passion...schmassion

Day 9887: Had a Holly, Jolly Christmas... it IS the best time of the year

Belated Merry Christmas boys and girls. T'was the season to be jolly, and jolly we were. Had a fab holiday. Great snow, great friends, great fun. Enuf said. Despite the presents and everything, there was a definite lack of Christmasy feeling this year. Sista noticed it too. Maybe it was the lack of snow on Christmas morning, but it felt like any other day.

So, I have a new family member. No... no one had a baby. Someone (ahem... Tuxedo Sam) has infiltrated the Ho-Wong-Leung-Yeung clan and has adopted himself into MY family! For some strange unknown reason, he has met every member of my family on my mom's side EXCEPT for my mom and my stepdad. All within one weekend. Man, that boy moves fast. Funny strange, not funny haha. I guess wierder things have happened, but this is pretty close to topping the charts.

I love my family. Had a conversation last night with Bo on how everyone on my mom's side of the family rocks. We're very tight knit and extremely close. There isn't anything that one person won't do for another. Can't really explain it all, it just has to be experienced. But I am so extremely lucky to belong to such a great group of people.

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Unsanitary Man came up with a really great idea this year for his Holiday party. Toasts to each other to tell each other how we feel. Sometimes we don't tell each other enough how much we care for one another and how much we treasure the others' friendships. We think that the other person knows, but people like to hear it, otherwise they forget how much they mean to someone. I am definitely not the world's greatest corresponder - especially when the person isn't in the same city as me. That is unfortunate, and is something I'm going to work on in the new year. I don't mean to let things lapse, but time passes and I do forget to tell people how much they mean to me. Lost my train of thought the other night so didn't get a chance to say everything that I wanted to say. So here goes... in random order - never by order of importance because every one of you is very, very, very important to me...

Unsanitary Man: IronchefBBQ once said that you are one of the nicest people he knows. At that time, I think we were having a minor disagreement on a topic already forgotten, so I disagreed with him. But I was very, very wrong. I rescind all previous ignorant comments spoken in typical J-pissed-offedness. You are one of the nicest people I know. You are kind, selfless and admirable. Your willingness to donate your time and your love to the Big Brothers and Josh is enviable and is something we should all strive to emulate...myself included. Our lives are all so busy, and the fact that you take the time to help other people less fortunate than yourself is beyond expression. Though we have always had our disagreements and occasionally I think your train of thought is off the wall (and I'm sure vice versa), you keep me grounded and help me realize that there is more to life than myself, and the world does not revolve around me. Thanks.

IronchefBBQ: You are a great friend, a great listener and my only faithful blog reader. I think I blog just for you... so you can keep up with your routine and have something new to read once in a while. You have been there for me consistently throughout the past 8 years. I can't even remember how we became such good friends. I think it was during frosh week when we were in the same team or group, or whatever it is that it's called. Or maybe it was the fishing. I've poured my heart out to you, bitched to you and you never judge me. You listen and say only "Oh, J..." You don't have to say anything else, 'cuz I know what you're thinking. I'm so happy for you that you finally found something that you like to do. I wish you all the best. You are my rock, the person I lean on whenever I don't have the strength and need that extra little push. Thanks.

Mini-me: You are femme-extraordinaire. I admire you so much for having the courage to do something that I've always wanted to do, but can never muster the guts to follow through with. You moved halfway across the world to find yourself. A new country, a new language, a new life... a new boy. You are the epitome of independence and everything that I want to be. You said the other day that you've questioned if our group with last. I have no doubt that it will - not because we have to force it and work at it, but because even though our correspondance lags at times, we still have the familiarity and that level of comfort with each other to pick up where we left off last. I don't always say it, but know always that I love you, and that you are one KICK ASS RUBBER DUCKIE a la France-style!!!! Thanks.

Posie: The little one with the face of an angel and the heart of a lion. You amaze me. Your ability to stand up for what you believe in and to look aversity headon is utterly, totally amazing. You are not phased by confrontation, and strive to excel in everything you do, and somehow, you always, always know what is the appropriate thing to do in all situations. You have amazing strength, work harder than anyone else I know, and well, you've come a long way since the days of the townhouse... blah... I don't even have the words to describe what I want to say. Thanks babe - you are an inspiration. PS... do you still have the scar where Harley bit you???

LZ: 50% rule never really ever applied. I listen to 100%, only filter out 49% and retain only a little of what I don't filter out. Jokes. I've listened to you bitch and complain, you've done the same for me. I've known you for more than half my life - scary isn't it...going on 14 years. Sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself. Your jet-setting lifestyle is definitely one that is hard to keep up with but I try... Don't know what I'd ever do without you babe. You keep my secrets, you are my devil's advocate... you are my dishwashing telephone conversationalist...not that you've washed any dishes recently...not that I have either. Now, if only you could make decisions quickly... love ya lots. Thanks.

Kapoopie: I love you AND your brother. No need to be jealous of Binny-darling. No one can ever replace you in my heart. You have that special little place that no one can ever take-the one who made it big. So proud of you and all your many, many, many accomplishments. One day, I can say - hey, I know Kapoopie... But with your easy-going nature, it's the person underneath that matters more to me. Work, schmork... that stuff is all overrated. Teddy-bear of a brother (yes, I've adopted myself into your family - they remind me so much of my own), you're always there whenever I've needed you. Hopefully one day I can repay the favour. Just say the word. Thanks.

Binny-darling: Though I haven't really known you all that long, and it's taken until this year to really get to know you, I am the luckiest person to know both the Kapoopie brothers. You are an awesome actor - truly inspirational how you managed to pull everything together and give such an outstounding performance. You've shared your passions with me, and your zest for life. You can't imagine how much I've learned from you. And they say that the older is the wiser... blah... definitely not the case here. We've travelled the world together, been total dunces together and made our way through France knowing only "Ou est la jambon?" and "Je ne parle pas francais!" You ROCK, dudie!!!! Muchos gracias...oops... I mean muchos mercis.

Bo: lovely, lovely Bun-bo. Each day I know you, I realize more and more what a beautiful, amazing person you are. You are a quarter of my conscience...even louder than the voices in my head. When you speak, I can't help but to stop and listen. Though I don't always follow your advice, know that I do put serious consideration into everything that you say. Helps that I can't make my own decisions and that I usually need someone to tell me what to do. You are everything that I aspire to be - you are selfless, kind, patient, giving, extremely intelligent. Your Christmas families love you. Your real family adores you. Your Habitat for Humanities family... well... enough said. There is that old adage that says that you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. I am the most fortunate person alive to have such a great friend, who is also my family. I am truly blessed... I don't know what I did to deserve it, and I know I probably don't. Thank you for caring for me, thank you for loving me, thank you for being there for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you... I love you, love you, love you, love you. You are definitely a kick ass cuz!!!

Here's to a great group of people who have stuck by me through the past 8 years, through fat and thin, and who have helped me get to where I am, and who love me for being me. I am nothing without all of you. Cheers... Salut!