17 days / 10:25:00 PM

to a new year. and to new beginnings, new (old and always the same yearly) reflections. a time to reset that mindset, attitude towards life, work, relationships, and hopefully it'll stay positive through 2010.

i went christmas shopping today to get presents for some of my colleagues. busking with the crowd, thinking what to get for them, what is suitable for them, what they;ll probably like, with the christmas music played all around. doesnt it get you in the festive mood? even when grocery shopping. they play xmas songs too while i decide on what kind of milk or bread to get. i think almost everyone is in the festive mood at work. maybe they should just give us a 2 week christmas break since people are clearing leave anyway.

its nice to see people shopping around, buying gifts for friends, family, hopefully because they care and wish to share the love and festivity. not forgetting the chocolates and turkey. enjoying the food and not overindulging, watching people receive their presents and catch their expression of glee when they open the present. cooking together, baking together for an christmas feast. planning a christmas party together. deciding what special place to go for dinner on christmas. all because it is just a special day. it warms my heart. somehow i;m looking to christmas this year. it has been more than a year since i had a full time job. maybe its time to give thanks to what i have and who i have, to leave out whatever unhappiness, regrets or strained relationships.

i miss australia. it was great traveling to brisbane, goldcoast and melbourne. i really enjoyed dan's company, the weather, the scenery, the breakfasts, the array of food, breads, cheese at the markets, and not forgetting the strangers who helped us when we got lost. or that australian working professional who asked us 'can i help you with anything?' when we were on the street looking at our map. and that retiree in torquay's tourist information centre who patiently told us where we could explore along great ocean road. its nice to know how these people were sincere in helping us. i cant say the same for people over here. after spending 2 weeks in aussie, spore really has to work on her service standards in shops cos we can be better and all it takes is a sincere smile perhaps.

now i'm back in singapore, savouring the memories of australia from photos, from daydreaming on what i was doing in aussie a week ago right now (a week ago at this time we should be in melbourne, sleeping, after a day traveling along the great ocean road). it was a good break from the monotonous office work, emails, politics. traveling is never enough i;m already thinking of the next holiday. i want to go to bali, phuket, krabi, bangkok, hk, cambodia, usa, greece.australia for sydney, perth and melbourne again (why not). for now. can never get enough of going overseas, where we can enjoy, take in the unfamiliar sights, unfamiliar food, shop, people watch, stroll and take pictures. dont you feel like a different person when you're overseas? more confident, cos no ones knows you in the foreign country so do whatever you want, weat whatever you feel like wearing.

its good to be home. but its not the same.

2010 will be a year of change

Labels: muse