A thread for everyone to share how they spent their christmas.
As for me I had a very nice weekend with one of my cousins who has just shifted to the Delhi region. Started off on Saturday evening when I picked him up from Delhi haat [the only place we both knew the directions to].
Had some coffee over there and checked out the indianised Christmas decorations - felt like different era altogether - you know - with all the Indian ethnic stuff shops and the mix of the Christmas carols and decorations.
Went over to an uncle's place were I met another uncle [a distant relative who lives in the US - who had come down to get her daughter acquainted with India]. Well the main reason for visiting my uncle's place was to get a corkscrew [which I knew he had] to open the wine bottle we bought.
Once back home my brother and me somehow managed to open the wine bottle and started watching the video's of my sister's wedding [which took place recently (27th November)] - after that it was time for a hindi classic - chashme baddur.
On Christmas I decided to take my brother for a ride to gurgaon and to the malls where we had lunch in ruby Tuesday and eventually even managed to gorge on a lot of junk stuff being sold on the small counters.
On our way back we picked up a couple of movies - "chicken little" and "madagascar."
Started with madagascar and in between went over to another relative's place - around 8PM - for coffee and to pick up some stuff my mother had sent. Once back home we watched “chicken little” and feasted on some fantastic vegetarian food cooked by my cook. Crashed in bed around 1 AM.
From India, Gurgaon
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672As for me I had a very nice weekend with one of my cousins who has just shifted to the Delhi region. Started off on Saturday evening when I picked him up from Delhi haat [the only place we both knew the directions to].
Had some coffee over there and checked out the indianised Christmas decorations - felt like different era altogether - you know - with all the Indian ethnic stuff shops and the mix of the Christmas carols and decorations.
Went over to an uncle's place were I met another uncle [a distant relative who lives in the US - who had come down to get her daughter acquainted with India]. Well the main reason for visiting my uncle's place was to get a corkscrew [which I knew he had] to open the wine bottle we bought.
Once back home my brother and me somehow managed to open the wine bottle and started watching the video's of my sister's wedding [which took place recently (27th November)] - after that it was time for a hindi classic - chashme baddur.
On Christmas I decided to take my brother for a ride to gurgaon and to the malls where we had lunch in ruby Tuesday and eventually even managed to gorge on a lot of junk stuff being sold on the small counters.
On our way back we picked up a couple of movies - "chicken little" and "madagascar."
Started with madagascar and in between went over to another relative's place - around 8PM - for coffee and to pick up some stuff my mother had sent. Once back home we watched “chicken little” and feasted on some fantastic vegetarian food cooked by my cook. Crashed in bed around 1 AM.
From India, Gurgaon
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Hi,
Christmas was really "adventurous" for me as I ended up being bashed by my elder brother and yelling all obscenities possibly known to man. Hehe... Well, the reason it's so funny is that for days I have been wondering where did our (my bro and me) relationship go. The kinds we had when we both were still in school, and our life consisted of fighting over T.V. remotes, lunch, dinner, breakfast, clothes (who tears whose favorite clothes in a fit of anger!!), and if life wasn't any difficult for my parents, our schools too (which happened to be big-time rivals of each other!!). The "fights," no matter how brutal and painful, are exactly what kept the essence of our relationship alive. For years, ever since I finished school, almost 5-6 years now, we have never fought, much to the relief of my parents! My mom spoke endlessly of how life had been peaceful in the past 5-6 years that we never fought. And now, for my parents, the horrible days are back again.
Well, the Christmas day that I got bashed up and tried very unsuccessfully to bash my brother up too (he's way too strong, I get my way through words!!), I was visibly upset after being slapped and twisted in many directions and was upset until yesterday when it dawned on me, "Hey!! Just like the old days!!" ha ha. Now I am all cheered up after 2 days of sulking and starving!!
Looks like Santa gave me my present! No worries if we never fight again, at least once, I got to relive the old days with my big (way too big!) strong KumbhKaran Brother!! :D :D
Regards,
Vinisha.
From India,
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Christmas was really "adventurous" for me as I ended up being bashed by my elder brother and yelling all obscenities possibly known to man. Hehe... Well, the reason it's so funny is that for days I have been wondering where did our (my bro and me) relationship go. The kinds we had when we both were still in school, and our life consisted of fighting over T.V. remotes, lunch, dinner, breakfast, clothes (who tears whose favorite clothes in a fit of anger!!), and if life wasn't any difficult for my parents, our schools too (which happened to be big-time rivals of each other!!). The "fights," no matter how brutal and painful, are exactly what kept the essence of our relationship alive. For years, ever since I finished school, almost 5-6 years now, we have never fought, much to the relief of my parents! My mom spoke endlessly of how life had been peaceful in the past 5-6 years that we never fought. And now, for my parents, the horrible days are back again.
