Ever since I was young, I've always liked the month of December simply because of Christmas. I'd always felt there was something special in the air and somehow the stars at night looked especially brighter in Dec. All these were even before I truly understood the real meaning of Christmas.

However, this Dec. has not been a very nice one. I began the month with a severe bout of flu which I unceremoniously passed on to my son and husband. They recovered but mine developed into a secondary ear infection that completely blocked up my right ear and I was partially deaf for more than a week. I had to finally see an ENT specialist after normal antibiotics failed to work. So I was literally knocked-out for more than 2 weeks. On top of that, my older son came back for his semester break with a severe case of eczema.  (Hmmm, I bet when I lectured him for not taking better care of himself, he must have wished he was the one with the hearing problem.)

More bad tidings were to come. An old friend was hospitalized and the doctors said there was a possibility he was not going to make it. Another friend lost her teenaged son. One of my sisters had to go for an eye operation and another had a fall. Another sibling's house was burglarized.  When I thought things could not get any worse, someone very, very dear to me was diagnosed with breast cancer. Frankly I was a little devastated by these recent turn of events.  Queen Elizabeth once said 1992 was her 'annus horribilis' (Latin for 'horrible year'). This December seemed like a 'mensis horribilis' (horrible month) for me.

However, there is one thing I've learnt over the years and that is, to ALWAYS look for something good to thank God for. The other day, my husband and I were talking about what makes Christians different from others in the same difficult situation. After all, Christians too are not spared from life's trials. I bring this up because a friend said this to me, "Why become a Christian when you also suffer the same problems?"  I guess the big difference is that we have UNLIMITED resources from our God. Somehow He WILL and CAN give us the needed strength and peace. And even if our faith is no bigger than a mustard seed, it is enough that we trust Him and know He always has a perfect plan for us even though we cannot understand nor see it now. Yes, many a times, my faith too wavered and became even smaller than a mustard seed and the ever-ready question, "Why?" popped to my mind, but somehow God always finds a way to reach out and comfort me. I may not have all the answers, but never mind, God knows what He is doing and I just have to learn to leave things to Him.

So even though this may seem like a 'mensis horribilis'  I can still find the following to be thankful for:

·         That I was sick at the beginning of the month, so I could recover in time and did not miss my church 25^th anniversary celebration as well as the various  Christmas activities which began from 20 Dec.  And that I was well enough to sing in the church choir after having practised since July, Handel's  Hallelujah Chorus.

·         That my friend has since recovered to the doctors' amazement.

·         That my sister is recovering from her eye operation.

·         That the other sister did not break her leg when she fell into the deep drain but only sustained minor cuts.

·         That there was no one at home and so no one was hurt when the burglars ransacked the house.

·         That the cancer was discovered at a routine check-up and at an early stage and therefore she has a very good chance of a full recovery. Most of all that she is a faithful child of God and I know she will triumph over the battle ahead of her because she believes in her God and the promise that I daily claim for her in prayer, "Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20).  I was also much comforted when after praying for her on the day of her operation, I read in Psalms 42:11, "Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God."

And more than all these, that there is one good tiding that makes all other bad tidings dim in significance…

   Jesus was born on Christmas day so that mankind can be saved.

So if God loves us and is for us, we can walk through life's uncertainties knowing He is always walking with us.

It is very apt that I close on this note, today being Christmas and with carols playing in the background as I write, so here's wishing all of you reading this, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May 2006 be a 'annus beatus quod bonus' (blessed and good year) for you and your loved ones.

One of the advantages of having a husband working in an automotive industry is that one gets the chance to drive different types of company cars. However, the company reserves the right to recall the car and replace it at short notice. So just when we have become familiar with the car and its various functions (CD player, Air-con, etc.), we have to learn them all over again in another car. Since then, we had driven all sorts of Hyundai cars from a small Atos to a Trajet and even a 3.0 litre XG. We were getting used to the Silver Green Matrix when it was changed yet again 5 months later to the current 1.6 Getz.

