Hope

"The business of life is to go forward"
Written on a glossy picture of ships sailing to the harbour, which was hung on the wall of the guesthouse we stayed in.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, this year is prophecisied to be a year of ill-favor for Sri Lanka, according to the soothsayers and every Tom,Dick and Harry who also view themselves as a prophet of sorts.
Me? I believe that this year will be the year of God's favour. Our securities, our systems and protocols have certainly failed, markets have collasped, lives lost in a seemlingly endless war fought over land, fear looms ahead, and distress signals sent out to every corner of Sri Lanka.

So when all have fallen still we will stand. Its a resiliant hope, a dream that we can dare to dream. I will succeed. Because I have put my faith in unmovable things. I have my foundation on a truth that has never collasped and never altered. I believe.

We were in Unawatuna on the 30th and 31st. It was that long awaited TRIP that my family takes every holidays. An escape for the bustle and rush of the city.
As we were driving into Galle, it amazed me how little had changed over the year. Looking closely however I noticed people rebuilding their lives, their houses, roads under construction and families going to work, hoping that the extra penny earned would buy them a better tomorrow.

Its been four years after the tsumani and life has continued.

Reaching Unawatuna after 11.00 a.m, we searched for a guesthouse or hotel. Shanthi Villa, was our first stop. My dad, tired after long hours of driving, liked the place. Trouble was my mom, sis and I did not. This lead to an argument and we nearly turned back and returned home. My mom, God bless her, refused to give in and so we looked on. Finally we landed in this tiny guesthouse called Eterna. The rooms were cheap and looked comfortable. It was not your star classed getaway. But at that moment when all others were fully booked, and dad tired to go on, we took it.

My sis and I shared a room on the ground floor. It was spacious. There were double beds, 2 chairs, a table, a dressing table, waste paper basket, and a mosquito net. That was all. My parents' room had all these plus a cupboard, and a fridge. Later as i was showering I discovered that our bathroom had a leaky comode, and a cockroach. That settled it. We bathed in our parents bathroom after that.

But it was not all too bad. The owners were friendly. the food tasty and we had the ocean for our backyard. That i believe was the best part of it all. The golden sands began and the waves crashed and swirled at the foot of our guesthouse.

There I learnt a story. I love stories. Don't you?

The owner had lost everything to the tsumani. He said how his wife was washed into a well. The waves lifted her and threw her out. Forunatly she managed to hold onto the fence and this action saved her life. However his mother was washed away, his wife unable to hold onto her. Four days later they found her body in the their now destroyed house. He showed us the pictures.
The hotel he managed to build due to the aid given by two ladies from Holland. They were coming this January to visit him.

I looked out and saw the ocean. It still amazes me the pull of the sea. It was this same ocean that caused such heartache. But the people still returned. They rebuilt along the coast. If I lived there, and went through such horror...would I be able to do the same?

There's so much more I want to write but this does not seem to be the right time. If anything I came back from this holiday humbled.............. by the ocean and the people whose lives are affected and who in turn affect it. There is life out there mightier than I would ever know.

Maybe its not bravery, but need that forced these people to build upon the wrecks of their past. Maybe its not hope but fear that drives them on.

But what drives me on? What motivates me? Will my life be like the restless waves that change at every wind? These I ponder at the beginning of the year. Yet I hope.

Rememberence

Tsunami hitting the shores of Kalutara.

Exactly 4 years on ago today, tragedy struck the sunny shores of Sri Lanka.

I remember, I remember...

I was in India. Sitting on my Aunt's couch in Madurai. Everyone was just getting up after a night of Christmas cheer. "Finally, I get to watch some quality television..." thought I. After all the whole of the hols was spent travelling. We went to Chennai, Delhi, Agra, Coimbutur, Kerela...and many many more. I remember...the sights..such a myraid of color, the smells..and the FOOD...such a vast array of dishes I had never tried before.

Back to the television and the couch...

I switched onto HBO (Now why can't we have these channels in SL???...I wondered)

To my delight they were showing X-Men. Now something about me and it might be called silly, but i've always loved X-Men, from the toons to the movies.

Engrossed by the movie..i was watching the scene where Wolverine was saving the children...then the call came.

