counting down to Christmas - 2 sleep to go!

So Christmas is just a sniff away. It wasn't as easy as I thought when you have other things happening or as they say, "life getting into the way".

For the second last posting on this year's Christmas countdown, I've chosen John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Happy Xmas (War is Over). Click on the link to read about the background to this song on Wikipedia.

Although not necessary the same level as Vietnam War, the wars in the past few years; and the on-going wars around us, continuously begs the question "is it worth it"?

And as another year comes to an end, you can't help wondering...

So this is Christmas and what have you done,
Another year over, a new one just begun.

And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.

And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.

And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.

And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.

And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.

War is over if you want it, war is over now.

Only if you want it to.

counting down to Christmas - 4 sleeps to go!

A while ago I heard this cute-sy lovely song on the radio.

Now, I'm not sure if the Thames will ever froze again, considering the last time it froze over was in the eighteen hundreds. But never say never since with all this global warming and climate change happening around us.

Anyways, the song makes me want to go ice skating. Man, I think the last time I ice skate was like in my college years. I went skating once at The Mines with my two of my college mates.

Or maybe I should finish my ski lessons...

For now, I'll just be contented with the drive home for the holidays. Will it snow this Christmas?

When The Thames Froze lyrics by Smith & Burrows

God damn, this snow
Will I ever get where I wanna go
And so I skate, across the Thames
Hand in hand, with all my friends
And all the things, that we planned
My son's eyes in the outline of his hand
And even though I hate the cold
Constant reminder that I'm getting old
Another year draws to its close, entire London slows
When I dream tonight, I'll dream of you
When the Thames ... froze

God damn, this government
Will they ever tell me, where the money went
Protesters march out on the street
As young nerds sleep amongst the feet
Another year draws to its close, entire London slows
When I dream tonight, I'll dream of you
When the Thames froze

So tell everyone that there's hope in your heart
Tell everyone or it will tear you apart
The end of Christmas day, when there's nothing left to say
The years go by so fast, let's hope the next beats the last
Tell everyone that there's hope in your heart
Tell everyone or it will tear you apart
The end of Christmas day, when there is nothing left to say
The years go by so fast, let's hope the next beats the last aaaaaahaaaahaaahaaa

counting down to Christmas - 6 sleeps to go

Okay, so I'm bending the rules and it is not a Christmas song.

But how can you not love this?! I guess my excuse is that this song was vying to be Christmas 2011 number 1. And I believe it did achieve that.

Wherever You Are sung beautifully by Military Wives Choir was released today as a single. A beautiful song written by Paul Mealor inspired by the letters and poems between ladies and their men out on the battlefield. The song was well conducted passionately by Gareth Malone. And more importantly let's not forget the beautiful voices that made the song inspiring and moving.

counting down to Christmas - 11 sleeps to go!

Today is a very busy day of office Christmas celebrations for many since next Friday is the last day before Christmas, that is if you don't work on Christmas Eve Monday.

So for myself it is no difference from others.

For those who are not aware, I work in Edinburgh which is about 1 hour 15 mins commute one-way on a good day, to as bad as 1 hour 30 mins on a bad day, not considering an extremely bad day could be longer than that but those days are rare.

So anyways, I will having my Client team Christmas lunch next door to the office then proceed with my own company Christmas Dinner / party / disco in a famous football stadium in Glasgow.

Therefore, travelling to work tomorrow should be rather interesting. Train from where I live via Glasgow to Edinburgh and then a bus ride to work or I might be lucky enough to get a ride from a colleague depending on my arrival time in Edinburgh. All in all public transport will take me roughly 2 hours to get to work, costs about £13-£15 depending on if I'm taking the bus or not.

So as I prepare for my oinkety oink day, I thought the following song would be rather apt. I mean as cheesy as it sounds and I'm sure it will be played at the party / disco. Plus I love that the video reminds me our, TheOtherHalf and I, annual trip to Dobbies where they see these lovely Christmas towns.

Hope you have a good celebration if you are partying too! I know I will have a few drinks as I wind down from the past seriously stressful weeks.

Enjoy!

counting down to Christmas - 12 sleeps to go!

What's Christmas without some homemade items?

So last year when I wasn't busy up to my eyeballs with work and stuff, wait, is that even possible(?), so last year, I was sad enough to take time out to make some Christmas favours for my Cub scouts.

