It's Christmas time once again

The white flurry stuff seemed to have come much earlier this year. This week saw all of the United Kingdom  covered with this white magical and yet somewhat disruptive stuff. London and all surrounding parts were  transformed into a winter wonderland, and at Christmas time could you ask for anything more? (apart from world peace).
Somehow when the snow arrives it just seems as though the sound of everything around has drowned into a dull silence. Just watching the snow fall feels so relaxing and is such a wonderous sight.

As I made my way to the bustop two nights ago, it felt like a scene out of "The Book of Eli" where the only sound resonating was the sound of my breathing and my boots trudging through the three to four inch snow walking past dimmed street lights. It's like the cars that I walked past full of snow, were just abandoned, and the road for that matter. It's like I was the only living soul around,and even though I could see cars in the nearby distance, that's all they were, without any sound whatsoever.
My sense of relief came when I saw my bus approaching, and finally the signs of life.

It's a few weeks away from Christmas and something about snow falling around this time of year just seems to make the atmosphere so magical. It's the time when so many emotions come to heart, when people think about lost loved ones, the sadness of being alone, the thought of being far away from family, bringing family together having roast turkey lunch,thoughts about being kind, giving,  and thinking of those most unfortunate. It's the one time of year that people from all walks of faith can come together and share a common spirited goal, that of selflessness.




So even though some children around the world will eagerly await to open their presents under the tree  on Christmas day (if they're fortunate enough), my hope is that the spirit and the true meaning of Christmas will never be lost through the pressures of commercialism.

May the magic and miracle of Christmas bring you everlasting love, joy, peace and happiness!!

A new journey!

When God closes a window, somewhere He opens a door...

Sometimes in life things dont always work out the way you'd like it to, but I always believe there's a reason. There's a time and place for all things, and somewhere down the line you get to see the bigger picture of things and realise why it wasn't so. Most times it's a sign of a direction for a new journey that you're meant to embark on! A new journey is an adventure and always so exciting...you can always envision the positive!
Like most things in life there is always some risk involved with whatever you do, and then you pen out your pros and cons, and wonder if the risk is ever worth taking. Well, as said before, life is too short not to take the risk sometimes (obviously within some common sense).




I think that whatever life holds for you, you should be able to embrace it in the best way possible. We're always going to have some diversions, obstacles and some real "pain in the necks" just to make our journey a little more challenging, but the great thing about it is the will to stay focused, and that destination once reached!

So even though we may not know how long this journey will take us, some will be a lifetime and will be just that worth it, the fact that we were brave enough to embark on a new journey is a sure enough sign of moving on and allowing ourselves to do so! Sometimes it's just a matter of time to realise that a door has been opened, and it takes courage to take the next step!

Whatever journey you're on, and whatever new journey awaits you, may it be paved with success and enlightenment, enveloped in love.

Following your heart

It's funny how we sometimes are constantly chasing dreams in life, or always needing a sense of fulfilment in material things that are mostly of temporary value, and that will never really provide a complete fulfilment and satisfaction that the heart really requires. Making decisions in life can sometimes be so daunting that we're so afraid of taking that risk that we're willing to sacrifice our happiness because of fear of the unknown.
Life is just too short not to be able to take some of those risks, and sometimes we realise that when it's a bit too late.

Sometimes we just have to take the plunge in life and go with the heart, because the voice of reason always interrupts and righfully so, but sometimes it prevents us from reaching for that unknown that might just be the answer that we've always been waiting for.
I, personally, feel the need to go with my voice of reason, because it's the most sensible and logical thing to do, barring the true and inmost feelings of my heart, which at some point in my life makes me realise that I could have lost out on some priceless opportunities.


It's not too late to realise that your heart could actually be the voice of reason sometimes, even though it may be late with lost chances, especially with matters of the heart. It just takes that little bit of courage to go with that heartfelt and inmost feeling and you most realise it when you lose someone precious in your life.

So, when lifes buzzer eventually sounds, there should be no space and time for regrets and "if only's.."
You can have everything in life, yet you can never really have it all.

A thing called LOVE

LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
                                                                                                                               1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Songs,books, poems, verses in the Bible, all have connotations about love that are expressed in numerous ways which all in all capture the very same meaning to be conveyed. It teaches you and guides you about love, and whether you're young, old and whatever disability one might have, everyone has gone through this wondrous experience of being in love, even if it has been unrequited. It is the one universal experience for all things that breathe life! How amazing, and what a blessing.


It's the flutter of your heart, the warmth within your chest, the lightheadedness, the weak knees,the heartache when you're away, the smile on your face when you think of that special love, the feeling of being loved and knowing that someone has a special place in their heart for you, the excitement inside when you see that love after a long time, that look at exchanged glances, unspoken " I love you's...".... and the list goes on, and yes it is all chemistry between lovers and the feeling of being in love due to Phenylethylamine (commonly known as the 'love molecule') which is a natural chemical released from the brain triggered from seeing your love. You often hear the expression 'there's a chemistry or spark' and Cupid's arrows are full of this magic potion. Love makes you do funny things, the extent one goes through even though it sounds and looks foolish, it just doesnt matter, love makes the best excuse!

