how's your xmas? mine? err...nothing interesting. had dinner with some of my frens at the food centre near my house. after which it was mahjong at a fren's house. played till around 2330 because the final two of the group of 14 had arrived. we had a hilarious round of gift exchange, laughing at the gifts we received/given. and then, that was it. it was back to mahjong and then 2 couples left. BORING XMAS!!!

xmas for me had lost it lustre. it's unlike earlier, way way back into my childhood. back then, i was being looked after by my grandma's sister (po-po) as my parents and grandma were working. i only went back home during the weekend. as a result, i was pretty close to po-po's family, i greeted her children as gu-gu and shu-shu.

every xmas, without fail, presents would lay beside my mattress when i woke up. it was truly magical for a kid of my age then. on the eve itself, i would struggle to stay awake/ pretend to be asleep in order to catch santa claus in the act. i always wondered how did santa claus pass his gifts to me? how did he get into the flat? the more i thought about it, the sleepier i got which kinda explained why i was never successful in my quest. nevertheless, i was filled with joy on xmas day itself, playing with my newly received gifts and a grin was always on my face.

i truly believed in santa claus then. it was when i was in primary school, around 9 years old that the truth was finally revealed to me. at that age, not many kids believed in santa claus already but there was a silver of hope in me. although i was heartbroken, i was happy to be given a chance to indulge in a fantasy. a fantasy of santa claus, santarinas, elfs and reindeers.

next xmas will be better...with another member to the group.

and so i hope.