My 31st Christmas

Oh, there is just so much to be thankful for this Christmas and if I were to list it all down, it would take me hours.

Christmas 2013 has come and gone in a blink of an eye and although I am super tired, I just wanted to write a few thoughts down just like I try to do every year, and since I hardly blog these days anyway, I thought it would be good to share about my 31st Christmas 

*smiles smiles*

This Christmas was slightly different from the past Christmases... the main differences would be that my brother and his family are in the Philippines celebrating with my sister-in-laws family, instead of work slowing down, I was working too much in December {new clients and a shortage of manpower in the office} which made me grumpy and stressed, I didn't my Christmas shopping done in time and most importantly I did not find my Christmas spirit till heaps and heaps later *sniff*... ok nothing really new here to be honest - LOLs!

 Very much like last year, I found my Christmas spirit during Christmas eve mass. Unlike the Christmas spirits of old, this year's Christmas spirit did not really appear when I saw the beautifully decorated church nor did it appear when I heard the angelic voice of the choir singing Christmas carols... sure there were stirrings in my heart {I am after all a super sap!}, but it was not the same.

There was also no BIG bang to announce the arrival of my Christmas spirit. There was also no "ah hah!" moment... rather it was more of a swelling in my heart when the priests {there were four at the mass} talked about how blessed we were to be able to gather together to celebrate Midnight Mass in peace... 

how there were so many people out there suffering; people who lost their homes due to floods or war, people who were starving or who were sick or who were just lonely.

The swelling in my heart was one of thankfulness, joy and shame. Shame because in the hustle and bustle of "my life", I had forgotten the very fundamentals of Christmas. I had forgotten to prepare myself for the birth of Jesus. I had forgotten to pray for those who were forgotten, lost, in pain or suffering. Instead, I went on and on about how much work I had, how stressed I was, how I did not have anytime to buy presents and yadayadayada. Reading all this now, I feel ashamed at myself to have allowed these pressures to cloud the joy and peace of the season.

But all is not lost. Thank God!

The Christmas spirit swelled in my heart and grew and brought tears in my eyes for indeed unto this day, the Christ child is born and he is called Immanuel which means "God with us". It was a gentle reminder that no matter what I did, where I went or which nasty client I had to tackle, I was never alone. God was and will always be with me. That simple reminder was when I felt the Christmas spirit flow and course through me. 

And joy, the kind you can't buy, filled my heart. 

Thank you God for allowing me that special moment, thank you for the gift of Your Son. Thank you that I am called to be in your fold. Thank you God for all the blessings you have showered upon me and continue to shower upon me. Alleluia! Amen. 

The rest of Christmas passed by in a quiet blur. I spent a lot of time with my parents which was lovely. I hardly give them quality time, so spending time with them during Christmas Eve dinner at our very memorable Tram Car restaurant, Christmas lunch at a local coffee shop today, hanging out with them at home, furniture window shopping and then a simple bak kut teh dinner today in Kepong was wonderful indeed and I my mum thanked B and I for spending Christmas with them. 

Belle the beagle was uber cute today too ~ I hope she gets better soon. I also spent time with my bestie Meows and several other friends. We also managed to sell the condo {I also pray that the sale of the house goes smoothly}. Didn't get to spend much time talking to B one on one but he was always beside me or somewhere close by *smiles* There was also some frantic present wrapping and packing.... and now...

...now finally there is peace and quiet in the house.

I am listening to Mozart Christmas Carols and marveling at how fast time passes and another Christmas has come and gone and how I have to wait another 364 days for it again. 

This year, there is still no Christmas tree in the foreground, no BEC Christmas party, no Christmas carolling.... but there are a pile of surprise Christmas presents, a  few packed bags for tomorrow and most importantly, there is Christmas, joy and peace in my heart and a God who is always with me. 

Once again, Happy Blessed Christmas everyone!

*God bless*

Thank you for reading this dear blog friends and to Jennifer Robinson, thanks for leaving me a comment, I really appreciate it. 

