11 days till Christmas

My 10 favorite things about Christmas.

1. Decorating the tree. The tree has been around since I was born. One time we were too lazy to dismantle it so we just left it there for the whole year. Now that I've got a place of my own, I got one (but have yet to get it out of the store room) to keep the Christmas spirit alive as much as I can.

Source - drew-fuller.com

2. Christmas songs on the radio. Keeps me company during the 2 hour drive home.

3. Decorating the office. This department decorates during each major celebration and takes them very seriously. Last year we won 3rd prize for the inter-departmental best Christmas decoration.

4. Opening gifts. This was a huge deal when I was a kid because I'd get so many gifts. I believed in Santa back then; but one time I didn't get a gift from him and I didn't question as to where he was, so the surprise present just stopped coming. These days, we exchange presents with the whole department so I still get very excited over this.

5. Starbucks' Toffee Nut Latte/Frap. I love toffee, I love toffee nut syrup, I'm okay with latte - basically I like sweet things. Plus, it's a festive drink so I'm used to associating it with Christmas. And if you want to know, I don't have a beef with the plain red cup this year.

6. Shops' displays. One of the signs that the Christmas season is here are the displays malls and shops put up. From simple Christmas trees to elaborate designs .. you have to give them the thumbs up for their effort every year.

7. This Hallmark Christmas ad. This.gets.me.everytime.

8. Snow. Thanks to Christmas movies and stories, I grew up wanting to celebrate a snowy Christmas (I will, one day). For some, snow can be savage but for people like me who has never experience snow falling, so allow me to fantasize the beauty of it.

9. Christmas candles. There are so many candle scents you can get from departmental stores or a cute little vintage shop. I'm mostly familiar with the fruity scents from Ikea, but the one scent I came so close to buying was pomegranate (that's going into my wishlist). And if anyone knows where I can find Yankee Candles, do let me know so I can try it too.

10. Christmas spirit. At the end of the day, it's the joy and warmness you get and feel from this particular day. It could be from receiving gifts, being with the people you love, showing kindness and generosity to people around you. So do something good during this festive season!
All images courtesy of Tumblr unless stated.

14 days till Christmas

Hiya gang! It's 14 days to Christmas!

I hope you're starting to feel the Christmas joy already! It has been raining almost everyday here, so I can pretend it's the winter chill.

And one of the things I like to do during this season is to prepare a Christmas/Winter playlist to get me more into the holiday mood. I personally do not think there's anything better than that. Listen to it in the car, in the train, put it on speaker in the living room .. anywhere really.

You may notice most of the songs I've picked are covered by legendary crooners. I think there's something so nostalgic in the voices and it makes you all warm and rustic feeling inside.

Do share your favorite holiday songs and spread the joy during this festive season!

1. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

2. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

3. Let It Snow - Dean Martin

4. White Christmas - Bing Crosby

5. Frosty The Snowman - Gene Autry

6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra

7. Christmas - Michael Buble

8. Winter Wonderland - Frank Sinatra



9. Last Christmas - Wham



10. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano

17 days till Christmas

The highlight for 2015 for me was becoming a wife. I still can't believe it to be honest, because we're still doing the same things we did before. Like working late, occasionally cooking and other times, ordering take outs, him watching football and me doing whatever I feel like doing (playing Sims .. lol) but hey, we're just like that.

Christmas time can also be a time to reflect, and to start afresh. Be thankful for the life you have as of this moment and anticipate for better things in the coming year.

As for me, I'm thankful for:

#1 - our health
#2 - having a job, despite complaining so much about it
#3 - moving into our new place without much issues
#4 - wedding plans are underway but we should really stop procrastinating
#5 - the friends around us
#6 - learning to not stress too much because I'd end up with tension headache

And as for next year, I hope to become a better person. Be nicer to people, discover and learn more things and control my temper. Oh, and not turn into a bridezilla.

19 days till Christmas

Holy Christ! It's December already?! It feels like we only ushered in 2015 couple months ago and it's the end of the year already. Can you believe it?

And synonymous with December, Christmas is also approaching! Hands down it is the holiday I always look forward to. There is just something so magical about Christmas, don't you think? Setting up the tree and lighting it, cozying up with Christmas movies, seeing Christmas decors at departmental stores, listening to Christmas songs .. it's making me all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it ..

[inhales]

And then I google snow and Christmas to get more in tune, since we don't have snow here in Malaysia =/

Anyways, Christmas is also the time all of us return home to our hometown, Ipoh and spend quality time with family. All the cousins and uncles and aunts get together and have a hearty meal (not necessarily turkey and eggnog) but it's the gathering that matters. We just have so much fun sitting around and talking about anything that comes to mind. And we also watch the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show =)

Since Christmas is only one day, we try to make the most of it; by slowing down and savoring every second of it. Different people celebrate in different ways (or maybe won't celebrate at all), but the most important thing is - be happy and enjoy the one day holiday!

10 Inspirational quotes to start the week

It's Monday tomorrow! Usually my working days are super productive ... or otherwise. So occasionally I depend on googling inspirational quotes or rants from random people (makes you feel like there's someone out there sharing the same problems like you too) to help you get through.

Here are some quotes to help you get through the week.

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