'Tis the season to be jolly !

It's that time of the year again! The 'holiday season'! Not that it means holidays for me anymore, since quite a few years now... yet this time is always special.. the cheery festive mood dancing a duet with the pleasing winter feel... brimming with opportunities to reflect back on all that was precious throughout the past year...and renew hopes and vows for a new one, ready to be ushered in !

Whether my fascination with Christmas is due to my initial convent schooling years, innumerable western storybooks or Hollywood movies; I cannot say... but it certainly dates back to my primary school days. Maybe it's a combination of all these, and in addition, my parents' encouragement to celebrate, in our own little ways... Read: a mini tree with decorations (including dummy socks and gift boxes), and of course loads and loads of plum cake and home made wine (gifted!).

So now, whenever its this time of the year again and I see the Christmas trees, twinkling fairy lights, tinsel and other decor adorning shops, malls and public places...even though I no longer have my own celebrations anymore... a warm and fuzzy feeling creeps into the heart... and I reminisce those days when I was on the school Christmas choir (and surprisingly, many of the carols still come back to me), the grand Christmas party at school, our decorations and cake at home, the Christmas themed feel-good movies, the sights of Park Street and New Market all decked up like a fairyland, treats at Flurys and Nahoums, office picnics and other outings...and the overall cheer of the season seeps back, even though only fleetingly.

Comments

The six month milestone!

Yes, it seems incredible that it's been six months already! Six months since I took a giant leap of faith and left literally every'thing' behind. Six months since I arrived in the 'New World'. And what a crazy six months it's been! Almost every day has brought me new challenges that have tested me in different ways. Every day has reminded me that I have chosen to deal with a life out of my comfort zone and I have no choice but to face it heads on! These six months have also given me several positive experiences and the satisfaction of being able to handle the challenges in different ways and to different degrees. I have been extremely lucky to have been helped by many people and in several ways, all of whom made my survival here so far, possible and often comfortable. I have been warmly welcomed into the homes and hearths of so many families. I have made new friends. I have experienced life from a completely different perspective. I have learnt quite a few les...

The irresistible attraction of words

I find myself wandering endlessly, drawn by the intense lure of words, descriptions, and information... to soak in as much as possible and to create for myself... yet day by day it strengthens its hold, and as I struggle to keep up with it; I am overpowered like never before... with the thoughts, ideas and wishlists just piling up, threatening to drive away peace and order... Illustration by Julie Paschkis in, Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People

Que sera, sera... what will be, will be !

(Photo credits: http://www.missouriskies.org/rainbow/february_rainbow_2006.html) I have always liked things to be perfectly planned, organized, and under control. It doesn't mean that I don't like (pleasant !) surprises and unexpected thrills, but that uncertainty and chaos are big fears. Although always a strong believer in destiny, I have also simultaneously believed that we create our own destinies. With time however, I am increasingly appreciating that most things are beyond our control. No matter how much we try to predict, plan, and organize; and in spite of our best efforts, most things will happen just the way it is meant to be. When everything looks just perfect and fitting into place, people and situations will create unwanted complications. And again, when you worry about something and fear the worst, more ...

Meanderings of the Mind...

Search This Blog