I wonder if non-knitters know that knitting is such a mathematical art. When I knit, I am always going 1, 2, 3, 4.... in my head, all the time. Every row has to be accurate otherwise you will end up tearing your hair out. Even the very plain knits have an exact mathematical plan, where you will place the collar, the sleeves, etc.

So here is what I have been working on, since December! I have been struggling over it, unpicked countless rows, stitch by stitch... but look, isn't it just beautiful? I have begun work on the sleeves already. This is the back portion. Because it is seamless, the number of stitches I segment off for each part has to be perfect, not one more or one less. Thankfully I have gotten that right now and I can look forward to a few days of straight upwards knitting before I begin on the front portions. :)

WALKING ON AIR

Nothing prepared me for this, not even the email.

Today I received the largest box of the most luxurious chocolates, twice, nay three times the size of the one three years ago, by special courier from beloved son. I know I am not exaggerating because sentimental woman that I am, I had saved the first box, ribbons and all (and also I just ran to check). Oh my goodness! Words cannot describe how. I came home tingling head to foot, walking on air and floating over the moon.

Earlier I was wondering, before I saw it and knowing my predilection, if I could resist from finishing all and leave some to share with Diane when she returns. Now I cannot bear to open the cellophane wrapping. I want to keep it in its original state forever, mount it on the wall.

This has been one of the loneliest and saddest seasons for me but today sort of makes up for it, well almost. I have not given much but I sure have received some of the most meaningful and valuable, incredible and amazing gifts this Christmas.

New Year

Though we had Watchnite at the church, my cg decided that we would hold our own watchnite at John's house, so we all convened there at 10 pm on the last night of 2009. We started off with worship followed by sharing. The time seemed to pass so very quickly that we had to keep our eyes on the clock lest we missed the passing of the old year into the new year. The nice thing about doing watchnite in a small group is that we got to pray individually and to share in each other's prayers and we felt so much closer and personal than being in the church. I have always thought the Malays have a very good practice by asking for forgiveness especially from their elders during their new year and I suggested this to the cg that we do the same purposefully. As Patricia shared her testimony, the young people kept on giving her beeping signals and making her a bit panicky to finish early. I cannot remember a time when we were more in one spirit to ask for forgiveness and give thanks and pray :)

The next day, I had to drag my groggy self to get out of bed to take uncle david and aunty nancy for breakfast and followed by more fellowship at their house. I was half in slumberland during half of our conversations :)

The plus point of the new year was of course the holiday and I had time to indulge myself in my favorite activity - long talks, talk, talk with my children. I really appreciate technology, the engineers who made skype and videochats available to make the world a smaller place and bring families closer together.

Look at my wide smiles :D Conversations are so much better with a web cam <3