I wrote this a few days ago but cudn’t post it at my blog cos’ it’s been giving me problems but below was what I wrote. Firstly, a very happy 2005 to one and all and I hope the new year brings more love and happiness you way. Secondly, in our joy and celebrations I hope that we do not forget our fellow friends who are not as fortunate as us and whose new year was spent in panic, grief and uncertainty. Let us all pray for them and do whatever we can to help them live on.

I am deeply saddened by the recent tsunami attacks that have, at present, left about 150,000 dead and many more injured and displaced. I find it a little hard to be happy, you know, with the arrival of the new year, meaning a new start and all. Most of the time, I find myself either in denial about the destruction that has occured or trying to distract myself with something just to not be reminded of the cold hard truth that stands right before me. I watch the news everyday, in fact, the news is what my family's watching almost all the time to get the latest updates on whatever's happening at the disaster-stricken areas. I see dead bodies, some frozen, with arms reaching out, and I can only imagine that they were either reaching out for help or to The One above. I see people crying, and children bleeding, houses destroyed, among other things. And here I am, spoilt little me, complaining about every single thing I can find faults with when I am so much more blessed than they are. I sleep at night and conveniently pull my blanket over me when I can't stand the cold, and over there, people are dying of hunger and the cold because they don't even have food or a shelter over their heads anymore. I realise that I might sound a little too naggy but I just felt as if I have to share my thoughts with someone, with all of you here. I urge all of us here who are lucky enough to be sitting in front of our computers to do whatever we can to help those affected by the calamity, and to other people who might need our assistance. I read in the Koran that GOD never fails to assist us, so why should we not extend our assistance to those who are in need? For those of you who do not believe in a GOD, think of just one time that you needed someone to lend you a hand, during a time when you really needed one. Imagine if no one had come at that time. You are now in the position to render help. Do not turn away. GOD bless us all.(I wrote a poem to kinda express some of my thoughts and it’s the one below. Enjoy!)

To The Victims of The Tsunami Attacks- You are loved and remembered!

Will my prom dress be of any use?
The one I spent days fussing over
Now that the sky has changed hues
And it’s cold and all you need is a cover
Will my expensive perfumes be able to mask?
The revolting scent exuded by the defeated
To ease off the pressing impossibilities of the task
Of having to move on despite having hopes depleted
I sit here everyday and moan my life away
When you don’t even know if you’ll see the next sunrise
Unpredictability and despair mar the day
And you pray that days ahead won’t be filled with goodbyes
I quarrel with the people I love almost everyday
Over stupid little things that might not even matter
Then I took some time to reflect and pray
When I realized your family’s lifeless bodies you had to gather
Why do I look to all the things that wouldn’t last?
When all I need is right here presented before me
What is my “sorrow” compared to your heartbreak lying vast?
That left you nothing you can do but let things be
I’ll be praying for you, my faith is still not gone
I feel your pain and I see your shattered dreams
I urge you not to give up and to hold on
Because behind every dark episode, a ray of light gleams