the day that made that day special. Was thinking how birthday celebrations have evolved, I have 23 years of chartering and analyzing, (well maybe 20 years since the first 3 years was quite a blur)… Every year holds a
a different special something...

Christmas came and gone. There’s just something different about Christmas this year. Something very different in fact, I can’t put a finger to it, maybe it’s not just ONE thing, it’s a few things that makes it different. Nonetheless Christmas was very much enjoyed and treasured. Terence and I drew out a Christmas list and figured we’d make the kitchen our present factory. Bought Christmas presents and made most of them - Roasted pecans, walnuts, cashews and peanuts for a few friends, made Christmas tags and bottled them nicely with green and red ribbons. Then we baked muffins for most of our friends, decorated them individually and wrapped them in glass paper. I had the liberty of giving most of the muffins and to their astonishment they realized Terence could bake as well. Some were in utter amazement and some even doubted he lend a hand in the kitchen. What can I say?! Stereotyping of men (and women) still prevails until this present day!

Prior to Christmas the Rangers went caroling, it felt so familiar yet quite distant. Enjoyed it thoroughly (the company, the feeling, the yearly tradition) yet I’d have to say I’m itching for the unfamiliar – maybe spending Christmas in a totally unusual way, whether in the ghettos, sidewalks, or up in the silky white mountains of Switzerland. Maybe next Christmas, or sometime in the future. Something different and unfamiliar… Yes Christmas is all in the heart, whether in Malaysia or otherwise. The Truth about Christmas still is ALL about HIM – Jesus Christ.

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The last week inching to the close of 2005 was spent holidaying. Monday in Colmar City and the subsequent days in Penang for a family holiday. Much to say about the family holiday and me being me, I would always pick the difference in the well-known – this time family holidays. Everyone is grown up but we still fit in one suite. Although some might think it necessary to have 2 rooms, but as for now I’m still alright with sharing the room with family… because it would be totally ridiculous to throw a few hundreds just for another room when we’d have to compromise on the fellowship and family bonding, not to mention look closely at family habits! It was our 2nd family holiday in the year since the one to Perth in March. I absolutely LOVE every part of family time, my parents have made it such an ingrained treasure that even as an adult I’d look forward to it. I remember those days when the hills were our favourite getaway; Camerons, Frasers but never Gentings! Then it slowly shifted to the brazen blue beaches; Perhentian, Pulau Kapas… Then as the Lord willed, we would fly across the seas. It’s come to a point where I’m certain to say that no matter where we go, it’s not the activities, facilities, accommodation, luxury or mode of transport that makes it special, it’s really time spent discovering and enjoying each other and reminiscing on memories, sharing the present and again discovering one another that makes it priceless.
While we still can share a suite and not be too fussy about personal space for a few days, family holidays are nuggets that warms my heart…

WEEK OF R & R

At Colmar City - the place is a beauty. Was as if i was flown to another country.

The Chan's each one intrinsically different yet held together by His love and grace

Ray was looking forward to this holiday since it would be her last before she leaves for NS a couple of days after... Glad we made it happen, for her, for us all...