Well, the Christmas day that I got bashed up and tried very unsuccessfully to bash my brother up too (he's way too strong, I get my way through words!!), I was visibly upset after being slapped and twisted in many directions and was upset until yesterday when it dawned on me, "Hey!! Just like the old days!!" ha ha. Now I am all cheered up after 2 days of sulking and starving!!
Looks like Santa gave me my present! No worries if we never fight again, at least once, I got to relive the old days with my big (way too big!) strong KumbhKaran Brother!! :D :D
Regards,
Vinisha.
From India,
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Grrr.........
Spend the day at the airport. Was trying to go to Delhi...
I sat in the plane, seatbelts on, mighty pleased with myself... and was thrown out... Thanks to the fog.
At least I ate the sweets and candies offered...
Meri Christmas... Brrrrr thi...
From China, Beijing
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Spend the day at the airport. Was trying to go to Delhi...
I sat in the plane, seatbelts on, mighty pleased with myself... and was thrown out... Thanks to the fog.
At least I ate the sweets and candies offered...
Meri Christmas... Brrrrr thi...
From China, Beijing
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Hi everyone,
My Christmas was fun and perfect. Well, I got up at around 8 (yeah, it is unusual for me to get up so early on a holiday). I did a little tree decorating with my mom, wished my mom, and then my dad came home from his walk by 9 and brought plum cake for all.
I even took a bath (highly unlikely for me to have a morning bath on a holiday, believe me) and put on my Christmas t-shirt. Yes, I do have one of those; it's white and has a cute polar bear, a Christmas tree, small bells, and a Christmassy feel to it.
Then, I had nice chunks of plum cake and read the paper. There was a Christmas movie, "Too Cool for Christmas," which I saw, and a bit of "Love Actually."
It was lunchtime around 2, and we were supposed to go to my mom's friend's place, but that got canceled. My maternal aunt and her children came around 3, and we spent time talking and teasing each other. We also baked cookies, which was fun. Baking cookies with two small kids is not an easy task; believe me. If I was able to keep one away from the chocolate chips, the other outdid me. Anyway, it came out fine.
Then everyone decided to go visit the mall. Honestly, I hate the mall. I really think of it as the most happening but also very boring. I'd rather go to the small shop nearby; at least the shopkeeper knows me well and greets me with a big smile. So, I decided not to go. I also feel like I'd be betraying him if I go to the mall.
Anyway, they gave me threats and sat on my head, but the mall is just not the place to spend time. I had some homework left, so I decided to do that and chat with my brother, who only gets time on Sundays as a holiday.
It was around 10 at night, and my brother was showing me pictures of his Christmas tree and the snow. My parents came back from the mall, tired and exhausted. It was apparently very crowded, and they kept losing each other. They surprised me with a big red heart-shaped balloon, and I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling. I even clicked a snap with it.
It was the coolest Christmas. All in all, a very merry Christmas. Also, a Christmas miracle: on Christmas Eve night, I couldn't find my watch. I could hear the beep every hour but had no clue. My table was a little untidy as of December 24th. I searched for 10 minutes, but my search was fruitless. Then, around 12, as I got up to put my diary back, I heard the beep.
HALLELUJAH.
It was in my bag, front pocket. That watch is precious, and, well, Christmas miracle, I found my watch.
Looking forward to the new year.
From India, Mumbai
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My Christmas was fun and perfect. Well, I got up at around 8 (yeah, it is unusual for me to get up so early on a holiday). I did a little tree decorating with my mom, wished my mom, and then my dad came home from his walk by 9 and brought plum cake for all.
I even took a bath (highly unlikely for me to have a morning bath on a holiday, believe me) and put on my Christmas t-shirt. Yes, I do have one of those; it's white and has a cute polar bear, a Christmas tree, small bells, and a Christmassy feel to it.
Then, I had nice chunks of plum cake and read the paper. There was a Christmas movie, "Too Cool for Christmas," which I saw, and a bit of "Love Actually."
It was lunchtime around 2, and we were supposed to go to my mom's friend's place, but that got canceled. My maternal aunt and her children came around 3, and we spent time talking and teasing each other. We also baked cookies, which was fun. Baking cookies with two small kids is not an easy task; believe me. If I was able to keep one away from the chocolate chips, the other outdid me. Anyway, it came out fine.
Then everyone decided to go visit the mall. Honestly, I hate the mall. I really think of it as the most happening but also very boring. I'd rather go to the small shop nearby; at least the shopkeeper knows me well and greets me with a big smile. So, I decided not to go. I also feel like I'd be betraying him if I go to the mall.
