The Rush

Photo from 

http://www.christmastreeland.co.uk/store/catalog/60/Baubles/
It's not a title of the latest movie I've watched (but could be, you know!) but the overall feeling that this Christmas felt like. Must be the holiday blues I am feeling, or have felt the past couple or so weeks leading to Christmas day.

Now that it's over I am sensing this tired feeling, as if I am faced with stale food. Not a good analogy, or feeling. I guess it brings me back to reality, and the thought of nothing to look forward to, anymore. For now, at least. Should I have wished I had savoured the Christmas spirit more? Or perhaps taken on a deeper meaning to it than how I have had.

Maybe since our Christmas this year is different I did not get to channel my emotions where I would have wanted to. (Too deep thoughts now!!) Maybe I've been pre-occupied too much with worldly things. I should have focused more on the real meaning of Christmas rather than thinking of gifts all the time.

Now, now, I suppose all these realisations now bring me to wanting for Christmas to come back! Or, should I say I am looking forward to Christmas 2012!! I hope I remember all these realisations come next year's preparations and celebrations. 

Holiday consideration

We've come back from our Christmas beach getaway from the Central Coast, and I think two nights was really too short a vacation! The whole family went, and with Christmas eve's celebration we we were rushing the next day. There were too many things to do and think of, and the safety of the house was a consideration. I knew we should have taken out home insurance before, or even just home contents insurance (just like my friend who recently became a homeowner in the UK). With the last minute mayhem and chaos, we ended up leaving a few of the little girls toys! She ended up playing with the hotel room's phone, curtains, bedroom slippers!! Luckily I did not forget to bring her beach ball and a few of her beach toys.

In moving to a house this year, I guess there are different things to consider as compared with living in a unit (well at least for me!). If I would have a choice though, we should have moved to a big house years ago! The space is incredible and the fun is just... different! I get all giddy just watching my little girl's eyes light up at the mention of playing out in the garden.

Can I do and be both at the same time

I find myself at a crossroad now just as I have renewed my migration agent license for another year. Having been a travel agent for 10 years, and now just starting to get into my migration profession .. makes me think quite hard if I am ready to let go of being a travel agent now. It is quite difficult to be both, and although both the travel and migration industries are faced with lots of challenges (booming internet booking facilities - stricter migration policies) I somehow still want to engage myself in either or both worlds.

But the question really is, can I be both at the same time? It is not an easy thought, and I find myself struggling. Considering I am into my second year in my own travel business now. Sometimes I wish I could be two persons at once, but of course reality check!! Perhaps I should just keep my travel business on the side while I concentrate on the other one...

Being a migration agent is one thing I would like to pursue as a career, a way for me to help others and give back to the world what I have been so lucky to have now. Watching the news, and reading about the real refugees' plight is just one of those things that motivates me to help out in ways I can.

Taken from http://www.freightcare.com.au/air-freight-australia.html

So, my dilemma is still on.. I am praying that 2012 will bring me more enlightenment and be more focused on the goal.

Catching the learning wave

Is this generation ruled by gadgets? Sometimes it makes me think whether it is just my hubby who is obsessed with new technology... mainly mobile phones, tablets, laptop, other Discount iPhone Accessories and trinkets. However when I start to think about it, even my dad has a new phone every year. My mom is the same, as well as my other siblings (well most of them!) who's phone model I have lost track of. Myself on the other hand would prefer to stick with the same phone brand forever if that's possible. I guess in that aspect I am not much of a "risk" taker. I prefer to use things which I am comfortable with, for as long as they are working I do not find the need to replace them. Sometimes even when it looks old and haggard already, to the annoyance of my gadget hungry husband.

We all have our own opinion and preference about these things, and I just choose to live simply with what is there and what is still working. One thing that frustrates me the most is when I can't figure out how to operate a new complex television remote. One time I was fiddling with the tv remote for half an hour trying to turn it on!! But I digress .. I feel the same way with mobile phones and other gadgets. Quite frustrating when I couldn't seem to grasp the rhythym of touch screen messaging. Now, I am in love with the Iphone!! Wouldn't go back to Nokia, and wouldn't convert to a Blackberry. Oh I suppose just until the next time I catch the learning wave!

