Circle of life

I noticed that with each Christmas that passes me by, it seems that my life gets simpler and simpler. I remember that in my younger days, I would go out to party with friends. Nothing wild, just going to Orchard for the countdown - you know, that sort of thing. Countdown parties seems like the craze for me back then. It's not that Christmas is particularly important for me, maybe it's just an excuse to let loose a while. 'Thon' - that's the word for staying overnight as we countdown to Christmas day itself.


After having a gf, it's about having a proper date. Something like a movie, followed by some restaurants meals, then counting down with her etc. As the relationship progresses where she starts knowing my friends and I know hers, we have parties again, but this time in pairs. It's all about the experience and creating moments together.


So what did I do on this particular Christmas day? Nothing spectacular. I know I don't like crowds and parties, so I didn't want to brave out to Orchard or even Marina area to avoid them. Instead, we went to our quiet neighborhood cafe, had a cup of tea and a slice of cake before going home. No special dinners, just the usual tze char fare at the coffeeshop, ordering the same dishes as usual. Very reflective and quiet.

I think when we have kids, it'll start to become rowdy and the feeling is that we'll be moving towards the days when we're younger again. In order to let your kids experience Christmas like you've not had it before, you might get a real Christmas tree complete with presents at the bottom of the tree. Then everyone can participate to decorate the tree and wrap the presents together. I'm sure there'll be trips to Orchard road and other crowded places to jostle with the rest so that we can feel the proper yuletide atmosphere. The whole experience also includes a complete Christmas dinner with roast chicken, ham and the like. In other words, nothing like what I've experienced yesterday.


And many many years later, when the children are all grown up and leaves the home to set up their own home, maybe it's back to the days now. Quiet, simple yet still a very great Christmas. Quiet and reflective versus Rowdy and experiential. Cycles of ups and downs.


That's the circle of life, I suppose.