Thankful 2012

I had the same question as Galadriel, "Why halfling?" And this struck me immediately: 

"Saruman believes itis only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I havefound. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep thedarkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhapsbecause I am afraid, and he gives me courage." - Gandalf, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I can't agree more. And I suddenly realised that, there are many small everyday deeds around me, to remind me that life isn't always gloomy and difficult. I should not take those small little deeds for granted, they are most deserved my gratitude.

I am suppose to do Thankful Today for December, but decided to look back the entire 2012, pick our small everydaydeeds (according to to the list) and collate them to count the blessings as weapproach the end of 2012. Small little deeds that was captured by SC (mostly) and now browsed by me for collation for the year, just to remind me that, these are the small little deeds that pick myself up quick enough to continue move on. 

20120103/Beginning: She is embarking a new chapter of her life. Small body with the smallest size  uniform that we could get for her. Nope, she didn't excel in her study but she sure have lots of fun in the school.

20120124/Clean: The girls are sweeping the dried leaves forgetting ready a great celebration of Chinese New Year. One of the simple gesture that would remind me to grab a seat and watch they interact or completing a task. 

20121014/Read: Finally, she is able to read on her own andenjoy the moment of reading. 

20120212/Light: Sun light witnesses their happiness in the playground.

20120212/Smile: Playground brings them smile; smiles thatloosen my defense and tension.

20120423/Talk: We talk. Why this is not meimei(in thepicture)? Meaning talk with the little one. I'm glad SC captured this very little moment of ours. We looked very engaged...

20120123/Preparation: Putting up the cherry blossom, part of preparation to welcome the Lunar New Year and rejoicing family reunion. 

20121028/View: Viewing from the bubbles, simple, small yet interestingattempt. 

20120809/Family: I have to thank her, my mother-in-law for being very tolerance with grumpy-me, with mischievous granddaughters. She is one tough woman who will bite the bullet for the sake of her son and family.

20120529/Tree: It is one of those daunt days, one of the darkest day through the year. But one simple kind gesture from a colleague of mine immediately clears the gloom and doom. The tree brings me some luck somehow...

20120630/Write: I write heartedly more this year, bilingually. I am glad I joined in some of the linky party, did some guest blogs (listed on the right column of this blog) and co-write an article with SC for a travel magazine. I thank them for giving the opportunity that allow me write something that I wouldn't write if not because of them: Evelyn, Justina, Winnie and Ernie=). 

20120103/Every day: Soup is a-must-have for every day’sdinner, and love how the little one decided to best enjoy the soup. Working part-time allows me to have time to cook hearty dinner for the family,most of the days. 

20120122/Growth: They wake up from an afternoon nap andimmediately been asked to pose for daddy to snap. I love this shot a LOT. These eyes, are telling me, "Look mom! We grown up after a nap." 

20121013/Blue: Jumping into the blue pool is a great way toforget what mama has nagged about just now. (We were in a family trip to Melacca)

20120325/Walk: Walking with an old friend in the foreign land,without the girls and husband, absolutely carefree and brings back so muchlaughter and memories between my friend and I. (It was the rare occasion that I get to go for a conference oversea and I took the liberty to visit a friend.)


Obviously, the girls are my Bilbo and they give me huge courage to never give-up. I also can't deny there are many other small, simple acts of kindness and love from people around me to keep the darkness at bay for me. I am THANKFUL for every moment of 2012.

[I do a wrap for each and every year in my blog. Check out my 2011, 2010, didn't write for 2009 (was in miserable preggie stage), but sure did for 2008.]