In this post:
(the result of seeing too many google docs by Pak =P)
Part 1: The giver of the book, the meaning, and the Christmas gathering
I received 5 Christmas gifts this year, but the one that deserves a special mention is definitely Kai Lin’s one. She got me Thanks for the memories, a book by Cecila Ahern. Even though her card was like written just yesterday on my bed frame, and I can sorta see that the 内容 (er, contents?) is jumping here and there, her card and the words on it really mean a lot to me.
Quoting from her card, “The words on the present actually is also what I want to say to you,” in other words, Thanks for the memories! I was quite touched by that. Reading her card (and reading the book) has just wanna make me say to everyone I have ever opened my heart to, “Thanks for the memories!” Whether poignant, joyful, bittersweet, or even *cringes* distasteful, thanks anyway. Thanks for filling my life with these moments to treasure.
This Christmas, I didn’t receive that many gifts. But I realised that the best gift of all is intangible. (Unless of course, you happen to have a pensieve, that might make it more tangible.) That though most did not come bearing specific gifts for me last evening, unknowingly, they’ve already given me one – the memory of last night. Of cooking, of laughing, of just enjoying each others’ company.
Notes of appreciation
(At Arrow Men’s & Women’s meeting we were given cards to write “notes of appreciation” to people in our lives. Well, I guess this method is much more convenient! Hm.. That gives me an idea though…)
Thanks to all those whom I spent yesterday with: Kl, Sy, G, Pak, Sam, Lh, and yes, even the “3am invitee”, Nigel. Thanks for making the day something that I’d want to store forever in the photo album of my memory, to take out from time to time and trace my fingers over the snapshots with a smile. Here’s to many more moments like this! =)
Another thing I must mention, though I think I’ve said it in my previous post. My Christmas memories won’t be complete without my parents, for being the stable, solid, and practical people that they are, for loving me constantly and unconditionally as all parents should do, and for letting me know that in their own ways. 真的，“我要感谢我的爸爸，我的妈妈…” Not forgetting the various members of my extended family that I hold close to heart. Firstly, Aunty Dot, for taking me seriously even as a little girl, for being there as I was taking those baby steps to being a “grown-up”. Aunty Jacq, for treating me like her own daughter. If I’m almost like Stef’s sister, does that make Josh my almost brother-in-law? *grin* Yes, Stef and by extension, Josh, and Justin as well, for being my joy. I’m so gonna treat him ice cream when he’s bigger! =P One has to do one’s duties as an aunt, you know?
Special mention to you guys as well! Liz, for being my roomie and indirectly for getting me started and settled and adjusted in this season. Like I’ve said, I won’t trade u with anyone else! The cg as well, though it’s slow going, but they’re there. Always there.
Sin yee (cos kl went first just now): It’s just all those moments that we’ve been through together. Sorta like wedding vows, “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…” I like it better in Chinese though. So much less cluttered.
“无论是疾病或健康，贫穷或富裕，美貌或失色，顺利或失意…” Yes gurl, I do love and cherish you. Wow, I’m so sappy.
Kai lin: Yes, I’ve not known you as long as I’ve known sy, but it doesn’t feel that way. Yes, the wedding vows thing applies too! I remember the time you stayed with me last year, and felt that u had to give something in return. I told u that someday I’ll need something and you can help me and consider that “payment”. Well, actually, you’ve (or had) already given me much more. You’ve overcompensated me with your simple presence, with your encouragement. （你的鼓励，你的加油.) Oh, and the very reason for this post! =D
Gerald: Seldom get the chance to talk to you, but when I do, you’ve always been there for me too. Thanks for listening, thanks for being there. Thanks for being, sometimes, more of a brother to me than perhaps, someone else whom I long to share more than just a few STRs with.
Pak: Have never really shared my 心事 with you, but I do appreciate the little gestures like washing dishes, mopping floor, etc. I look forward to cooking with you again!! *grin* I guess we do go back a long way too, and to be honest, I’m glad you still stuck around.
Did I forget anyone? I think I’ve covered all who read my blog on a regular basis. =P Oh, a longer one for stef: you’ll always be family, which means that sometimes you don’t understand things about each other – why we have different interests or different types of friends or even a different fashion sense or lifestyle. but at the end of the day, we’ll still love each other and do anything for each other, and will be there for each other at one call.
Part 2: The book itself
Review: Thanks for the Memories by Cecila Ahern
(omg, this is Such a Long Post!) Okay, I’ll try to do a short one. Biologically, perhaps not very accurate. (I disbelieve the phenomena that occurred in the book). But emotionally, this hits the mark. For me, the tear-jerkers were at unusual parts of the book. (I cried at the very beginning and at the very end), but perhaps the more seasoned tear-ers would experience otherwise.
In usual Cecila Ahern style, the book is very meaningful and pulls at all the right heartstrings. I think the romance development aspect needs a little bit more work though, cos IMO it seemed a bit too sudden. Or maybe cos I was speedreading and my brain didn’t register those parts. =P
Overall, pretty good book. A very welcome addition to my bookshelf. Yes, this one’s for keeps. =)
Blessed :) 