Anyway, they gave me threats and sat on my head, but the mall is just not the place to spend time. I had some homework left, so I decided to do that and chat with my brother, who only gets time on Sundays as a holiday.
It was around 10 at night, and my brother was showing me pictures of his Christmas tree and the snow. My parents came back from the mall, tired and exhausted. It was apparently very crowded, and they kept losing each other. They surprised me with a big red heart-shaped balloon, and I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling. I even clicked a snap with it.
It was the coolest Christmas. All in all, a very merry Christmas. Also, a Christmas miracle: on Christmas Eve night, I couldn't find my watch. I could hear the beep every hour but had no clue. My table was a little untidy as of December 24th. I searched for 10 minutes, but my search was fruitless. Then, around 12, as I got up to put my diary back, I heard the beep.
HALLELUJAH.
It was in my bag, front pocket. That watch is precious, and, well, Christmas miracle, I found my watch.
Looking forward to the new year.
From India, Mumbai
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Hi,
This Christmas is very special to me as I celebrated it with four different nationalities and three different races. I did not invite anybody as I had two considerations: (i) This is not my country (I am in Kuwait), and (ii) I should not evoke any negative response from my friends circle.
To my surprise, I received midnight greetings via SMS from my Kuwaiti student, followed by a string of wishes from different friends and subordinates. Overwhelmed by this, I decided to have an evening high tea at a coffee shop. Once again, my expectations were shattered when my Filipino friend arrived first and became the usher for the other friends.
The British manager, along with his wife, the Russian sales manager of my client whom I had only known for a few weeks, the Egyptian friend, my seniors and subordinates from Palestine, my Kuwaiti client with his Lebanese wife, and, topping it all off, two of my Kuwaiti students, were the main attendees of this get-together.
What is noteworthy is that we discussed Christmas celebrations in our native lands, Kuwait's climate, new songs and albums, the importance of technical education in Kuwait, and many personal matters. We did not discuss religions or faiths, nor did we dwell on the Kuwait invasion and its effects. We forgot that we all come from different regions of the world.
Before concluding, the Filipino friend sang a beautiful English song, the Lebanese lady danced wholeheartedly, followed by the Egyptian's Arabic song, and the Russian lady gave a speech about Christmas in English.
Conclusion: Lessons learned from this Christmas - The world is so small within a friends circle. Love and let love by others. I will never forget this Christmas forever.
Karunadasp
From Oman, Muscat
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This Christmas is very special to me as I celebrated it with four different nationalities and three different races. I did not invite anybody as I had two considerations: (i) This is not my country (I am in Kuwait), and (ii) I should not evoke any negative response from my friends circle.
To my surprise, I received midnight greetings via SMS from my Kuwaiti student, followed by a string of wishes from different friends and subordinates. Overwhelmed by this, I decided to have an evening high tea at a coffee shop. Once again, my expectations were shattered when my Filipino friend arrived first and became the usher for the other friends.
The British manager, along with his wife, the Russian sales manager of my client whom I had only known for a few weeks, the Egyptian friend, my seniors and subordinates from Palestine, my Kuwaiti client with his Lebanese wife, and, topping it all off, two of my Kuwaiti students, were the main attendees of this get-together.
What is noteworthy is that we discussed Christmas celebrations in our native lands, Kuwait's climate, new songs and albums, the importance of technical education in Kuwait, and many personal matters. We did not discuss religions or faiths, nor did we dwell on the Kuwait invasion and its effects. We forgot that we all come from different regions of the world.
Before concluding, the Filipino friend sang a beautiful English song, the Lebanese lady danced wholeheartedly, followed by the Egyptian's Arabic song, and the Russian lady gave a speech about Christmas in English.
Conclusion: Lessons learned from this Christmas - The world is so small within a friends circle. Love and let love by others. I will never forget this Christmas forever.
Karunadasp
From Oman, Muscat
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"SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT"
During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.
All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.
The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent, and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.
According to Stanley Weintraub, who wrote about this event in his book, Silent Night, "signboards arose up and down the trenches in a variety of shapes. They were usually in English, or - from the Germans - in fractured English. Rightly, the Germans assumed that the other side could not read traditional gothic lettering, and that few English understood spoken German. 'YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT' was the most frequently employed German message. Some British units improvised 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' banners and waited for a response. More placards on both sides popped up."
A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts: chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games.
It didn't last forever. In fact, some of the generals didn't like it at all and commanded their troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war. Soldiers eventually did resume shooting at each other, but only after, in a number of cases, a few days of wasting rounds of ammunition shooting at stars in the sky instead of soldiers in the opposing army across the field.
For a few precious moments, there was peace on earth, good will toward men. All because the focus was on Christmas. Happens every time. There's something about Christmas that changes people. It happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. It's been happening over and over again down through the years of time.