It was my uncle's sisters from France. They wanted to know if we (yes my family now in India) were safe as a Tsunami had struck Sri Lanka... A Tsumani??? Wazdat?

Of course my question was answered when everybody rushed to the t.v. and switched on news..thus ending any chance of me finding out what happened to the children and most importantly Wolverine.

Yes this is the climax where im supposed to go all teary eyed, shocked and dismayed. But honestly at that time i didn't understand. You have to forgive me but i was only 16...and this was a relatively new term for me.

I couldn't understand how a wave...A WAVE mind you could wreck such mayhem. Ok maybe more than one wave..and such a huge one in that.

It was only weeks later that i fully understood the magnitude...and the sorrow.

Till today people here along the coastal belt especially on the east and south are trying to rebulind their lives. Many have lost everything. Its a sad reminder that life is something we cannot take for granted...

Which is why I do urge anyone who is reading this to re examine their lives. God has blessed us with only one life..no matter what u believe this life your living comes only once. You will never get it again. The message of Christmas that we can carry forward to this day of rememberence is that Christ came to this earth because God loveed this world. No matter what your loss God loves you...He longs to reach out for you...

BUt its all up to you...

Where ever you are, who ever you are...remember the fallen. Let their lives speak out to you.

Life goes on

So what has the said happy blogger been up to?

Life in the city is said to be on the fast lane…it applies to holidays too. These few weeks have been hectic to say the least. Last Wednesday Moi in my lovely new dress along with my family went to Shanee’s wedding…or should more correctly be her reception.
It was beautiful. But then again in the city there’s always something to mar even the best and joyous of occasions.
The reception card said 6.00 p.m. So duly according to city protocol we arrived there at 6.30.
Who ever comes to anything on time??? Especially in the sunny isle of Sri Lanka??
And there’s a good reason for this apparent tardiness too. One it gives a more dramatic entrance and two in Colombo nothing starts on time. And to prove my point the couple entered only at around 7.00 p.m. There was the traditional exchange of rings, cutting of the cake and all the other blah.
Does our country ever disappoint? Bingo. Roads were closed and guests arrived late or not at all.
But Shanee looked stunning and the wedding went on. Nothing in the city halts. No matter what happens we city goers smile and enjoy.

I wish so many times that things would change in our churches. I thought that when I came back that there would be some differences but nothing has changed. Im not the one to judge but somehow, someday all this silly bickering, and petty charges should stop. Its un-Christian. I wish the servants of God themselves would learn to love each other…after all aren’t we all working towards one goal?

Example: We had taken for the English Cantata some of the choristers from the Sinhala Cantata Choir. This act ruffled a few feathers which is silly given that both are of the same church and all. So what if we had them singing English carols? Does that mean we are taking them over to the dark side?
Some things never fail to baffle me.

Well we’re going shopping this evening. I’ll now go and bury my sorrows with chocolate brownies. LOL…
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Lights...Camera...SHOP!!

Today Sis dear and I went shopping for a dress for me to wear for Shanee Akki's Reception 2mrrw...
Now a City Girl's absolutly fav occupation is SHOPPING...so off we headed under gloomy skies, to find that purr-fect dress...it had to be sumwhere and I was determined to find it.
We headed off to M.C...the shopping haven after Crescat City and Duplication Road of course and walked into Mondy. They had a lovely short red summer dress...now thats what I call smashing.
But then again its not wedding material.
So we headed off to Rebel...now I must say if Your looking for a hot dress Rebel has some lovely gowns...but none of them were "MY" dress....it was somewhere out there.
Finally after several shops...we went into Prestige...and there it was!!! An absolute smasher.
A cute hankerchief dress and it was NOT black or red (I still cannot understand why most dresses HAVE to be those colors). It was a mix of blue, beige, brown and mustard.
Sooo pretty.

And I GOT IT!!! well now my cup was filling up....
Next off was shoes of course...sparing you the details in about the 6th or 7th shop i found the purr-fect pair. They matched my dress and I also got a discount on them too!!!
This is my heaven....

And it doesnt end there...I found the purr-fect jewellery to go with it was well...*sigh*
My cup now overflows.
This is one content City Girl signing off.

Here we go a-caroling..