The happiness that love emotes is indefinable, a magnitude that is undescribable, even if it is shortlived, it is the fact that it has lived within your heart. I've heard the expression "A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean" and I like to think so, there are moments of love in one's life that are locked away in some deep treasure box, and the key is kept close to your heart. Some loves are never forgotten, first loves, meaningful relationships, and special friendships.


Love is blind, and maybe so, but if you have met your match in life, that ONE that compliments you in ways that nobody else can, and that ONE that completes you, then you have found your priceless treasure for a lifetime.



The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return...
eden ahbez 'Nature Boy' (1948)




                                                                                                                          

                                                                                         

We're in The "I" generation

If you're not up to date with mobile technology already, that's okay. Because if you haven't noticed, we haved reached the " I " generation, as in IPod, IPhone 3,4 and now the IPad! Everywhere I seem to go, onto a bus, train, shop or on the street, almost every other person seems to have the popular white headsets that go with it. I am amazed at the pace of all of this and how it seems to be the next best thing to when the Commodore 64 first came out!

The IPhone was unveiled at Macworld in January 2007. The " I " originally stood for Internet, and now it's called intelligent, interfacing, in your face, incredible, or as I  like to call it 'Intellectual'. With just over 250 000 applications from entertainment, audiobooks, brain games, "how to.." stuff and even your own personalised Vuvuzelas just to annoy the ones you love, you truly have the world at your fingertips! With the liquid crystal display screen and virtual keyboard, it feels like you're in some sci-fi generation, or like a '007' agent! But that's cut short the moment you step out in public!

Apple is taking over, and with a high demand and popularity it's no surprise they're the leading mobile manufacturer for computers and phones. Steve Jobs and his engineers MUST be doing something incredibly right! Just when I thought that I would not succumb to needing to upgrade my phone, as the one I had served it's purpose well, and everyone around me was raving how addictive this IPhone was, I thought ..'well , I AM due for an upgrade, so why not??', just like every other time I told myself I didn't need an upgrade! And now here I am raving about it and discovering how addictive it actually is. I thought I would miss my old phone,but not as much, because there are still some features on it that I miss. Typical marketing though, one model is developed without some features and the next one comes along with video call and a camera flash, as if they didn't think of it when they developed the original IPhone!( Maybe they actually didn't?)


So I'm wondering if there's another IPhone version coming out within the new year, like the IPhone 5 or the ultimate (U)Phone, who knows, maybe they would install a telescope on it so you would be able to see the craters on the moon, or even a microscope . I wouldn't put anything past Apple! Actually just reading through an article I've learnt that the IPhone5 is REALLY coming out October this year!!!..there you go!

If you think it's no big deal, Blackberry and other loyal mobile users, it actually is, well at least to those who have been " I "  generated! But as long as you can still make those calls from anywhere and send and receive texts, that's all that matters....which is why the mobile phone was invented in the first place! It just gets more fancy every year. Let's just say if you're thinking of getting an IPhone, it's definitely not a bad idea!

FABULOUS London!

I woke up to a somewhat rare gorgeous blue sky day in London town, and felt instantaneously energised. In my mind I had a whole range of ideas and plans for the day, as you do. It took me a bus ride into the city to realise how lucky and fortunate I am to be living in this awesome city. It's beauty and historical elegance never ceases to amaze me! And even though I've travelled the same route quite a few times, somehow everytime the bus travels over Waterloo bridge, I am reminded of the expanse of it's beauty, passing the London Eye, Big Ben, The Savoy Hotel, St Pauls Cathedral over the Thames River. I am in awe and captivated as though it were my first journey.

So today was quite interesting with London fashion week taking place for the next spring and winter collection.

When you walk down Oxford street and New Bond street, you really have a sense of being in a fashion capital, where some people look as though they're walking down the catwalk, with their fashion label clothing, and clothes that just speak for themselves.

So from fancy cars, and 'ol sweet shops that take people down memory lane, and the historic Trafalgar Square, accompanied by the bright sunshine, there is no space for idle time! Pope Benedict is also in town, having just completed the prayer vigil at Hyde Park this evening, with an attendance of 80 000 people. It has been 28 years since Great Britain has seen a visit from the Pope. What a blessing to have him here.

A walk along the river at London Bridge following the Queen's walk just tops an extraordinary day, watching tourists pose along the river for the shot of Tower Bridge in the background.

AWESOME DAY!!

GAGA GONE TOO FAR?



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 So the Biebs and Lady Gaga rocked at the VMA. No surprise that the controversial Lady Gaga, aka Stefani Germanotta, won the Video of the year award and scooped up eight awards, with a dress change before you could even remember what the last one looked like! Well actually, for those that were there, if they couldn't see her, they were able to SMELL her with her contoversial "meat" dinner outfit. Thank goodness for her sake, no dogs allowed! Trust Gaga to bring on the drama!
 L'il Bieber cute as a button,  appeared as though he's done the VMA's a few times now...I guess that's what you get when chilling with Usher. Great on him!