Read more about my other Christmases here, here, here and here.  

And just like last year, I am still hooked onto Avicci {gosh he is a cutie} and kinda regret not dragging myself to the rave - LOLs. So here is some music from him ~ enjoy *smiles*

Christmas just ended but I am already looking forward to the new year 2014, bought my diaries, won myself a calendar and will create a new desktop calendar soon. But first, a short trip away with B and my in-laws, a little bit more of work and its hello 2014!

And finally, to end this post, here is a photo of my darling beagle Belle, asleep. I pray she gets better soon the little dear.

Oh, so much to look forward to everyday... and really I wonder what next year's Christmas will bring, I pray that they are only blessed, good and happy moments. Amen.

A Quickie From Me

I know... I know... I was supposed to update this Little Piece of Heaven ages ago but really... its getting tougher to juggle everything. And what do I mean by everything? Well, here's a little of what is going on in my life {for the benefit of those kind people who still follow me ~ thank you}...

Work ~ I recently got promoted {which is awesome} and we have also won some new clients {which is also awesome} but the icky part is that some of my team members are away which means that work has tripled for me. I enjoy being challenged, don't get me wrong, but its hard to do your portion of work and someone else's portion too and still do a good job for both portions! LOL... but thankful I have a good support system consisting of B, my colleagues, my family and my other friends who understand the daunting nature of life in a PR consultancy.

Hearts & Crafts ~ What started of as a little "let's try something new and see how it goes" has turned into something super awesome. I don't make heaps of money and I hardly join any bazaars these days but I am still getting support and sales which is awesome. I have a lot of ideas {funny how the ideas come when you are uber busy but never when you have nothing much going on} and hope to execute them soon but with work taking precedence these days {until we have all hands on deck again}, this has to take a backseat. However, no mater how big or small my store is, I am happy. This was something I used to daydream about and now here I am, actually doing it *smile smile*

Project Love Nest 2.0 ~ I don't know if I have blogged about this but we are moving. In another 2 months time or thereabouts, I will be nestled in my new home which is just a stones throw away from where I grew up. The house is being renovated and OMG is is a pain to manage contractors and deciding on what needs to be done and how everything is going to look and be transported... GAH! Even thinking about it is giving me the shivers!!! But... the house is gorgeous. I used to wonder how the inside of the house looked like and now we are the proud owners of said house! Will share some before and after pics of the house when things settle down *grin grin*

Holidays & Occasions ~ I missed the Avicci rave about 2 weekends ago and feel a bit bummed about it but I wasn't feeling well and I had the strangest feeling that I should stay at home and so I did. Last weekend was Kelssy's wedding and it was a whole day of merriment and activity. Will be going to celebrate their second wedding celebration up north this weekend ~ can't wait to go for this short road trip. Other then that, my weekends have been filled with shopping for the house stuff, catching up on sleep, tv and shop updates or visiting friends and family. I always feel that there is not enough time in a day!

Swaps, Snailmail & Postcrossing ~ I just started participating in Postcrossing and Swaps via swapbot this year and it has made me realize how much I miss writing, pen on paper and decorating said letter with stickers, pen and stamps. Have been meeting a lot of new friends via Instagram as well which is great. Hoping to do more swaps and snailmail next year. 

Anyways, that's about all the stuff that is happening in my life apart from my usual I-want-to-craft dilemma, watching and catching up on all my neglected TV series, movies and books and oh gosh, I just remembered I need to pack up and move *shudder* this is not going to be pleasant! I really do have a lot of stuff.

On to happy things... I recently made my first Black Friday purchase from Studio Calico and here is the short story of what happened which I shared on Studio Calico's blog post. I hope they don't I am strange!

~*~*~*~

I was so surprised when I saw the Studio Calico box this evening as I was not expecting it for at least another month - what with me living in Malaysia and all... but there it was in its unassuming brown box.

