Wednesday, December 26, 2012

We Wish You a Merry Christmas


Hey ya'll 

The end of 2012 draws to a close and just like that in one month we've lived through several holidays and at least 1 end of the world scare! But the end of the year is for more than just great meetups and the occasional treat, its also about reflecting upon what you've done during the past year and to ponder on some of what you might expect in the coming year. But its still a little too early for that and there are about 5 more days of December for us to do so.  Meanwhile, its Boxing Day and that means time to wrap out all those wonderful Christmas presents from their carefully packaged boxes!!! (seriously though, Boxing Day was traditionally the fascist part of the Christmas tradition where "servants and tradesman would receive gifts from their superiors".. but I digress). Christmas shopping was a little tight this year on account of all the unforeseen expenses during the course of the year but I daresay I managed, somewhat, to get everyone a little something. A shower gel set from The Body Shop for mom... a pendant for my sister... novelty tie for dad,   and so on and so forth.

Of course even my little animal friends were not excluded from the season's festivities! Cookie had his first taste of a Christmas party away from home and though he had more than his fair share of excitement and treats I think part of him must have been yearning for the soft comforts and serenity of his hammock here at home. Ray and I did not exchange presents this year because we were both short on cash after getting gifts for everyone else but we agreed that our trip to Sarawak at the start of next year would compensate in some way for that. I did, however chip in some cash to get him the much anticipated compiled publication of Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men which he loved very, very much. We  even turned the air-conditioning down real low while we sipped hot chocolate and watched Bewitched pretending that it was snowing outside!

It seems, however, that Christmas was indeed the season for giving as I did receive several gifts this year! Not many, I will admit, but what they lack in quantity they sure made up in terms of thoughtfulness on behalf of the giver. My cousins, for instance, all chipped in to get me this real nifty polaroid camera, and a pack of 10 films!!! I know I will definitely be using these in Sarawak! And my sister got me this little bird toy  which has been re-appropriated by Polly, to whom it bears a striking resemblance to.  All in all it was not the grandest or more extravagant Christmas I've had, but summarily still a very pleasant one.  And I really can't ask for much more this year! I've not always gotten everything that I wanted in 2012, but the things that I'd got were always the ones that really mattered; confirmation from Australia of the candidature of my PhD, tons of animal friends who love me, and of course, another year spent with the people I love.
   
This year's Christmas Presents were shared with everyone!
"I didn't know you got another bird!!!" Polly.
Merry Christmas one and all!!! 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Skin Crawling


Hey ya'll 

The sight of large, hairy, eight legged creatures often makes most people's skin crawl! But for some of us, there is nothing more fascinating and riveting than watching one of our Arachnid friends crawl out of their skins! Especially when said arachnid is a tarantula! A tarantula molting is a sign that its about to get a bit bigger, and I'm sure all tarantula enthusiasts will agree with me when I say that it is always an exciting moment to know that your little baby is on its way to becoming a majestic and iconic creature!!! Anyway, as I am well aware, not many people share that passion and some who are somewhat interested, may not be ready to actually come face to face with the real thing and so, as always, I feel a need to make this blog a "safe" place where some of the more daring entomophobes/arachnophobes can come by and slowly explore these rather beautiful aspects of their fears. I mean a tarantula, when one thinks about it, is often a ferocious and rather angry looking creature. But when it is molting, it seemingly transforms into a creature quite different from its usual self. Soft, and pink, and vulnerable. Kind of like a baby!





I would also like to give my dearest sister credit for overcoming her fears and witnessing the event live when it happened! You go girl! I suppose prolonged exposure (however indirect) to me and my lifestyle gradually removes all fear of invertebrates from most people ^^

Cheers,
Cyren.