Creating circles

We all have our own circle of friends. Some we just fell into as we grew up.. We lived across the street from them, or we met them at school or at work. Some we've met through common friends, cousins, siblings, etc. Some of them we ended up being best friends with, or have dated once or twice..

But as we grow older, there are some circles we draw ourselves. We have a choice now. We don't just fall into these circle by accident, or because of our family. Living overseas makes it a challenge to build long lasting circles of friendships. However, when we do find that circle where we belong it forms our support group.

I find that I have always been the type of person who creates lots of circles. Admittedly, I don't always engage myself fully in each of them. Some circles are purely for circles sake. Some circles I have to maintain now, not just for me, but for my little one. The circles I put her in forms part of her. Without having cousins or siblings around, I endeavour to make her have meaningful circles. Relationships. Yes, those circles form our relationships. Only if we let them close enough to reach that level.

Photo from http://www.wallpaperhere.com/Nature/Other/Water_Drops_Circle_of_Life_72793

I am grateful for all my friendships especially those that have been through it all with me.

December equals $$

It's that time of the year when every turn is about spending hard earned money. In my household it is even more expensive because aside from renewing my professional indemnity insurances for both migration and travel, we are renewing our car registration and car insurance as well! This is quite a bummer of a situation since we obviously need to spend more on Christmas presents too. Plus the fact that it's my little girl's birthday next month means even more expenses! Just typing all this is creating a knot in my chest, with all upcoming debits waiting to happen (okay, some already happened!).

Luckily, I am not tasked to find Cheap Car Insurance for our family car. I still don't drive, and so I am clueless in this area. However, am sure if it is crunch time I would manage to research on this too and find myself a good deal.

It would have been a different scenario if I was to find a car rental for someone. I have quite good suppliers for this, which usually has the option to add on additional car rental insurance. Anyway, I digress. I wish not all our insurances and registrations happen in December. I should ask to change over a couple of the registrations to mid-year instead. Yeah, right. As if they would accept the request.

Turning 2

So our little B is turning 2 next month! Just a quick update on where we are at:

- Communicating: Little B is a chatterbox, and she's mastered counting to 10 without fail. She's learning to sing the alphabet (oh so cute when she gets to M: she says Eminem Oh P).
- School: We are starting pre-school in February! Just 4 hours, twice a week.
- Breastfeeding: Oh, we are still at it!!
- Sleeping: Still co-sleeping in this household!
- Social Skills: She is becoming a PRO (public relations officer).. She comes into the playground saying "Hi" to everyone.. And, whilst playing she welcomes new "playfriends" by handing them over a piece of seedling! I just hope and pray she won't fall into a bad stranger's trap one day.....
- Eating: Still not a big eater at breakfast,lunch or dinner. But she loves her sweet snacks.. Chocolate, Ice Cream.. Anything sweet! Wonder who she got that from!! Hmm!!

Too Long now!

By far, this has been the longest time since I have run an entry here! Or done some blog hop for that matter. Sometimes I wish there was two of me to be able to do all the things I want to do at the same time. What's kept me busy the past months... well, being a mum obviously takes up most of my time. The little girl is turning 2 next month! I cannot believe how fast time went by. After next month we will be paying 75% of the fare for her to travel overseas!!! Haha, that's the travel agent in me speaking. So, that has kept my hands full.. and being a migration agent and travel agent at the same time has kept me on a roll. So much to do, with so little time. I guess I can't seem to decide if I want to be both at the same time (migration and travel).. Or, choose one over the other. But that could mean losing my license if I give up the former. Sigh.

So, while I've got a little bit of time on my hands now I'm just thinking if I should even research about online dating lies or that refugee law issue that I have pending. Perhaps, I should just catch more "zzz's" since I woke up early this morning to do some work (oh and watch Gossip Girl! Hahaha!).

But since I'm up anyway, might as well update this blog and catch up on some blog reading. It has been ages, and I miss reading my blog friends' journal. Ciao for now!