29 December 2014

THIS CHRISTMAS

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Hope I'm not too late to wish everyone a blessed Christmas! (While some shopping malls have already took down Christmas decorations, there are 12 days of Christmas isn't it?) I spent my Christmas week with a mini office celebration, family dinner at IKEA buffet stuffing myself with meatballs and beef goulash, a church service on Christmas morning, homemade pizzas and then proceeded to catch a cold and cough. Not the best way to welcome the new year having to work while trying to recover. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed myself with the company of loved ones. At this point, my heart and prayers goes out to all involved in QZ8501.

21 December 2014

AVOIDING THE CHRISTMAS GIFT CLUTTER

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While every shopping malls are now swarmed with people trying to shop just because it's Christmas, I'm reminding myself what I already have than what I lack. Though, on a side note, I do need a new phone (like an iPhone 6 in silver...) to replace my 3.5 years old iPhone 4 that isn't functioning very well.

Those who have been reading this space, you'd probably know that I've been trying to minimise my wardrobe and clear out all other things I have in my room which I've amassed on impulse the past several years. Despite several spring cleanings every year, the clutter doesn't seem to diminish. It is really quite intimidating, at least to me. Part of the stash in my room were gifts received – most of them doesn't suit me and/or I don't need it. Naturally, it's kept somewhere in my room and overtime it's becomes a stash of clutter that creates more stress and work for me to deal with.



ON RECEIVING /
Share with your friends and family what you really need, or that you really don't need anything. I've been inspired with a list of minimalistic gift guide from Ivania Carpio's post here.

ON GIVING /
Understand what they truly need, work out your budget and buy something they need. It would be more meaningful and memorable to give what they need than what they don't that might become unnecessary and gets chucked somewhere in their home.



It is always easy and sometimes effortless to purchase, but all that 'clearing out' is seriously not worth the time. But for now, it requires much more effort to continue decluttering and at the same time, control what I bring home. Especially now that I don't have an abundant amount of time at home to do spring cleaning.

Have a blessed Christmas! I'm really looking forward to it!

07 December 2014

DECEMBER

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Every month come and go, but December is the time of the year. There's something about this month that gives us the fuzzy wuzzy feeling because of Christmas and New Year's Eve. Far beyond gifts and feasts, the reason why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place is because of Jesus's birth; that brings true meaning and real joy to this occasion.

December also encapsulates the year, and welcomes the new year. Over the past recent years, I learnt to set aside time for reflection on my spiritual and mental growth for the year, so that I'll set myself right with the new year that is to come.

It's a pity though, for Christmas to be a busier month at work for many working adults, and to see Christmas become commercialised; shopping malls swarmed with people shopping massively, only to amass ourselves with things more than what we already have.

Is this occasion just another chance to shop, to party or perhaps to earn some bonus at work? What is Christmas to you?