Good Samaritans - may their tribe increase!

I had to write this because I was taken aback by the kindness and generosity of some unknown, never-met-before, will-never-meet-again people - all of whom I came across today.

Went to Church with Mom in the morning. On our way back we decided to go grocery shopping. We were just about entering the store, I was ahead of Mom, and I heard a loud thud. I turned around to see that Mom was on the ground.  I was shocked and before I could react, a young girl came over and helped Mom sit up. She even ran into the store and got some water for her. Then there was a man who came over and offered to help Mom stand up and helped her sit on the stairs. 

(I know this is very much expected - I might have done the same if I had seen someone fall down in front of me, but at that moment, they were definitely our "good Samaritans")

I was all upset and confused and anxious, and trying to find out from Mom if she was OK. Just then a lady came over. She washed her hands with the water the girl had got, and then used it to clean Mom's bruise. I later noticed that she was a sweeper, someone you generally don't even notice when you pass her by. That was very touching... I was amazed at how she made it a point to wash her hands before she nursed mom...

Later in the evening, we went out to get some vegetables. We picked up some from a street hawker and I was digging in my wallet so I could give him exact change. He said "don't worry ma'am. You can give me 2 bucks tomorrow. I won't mind". Again, I found this very touching. For all you know, this 2 bucks could well be what he makes when he sells veggies worth 20 bucks. And I'm sure he knew he might never see us again...

I don't know what makes me feel so touched by these simple acts of kindness that these strangers showed. Hmmm.. Don't know if this is because the world we live in today has become so unkind and cruel that such little acts of kindness stood out... or that I'm generally in a mood of gratitude and see-the-good-side today... Whatever that is, I'd still say "thank you" to these good samaritans I may never see again, and pray - "may their tribe increase"...

- Mermy

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everybody, wish you good luck & hope 2009 turns out to be better than the past. Oh we're already into the New Year 2009.

The last year went by so fast and I'm sure this year also time will just fly..

Anyway, so lemme quickly summarize some of the new things I did in my life in the last year.

2008 - Some New things I did in my life! 

1. Firstly, after lot of hesitation and should i? or shouldn't i? we started blogging :)

2. Participated in a public Marathon and after a long gap of over 10 years :)

3. Went for rafting - One of the brave (according to me,for my level), risky adventure I successfully completed. Incredible experience! :)

4. Went for a great trek - I've trekked before but this one turned out to be a long trek  and more adventurous. We trekked more than we had thought of, trekked each day for around 6 days and stayed at different places everyday. Met different relatives/people everyday.We had a great group consisting of my bros n sis and a wonderful, entertaining, energetic guide brother -  Hmaong Dorje. Turned out all wonderful b'coz of him, thanks Bro!  :)

5. Spent more time than ever with my younger sister and we went out for a  trip together for the FIRST time in our life :)

6. Learnt how to apply kajal and still learning , some girly stuff  you see :)

7. Played badminton at night or any kind of sports after around 5 years, not so consistently though.

8. Went for a trip with Mermy for the first time in five years of our friendship :)

9. Tried doing yoga several times but not been consistent on making it a habit. Hope i get better at it this year...

10. Attended a Christmas Carol for the first time after school (Thanks to Mermy for talking me along)

And there are things that I wanted to do but couldn't accomplish them. :( Now I don't wanna crib about those things here but hopefully I'll have more things accomplished this year!! Well...2008 hasn't been a great year for me, but I thank god for keeping me in good health, for everyday that I wake up alive and thank god for I have my job.

I really hope for some goooooood surprises in this year, Oh God Please!!

I pray for PEACE in the world and though 2009 is anticipated to be a tough year, I pray the economy improves, I pray that people don't get laid off and those who've lost the job this year get one back soon. And may God be with everyone.

- Snow

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Hmm... 2008 has been a year of a lot of ups and downs for me - how cliche this line is!!

Anyway, a very Happy New Year to everybody and may this year be better than the past...

I did a number of new things in 2008. And it amazes me to see myself having done all these things:

1. Got pretty consistent with going to Church every Sunday with Mom. 

2. I cannot boast about blogging since everyone knows how much I do. Even then, I started is good enough... I think. And I have Snow to thank for that! Thanks Snow!

3. Went for a marathon for the VERY FIRST time in my life. Again, thanks to Snow!

4. Went rafting for the VERY FIRST time. And AGAIN, thanks to Snow! 

5. Started playing badminton and throw-ball. I was terrible at both but AGAIN (yes!) thanks to Snow, I am a li'l better than terrible now. 

6. Though this was never for a stretch of more than a week, I started exercising for the FIRST time in my life. I hope that gets better this year!

7. Went on a couple of trips with Snow... ( We were talking about going on another one this morning. Hope that materializes soon)

8. Wore a saree for the first time on Christmas day! I have worn sarees before, but never on a Christmas day. So that's a first! 

9.  Streaked (colored) my hair for the first time in my life.

10. And the bestest part, became an Aunty in 2008! My cute li'l adorable darling nephew Neil, I miss u soooo much baby! 

Wow! Looking back, 2008 has been a year of firsts for me!! So that makes me happy! There are many, many more things that I'd like to achieve and accomplish this year, and pray to God that I should be able to get there... Also, I think this is very important - praying for peace in this world. - Amen!

- Mermy