It is 00:22 at Christmas... I'm sitting by the Christmas tree as I'm writing this... arrived home just a while ago after having had dinner with good friends... the food, the wine, their one-year-old sweetheart with her amazing smile and her first steps around the living room, everything was perfect! Better than I could ever imagine! When I decided to stay here alone for Christmas, moths ago and mostly because I have been so tired I could not bear the thought of traveling this time of the year, I had not hoped for more than just having some time for myself, time off work for staying at home... had hoped for hours of knitting... hours of laying on the sofa...
Turns out, I must have done something good in my life because the Universe is paying me back with far more than I had hoped for! Today's dinner, tomorrow's lunch, yes, we are having turkey, how much more traditional could we be, another invitation for the second day of Christmas, friends who have become family, smiles and toasts and wine and great food and warm hearts (so what if the snow outside is still making things difficult...) and presents and children and Christmas trees and joy, so much joy and simplicity one could not have wanted for anything more! I'm home... and it's Christmas... and it is better than shoes!
I wish I could be with all the people I love today... it is not possible, such is life and the choices made that this wish will not come true this year... perhaps the next... One thing is certain... I am having a wonderful time and I have not felt lonely not for a moment! Feels good spending Christmas at home, feels right... So I will wish to all my loved ones Merry Christmas, remind them that my home is theirs whenever the wind brings them this way and hope that, these holidays, they all have as good a time as I'm having! And better!!
PS. Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones!
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Preseeeeents!!!!
Yep, that's it, it's back, 't is the season to be jolly and get presents for those you care about!! I know, there is the opposing argument that a present is an obligation offered to the other person thus it should be avoided like the restrooms of McDonalds in down town Beijing (don't ask how I know... just avoid if ever there... trust me...) but I am not convinced! Ever since I was a child I loved getting present for my family and friends, I loved the process of finding out the best choice for everyone and always within a budget so limited sometimes it seemed impossible to manage :)
And then, there would be the wrapping! I would spend hours trying to wrap my present the best way possible, the papers, the ribbons, always doing it myself because, well, these girls at the stores don't know how to do it properly, right?... hmmmm, it can also be that I have always been a control freak who knows best... Anywhooo, the point is that this time of the year is one I cherish and the present-giving is certainly one of my favourite things in the world... surely a "better than shoes" thing :) and yes, it is better than receiving the gifts for me!
I know that these are difficult times for all of us, I do not live in a bubble, and these holidays will inevitably remind to many people what the consequences of the economic crisis are (if they have managed to forget so far...) but a present is not about the money it costs! Not at all!! Surely if your bank account can afford it your lady friend would greatly appreciate a pair of Louboutins but if not, who cares??!! A great gift can be a voucher for hugs and kisses, it can be something hand crafted, it can be a drawing, a free electronic card, it can be a cooked meal or the offer to do the laundry or empty the dish washer... or, if you really aim to impress, install her wireless home network!! It really is unimportant how much it costs, all that matters is that there was thought put into it, thought of the other person... and thought means love!
Isn't this what these holidays are all about ;)
And then, there would be the wrapping! I would spend hours trying to wrap my present the best way possible, the papers, the ribbons, always doing it myself because, well, these girls at the stores don't know how to do it properly, right?... hmmmm, it can also be that I have always been a control freak who knows best... Anywhooo, the point is that this time of the year is one I cherish and the present-giving is certainly one of my favourite things in the world... surely a "better than shoes" thing :) and yes, it is better than receiving the gifts for me!
I know that these are difficult times for all of us, I do not live in a bubble, and these holidays will inevitably remind to many people what the consequences of the economic crisis are (if they have managed to forget so far...) but a present is not about the money it costs! Not at all!! Surely if your bank account can afford it your lady friend would greatly appreciate a pair of Louboutins but if not, who cares??!! A great gift can be a voucher for hugs and kisses, it can be something hand crafted, it can be a drawing, a free electronic card, it can be a cooked meal or the offer to do the laundry or empty the dish washer... or, if you really aim to impress, install her wireless home network!! It really is unimportant how much it costs, all that matters is that there was thought put into it, thought of the other person... and thought means love!
Isn't this what these holidays are all about ;)
Monday, 13 December 2010
Home cinema...
...and I do not only mean the actual "home cinema" device! Surely, one of those hi-tech costly (almost as much as dreamy pair of evening Louboutins) thingies is worth the investment (and the time you will spend reading the manual before you actually have it working...), can indeed offer a great sound experience while you are watching The Matrix Reloaded (am I tooooo outdated.... I wonder...) in Blue-ray and can make you feel like you are actually IN the Matrix yourself (...and quite a bunch of people believe this to be true... I googled it...) fighting the Smiths... but there is more into what I'm saying than a device!
I am talking about the concept of home cinema... That which involves chosing to stay in on a weekend with a load of films, put on your most comfy clothes (yes, I know, they are not the most flattering ones but that is part of the concept too, you are not dressing for others but for yourself and you just want it comfy ;) make sure you have enough snacs, preferably the unhealthy kind that comes out of a very colourful bag but if you want to nibble on carots, hey, who am I to object??!!, nest yourself on the sofa and let the viewing begin!
I just had one of those... ok, technicaly it did involve the home cinema installation and some trips to the DIY shops in order to get all the necessary for the set up which took place on a Saturday, but then, the pleasure began! Comfy, cosy, hommy, warm, immersed into the sound and the image, it was the best! I know, I know, we are still young and we should go out and live a bit but, let's face it, the city is old and boring (my city, I don't know about yours) and the winter is cold! So, there is not a lot of competition against a warm, cosy, home cinema weekend! And, you will know when you try it, it is better than shoes!
I am talking about the concept of home cinema... That which involves chosing to stay in on a weekend with a load of films, put on your most comfy clothes (yes, I know, they are not the most flattering ones but that is part of the concept too, you are not dressing for others but for yourself and you just want it comfy ;) make sure you have enough snacs, preferably the unhealthy kind that comes out of a very colourful bag but if you want to nibble on carots, hey, who am I to object??!!, nest yourself on the sofa and let the viewing begin!
I just had one of those... ok, technicaly it did involve the home cinema installation and some trips to the DIY shops in order to get all the necessary for the set up which took place on a Saturday, but then, the pleasure began! Comfy, cosy, hommy, warm, immersed into the sound and the image, it was the best! I know, I know, we are still young and we should go out and live a bit but, let's face it, the city is old and boring (my city, I don't know about yours) and the winter is cold! So, there is not a lot of competition against a warm, cosy, home cinema weekend! And, you will know when you try it, it is better than shoes!
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