I've always meant to blog about my involvement in the Scouting Movement, perhaps another time. In short, I am a Cub Scout Leader and I currently have about 20 Cubs. I'm assisted by an Assistant Cub Scout Leader and we have a Young Leader who is helping us out while at the same time working on his Duke of Edinburgh award.

So last year I thought I make something for the kids, they are normally my guinea pig recipients for my (mass produced) crafts. I chose to make a Christmas cracker for each of them.

First, you need a selection of things you would like to put in the Christmas cracker.

I chose to fill mine with a selection of Christmas sweets and chocolates, a noise maker, and a toy.

You'll also need a kitchen towel roll centre / core or loo roll center / core, a coloured paper or paper as wrapper, some ribbons or something to tie, and a snap. You can't have a cracker without a snap, right? You can get snaps from craft stores or online.

For the wrapper, I recycled a travel brochure and added strips of coloured paper to make it a bit interesting. I thought the beautiful sceneries and words provide something different compared to a normal "perfect" Christmas cracker.

Then it is rather simple.

Stick the snap into the loo roll with some glue.

Roll the wrapper around the loo roll, secure with glue or tape.

Scrunch up one end and secure with a ribbon or tie.

Fill Christmas cracker.

Then scrunch up the other end and secure with a ribbon as well.

Ta-dah!

I also printed some Victorian style motifs from BBC's Victorian Christmas to decorate my Christmas crackers.

As some of my kids have allergies, I labelled the crackers and filled with items that are suitable for the child.

There are various ways of making a Christmas Cracker. Check out BBC's Victorian Christmas Cracker instruction and template if you want to see how they make theirs.
I had a great time making them. If I have time this week I may make some for our Christmas meal's decoration.

twelve.twelve.twelve

In case you didn't realise that today is 12th December 2012 a.k.a. 12.12.12.

There's lots of folks gave it a mention on their Facebook about the date and some date and time, such as 12:12 12.12.12..

I can't help smirking at someone's comment that "suddenly everyone have time on 12.12.12". I guess it is mocking at those who had the time to mention it or took pictures with various 12.12.12 mentioned within it.

So what would I remember of my 12.12.12?

I will remember that today I was stressed out of my skull on this day.

Just another day at work...

counting down to Christmas - 13 sleeps to go!

There is something about Christmas that seems to be about love. The one where jewellers trying to tell you to buy sparkly and expensive things to show your love. The one where it seems folks expecting to propose or be proposed.

Of course Christmas is a time where you spend time with your loved one, be it your family or a particular someone. However, not everyone necessarily have the same privilege. Some may even prefer to spend time on their own, to rest and recharge.

And thus comes to my post today about Coldplay's Christmas Lights. I love the tune in the song and the chorus. Unfortunately the song has a sad tone to it, at least the beginning of it and then slowly moving on to a song of hope.

It is a lovely video too. :)

Looking forward to quiet evening walks admiring the lights, those Christmas lights, lights from the street, and lights from the home. I hope you will enjoy the lights too and may all your troubles soon be gone.

Oh Christmas lights
Light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights keep shining on

counting down to Christmas - 14 sleeps to go!

One of my favourite and in my humble opinion classic Christmas ad is the Irn-Bru's Snowman ad.

Also, since 2012 is the 30th Anniversary of The Snowman animated film, I am looking forward to watching The Snowman and The Snowdog on Christmas day on Channel 4. *beams*

If you need any The Snowman teacher and school resources, as well as The Snowman colouring in outlines, visit here.

counting down to Christmas - 15 sleeps to go!

TheOtherHalf was reminding me that it is only 10 days to Christmas break! O.M.G.!

Sooooo looking forward to the break. It will definitely be a good time to have a well deserved rest, take stock of what 2012 had brought, what are our plans and aspirations for 2013, and of course spend time with loved ones.

10 working days can't go past any faster. Actually only 9 working days to go. (Let's not think of what need to be done before the holidays...)

Anyways, I'm sure you don't really want to hear me drone about work...

Actually I can't believe I spent almost £45 on stamps! In some places, that equals to about a gazillion million local money. OK, I know I'm exaggerating, but honestly, I can't believe I did spent that much.

