Packages of Happiness

A couple of significant events happened ever since I last posted here on metallic-stains.

For one, school has finally started after a long break (of 2 months) and year 2 is gradually set in motion. A new year often means new modules and with that, naturally new challenges surface, which interestingly, is much anticipated.

On a personal level, the pass week saw happiness in the air.

Packets of Significance.

I like it when events as such occur in my life, I mean don't you? Everyone strives to be happy and for the people around them to be happy as well, and I think family events are good examples of such happiness.

A smile can mean many things. The human expression is vast and often not as simple as it seems. We might smile to accommodate, or even to mask our true feelings so when do we know when we're truly happy in our lives?

Happiness is an underrated emotion.

From young, we've been bred to "be happy". The first emotive word which is taught to children is often the word "happy", ie. "I am happy". So much so that as we grow and develop as human beings, we avoid using "Happy" as it is simply too simple and over used.

We tend to look for more profound ways of expressing ourselves as we feel that the things we perceive are complicated and a simple word would not be able to convey its true essence.

But herein lies the question; whoever decreed that emotions and perceptions are to be complex?

Personally, I feel that emotions, though complex in nature, need not necessarily be expressed in a complicated fashion. Often, we find ourselves in a position where it becomes hard for us to express how we feel, so why not try something simple?

This is the reason why I like family events. What I see at these events isn't complex beyond human comprehension, nor is it rocket science; I see emotion being expressed freely and simply.

We often do not realize that simplicity at these events as we are often very much immersed in the atmosphere and the emotion of the event.

For me, happiness is an emotion I would like persist throughout my life. I mean if you had a nice happy way to live your life, why would you want to choose otherwise?

Happiness isn't hard to find; just look around you.

Anyone of significance, I believe, will be able to instill this simplistic emotion into you.

Dusk.

So yea, that's that I guess. After a short mini hiatus, I guess I finally found time to update this space, so watch out for more stuff to come.

Evidently, I've been preoccupied with day to day activities and more prominently, events and the such.

However, though updates may be very much restricted as per my schedule, feel free to check out some of the other social networking sites I've been on, to the right of this post (ie, facebook, Twitter, flickr).

On a side note, I think more people should start using twitter, and those who are using it, should update frequently. Just saying.

Twitter's pretty interesting and all so I urge you social networking junkies out there to go take a look and who knows, you might be twittering even more than I am!

In all, check back soon and till then.

*the pictures you see in this post belong to metallic-stains and its respective owner and any uncredited or uninformed use of materials or excerpts from the blog's content will be liable for further action. This sounds all serious and stuff.

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Now playing: Brand New - The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
via FoxyTunes

That Feeling

Nature at one of its best.

Its been awhile since I've set foot on the island getaway of Singapore, also known as Sentosa. What better way to spend some quality time with your fellow classmates than a day in the great outdoors, by the sea?

Sun, Sea and Coconuts?

Great company and awesome sights (as seen in the photos) can certainly make one's day.

Well the trip made me realize that more often then not, simple pleasures in life are often around oneself; we just have to look around us carefully. Of course, everyone's interpretation of having fun or "chilling out" might differ from another individual, but if its what makes you happy, then hey, its called having fun I guess.

Take myself for example. The past couple of days for me were spent with dear Audrey here. Everywhere I went, she went with me. Yes, she may be a tad quiet but hey, its awesome company to me.

Here She is, just taking a snooze on the bed.

Oh apologies readers, it seems that I've yet to introduce to you guys the newest member of the metallic-stains management team.

Yes, Audrey the camera has been hard at work for many of the pictures you've seen here on metallic-stains and has played a considerable part in the peppering the posts with picture after picture.

Audrey's a Nikon D60 and has only recently joined the metallic-stains management team. Posts from now on will be introduced to her photo taking capabilities so keep a lookout for that.

Moving away from that.

Christmas is finally here! Ho ho ho!

I'm sure many of you guys out there are enjoying and soaking up the festive mood in full swing this very moment and rightly so as well.

A season of giving; the general mood of Christmas which is deeply influenced by the multiple marketing campaigns, I'm sure. But I have to agree that this is a season where one shows appreciation for the people around him/her.

