To all my friends and family whom I’ve not contacted for ages, I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year. May the year ahead be filled with joy, love and success. May you and your loved ones be blessed a thousand fold and be protected from harm and temptations. May good health follow you wherever you go. May there be peace and harmony in your household and work place. May God guide you to overcome the trials in your life, so that you will rise up again with new hope. May you forgive your brothers and sisters who have hurt or wronged you and may you be forgiven for the wrongs that you have done unto others. May all that is good come true for you. May God be with you wherever you go.
Happy New Year! Selamat Tahun Baru! Xin Nian Khuai Le! Naya Saal Mubarak ho! Manigong Bagong Taon! Kum Thar Chibai! (still my favourite hahaha).
With love, Gary
I just came back from a hectic break from work (I will not call it a holiday, it’s just too tiring to be called one) in Malaysia. I know I’ve been an asshole for not looking up any of my friends, (except one, Wai Yen, you’re the unlucky one, see?) I know this should not just be brushed off lightly, what sort of friend is this when he comes all the way back from overseas after a very long time and doesn’t even call up his friends, huh? Anyway, he has very valid reasons – such as parading his never-before-seen wife to his enthusiastic family plus plus, such as attending (and trying to assist, somewhat disastrously in) his good brother Jack’s wedding, such as shopping for and buying Christmas presents for everyone in the family plus plus (and that’s not all – you have to wrap the darn things up – and with my family, it felt like there’s a present-wrapping competition). We wrapped most of it up (creatively) in newspapers (it’s the heart that counts, no?), plus this is my first Christmas with the family at home after err… 6.. no 9 years (I think) don’t really remember the last time… and my first year buying presents, so understandlah huh? And then there are the 101 errands, my work visa, the bloody banking matters… And lastly, and most importantly, I have to show off to the wife the frequently boasted state-of-the-art attractions and the fabulously delicious food of my beloved home, Malaysia, right? Just say that she’s not too impressed (thanks mainly to the hectic schedule I put us through and family pressures hehehe).
Anyway, to those who sent me Christmas greetings, here’s a belated Merry Christmas to all of you. I miss you all and would have loved to meet as many as possible. Thanks for keeping in touch, may all your souls be blessed. Cheers, till we meet again, Gary.
Day 1 - All around Taipei
6 years ago