Of course trust me to miss Royal Mail's Christmas last posting dates for 2012. So I'm winging it and hope the cards arrive to you in time, if I have your address. ;)

counting down to Christmas - 19 sleeps to go

The past few days have been extremely cold. Whilst the temperature may be a bit very slightly warmer than yesterday's -4c(!) it has been a very wet morning with still icy pavements.

Times like this, you think, "it is extremely cold out there" and as the weather gets only colder and when the snowing / blizzard-ing starts again, the song "Baby It's Cold Outside" comes to mind.

Coupled with a nice warm fire keeping cosy indoors, I often enjoy the snowing sights outside of the window. But this is not happening now. Perhaps when it does happen, I do hope that I will be with TheOtherHalf and we can have freshly popped popcorn. I can just hear him say, "this is so Amerrrrrican". ^^

Enjoy Michael Buble and Jennifer Hudson's rendition of "Baby It's Cold Outside" and "Let It Snow" in medley.

counting down to Christmas - 23 sleeps to go

Speaking about advent calendars, not sure how many of you have seen the newest style of advent calendars from Lego and Playmobil?

OK, they are not the newest but it is the first year it caught my eye at my local supermarket a few weeks back.

Not trying to sound like a bah-humbug, just as you thought it is bad enough that you can get chocolate Advent Calendars costing around £10 (and I just found out you can get one from Hotel Chocolate for £12), here comes these really expensive advent calendars.

My first impression of Lego and Playmobil advent calendars were "wow, these looked amazing!" and "how cool is that?!". Of course until I saw the price tag.

Playmobil advent calendars costs about £17 and the Lego ones costs about £25.

In this time of austerity and as if Christmas is not an expensive time of the year, expensive advent calendars like these do make you wonder either (a) people have too much money, or (b) I am too poor to buy fancy things like that.

It does make you wonder has the true meaning to counting down to Christmas lost somewhere in the world of consumerism?

I guess for what it is worth, perhaps they are good price. Some may say "how can you deprive children of the excitement to counting down to Christmas?" (with these expensive advent calendars if I may so add).

After all, it is not like we need to manage children's (and people's) expectation. I mean what do you give them next year when this year's advent calendar is soooooo good?

Perhaps I am just annoyed that I haven't received one of these advent calendars. So please don't mind me, as I look for someone who can afford to buy me these cool advent calendars, or these best Advent Calendars (which I love them all including the Ginvent *wink wink*).

Will you be that person, please?

*Please note that photos of advent calendars are taken from various sources from Google.*

counting down to Christmas - 24 sleeps to go

December!

Let's start the December countdown with a nice non-direct Christmassy ad from IKEA.

Bring on the party season and the chance of playin' with your friends and family.

Have fun!

counting down to Christmas - 25 sleeps to go

We are finally almost in December!

Last year, I bought TheOtherHalf a Mr. Men Christmas advent calendar for the first time. And thought it would be something nice to give to him whilst counting down to spending time together for the holidays.

I remember a text he sent me last year. It was so funny and went something like this...
TOH: Mmm. Mr Bump 2nite. xx
Me: Hehe. So cute la u. Don't fat all at one go ok? xx
TOH: Did u mean fat or eat. Hehe. xx
Me: Oops. Eat I mean eat. LOLS. xx

Miss him so much! Definitely looking forward to spending time with him this holidays.

counting down to Christmas - 27 sleeps to go

You know, I just realised that after all this countdown and in less than 30 days to Christmas, I still have not started my Christmas shopping yet!

Okay, I bought a small present for TheOtherHalf but that is about it.

Whilst I don't need to get a lot of presents this year, and perhaps there is a self imposed austerity drive and money pinching I mean saving, but I think the truth is that I have been so busy to remember that it is not far from now.

Better start thinking what I need to get, especially we are planning to spend Christmas earlier. Which also means, have we decided when are we going to celebrate it?

Anyways, I'll try to blog about expensive advent calendars soon. In the meantime, do you think we should ban Christmas presents?

counting down to Christmas - 28 sleeps to go

In our household, you'll be impressed that our Christmas dinner is actually prepared by TheOtherHalf.

As much as I will start with some sort of preparation, he will end up with most of the work.

Now, before you think I pushed this stressful responsibility to him, I don't make him do it. I am very lucky that - the way he wants to be a part of everything.

So I'm left with the (some what) supervision of Christmas dinner, while he stresses himself out on it. Which incidentally, I find it rather amusing. I know, it does sound rather mean.

