Winter thoughts ( and it's not even winter yet )

And loving it.

It's that time of the year again, where office Christmas parties are abounding. Christmas songs and carols on the radio ( that frankly, I'm tired of hearing ) 13^th month pays and bonuses are doled out ( which barely make a dent in the ever growing list of ____ ) Gifts to buy and secretly hope to get in return. Yes, definitely it is Christmas time once again.

I wish I can use a 'Port Key' or knows how to 'Apparate'. The 'Floo Network' would be neat too but I don't want the risk of scaring my mother or younger siblings to death when I suddenly leap out from the open flame. Besides, we don't have a chimney so. Now, you're wondering, what is she talking about? If you ever read Harry Potter, then we're on the same page. If not, well.

I found out that 'winter wonderland' is not what it's all cracked up to be. There's no amount of wonder left when you have to endure almost sub-zero temperatures and have to bundle up like an Eskimo. When the walks I used to enjoy this past few months now seemed like a torture ( because of the biting cold ) And I find that fresh snow is neat and all but once it turn to ice, you rather they're not there.

This will be my second time to 'endure' winter. I must say that the novelty of it all is gone now. What remains is the resigned acceptance of the fact that this particular time of the year has become a part of my life ( for as long as I'm willing to stay here )

Christmas?

While some may wish for a white Christmas ( just for the heck of it ), I miss the ones I had back home. Even if they were less than perfect, it was only during those times that I can feel that Christmas is really in the air. So far the best I had was of 2009. Perhaps because it was the last Christmas and New Year's I had with my family before moving here. Now that it's impossible for me to celebrate these two occasions with them, I try to relive it in my mind ( at this point I wish I can have access to a 'Pensieve' ). To recall every distinct smell and sound and the festive feeling that last until the wee hours of the morning. Funny, how you try to keep those memories fresh and as real as can be in your mind, if only to keep your present state more tolerable. Probably, all I'm trying to say is that I miss them and the semblance of a life I have back there, which is not much, I must say.

I will try not to feel nostalgic about it. Frankly, I don't feel anything at all. Someone asked me what are my plans for Christmas and all I could say in reply was, there's none. How about New Year's Eve? Sleep, perhaps?

So, what bring this seemingly despondent thoughts about this season? Nothing really. It so happen that Christmas and New Year takes place a few days after winter 'officially' starts. It's now getting too cold for me and it's way different from what I've been used to. It took me long to realize the stark contrast between the two worlds I've been fortunate to inhabit.

Anyway, there's no sense to feel miserable about it. I'm fine and happy where I'm at. And hopefully, my family is too.

November wrap-up

I'm busy running and reading ( and of course, earning a living ) that I didn't realize that it's already December, until this morning. When I looked at the calendar and heard a Christmas song on the radio ( a first for me ). Okay, I lied. I must be so way 'out there' if I can't remember the days or months for that matter. Now, I have another 31 days ahead of me, to 'exploit' and enjoy.:-)

The opportunity to have your cake and eat it too comes only once a year. And you're not even certain half the time.

But before I get down and bore you with the details of what I'm up to this month ( I have plenty of time to do this later ), allow me to give you a snippet of what I did last month, not that it is extraordinary or something. You have the choice to either skip this post or read on ( and it will be much appreciated by me ).

So, as you know  by now, November is my birth month. I turned 35, more than a week ago. My plan to run on that particular day did not happen. And it's not because for the lack of will. As expected, nothing came out from my "shameless plugging", oh well. I did get a birthday cake, though. ( that is something ) And I will be always be thankful that I'm still here.:-)

And I already miss this.

With regards to my running, I still keep at it. I have to contend with numb and raw fingers now. A runny nose. The biting cold that goes right through me. The sometimes icy road, when the temperature dip so low even if it's sunny. But then I enjoy my run and I'm happy with it, so it's a few compromises I have to live with.

Not a bad post-run munch with a cup of tea on the side.

My reading, on the other hand, is coming along fine. I try to read for a few minutes every day. And with the public library just a walking distance from the house, I'm rarely without a book. ( I can't imagine my life here without the library). I still update my Book List and manage to finish five books last month. Neat.

I welcome December with as much enthusiasm as I have for the past eleven months. It has been a great experience to live through them. What do you think?