Hi, all:

I'm officially making the move to http://melissa.nomadlife.org/. I hope to see you there!

Melissa

Currently Playing Renee Olstead By Renee Olstead see related

Just sitting here on a late Sunday night- listening to some soft music, reading blogs. I think it's become a ritual every night-- just making sure I check up on the blogging world and see how everyone is doing.

I thought I would change my picture today to one of Flic, Chris and I during the final banquet at IC 2004. The Shuang-an crew!  Seriously, I still miss you guys-- I think it's an attachment problem! I wasn't even there for that long really but I miss it HEAPS! The reason why is because of both of you and just having sooo much fun!

So, here's a short blog to why I miss both of you ( I might even miss Justin though I just saw him ) and the craziness that was this summer.

WHY I MISS CHINA:

10) Shopping-- the trials of packing 4 days before I was leaving because I know that I wasn't going to fit everything. Then calling the airlines just to make sure that it was OK to bring back that much stuff home. Then rewarding that phone call by buying a BIGGER suitcase.

9) The beloved bathroom light-- and coming back from IC to a broken toilet. Flic and I going to McDonald's to kindly use their facilities...then ended up going to the movie theatre because McDonald's was too full.

8) Eating icecream EVERYDAY. Hmm...I still miss that icecream bar I tried to get everyone addicted to! If only icecream lasts in the mail...

7) Teambuilding and vision planning with your MC team-- all cramped in the MC office- thanks for this special moment!

6) Chris encouraging me to "go out" and have a fun time with my "boyfriend"

5) IC 2004 "goal setting"- enough said

4) Hot pot, dumplings, eggplant dish, sugary tomatoes-- and trying to order when Chris is not around! Always fun!

3) Driving Chris crazy...always fun

2) Learning "Aussie" from Flic. I reckon, I'm doing well!

1) Staying up late A LOT to talk about AIESEC, our lives and what we would be like as grandmas.

Thanks gals for a wonderful summer-- it's been 4 months since I've been in China but the memories still keep on flooding back. I miss both of you HEAPS!

Melissa

"Life" is a miracle. It is also a source of many things. Through a life or lives you experience sadness, joy, inspiration, etc. Recent events in our world has devastated a lot of families and even ourselves in the other side of the world-- although we may not know anyone personally involved in the tsunami or earthquake, we feel a lost deep within us, a void that we can't seem to fill.

Today, that feeling of loss hit close to home. A good family friend passed away. We have been anticipating this moment since she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. However, even when you expect it, that loss is so deep within you. Today, those around me also felt the feeling of life being a source of happiness. Our next door neighbour gave birth to twin baby boys. The miracle of life-- the roller coaster of emotions in our household-- of sadness and unexpected joy--followed by silence-- the silence of appreciating life and something or someone bigger than ourselves being involved in the cycle of LIFE.

My prayers to those who suffer the loss of loved ones and my prayers to those who are welcoming the miracle of life in their households.

Love,

Melissa

Christmas in Calgary seems so exciting...well at least judging from my friend Nacho's blog. Oh, Nacho-- I wish my Christmas was AS exiciting! But do let me give you a rundown of my Christmas which is NOT a Canadian Christmas (NOT that I know what that is) but a FILIPINO christmas.  My Christmas started off last Sunday Dec. 19 with a traditional "Simbang Gabi". It means "Evening Mass". In the Philippines it is tradition to have a series of masses before the Christmas Midnight Mass. This of course includes eating at the end of every mass...not a bad deal really!  So, the Filipino community decided to do a series of masses in different churches around Calgary. My family went to only one...it was an incredible feeling to be at church with a TON of people. People from all over the city came to attendthe mass. Just that feeling of community and the pride that everyone had for their culture was definitely overwhelming.

This weekend was all about going to mass, karaoke, eating, cooking, opening presents, karaoke and eating. It's been two full days of karaoke and eating. Christmas since I can remember has always been about two things- eating and people..tons of people that my mom loves to invite during the Christmas season. This past weekend was no exception. Christmas dinner consisted of at least 10 dishes (excludign desserts) and at least 30 people.  So, it's almost time to go to bed-- it's Boxing Day tomorrow-- now there's a Canadian tradition that I welcome!

Merry Christmas to all of you and your loved ones!

 Melissa

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

MALIGAYANG PASKO!

JOYUEX NOEL!

FELIZ  NAVIDAD!

SHENG DAN KUAI LE!

My best wishes to everyone, wherever you may be!

Love,

Melissa