pulling close to end 2011.

I'm putting up this post in advance since I'll be spending new year in BKK this year. Hopefully it'll be a good relaxing one. 

Xmas is really the season of giving. I felt it exceptionally strongly this year...dunno why. not that I got money to burn but probably I'm beginning to feel that it's great to be able to give, show appreciation and make someone else's day better than it would have been. 

Kitties were role models for this. As usual, they congregated for a very strict and intimidating session of xmas party and gift exchange this year. Some braced themselves for the scoldings for their lousy choice of gifts while some basked in the limelight with theirs being voted the most well-received present. Some showed humility, vowing to do better next year. Some just showed great spontaneity by just being part of the fun and laughter. The recent precious get togethers I had with my loved ones, family and friends, reminded me to just worry less and be here, in the moment. It's a luxury in fact to be able to do so. 

Just caught New Year's Eve the movie and I just had to quote this from Claire Morgan ( played by Hilary Swank) coz it really resonated with what I want to achieve in the coming year. Moved me to tears by the way probably coz it was so heartfelt and the great acting.

She made this speech to the audience waiting for the countdown at Times Square when the famous ball dropping act suffered a hiccup.

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. 

To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. 

Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. 

A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

Cheers to a brand new year and friendship.

Great gifts this year kitties. 

ES bought me this scratch-map where we could scratch out those countries we have been together. COOL. We hope to conquer the globe together! His disclaimer: Not allowed to scratch those I went with friends or 'some other men'. -_-