From India, Gurgaon
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During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.
All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.
The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent, and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.
According to Stanley Weintraub, who wrote about this event in his book, Silent Night, "signboards arose up and down the trenches in a variety of shapes. They were usually in English, or - from the Germans - in fractured English. Rightly, the Germans assumed that the other side could not read traditional gothic lettering, and that few English understood spoken German. 'YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT' was the most frequently employed German message. Some British units improvised 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' banners and waited for a response. More placards on both sides popped up."
A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts: chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games.
It didn't last forever. In fact, some of the generals didn't like it at all and commanded their troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war. Soldiers eventually did resume shooting at each other, but only after, in a number of cases, a few days of wasting rounds of ammunition shooting at stars in the sky instead of soldiers in the opposing army across the field.
For a few precious moments, there was peace on earth, good will toward men. All because the focus was on Christmas. Happens every time. There's something about Christmas that changes people. It happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. It's been happening over and over again down through the years of time.
From India, Gurgaon
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Wow! This must be the most beautiful sight ever. What qualifies it as being truly beautiful is that amidst the hatred, bloodshed, and grief, there is something magical that makes the warriors drop their weapons and sing "Silent Night, Holy Night".
Is it really magic... or would it be the most wonderful example of human will? Of course, most of us would love to call it magic.
Regards,
Vinisha.
From India,
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Is it really magic... or would it be the most wonderful example of human will? Of course, most of us would love to call it magic.
Regards,
Vinisha.
From India,
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I think it's something about that ultimate power we call God. People don't have much faith nowadays, and I think that is what makes us feel inadequate, thus the show of power, greed, and countless other vices.
Let me tell you guys about an incident. One of my very close friends was going through a very difficult time, and she was talking to me about how everything was so meaningless and how everything just falls apart when you think things are going to be good. I was trying to console her, but nothing seemed to help her in any way. She was just so low. So I asked her, "Would you still be so troubled and think that there is nothing good in this life if God was your friend or if you found out that a very close friend of yours, who cares a lot about you, is God?" She went silent for some time, and then she said, "No." I didn't have to say anything else to her, and we somehow understood that things will be better soon - somehow.
That very close friend is now my girlfriend - three years now. And hopefully, we'll get married soon (as soon as her father comes to his senses and sees I'm not that a bad guy).
From India, Gurgaon
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Let me tell you guys about an incident. One of my very close friends was going through a very difficult time, and she was talking to me about how everything was so meaningless and how everything just falls apart when you think things are going to be good. I was trying to console her, but nothing seemed to help her in any way. She was just so low. So I asked her, "Would you still be so troubled and think that there is nothing good in this life if God was your friend or if you found out that a very close friend of yours, who cares a lot about you, is God?" She went silent for some time, and then she said, "No." I didn't have to say anything else to her, and we somehow understood that things will be better soon - somehow.
That very close friend is now my girlfriend - three years now. And hopefully, we'll get married soon (as soon as her father comes to his senses and sees I'm not that a bad guy).
From India, Gurgaon
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Hi,
"The ultimate power is called God." God is our word for faith. We usually look around us, rather than within us, for something to give us that hope, that faith to live, to achieve, and to be happy. The mere thought of a God being there restores our faith in life. Are we incapable of preserving our faith by ourselves, without looking outside ourselves for it? I wonder what an Atheist does.
And hey, I wish you the best of luck in convincing her father! Hope you get married pretty soon to her. :)
Regards, Vinisha.
From India,
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"The ultimate power is called God." God is our word for faith. We usually look around us, rather than within us, for something to give us that hope, that faith to live, to achieve, and to be happy. The mere thought of a God being there restores our faith in life. Are we incapable of preserving our faith by ourselves, without looking outside ourselves for it? I wonder what an Atheist does.
And hey, I wish you the best of luck in convincing her father! Hope you get married pretty soon to her. :)
Regards, Vinisha.
From India,
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aaah..simple thing CHR...ask her dad to come online and check out this site... problem solved :wink:
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi CHR,
Faith never fails. Hope next Christmas you post your honeymoon adventures with your girlfriend turned wifey. The chemistry of life is that once you share your heart with someone, it turns the entire life beautiful, and only pleasant and beautiful things appear to your eyes. Good luck, may God bless you.
Karunadasp
P.S. The article about World War is quite thought-provoking.
From Oman, Muscat
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Faith never fails. Hope next Christmas you post your honeymoon adventures with your girlfriend turned wifey. The chemistry of life is that once you share your heart with someone, it turns the entire life beautiful, and only pleasant and beautiful things appear to your eyes. Good luck, may God bless you.
Karunadasp
P.S. The article about World War is quite thought-provoking.
From Oman, Muscat
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