Lists

Several of my favorite bloggers, Kentucky Girl, NYC Watchdog, and Pseudotherapy are fond of lists. I didn't intend this post to be composed of short lists, but that's how it worked out. Here you go....

So, I haven't blogged in 10+ days. I've been lazy, sad, and depressed, and have just not cared about blogging or doing anything else. Having the stupid jack-hammers of death going 6 days a week (oh, that doesn't mean they're not using the digger trucks on the 7th day!) just outside our bedroom, it being the rainy season, and most importantly, not having our "boys" with us, has triggered this malaise.

When we were preparing for our move to Singapore from the U.S., I decided not to bring our Christmas decorations because:

1. We would travel "back home" for the holidays.
2. I knew that our 12-foot tall pre-wired fake tree wouldn't work over here because of the difference in voltage.
3. I didn't want to risk losing/breaking the precious ornaments that were given to us over the years, especially those made by our sons.

The only Christmas things that made it were the wreath from our front door, the IU Santa hat Mom and Dad gave to my WHH, and Christmas CD's.

Christmas 2005 saw us making the rounds of three different cities in about 10 days' time. After that trip we considered the following:

1. There are just too many stupid people traveling at this time of year.
   
2. Dealing with the TSA and U.S. Customs queues just plain sucks.
   
3. The jet-lag is killer.
   

Don't get me wrong. We had a wonderful time, but it was exhausting and we felt like we didn't get to spend enough time with anyone.

So, last year we decided to stay put in Singapore. I booked us a great package deal, the "Romanic Indulgence" at the Mandarin Oriental that included a couple's massage and Christmas dinner along with plenty of other amenities. It was sexy, delightful, and restful. Decorating our home was a non-issue.

I checked out other hotels for this year, but the Mandarin Oriental is the only place that seems to offer a special deal over Christmas. We decided we would just go back for another "Romantic Indulgence" deal until I found out that there was a humongous project that required overtime from everyone. It just wouldn't have been "prudent at this juncture" to squander $$$ for me to be alone in a hotel room while my WHH was working.

I was really sad then (aka big ol' crying jag because I miss our family and friends), but then Alex and Cristina invited us to their place for Christmas dinner. Alex was amongst those working overtime, but he and Cristina prepared all of the favorites including a turkey! Catarina wasn't feeling well, but she would smile if she was sitting in her Mama's lap.

What I learned this Christmas:

1. A young child's smile will always make me feel good
2. There are always good friends who care
3. My husband is the most wonderful man in the world -- think "Gift of the Magi" by O.Henry because of the irony of one of his gifts. It still makes me cry.

I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends. I wish you all a very happy, healthy 2008!