Cheerio and Frosted Flakes to You

[or] frosted cornflakes [in this part of the world] are my favourite but I have to watch the sugar intake. My Christmas wish came in the form of a comment and a text message (thanks Kak Mimi) a few hours ago.

Then more cheers in the newspaper and the zoo (in the newspaper). And then there's the story about how a military organization called NORAD (short for North American Aerospace Defense Command) and its predecessor began tracking Santa.

"Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world."

Wow. Christmas to me centres on a figure much bigger (pun unintended) than jolly Santa. No one knows the exact date when Christ was born and Christmas originates from the pagan holidays. But we know that there's a day in the year that this one person – fully man and fully God – was born into the world to ultimately give His life to atone for the sins of man.

Now, that to me is the "reason for the season". If the story of Santa and the reindeers, or the prospect of partying till daybreak appeal to so many year after year, the story of the "babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" remains a revitalizing one to me.

It's neither imaginary nor delusionary.

Merry Christmas!

That Truly Treasured Time-out

Weeks and months of wearing drudgery, I'd like to think that I'm on the final lap. During my intermission in the past week, I had the time to mope about the mall to see if I can find something suitable to add to the existing wardrobe.

Wearing the same clothes for two or three years, it's time for a change. Not that I mind but it's the skin showing at awkward places that makes for an unsightly glimpse. Despite the "SALE", it costs so much. I went home with images of "DISCOUNT" and "-00.00" swimming in my head. But the thing that lingered on was the music. Put "Santa", "baby", "kiss" in a sentence and ta-daa! Horrendous.

Reindeers, candy canes, bells, and snowflakes abound. So this is Christmas.

On an unrelated note, I finished a movie-length video. My first in so many months. It wasn't A Christmas Carol (unrelated to Christmas remember?). It's WWE Tribute to the Troops! Yes, yes. I watch wrestling. It was our favourite pastime (watching pay-per-views in our richer classmate's home) back in school. Executing those moves seemed silly now but it was great fun then. Lucky we didn't break anything; silica- or calcium-based).

I don't have cheesy Xmassy songs to share but I have Nickelback's When We Stand Together. The theme song for WWE TTTT. Nevermind it was (and still is) make-believe. Kayfabe. Scripted. I treasure this 120 minutes of staying away from my keyboard and having occasional flashbacks to that time when we "layeth the smacketh down".

The live performance by the band, and the video montage and oral tributes to the US troops were moving. President Obama made a taped appearance too.

Enjoy the song, people. It's one of those rare occasions I enjoy "noisy" songs like this one. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Agape with...

I don't know whether to smile or to cry. Maybe I'll do both and produce that "I'm admiring you and feeling really touched at the same time" look. Throw in a pair of glassy eyes and a quivering pout.

Honestly, I'm not sure what I'm really feeling when I was reading about the kids over at MACS (or Facebook) and Post Pals. Brave kids fighting to keep healthy or to make the 'nasty lump gone'.

Yes, I was agape with dread and admiration.

To Jon Paul, Caitlin, Aled, and Emma, I learn to be "POSITIVE and not NEGATIVE". Sending some cards your way and it's the least I'd do for now. 

I'm thankful that my organs and limbs are all accounted for. What is a chipped incisor compared to VACTERL association?

Working with Burkholderia cepacia, I couldn't appreciate the effects cystic fibrosis have on young patients and their families. Medical reviews are sort of... muted. At least I have new insights now.

     

Is Christmas too Commercialised?

Mega sales aside, I think many are cashing in on Christmas and whilst it's true that we're celebrating Christmas in the spirit of giving, I still think that Christmas is promoted and celebrated so widely sans it's true meaning.

So, keeping it short, to those ushering Nick and counting down to the dot, be good and stay off the wheels if you're on the booze. Christmas isn't about dying. No artificial snow and climbing on passing vehicles along the Gurney Drive promenade. The central figure behind Christmas had hay for warmth and animals for company.

"Waste not, want not," says Uncle Victor.

Have an enjoyable time, be blessed, and Jesus loves you.

KL: Christmassy Sights, Sounds, and Scents

Am in KL for the MTSF research grant presentation and as always, a road trip is very much welcomed. If malls back home in Penang are all spruced up for the 25th, here in KL, it's much more elaborate and way more pines – wreaths or garlands. Not to mention giant trees everywhere. Even our former PM's (Tun Mahathir) bakery has blue lights on the vegetation surrounding the establishment at Pavillion KL.

Pavillion KL at the Bukit Bintang area; the fountain in front of the building is really beautiful

I was having a good time with the used-by-novice Kodak digital, shooting amongst the guys carrying 200 mm lens fitted to their squarish, bulky, expensive DSLRs. Man, they have gorgeous models with them too.

Experimenting with what I have, satisfied though limited

I'm surprised how far my legs carried me yesterday and today, effectively fulfilling my exercise quota for the remainder of the year. Tomorrow's D-day and I'm quite excited about the whole affair, more so the luncheon. Thereafter to KLCC and the environs, meaning another trigger-happy field day.

The Petronas Twin Towers, snapped from some housing area nearby during my aimless patrol around the city. Stunning.
   

Christmas Today

Everyone knows it's Christmas today but I meant to say Christmas today. So, time change huh? Everyone accepts a celebration but not the essence of it. They embrace it as a way of life but not the meaning behind it. My Christmas day was a very ordinary one since mom was hospitalized two days before so it's home and hospital.

Among the many headlines in today's copy of The Star, this one is relevant "Revelers turn rowdy in Penang; at least three arrested by 1am" - kind of. Along with that report are the pictures below, juxtaposed to show the different events held last night. Note the shiny props in the picture on the right are not Santa's hats nor are they reindeer antlers but horns.

No, not being judgemental here since I detest sanctimony too but churches should do more to share the real meaning of Christmas. I laud the move by some to hold dramas and presentations for the public. Guess I need to do more myself too. So, different interpretation of the meaning of Christmas. One commemorates the birth of Christ (of course it isn't on the 25th of December) and another calls for booze and party on the streets.

For a good read, head on over to here.

Be blessed with love and peace, people! Blessed Christmas!

Reassess and Strengthen

The the gist of the Prime Minister's Christmas message to all Malaysians is to reassess and strengthen racial understanding. Good one sir. We'd have to ensure that happens not only during the festivities but at all times.

Elected representatives, pay heed. You're put there in Parliament not to be communal heroes by bringing up matters aiming to heat up the House. Be responsible for your words and for those with unbridled tongues, do consider changing and put it at the top of your New Year's resolution. Know, too, that criticism doesn't kill you. Don't put on suits but speak like an uneducated person.

For those out of touch, I hope the words poverty and corruption do light up the unlit bulbs up there. Also, it isn't the type of cars nor the engine capacities that determine if you'd do your job so stop the bickering and get down to work. You don't need big cars to move around. Some roads are too narrow too you see.

Lastly, Christmas wish to the leaders of the country. Remember that love and peace are the essence so have a blessed one. New Year is another week so time flies and there might be another general election coming our way.

Reassess your policies and goal as well as strengthen your mental faculties so that debates in the august house are first class. Cheerio!

Blessed Christmas

Christmas greetings to Narumiya-san in Tokyo, friends and family. Have a great one and be blessed in the New Year too. The following piece is taken from The Obnoxious 5xmom's post, 1 Corinthians 13 at Christmas. Figured that it may be an apt reminder with five days to go:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.