As for the follow up on Taylor and Kanye, she was angelic and the words seemed inclined towards Kanye's past behaviour and the fact that she's moved on (playing a clip for those who didn't remember that last VMA), and acknowledged his immaturity and innocence on that. She was subtly and kinda ladylike dissing Kanye. For those who didn't care about the message, she looked gorgeous with a cute white frock and bare feet emphasizing that nothing phases her and she gives as good as she gets! As for Kanye, I'm guessing there was a reason that he was the last performance for the night. Who knows what the message in his song was really all about, but something tells me, he could have sung anything out there and people would still love and support him. That's celebrity status for ya! I wonder if we'll be seeing these two perform again next year, and what drama awaits us!
Maybe Gaga will be married by then, with a mini Gaga on the way, and then we'll be seeing more of Stefani Germanotta.

VMA's time!

So it's VMA time again. For those of you who don't know, it's the Video Music Awards. It is awarded by the cable network MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year, where music artists and popular bands are awarded  and noticed for their talents and creativity, along with some unforgettable, live crazy moments.

If you happened to remember the last VMA, and the unforgivable Kanye with his outrageous outburst when Taylor Swift was being awarded, you shoud know that the unexpected is expected. Well, Taylor is still the better person, because she walked off with the award, and the rest of the world has moved on forgiving and hopefully forgetting the Kanye incident. Forgiving maybe, forgetting, I'm not so sure about.Suffice to say, Kanye has taken enough heat for that, deservedly so, and he has apologised profusely about it and wants to move on. But shame, every year when the VMA comes along now, will people wonder, what will Kanye do? Time to move on ....but watch this space!

The little Bieber kid has definitely taken the world by storm, with his lovely flipsy hair which has probably rocketed his album sales (along with all sorts of hair products) around the world, making worldwide pre-teenage girls all gaga over him. Oh and not forgetting his cute voice that got him there in the first place. Talking of GAGA...well, the LADY has certainly outdone herself this year, incredibly so!!

Can't WAIT for the entertainment to begin!!

The 60's BABY!

I must have been born in the wrong era, or maybe it's just my passion for music! Everytime I hear some 60's classic, it seems as though I have lived through that time. It's quite an intriguing feeling.
As much as that is simply not possible,because I was born in the 70's, I have to say that the music somehow "takes me back" to a time I've never known, yet feel so apart of! How is that possible, or is it just normal?
It's not like I have a collection of 60's music, but I guess most of them are just familiar to us, either by old black and white movies, or the REALLY odd times they're cranked up on the 'ol radio stations...guess the year!!
Whatever it is, I love it, I love the feeling I get from listening to these 'ol classics and how it somehow manages to take me back to these years that I've never known in my life.

Gals in the City...Just like 'ol times

About a week ago I caught up with my old gal friends after a long time. One of the gals had moved out of London about 3 years ago now, and so it gets hard to find the convenient time when we all share the same day off! We had great times before, and we'd meet almost every other weekend, at least once a month to do a starbucks coffee/lunch and a movie, or if we started real early, a double billing of movies. This was our routine gals time..kinda like Sex and the City, without any guy drama. It was therapeutic, relaxing, entertaining and also our means to catch up with the latest goss, and whinge and moan about workstuff, as you do.
We occassionally did the retail therapy down Oxford or Regent Street, which was always fun. But for most of the time, we were movie gals checking out the latest on the big screen. Of course it helped that we had unlimited cards, so could watch anything and everything, at anytime to our hearts content, and walked out if we didnt like a movie...not that THAT ever happened!

So here we were in Starbucks, the three of us, after a year or so of all being together.
I remember the first time we three planned to meet at Starbucks in Canary Wharf. If you know it quite well, you would know there are quite a few Starbucks within the plaza perimeter. No surprise at all when we all arrived at Starbucks, thinking we were there calling each other to check where they were,and sure enough, they were already at Starbucks, only, elsewhere in the plaza. We three had successfully managed to meet at three different Starbucks at the same time! What a joke, and truly a memorable and treasured moment, never to be forgotten!!

It felt like we just picked up from where we'd left off, and I guess that's the great thing about friendship and good friends, you don't have to explain yourself,there's always a mutual and unconditional understanding for what might seem remiss. We had our usual lattes, accompanied by an irresistable slice of carrotcake, just like the 'ol times!! It was normally blueberry cheesecake, but I think we were late for that! It's amazing how the past years events in our lives were just summarised within just about two and a half hours.
It was off to the movies, and SALT was showing at the time. A large bag of popcorn and large drinks of soda in the hands,we were ready for the movie!! As usual it was giggles and laughter for us, about something on the big screen or groups who had just walked in, like the village people that day!!
The movie ended up being great.It was an awesome day, and an awesome ending!! Looking forward to the next time, hopefully before a full year has completed!! Friendship is precious! Keep in touch with your friends!