Now, do not get me wrong, we are very grateful to have a company car, any model, big or small as long as it is F.O.C. So what is wrong with the Getz? - you may ask. Well, it is a flashy, bright yellow car. So? - you may ask again. Well, we are not exactly spring chickens anymore and that kind of colour is well, err….let’s just say …. more suitable for spring chickens…. Perhaps I can sum it up in my husband’s own words, “The colour is so ‘cheeoh‘ (eye-catching) I have to either dye my hair or go to Svenson for hair treatment so I can match the car.” In the end he decided to drive our own inconspicuous Wira and left the Yellow Canary to me. (By the way, those who don’t know what Svenson is, never mind, it just means you’re still a spring chicken.)

Now what is the obvious conclusion that you can draw from this? Come on, don’t let me say it myself (shy – blush..blush) the answer is so obvious. Hint… the car is more suitable for me. Why are you so slow to connect the obvious? Looks like I have to give you the answer. Ahem…of course this means I look young enough to drive the Yellow Canary!!! Err…ok…. I admit that my hubby did not actually say so in so many words but when you reach my age, you will try to see a compliment in any situation, implied or otherwise……

I have another reason why I detest that colour - there’s no way you can zip about town without being noticed. I have people coming up to tell me, “You were at the hair-dresser yesterday, I saw your car parked outside.” Looks like it will be difficult for me to go anywhere without someone recognizing me, no thanks to my Yellow Canary. Incidentally, (a word to my pastors) err…in case you had seen a bright yellow Getz parked outside a Toto shop …you know of course that there are more than one yellow canaries on the road. I was probably buying a loaf of bread from the grocery shop next to the lottery shop…. scout’s (in my case, girl guide’s) honour.

On the other hand, it can be an advantage when people assume that only spring chickens drive flashy cars. Once, I dropped my younger son off at his tuition centre and as I was in a hurry, I zoomed off. Later on, he told me that his friend asked whether his sister had dropped him off earlier. WOW!! His sister, who me?? Obviously, I felt like giving his friend a hug. And even more obviously, that friend of his needs to see an optometrist.

(14 Oct. 2005)

Finally! I did it! Everybody said I should do it. Now, I’ve done it. It took me quite a while to get around to it but at last, I am in the blog race. When a baby comes into the world, the good doctor gives it a slap on the bottom as a ‘welcome to the human race’ greeting. Anyone wants to give me one? Naturally, I don’t mean the human race greeting… I’ve really exceeded the age limit for this type of treatment.... But then again I guess no one will notice – what is one more blog among zillions? Hence, the above heading is only meant as a warm welcome to myself.

I don’t know why it took so long; I guess I’m someone who’s quite resistant to change, sort of a creature of routine and habit and had all the while been quite satisfied sending my thoughts via emails to a selected few. But I finally succumbed to the encouragement and urgings from some friends and loved ones.

Actually it makes sense for me to blog. Here are the top 10 reasons:

1)   I love to write.
2)   I can write what I want, when I want and how I want.
3)   I can choose to reveal my identity or remain anonymous.
4)   I have tons of things on my mind that need ‘airing’.
5)   I started writing 'Dear Diary' since I was 11 years old
      and blogging is a natural extension of an old habit.
6)   I believe the pen is mightier than the sword.
7)   I believe writing is a form of self-expression and is very
       therapeutic.
8)   I believe in open communication – writing keeps people
       connected.
9)   It doesn’t matter if people do not enjoy my writing – I
       enjoy doing it and that's what counts.
       If people do enjoy it, then it’s merely an added bonus.
10)   It doesn’t matter if people do not agree with what I write –
       everyone is entitled to his or her opinions.
       I respect yours; you respect mine.
      (So please allow me to borrow and bend a saying…....
      It is not always true that great minds think alike; often it’s fools
      who never differ.....)

And with that as an introduction, I’ll end by saying this again to myself:
Welcome to the blog race!