Last Day of '08

We close the books on 2008 today. For me, I've taken mental inventory of what I've done and acquired this year, and not only am I pleased with what I have accomplished over the past 12 months, I'm also a bit puzzled by how fast it all went by.

There are many memorable moments from this year, and it would be both difficult and unfair to attempt to pinpoint just one. I can say that 2008 was certainly filled with fun, laughter, and adventure. There is no doubt in my mind that 2009 will be just as satisfying with even more enjoyment and more new opportunities.

Cheers to you all for what I hope was a good 2008, and to a new year filled with happiness!

"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." - T.S. Eliot

Here's Giving You a Reason To Drink

The Today's Reason to Drink widget here on my blog says that today, December 26th, is Boxing Day. Last night I receive a text message invitation to a Boxing Day party. My first thought: I get to punch the living daylights out of someone as a way to celebrate! Sadly, I'm totally wrong about that.

Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the UK. The day is also referred to as St. Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen, after the first Christian martyr. Boxing Day originated as a day for members of the social upper class to gift boxes full of food, fruit, clothing, or money to their servants and household personnel. In modern times, Boxing Day is celebrated by Commonwealth nations with large family gatherings, outdoor sporting events, and the ever-popular after-Christmas shopping sales.

I'm about to embark on my own Boxing Day celebration and simply take the advice of my Reason to Drink widget and grab a few beers...and perhaps shop a bit afterward as well.

Cheers!

My Favorite Christmas

For me, Christmas has always been about celebrating family. Growing up, I even remember that although it was exciting that Santa may be paying our home a visit, it wasn't so much about the presents.

Up until I was 20, my family and I spent either Thanksgiving or Christmas or both in Hawaii with my paternal grandparents. In 1991, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, so we arranged a long vacation to coincide with that celebration and Christmas. It was the last time that I spent the holiday with my dad's extended family while my beloved grandfather was still alive.

That year, I remember waking early morning on Christmas day and watching aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids slowly make their way into my grandparents' kitchen, rubbing the sleepiness out of their eyes as they yawned and walked in. I recall the smell of the tropical air as it breezed in throughout the house, a hint of guava tree scent from the one that grew in the front yard. Granny and Grandpa orchestrated the distribution of presents. There was joy and laughter as gifts were opened and breakfast was served.

After the morning's activity, my parents accompanied my cousins, sister, and I as we walked down the road to Pokai Bay Beach where we played until the early afternoon. December in Hawaii is both stormy and warm. There's nothing like swimming in the open ocean as the tropical rains showered down on our heads.

Following a quick rest, we caravanned from Waianae to Aiea to my great-aunt's house for dinner. Great-auntie Helen had as many children and grandchildren as my granny, so it was like a small island nation was convening at her house for holiday celebration. More food, more gifts, and more family entertainment ensued. We sang and danced, and listened to the adults tell funny stories about their favorite memories of us and eachother.

I've experienced many fun Christmases over the years, but this has been the most memorable for me for a long while. My grandfather and great-aunt have since passed away, and I only see relatives intermittently a few at a time. I enjoy spending time with my family, not just over the holidays but for all occasions, and I hope that one day we can come together for another memorable reunion again soon.

It's Christmas Eve 2008

On the eve of Christmas, many people are looking forward to having tomorrow off, some are scurrying out at the last minute to buy gifts, others are traveling to visit their loved ones, and there are some already preparing to celebrate. Holiday cheer is certainly in the air, and it's a time of year that a lot of people look forward to.

This is the time of year when goodwill towards all men and women is most prevalent. I realize that the holiday season is a catalyst for good feelings as an emotional contagion, but we should be doing nice things for others throughout the year, not just in the 4th quarter. Based on my observations over the years, people seem to give more or volunteer in their communities during the holidays. But the truth of the matter is, there are children and families in our communities that need assistance every month of the year. In fact, regardless of whether you are less fortunate or well off, everyone deserves some kindness in their lives.

In a recent conversation with friends, we shared our thoughts about the state of the world. We all agreed that despite the economic turmoil, natural disasters, and underlying turbulence we've experienced in the past several years, there is a sense of rebirth and change in the air. We, as humans, are uniting under strife, but also under hope that the world as we have known it to be is now under transformation into something positive.

My wish - not just for Christmas, but for any time of year - is that this paradigm shift in humanity becomes fact, and that we will watch a better world start to manifest soon. Kindness, whether you give or receive it, always leads to happiness. I would like to encourage everyone to extend simple acts of kindness to others, big or small; to strangers, to friends and family. Then perhaps we can watch that happiness spread like wildfire.

Ahh, Holiday Cheer

Right before Thanksgiving, I stepped into a local department store and cursed under my breath about it being way too early to play holiday music. They were blasting Christmas music full force, and it became even more annoying when I realized "Jingle Bells" was stuck in my head for days.

Even earlier than that I discovered that one of the radio stations I listen to had started playing holiday music 24/7. "Bah, humbug!" I exclaimed as I switched to the classic rock station.

Well, I don't know if it's due to the cold weather or because we have reached mid-December, but the holiday spirit has finally engulfed me. Today, as I work, I am enjoying tunes such as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Little Saint Nick" from the Elvis Presley Holiday station on Pandora.

Take that, Ebenezer!