Before I opened the box, I turned on my BoneyM Christmas Carols and slowly cut the tape to reveal the treasures inside and to cut the story short, it was as if Christmas morning had come early for me. You see every day I see these pretty sneak peaks, reveals and items online and I very very seldom get the chance to buy them {no thanks to the awful conversion and shipping rate!} but finally... finally I have my own little magnetic kit box and other goodies which I have previously only been able to "oooo" and "ahhhh" at :)

As I opened each brown paper bag, drew open each muslin bag and sneaked a peek at the goodness inside, I just kept smiling {like a little looney} and I about half and hour later, I am still smiling. Still happy.

Sorry for this uber long comment but I to share my joy and say thank you to the team for selecting these pretty grab bags and for sending these goodies so quickly. It is my first time participating in a BlackFriday sale and I am so glad. 

Happy early Christmas to the Studio Calico team :)

~* ~*~*~

So yes... I am still smiling as I type this.

Truly Christmas has come early for me.

It's a little late and though its a public holiday tomorrow, I need to wind down for the night. Its been a draining two days at work - I a whole month to feel like this though I certainly hope it is not so.

 

Will try my utmost best to write again soon 

*smiles smiles*

My 30th Christmas

More than 15 years ago I cut this picture of good old Santa from an old magazine and stuck it behind my childhood bedroom door and there it has remained. I looked at this cutout everyday while I opened and closed the door. It serves as a reminder that Christmas is on its way and it gives me hope that Christmas will be here before I even know it... I usually get a little annoyed with this little cutout about March and then again in the following months especially when there are no more celebrations around the corner but its a good cutout and I love it to bits.

Anyways, Christmas tends to creep up on me and then escapes me as suddenly as it arrives so much so that in about 3 hours and 25 minutes time {according to my clock now as I type} Christmas 2012 would have officially ended. To a certain extent, I feel like it never even happened. The happy wreath I hung on my front door fell about a week ago and no effort was made to hang it up again and so it sits forlornly on the shoe cabinet ready to be put away for another year. There are several Christmas wrappers and handmade gift tags lying around but for the most part, Christmas has come and gone yet again.

So what was my 30th Christmas like this year you wonder... its hard for me to describe what it feels like to be honest. There is that ever present excitement that Christmas brings. The Christmas carols, the gorgeous decorations, the pretty presents, the awesome packaging... how can one not feel excited? But yet I feel that as each year passes and the prettier the decorations get, the true Spirit of Christmas is lost. I am indeed blessed to have spent more time with my family this year and to share Ethan's {my nephew and god sons} first Christmas with him. Usually I spend the day with friends but they have opted to have their own arrangements this year. Yup, the changes are apparent in the way we celebrate this special day and I am honestly not too thrilled about it but changes come, its only natural isn't it?

The one constant I am still thankful for is Christmas Eve mass. It is the one shining beacon of Christmas for me. It's what I have come to relate Christmas with. Not the presents. Not the decorations. Not the merriment but the Christmas Eve mass. I remember Christmas Eve masses of yesteryear and I smile because they were always wonderfully magical to me. I also remember the performances I participated in for two years ~ once in an ensemble and once in one of the lead roles {I was a wise man} in a Christmas play titled "Three Wise Men and A Baby" {if I recall}. The smell of incense, the beautiful vestments and the grandness of mass will always amaze me. And this year, it is no different.

Daves and B joined me for Christmas Eve mass. We managed to get a seat by the side but in the first pew. It was good to see everything up close and be in the church for the mass. The choir was lovely though I don't quite appreciate it when they start singing in Latin ~ sure we should technically be learning it but since 90% of the congregation knows nuts about what the words mean, it would have been better to have had it all in English. My five cents anyways. Anyways, back to the awesome bit... as I knelt down to pray after receiving communion, I had a vision in my mind of those dearly departed at Our Lady's grotto. There was candlelight illuminating them as they stood there. Some faces were clear as day and some were in shadows but I knew who they were. They were smiling. They were happy and I was at peace. My eyes misted over and my heart wanted to burst and I wanted to reach out to them to touch them but just as soon as the vision came, it departed... but the feeling of that happiness, that joy remained. That my dear readers is what I remember and treasure most this Christmas. That simple vision of hope and joy. 