Which was the reason why I chose to make "Christmas Deliveries" on Christmas eve itself.

To me, nothing beats the look on a person's face when he or she receives a present. The feeling of being able to make someone else happy and contented with a little action (or a little gift, for that matter) is simply overwhelming and truly delightful.

I've also noticed a changing trend in my personal mindset.

The me of 10 years ago would be satisfied with the latest toy or game gadget for Christmas but today, I'm more a fan of giving out smiles rather than receiving the latest technological gadget or the most expensive accessory.

I guess its a change we all face at some point in our lives were we feel that giving is much more important as compared to taking.

Interesting isn't it?

Well I managed to squeeze in a little time after my delivery rounds that day and decided to take a walk downtown, with Audrey strapped safely behind me of course.

The feeling, that atmosphere was really different that night as I recall now in retrospect. It was so significant that while I was having a little coffee break down at Starbucks that night, I penned down my thoughts.

Which went something like this;

That Feeling.

"

Title: "That Feeling"

Wrapper after Wrapper, bag after bag, its that time of the year again. To some, a hassle, to others, a joy.

And to a small other group, a significance.

You see smiles everyday but the smiles you see during this season are truly memorable. "Here, I made this for you", might not seem like much, but it can certainly light up one's day.

Nature finds substitutes well; while others on the other side of the world cope with snowflakes, we take out out umbrellas and hoodies.

A worthy substitute?

Nothing beats this feeling. The feeling of light drizzle against your skin, the feeling of having everything you need on your back, the feeling of unrivaled freedom.

With church bells chiming in the background to familiar Christmas melodies and the soft gentle wind blowing at your cheeks, one certainly feels and hopes that life is a dream and everyday should be as such.

As you settle down for a coffee, you stop and reminisce on the day long gone and the days soon to come. Surely nothing would be able to replace such a setting, will it?

Slowly, you take a sip of coffee. Its aroma pervades through your senses and your breath is coated with a deep flavor of roast.

Time seemingly stops as you gaze far but you stop, and started thinking again.

A soft Christmas tune plays in your head, reminding you of the occasion, such a celebrated even this is; minute by minute, the day approaches.

Santa will be proud of you today, as you are with yourself for joy and smiles are spread. A feeling unrivaled.

But wait, is everything done?

You glance around you and something serves as a reminder of an uncompleted task. Your focus shifts away and you start thinking about your family and friends.

What are they doing? Are they happy?

You sense the evident mood amongst the people around you and its hard not to get affected. Amidst casual conversations are hints of Christmas being distributed here and there.

This atmosphere is infectious, in a good way of course. It makes you want to stand up and proclaim, sing and dance, jump and scream.

Interestingly, you check your phone, take your camera out and snapped a couple of shots. This is the moment when you wished that life was like this everyday, every time.

With everyone happy, you wished that everyday was Christmas.

"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

"

Over a slow cup of coffee, I penned the above down based on my mood, feelings and my observations around me at that time. Hope you guys enjoyed that little "narrative".

Its interesting what the season of Christmas means to each and everyone of us. So let me post this question to you readers out there;

"What does Christmas mean to you?"

Well for me, as I've mentioned, Christmas means being able to bring happiness to the people around me and seeing them contented and happy. Christmas also means making myself happy and positive and also an assurance that there is still hope and reason to smile at the end of the day.

Hope and a reason to Smile is what keeps this star shining.

Cliche stuff I know but I'm pretty sure the words "Christmas" and "Happiness" ain't exactly that far off for one encompasses the other and vice versa.

So yea, I really look forward to your responses and comments about the post and the question. Remember to check back for updates as the year 2009 looms upon us!

In the meantime, stay safe and happy and if you drink, don't drive.

And oh yea, from all of us here at metallic-stains, have a Happy and Brilliant Christmas!

Cya'll later.

"A very merry Christmas"

*Use of pictures from this post without the management team's approval or notice will result in undesirable consequences. Please, amidst the festive season stay safe, play it safe and live well.*

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Song of the Post


Now playing: John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
via FoxyTunes