2012.

Where did the time go? It seems as if it was only yesterday we were celebrating 2000. And suddenly, 12 years have passed. Time can be sneaky like that.

When we are living at the current moment, we have the tendency to get absorbed into the  revolving doors of one event after another. Small things discreetly creep in and manage to entwine themselves with our ever evolving lives. On the other hand, monumental occasions also permeate our existence, leading to startling discoveries and changes.

Be those shifts are toward the good or the bad, there is the incontrovertible realization that time adheres to its steadfast metamorphosis. And with that transformation, it changes us as well. Instead of being sucked into the vacuum of obstinate transitions, we should take advantage of them. Remaining incompetent against the constant blur of shifts is just  a waste of energy. And considerably, a loss of valuable time.

May 2012 be filled with blessings and the realization of dormant dreams. May this new year entwine itself into our lives bearing more wonderful news and successful endeavors.

Happy 2012.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words in them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

“We meet today

to thank Thee for the era done,

And Thee for the opening one.”

~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Art:

Country Track

Cyanide and Happiness

Granted, the holiday season can be hectic, expensive, or just plain rabid. But I hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the feeling of love and happiness in the air. Better yet, spend some opportunities to share your blessings with others. Volunteer at the homeless shelter, choose a random paper from your local store’s Christmas tree and buy a child the toy on his/her wish list, drop a few dollar bills into the panhandler’s cup, or instead of donating used clothes to Goodwill, give them to organizations that provide for low-income families.

There are various ways to make someone feel the joy of the holidays like you do. It does not have to cost you any money. After all, the best gift is the one that comes from the heart.

Now, let me make you smile by sharing a favorite scene of mine from the movie “Elf”. Enjoy!

Photo: Glitter and Sparkle

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,

but the parent of all other virtues.”

~ Cicero

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

♥AB

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

I am here. Breathing life.

I hope you are well. I’m not sure if I have any consistent readers checking in for a new post. I’m hoping to share more thoughts soon.

Until then, carpe diem.

weheartit

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men, and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.”

~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

Photo:  American Flag

Mesmerizing.

Dangerous.

Yet, calming

This is how I feel right now —- a fusion of all three. I do not know what to make of it. I am certain that I will manage to shake off this sense of stupor eventually.

In the meantime, let me stay in the shadow for a while.

To breathe.

Art:  Day One Hundred and Fourteen

I have been absent for quite a while. Things have turned a tad chaotic after Thanksgiving, especially at work. A co-worker has gone on vacation, so I have been trying to keep everything in order. I think I have worked myself to a frazzle the past few weeks! My other co-workers have managed to leave earlier than I, but my fastidious nature has prevented me from doing the same. They keep encouraging me to do my tasks the next day and just go home. Believe me, there is nothing I would rather do than forget about being Ms. Perfect, and quit stressing over the tiny details.

Sadly, I cannot act nonchalant when it comes to my job. I absolutely loathe putting a strain on myself by working myself into a frenzy. I would not mind resorting to my genuine procrastinating self when I have an ample amount of time to spare, but my work does not allow that at all! So, to avoid me snapping at everyone and working like a whirlwind of Tazmanian Devil, I sacrifice going home when it is still bright outside.

Oh, the price of being an adult.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and of course, I am off from work! It is a most welcomed break, not to count the fact that it is also a paid holiday for me. Yay! I am planning on doing a lot of relaxing and spending the special day with family and friends. I am really blessed this year: I have a new job, I have met more wonderful people, and I am just beaming with unequivocal optimism for 2011. I hope such attitude will continue!

I have included some frozen moments of my chaotic November/December. Of course the month is not over yet, but I still want to share a glimpse of what has kept me occupied for the most part. Enjoy!

Have a blessed Christmas, EVERYONE!

 Art:

Christmas Wreath

Photos:

AB

*Scroll through the comic to read the subtext.

xkcd

Working too many hours during the weekdays is wreaking havoc on my holiday spirits. Thank heavens for delightful friends, scrumptious foods, riveting books, feel-good-movies, decadent Peppermint Dark Chocolate Latte (what a mouthful!), and everything red. Life is absolutely beautiful, my lovelies!

How’s your weekend so far?

Photos:

AB ♥