Celebrate joy!

I am 5 days late, but hey, happy New Year!!! *fireworks! clapping!* I thought of giving an ode to 2013 to properly end the year, but I thought I'll just dive right into 2014 :P A friend asked me at the tail end of the year how has 2013 been for me, and it took me awhile to answer.  Gather thoughts, quick!

                                        Christmas crunch time is upon us! Exchange gifts here, Christmas reunions there, the never-ending last minute Christmas shopping and Yuletide decorations everywhere...

With the impact that Yolanda has made on the Philippines these past few days, clearly documented on newspapers and media channels, I cannot help but look at the photos and footage with a crease on my forehead - worried and sad on the lives affected because of it. How can your heart not go out to those people who lost their shelters and their loved ones? I am honestly not the most emphatic person on this planet, but a surge of compassion goes out to those who are left hungry, devastated and bereft.