Today I went to my parents house to open presents with Ethan. It's lovely to see a Christmas corner in my home. After that, my parents, B and I went to visit my aunt who is sick with cancer. I felt so helpless and I didn't know what to do but offer up a prayer for her that she doesn't suffer. Then I went for a Christmas tea with my extended family and it was good to see all of them ~ there have been births, deaths and sickness in our family this year and its sad to remember the ones who have already left us but we remain hopeful that we will see them all again one day. After the tea, there was nothing much else to do so here I am writing this post to you after playing several games of Zuma and chatting online. There is a severe lack of activities this Christmas and I want to feel angry but I feel indifferent instead {I find it strange though that my non-Christian friends have more fun then I do}. Perhaps it is best this way instead, being here with my thoughts on this one special day. If I had wanted more fun, I should just have planned and sorted it all out in the beginning instead of waiting.

So really my dear readers, it's not the gifts that I received {though I am happy that people still want to buy me presents}, neither is it the decorations in the malls {most of which I have not been to unlike previous years where it was a must to visit every other shopping mall} or the Christmas shopping {which I used to love to do but which I completed in under 3 hours this year}. It is neither the fancy food that we had {some food was super yums}, the new glittery gold shoes I used for Christmas Eve mass or the messages received via SMS or whatsapp or on FB. It was just that one moment in church on the 24th of December that was Christmas for me... that moment when my heart wanted to burst with hope and joy and I pray that that moment will live in me for some time to come.

And yes, its been ten years and the memories are still fresh. The empty cavity in my heart still remains empty as I believe it will for years to come but I remembered you for a moment, said a prayer. I hope my thoughts reach you.

So yes... another Christmas come and gone. No carols in the background, no Christmas tree in the foreground, no BEC Christmas party, no Christmas carolling, a solitary Christmas card by a company whose products are overpriced and which I have never bought before and Bruce Springsteen's 'Secret Garden' playing in the background, home before 7pm... It sure has been a quite an un-Christmasy Christmas to be honest, but no matter... I have come to accept things as they are.
Christmas lives in my heart.

Happy Blessed Christmas everyone!

*God bless*

Read more about my other Christmases here, here and here.

FUYOH Art Bazaar today!

Visit booth C01, Hearts & Crafts booth at the 

FUYOH Art Bazaar for happy washi tape, stickers,

post-its, handamde Christmas tags and other happy things.

Do drop by to say "hello" *smiles*

Hearts & Crafts @ FUYOH Art Bazaar 23rd December

Seen @ Hearts & Crafts

Hi crafty friends and lovers of happy things!

Hearts & Crafts will be at the FUYOH Art Bazaar @ Publika

this December 23rd from 10am - 6pm.

Come 'touch and see' the pretty craft supplies like happy washi tape,

patterned paper straws, stickers, post-its and etc.

They make awesome Christmas stocking stuffers for sure! 

*smiles smiles*

I look forward to seeing you there.

Do drop by and say "hello".

On another note, do follow us on Facebook as well!

*thanks in advance*

12.12.12

I had initially wanted to post a post on Christmas for everyday leading up to Christmas... but alas, if you have noticed, there is a gap of several days mainly because of the long weekend which was epic to say the least. I have not had a such a good long weekend in ages. Sure there could have been more things that I could have done to be honest, especially hangout with my parents and go to church but truly, this long weekend has made me feel so alive. I will write more about this when I can because I should be doing work now and I am super tired that I can't think about it any more. My bed is calling me and I am just so sick of thinking about work stuff. It's December. The Christmas season is around the corner. Am doing my best, but I really need some help and extra time for shopping and cleaning up my house. Ahhhh... but I am still riding 'high' on this happy, dance and alive bug *smiles smiles*

I am leaving you with this song which has been playing in my mind and has been making my feet do all kinds of strange things. I have been listening to this clip on YouTube for ages. I think I am loving Avicii's music. More on this soon. And btw, if I forget to blog {or more like don't have the time}, happy 12.12.12 its epic and will never happen again ~ and I can't believe I have to spend it at the office. Ah but such is life... kan?

