Winding Down/Up

Only a couple of days more before we say goodbye to 2006 and hello to 2007 with a bang. And I mean that literally; in many areas here in the Philippines you'll hear nothing but the booms, pops, and whistles of firecrackers especially in the hours between 10 PM of 31 December and 2 AM of 1 January. Seems like nearly everyone is out in the streets, lighting those firecracker fuses and/or watching the night sky light up in a million dazzling colors and patterns. Nothing like the ringing in one's ears and the acrid aroma of firecracker fumes (and the resulting jet-black detritus one digs out of one's nose the morning after) to welcome the birth of the New Year here.

Many of my online friends know that I spent the past two days with family at a hot springs resort. We had a great time: there was much singing, food, laughter, relaxation. I could write an analogy about the whole experience and life in general--it's been gestating in my mind, actually--but I won't! Well, not now anyway, because my Internet connection is crappy as a result of this. I'm unable to catch up on everyone's blog just now because everything is sooooo slooooow.

Let's just say that life is still good and beautiful, in spite of the headache that we get from soaking in scalding water, the tummyache that we suffer because of overindulgence, the aching armpit muscles from swimming, the sore throat from too much karaoke. There is still beauty and love all around.

And laughter. Never forget the laughter. It keeps us young, peaceful, ALIVE. May we all have much laughter in 2007--finding it in all things big and little.


This is from a list of karaoke songs. I'm Leeeeeee-byan on a jet plane/Don't know when I'll be back again just sounds odd. But maybe that's just me. :-)

And the muscles in my armpits are still sore. I hope 2007 doesn't take that against me.