Something meant to be shared 真水无香

This is my birthday present from Al.

It is not a joke. It is a promise. At least Al says.

February is a very very busy month for Al – our wedding anniversary, Valentine’s Day, my birthday –So, here you go..

My first certification of our first wedding anniversary !!!

I was speechless.. apart from seriously impressed by his creativity, I felt such sense of achievement! Trust me, it wasn’t easy, though it’s only the first year! And this isn’t just it, he made me a card, this is what he written on the card -

Oh… now, this is a way to remember our first anniversary by.

The essence of all these festivals is to make people you care to feel good! That’s what I did and the truth is, I feel just as happy when I make someone else happy!

It started from last Christmas, giving gifts to people that I care - from my very own handmade cards to thinking what to give as suitable presents, to hand picking them, to wrapping the presents to posting/handing them out - I enjoyed every single moment of it. Looking at their faces light up when I give the presents made my day. Christmas, this is what it’s all about!

Soon after that, Chinese New Year and Ang Pows! I am apparently obligated to give them out from this year onwards and I have to say, I enjoyed it too! As small as 5 dollars up to 100 dollars, that is my way of saying ‘Thank you for everything you’ve done’, “Keep it up!”, “Your hard work has been noted!” or even “Thank you for being here”, these little red envelopes symbolize my appreciation to people that have made some sort of impact in my life in one way or another From my regular cab driver, maid, friends to my co-workers. Unlike Christmas, this is a very ‘Chinese way’ of saying ‘ I care for you’. The amount of money is equal to ‘affordable love (TM)’! Ang Pow measures our care and love, on some level – albeit in a conscious and very literarily direct way - but a fair way ; )  

It feels good that I am on someone else’s list too; it feels even better that there are lot of ‘someones’ that I care enough to make happy.

Sometimes, giving IS better than just receiving.  

I feel richer by giving.