Oh well. Have an awesome 12.12.12 

do something crazy good and epic.

The 7th of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

On the 7th of December, I took a trip down memory lane.

I remembered those who had left us early to wait

for us on that beautiful shore.

I remembered them as they were with their smiles,

with the laughter, with their voices, 

with the way they would do certain things...

my eyes grew misty as they sometimes do when

thoughts of them cross my mind, but I remember

that there, in that special place where we will all

be together one day, they are safe, they are at peace.

And I am comforted.

But I still do miss them.

I pray you will have peace in your hearts this

Christmas season when you think those you have lost.

May you too be comforted knowing that they are

safe in our Father's arms.

The 6th day of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

It's Thursday. Let's prep for the

Christmas season.

Am gearing up to making some Christmas themed

items and for decorating my house.

Wish me luck that I get everything sorted *smiles*

The 5th of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

For the 5th of December, I wish you joy.

The kind of joy that bubbles right inside of you

to the very core of your being.

That makes you laugh and smile from a

wellspring of happiness in your soul. 

The 4th of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

On the 4th day of December, 

I decided to put up my Christmas wreath 

which has been wedged for 11 months in

my cabinet. I am surprised that it still looks 

pretty decent {excluding the bent branch!}

*snickers snickers*

Go on, decorate your door today.

The 3rd of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

Am loving this vintage print of Christmas...

or could it be just that it uses all my fav. colours.

On the 3rd day of December let us send out an

SMS, or email or whatsapp or leave an FB message today

to your parents, or your siblings, or to an old friend 

or someone you haven't spoke to in a long time

or perhaps to a friend you speak to every single day.

It doesn't matter. Just let them know they were in their mind.

I am sure it will make their day *smiles*

The 2nd of December

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

On the 2nd of Decmeber, for those
 of us who have lost someone special, 
and are missing them tremendously,
 may you be comforted in knowing 
that those whom you have lost are at peace 
and that they continue to watch over us from Above.

I pray that your the empty spaces in your hearts be 
filled with love, hope and joy this Christmas season.

The 1st of December

Seen @ JW's pinterest collection

Oh December! 

How I have missed you 

and waited for you for 

11 long, draggy months.

And now that you are here...

I am worried. I am panicky.

So many things to do, 

so little time.

24 more days till we celebrate

the birth of Christ and then we 

would have to wait a whole 364 days!

Oh December!

I am going to try my best

to make this celebration the very

bestest Christmas ever!

XOXO

candy cane scent

Seen @ Sniff

This candy cane scented candle is supposed to smell

mint and vanilla. It's a little too expensive to ship over

but I can certainly try to imagine how it smells like.

I do have a powerful imagination *snickers*

Would like to have a Christmas smell though...

know where I can get some? 

Christmas 2011 ~ a real post

Happy blessed Christmas all...

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

I finally have sometime to sit down and be enveloped in Christmas.

Some time to just think and let my thoughts wonder.

I know the theme songs for the season should be Christmas carols and such and surprisingly this year I have not indulged in them too much {but there is always another 12 days to indulge} but instead have taken to listening to the OST to 'Breaking Dawn'... I know right? Wth!!! But its surprisingly good. Am listening to the track titled 'Love Death Birth' and it is beautiful. No words. Just music. Magic.The house is quiet. The wind is stirring around the house and I am a little hungry but have stuffed my face with chocolate chip cookies {my breakfast} while waiting for something more substantial for lunch. 