And every year he give me this "I'm so proud and lucky to have you in my life" feeling.

Love you lots... xx

counting down to Christmas - 29 sleeps to go

In recent years John Lewis ads have been rather good. Their approach to storyline ads captures the attention of many.

And their 2012 Christmas ad is without exception. I was reading an article recently over the weekend (can't remember the source of it now), apparently this ad had brought in about £92m (up to this weekend past) since the ad was out. I'm not sure how the value was quantify but it seems that John Lewis is doing the right thing.

I do love this ad with all its fuzzy and warm feeling. Can't wait for Christmas!

counting down to Christmas - 31 sleeps to go

Last year I found out that Sanda's a Scotsman!

Santa's A Scotsman by Santa Quest

Santa's A Scotsman

It's Christmas time in Scotland, and my kid said to me.....
Just one question Daddy, before I go to sleep....
How will Santa find me, so I said... wherever he may roam,
Santa will find you because he's coming home

Don't You Know
Santa's A Scotsman
He's Loved Everywhere he goes
He moved form Glasgow to Lapland...following Rudolf's nose

Don't you know
Santa's A Scotsman... Come on make a fuss
Too many pies not enough exercise....of course he's one of us.

He only works one day a year and then he takes a break,
He'll have a nip of whisky and a bit of Christmas cake
He likes a pudding supper and when he arrives tonight
He'll come in through the window 'cos the chimney is too tight.

You can listen to it here as well.

Or the other versions of where Santa came from within the British Isles.

Personally, I think Santa's a Scotsman is the best version of the lot. ;)

And I cannae believe that it was out since 2006 and I've not heard it before!

a wee milestone

23rd November, another wee milestone in my mundane life.

counting down to Christmas - 35 days

Thought I share with you another Christmas ad that I like very much. It's not the same level as Debenham's ad but it is still a very nice one.

Hopefully one day it is possible to spend Christmas back in KL.

Btw, I know my least favourite Christmas ad this year is the Marks & Spencer one. I think it is the worst by their so many years Christmas advert in terms of storyline. I'm sure there are others who disagree.

counting down to Christmas - 38 days

Christmas countdown has definitely started, at least a few weeks ago.

Shops started stocking Christmas stuff even before the Halloween stuff were out!

Anyways, to get into the Christmas spirit, I thought I'll share with you this year's favourite Christmas ad so far - Debenhams' Christmas Made Fabulous.

I know last year's countdown was a super fail. Hopefully this year will be better.

emotional roller coaster

It has been some emotional roller coaster for the past few weeks.

Yesterday all I could think of is my super down go to song.

However, as they say, everyday is a new day; and today it was a day of mixed emotions - nervous, excited, up, down, happy, annoyed, all in the same day. It is almost as bad as the British weather.

15th November 2012, will be a very memorable day in my life.

For now, I need a rest.

happy bon fire night

It is scary wondering where time went.

Once you past changing the clocks back an hour, then Halloween comes, next thing you know it is Bon Fire Night. Blink it is then Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving, before you know it Christmas is here and then the year ends with Hogmanay, you usher in the New Year and the whole cycle goes round again.

Scary.

Anyways, although I didn't manage to attend a fireworks display this year, it was a nice drive home watching various fireworks "displays" going off along the route home. Granted it was a bit dangerous too, when the fireworks were set off just above you, and distracts you.

I think last year there was a serious road traffic accident down in England because of a fireworks display by the motorway. Not sure if it was proven yet but it was cited as a reason.

So, today is just a random mind dump just to get things flowing a bit. Also, I realised so fail - no posts in October. Sigh.

I think there were various thoughts trying to describe the beautiful autumn colours but then it just died in the thought track.

Will gather my thoughts and try to write a bit more consistently.

you fill up my senses

I like the new Talk Talk ad.

Perhaps I'm bias towards John Denver.

hopefully this is the first of many

Shame on me to have gone into exile for too long a time!

As always there is so much to share and tell. So much to let it out.

If you do read my blog, bless you that you are still reading it! Do say 'hi' to let me know that I'm not just rambling here in the ether, all alone. ;)

Btw, I had the honour of writing a few blog posts at the recent ARCADIS Global Shapers: Generation 2012. Do check it out if you want to know what I wrote about and what I am talking about.

I'll leave you with that for now...