Behind A Crowded Shop and A Crowded Mind

3 days ago, I was shopping in Italy.

Yesterday, I was shopping in London.

As a self proclaimed hater of shopping, I am quite ashamed of myself for this atrocity. I mean I don't hate shoppers, just the act of shopping.

You know....

Sacrificing money for stuff you probably will never use.

Walking for hours to find that one thing you want.

Mentally calculating the cost of everything to see if the sale is not a sham.

Spending days trying on different sizes.

Realizing sizes differ from store to store.

Jostling with people who actually enjoy shopping.

Being the bag man.

Basically, shopping.

Especially if you're a student on a tight budget.

Now, I'm not saying that I won't ever shop. A guy's still need to buy stuff to eat y'know.

Just that I don't understand how people *coughwomencough* derive joy from shopping. But that's just me. I am the kind of guy who would love a 2nd hand sweater for Christmas.

I just don't need new stuff. Just stuff.

Like stuffed turkey. And stuffed... pillows. Yeah.

But I won't judge you if you're one of those people. At least now I know what makes you happy.

And Christmas is all about happy.

Happy Boxing Day everyone.

Behind The Pines of An Evergreen

My family has never gotten a Christmas tree. Ever.

Couple of reasons.

One: We don't have the space to put it once we're done with it.

Two: We ain't Christians. No shame in that.

Three: We just don't really care for buying a tree, when we have one in the garden.

But honestly though, I do just love the whole spirit of Christmas. A time of giving and receiving, of getting together with your family, of love and joy, and of the saving of humankind by the coming of "Christ the Lord".

Notice how the seemingly most important of the reasons, I delegated to the back of the queue.

Because honestly, that's how Christmas feels to me, and I think to all non-Christians. As a Malaysian, I know that we all love to find a reason to have a joyous occasion. Not only during Christmas, but also for the new years of every race and religion, the achievements of our countrymen, et cetera.

We like to find happiness wherever we go, regardless the reason.

...took the Christ out of Christmas and added more Mass...

I'm sorry, but in a world with non-Christians, it is bound to happen.

And as long as people are happy, I am fine with that.
If you are not happy with that, I won't be fine with that.

But I ask of you, does it really matter if people forget the original meaning of Christmas?

Churches remind the flock, to look back at this day as the one when we are saved from sin.

Perhaps they are right, and we were saved. And we should be thankful. So we celebrate.

Shops remind the crowd, to stock up for this day and get the best quality goods to use with our family, at allegedly cutthroat prices at their premises.

Perhaps they are right, and we did save money. Then we can enjoy the time with our loved ones with a slightly better quality. So we celebrate.

I do not dare say who is right or who is wrong. For for such an objective question, it can get pretty subjective. And touchy. The amount of people you can offend with that question......

But the point is, Christmas means different things to different people.

It could mean a world was saved.
It could mean a life was changed.
It could mean a new mystery gift.
It could mean a gathering filled with love and joy.
It could mean a kiss under a mistletoe.
It could mean a three-generation family, gathered around the fireplace.
It could mean a day off work.
It could mean a nice dinner, complete with turkey and pudding.
It could mean a heart-warming story.
It could mean nothing.

But the spirit of Christmas is definitely in the air. The feeling in which you know that wishes could be granted, and possibly, but unlikely, by a fat jolly old man in red with a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

But I don't want to spoil the mood and everything. I just want bask in this spirit, smelling of mulled wine, hearing the praising corals, seeing the tinsels coats the walls, tasting the dry roast turkey, and feeling the happiness emanating from those around me, for whatever reason it may be.

Happiness. That's what Christmas means to me. And I don't need a tree to be happy; my hope is evergreen enough.

Are you happy? Free hugs available, or whatever that makes you happy (that is free. I am a student after all).

Merry Christmas, and God (whomever he is) bless us, everyone!

Cya!