To all of you who are working this week, I'm sorry. Me? I have the week off. But that doesn't mean it's all sitting around the pool with beer and a Stephenie Meyer book. Why?

a) I'm not a 13 year old kid...and I don't think Twilight technically counts as writing.
b) It's cold outside.
c) I don't have a pool.
d) The very thought of reading something penned by Stephenie Meyer frightens me.
e) Kid in the house! Kid in the house!

This was my first Christmas with The Frenchman. This year, Christmas was quite the huge celebration we'd hoped it to be. This year, despite a super nasty cold, I was all fully functional and totally grooving on the Christmas spirit and it was quite enjoyable but very tiring.
I've only shot a couple of pictures, been to a few get-togethers hosted by my family and friends, spent Christmas eve at my boyfriend’s, wrapped and opened a colossal amount of gifts, and eaten an amount of food that would be apt only for someone planning on running five uninterrupted marathons and then bench-pressing Santa. And it was all amazing.

This Christmas was lovely, but now I'm thinking, "Wait, it's over? Already?" Can you believe that another year has passed? It seems like just yesterday (or, a few weeks ago at most) that I was talking about how quickly 2009 flew.

But as we get to 2011 and leave behind 2010, I just want to say thank you. Thanks to all of you who drop by and read whatever it is I've chosen to ramble on about. I hope 2011 treats you right and sees your dreams come true. Me, well, I'll be right here as always. I hope to see you around. Spread the word and be good to each other.

And now for my gift to you all. This track needs no pithy introduction; no clever phrase could encapsulate all that it is. Just look at the title. It’s Elton John's 1970’s classic "Your Song" and a good cover by Ellie Goulding. Get some rest, spend time with family, and most of all enjoy the music.

Happy New Year.

Click on picture to enlarge

It's officially Christmas, for us, at least. Our tree is up, Christmas music is playing and of course, my niece has developed a passion for undecorating the tree. Which is fun. And not at all bothersome. Gifts are all acquired, though none of them are wrapped. You know what? I absolutely love this time of year.

The best part is the music. So great. And the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Gives me the warm fuzzies.

In the grand, year-end tradition here is The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Christmas-themed heavy metal rock opera) with ‘Carol of the Bells’. One of my favourite Christmas songs and this version by the band is, in a word, awesome. Get yourself the album as it’s something you can see yourself listening to constantly for years to come. Also, the most criminally overlooked album. Who knew those classics need a little guitar solo.

Yeah, so, I didn’t mean to just ditch this space, but suddenly everything else in my life became 100 times more important, so, you know, the internet goes on to not count. Things have been really good and really busy: I’ve got this new dude, and I’ve been attending so many weddings, and also it’s been winter, so I’ve been alternating between going out and getting all drunk and tired and then coming home and not leaving my warm bed except to sit on the couch and watch this new show called ‘The Walking Dead’.

Some highlights of the past month or so: Ck and Bhavs, two of my collegues and good friends got married, and asked me to attend their wedding ceremony with my new boyfriend. This means I get to make an honest woman out of myself because I dressed in proper Indian-wedding attire. This also means that my new man gets along with my crazy colleagues. Life goal achieved: check, check.

I told my parents and sisters that I was seeing someone new.

Then I had to be like, whoa, whoa, whoa, guys, it’s cool, he’s our religion: Music.

I think I’m going to stop there, because anything else just feels like overkill. I have to go now, because I have to get something to eat, but I’ll try to be a little better about updating from now on.

This is what happens when you get the band Third Day to sing a Christmas song. And if this doesn’t make your heart ready for Christmas I don’t know what will. Play it, you won't regret it. It gives me goosebumps every time.

Enjoy the run up to the Christmas season. I’ll bring you musical presents as soon as I can.