One of the most important aspects of Christmas for me has been Caroling. With more significance than gifts, Santa and even Food (which knowing me is something).

Earliest memories include me (dressed as an angel singing AWAY IN A MANGER, for Holy Trinity's Christmas program..I was only 9 or 10. Now about 11 years after... Singing Carols is still an important aspect of Christmas, this year being no different.

Nostalgia awweps through me as I recall my many singing expeditions. For Sunday School, school, church, friends etc..etc. One singing in an Elder's Home I still remember this gentleman who played his harmonica while we sang some well known hymns and carols.

Another included singing in a small hall, open to public in some flats, while all the boys stared and whistled...so embarrasing!!!

Another I recall after the show some guy gave my best friend Shehan his phone number, to give to me!!! I think i remember his name to be Russell...of course I didnt call him...

Well Im off to get a much need hair cut...

My first 'unofficial' job

Last Friday I got my first "unofficial" job. LOL. Where am I working? What am I doing?
I'm working in a clothing outlet called SAN OUTLET, as a sales assistant. Its a totally voluntary, unpaid position but so far my first day on-the-job was satisfactory.
Of course it helps that my "mentor" is Manju and my boss is Akila Aiya. Its fun to work with friends. But to be honest with you, its a lot of work and I am learning a lot.

My first day at work kicked off by rearranging the clothing displays along with Manju. We put the new purchases in front and moved the older stock to the back. This included having at least one of each item hanging on the racks. Then we tagged the recent stock purchased and put them up for sale.

Afterwards it was waiting for customers. Since this was a newly opened outlet we didn't expect much customers. Further as publicity was according to Akila aiya was 'nil' the shop owners were depending on word-of-mouth promotion. We did get one customer though so its not too bad.

So how was my boring day at work??? BORING. But it was a new experience and as all new experiences go I had an emotional high after working. Bet this wont last. But while I can I might as well learn as much as I can.

Manju's 21st

The Sista'hood.

Its amazing how close we have all gotten over these years. I truly believe that its all God's hands that enables us to always be there for each other and to love each other unconditionally. Im so blessed to have these girls in my life... >3

Luv u guys soo much.

rOCKStar!!!

Didnt we all dream of it?? Well here is sumthing that will put a smile on ur face.



Well more later....btw today is my sit in day...so Im gonna go read the Bible, and finish my book, water the plants and watch movies...ahhh holidays.

Breaking News

Robberies
Police are still baffled by the recent escalation in crime in Pelawatte. Just last Saturday, the 29th of November this correspondent had gotten up earlier than usual, 3.30 a.m. to be precise. While pondering on what she could possibly do that early in the morning she heard a huge thud. Frightened out of her wits she immediately looked her room door. Fearful that thieves could have broken into the house. Later she learnt that thieves had in fact broken the window of a neighbor’s car, and stolen the entire audio setup system in that vehicle. Further inquires reveled that several other vehicles too had been attacked in a similar manner.
One car’s entire dashboard had been ripped apart in the attempt to remove the stereo system.
Police had fingerprinted the vehicles and even used sniffer dogs…the suspects are believed to be still at large.
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Manju celebrates 21 years
It was an awesome get together. Four old friends meetingup after a long time apart. One had finished her A/L's, another her O/L's, the next on her summer vacations frm Uni and the last had returned recently from working in Dubai.
My sis, Manju, Sharon and I enjoyed our time chatting, later we went out to KFC, half way through the heat got the better of us and we stopped at Manju's Aunt's place for water. Returning back Zara joined us for lunch. What this day was memorable for was the news I heard. Zara is getting engaged later this month, Sharon will be officialy getting engaged next year and I'll be in time for both. So happy. ~urs truly.
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Of traffic, tiring journeys and tempers
Today, this writer experienced first hand a few of the hard ships undergone by Lankans daily, while commuting. Its not only bad that locals have to wait hours for buses, then wait hours for the buses to leave the stands. They have to face frequents check points, impatient bus drivers, horrible traffic congestions, incessant polltion now its made even worse by constant road blocks when parliament is in session.
This of course causes tempers to flare and can turn even the mildest man into a hardened cynic. It is expected that this "discomfort" will continue untill the war is over (and when will THAT ever be???????)
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Well thats it for recent news...more later.