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

Each year, I count down till Christmas. Each year, I hope for more magic and for the perfect Christmas celebration with all the pretty trimmings, trees and company... but it has taken me 29 years to realise that there is no perfect Christmas that the world can offer. The presents, the wrapping, the decorations, the food, the music and movies are all pretty and add to the festive mood but in actual fact, Christmas does happen in your heart. It happens when you are not looking. When are you aren't listening and when you are not prepared. 

It creeps up to you and washes over you leaving you with joy and peace... for today is born in the City of David a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

This is my last Christmas as a twenty-something and as a single women. This year is the last year I wake up on Christmas morning in my own bed looking at the raspberry walls and Disney jigsaw puzzle. I have mixed feelings. Excitement for the new beginnings to come and yet melancholic for these simpler times with my family. So this year, Christmas is all about family. We have lined up dinners and parties at my relatives places. Its going to be reflective when I get moments alone but mostly filled with laughter when I am around my family. Had a Starbucks session with Cat {my old bestie}, her husband, Drama Dave, Jo & Rachel and of course B. The conversation was kinda skewed to babies, birthing, weddings and paint... but I enjoyed hanging out with them. Perhaps this can be one of our traditions *smiles smiles smiles*

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

Speaking of traditions and me lamenting {nearly every year about the lack of it}, I realised that I have managed to retain one tradition for many years, that being the Midnight Mass. This year's mass was beautiful. The church was decked out in pretty Christmas decorations, the crib was done up well by the Philippino community, whole mass was orchestrated so well and the music was magical! There wasn't much shopping done this year either {the shopping malls I felt were not decorated to their utmost best as well... I believe Pavilion takes the cake for super awesome decorations} and not many presents received this year and for once in my life, I am okay with that. There is more to Christmas presents. Seriously. Though being human I love the trimmings and wrapping *smiles* 

And you know what, there is always room to make more traditions in the coming years and I should just enjoy the now, the moment. And you know what, the Christmases to come will be awesome because I will be married and we will have a new addition to the family {and God willing more additions to come as well to our lives and to our friends lives as well}! *smiles smiles* so there is something to look forward to. If you are curious, read a little snippet of  one of my Christmas past here.

Seen @ DW's pinterest collection

And you know what, it has been like nine years, the memories don't quite dim. There is still an empty cavity in my heart where you belong. I had a moment where I allowed myself to imagine and it made me smile, a smile tinged with sorrow, with hope. 

Okay my folks are back and lunch is beckoning. I wish all of you a blessed and happy Christmas! May all your wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers come true this year and every year to come. I pray that you will have many memories and traditions to collect this year to carry you through the New Year which is just around the corner... memories that will keep you warm and fuzzy and make you smile to yourself on days when you just want to crawl under the sheets and die {yes, I am being drama!}. 

So anyways, happy blessed New Year *hugs hugs*

Super Stylin' #3: Wedding Planner Riviera

Happened to surf by this website, Wedding Planner Riviera  and loved this styling shot which apparently was inspired by Kate Spade {Note to self: Must find ways to get extra cash for Kate Spade bag or wrislet}. I love the pastel, the old school look, the old fashioned tea party, the interesting 'Christmas tree' and of course the adorable doggle in a pink sparkly tutu no less. Love Love Love it! Do also enjoy the other gorgeous photos on the blog.

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera 

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera 

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera 

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera

Seen @ Wedding Planner Riviera 

Sequined pretties

I know Christmas is long gone and Chinese New Year decorations {and music} has hit all the shopping centres already.... but I can't get over Christmas. The different colours, the glitter, the sequins, the pretty things, the goodies, the wrapping and everything Christmasy. So after stumbling upon these pretty pictures on two inspiring sites, I just had to post these pretty sparkly sequined decorations. I have heaps of ideas for next year at hopefully our first 'Love Nest' *smiles smiles*  

Seen @ Interior Divine

Seen @ Daisy Pink Cupcake 

Seen @ Mon Tresor

Remember: "Hoarding & Collecting is not a crime. It is an art!"