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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.

Do you ever meet people; have a laid-back dialogue and wonder who it is you met, what kind of people they must be? Not in some romantic kinda way, just out of interest. Perhaps the point is that we all come into contact with so many people on a daily basis and somehow we never really get acquainted with any of them.

When I started blogging a year and a half ago, I'm not sure I would have just had a conversation with someone I didn’t know. I'm sure I would have smiled at someone but after that, I'm pretty sure there would have been silence. And if not, I'd have been wary with what I said, inspecting every word that came out of my mouth, terrified of being me...or too much of me nonetheless. I believe that being open, being me, has allowed me to become more at ease with who I am and what I have to say, in the real world. It’s what I've become aware of over the last year or so. And for that - the moments to share myself and the support I receive - I'm appreciative of.

It’s finally that time of year. Usually the first week of December marks the time to buy Christmas clothes and liberate the holiday decorations from their boxes. This weekend was an exception. We only had time to spread merriment by going through every possible square inch of Brigade road in search of my Christmas attire. And with the cold slowing showing up, it does seem like the holiday season at last.
I didn't have a chance to listen to much at all but I am rather proud of myself that I started playing Christmas music by Frank Sinatra, a collection I had acquired many moons ago. I'm a big fan of Christmas classics. Yup, I like me some old-school too. Let me tell you, they’re definitely worth owning.

And if this doesn't get you into the holiday spirit, nuthin' will. Happy Monday y’all!

On Christmas day, I’m going to be doing something low-key. No large gatherings just spending time with my family. This time my older sister, bro-in law and niece wont be joining us for Christmas as they’ve decided to spend the 25th in Nagaland.

Christmas, as I’ve known, has always been about tiresome get-togethers. Relatives and friends would throw lunches and dinners and being one of the children, I was always forced to play with my cousins or kids around the same age, away from the adults who sipped on wine and laughed loudly. Christmas’ with them were never really enjoyable as we had nothing in common and I only saw them once a year.

Even though I’ve had some great moments with these not-so-complete strangers I’ve decided to not repeat the tradition this year around. I’m going to be working the days between Christmas and New Year’s because I can’t afford any time off and because I suppose the holidays are what you make of them and I’m going to have more fun at work.

My sister, bro-in-law and niece are going to be in a different place on Christmas Day. I can’t wait to talk to them and wish them all a merry Christmas.
I don't have the energy to write much of a post today. It could have something to do with the fact that I’ve had a crappy overworked week so far. It could also be the fact that so far today I've only consumed tea and an apple.

I can inform you, however, that my whole Christmassy mood hasn’t been shaken. It could have something to do with the fact that I patched things up with an old friend. Or it could relate to the fact that Ck gifted me the latest albums of Snow Patrol, The Verve, Keane and GNR.
The idea of going back to loads of work after Christmas doesn’t make the merry state last for long. Fortunately for everyone, the ability to spew out fire on my Christmas Wish List still hasn’t arrived.
This is a song that stick-in-the-mud Christmas celebrators and old fogey Third Day fans often like. And I love this version of the classic. The song is well-known: "Do You Hear What I Hear?" written by Noel Regney and music written by Gloria Shayne Baker. This song dates back to the 1960’s during the Cold War and this version by Third Day appropriately turns into a thrusting rock song that is amongst the best of the new Christmas songs, and with a clear message. I smell a new holiday favorite at EC.

Anyway, this entry is longer than I intended, but it was a good one and it was great to play some grand Christmas music for y’all. There's more to tell, but your attention span is probably about to disappear right now. So here's to bustin' out of the house. I so hope you’re feeling good, doing what you want with this holiday and that you are where you want to be. Happy, content, loved. Please give away lots of love and hugs and music.

Have a crazy cool musical Christmas!

I'll admit it. I’m a sucker for the whole Christmas caroling bit complete with a sing-along book. Sometimes, I even leave Christmas music on auto play for the entire day. In fact, my entire house is now specially decorated to ensure that I feel embraced by the Christmas spirit at every moment of the day, what with the ornament-laden tree, green and red knick-knacks, sparkling silver stars, glittered candles, and more. Of course, this only works if I never leave the house.

The weekend started with an office party — this or any type of forced work gatherings — are hardly an assured fun riot. But your absence is duly noted if you choose to stay away from one of these gatherings. If you do miss it you’ll hear stories about how that guy from the other process threw up in his shoe or how some guy and girl were all over each other the entire time. I suppose that that’s the best part about office parties: seeing what everyday co-workers are like outside of the office — and whether they’re going to do something stupid (especially since alcohol’s on the house).I went for the Christmas bash at a club called ‘HINT’ thinking that people might open up in other interesting ways. But I couldn’t find anyone fun and that’s really my fault. Deep down, I’m still that school kid, too shy to participate in anything without an intentional invitation (or copious amounts of alcohol). I was much the same way when I met Ru, Ck and Shreyas. They’d make friends with anyone, and strike up conversations with just about anybody.
I left the party feeling not too sad. The night had all the ingredients for a good time — Christmas, friends, colleagues, alcohol, a buffet and they did work well in combination. In retrospect, it wasn’t a terrible idea to go; I just wasn’t in the mood. I had had a long frenzied day and it has been a long time since I’ve spent Christmas without someone special. My New Year’s resolution: This year I’m going to get used to Singlehood.

Saturday night was at Runa’s and the entire crew was invited.
We were a big, loud crazy bunch singing carols, playing pictionary and trying to get the barbecue started.

Runa's Christmas Tree

A Beautiful Barbecue

Tony at the Grill

I never realized how much I missed Christmas, until I saw my friends unwrap their gifts.

I bring you the song ‘Mary Did you know’ today for a multitude of reasons. The first is that I quite honestly think this track sung by Clay Aiken, is a good seasonal song. There is a sense of December, of cold filled lit nights, of chilly winds, and the miracle of the birth of Christ associated with this season, that permeates every layer of this song. In the vocals and the music there is awe and veneration and the crescendo of the bridge makes you hold your breath. There is Christmas, happiness and goodies and there is even hope, admiration for a beautiful month. Runa, Ruan and I have also sung this track at Christmas concerts; hence it acquires a very special place in our hearts.

Enjoy the weekend my dear readers and keep coming back for more.