Cross stitch.

This is what I’ve been up to.

(Notice a bit of my thumb on the left just to add the authenticity needed to the picture to prove that it’s not taken from the internet :P).

I wanted to write an entire report of my year.

I wanted to write a New Year’s resolutions list.

But guess what? I’m absolutely short on time and I have to run and get ready for the dinner tonight.

So instead, I am just going to wish every single one of you a better 2012!

This are part of the ‘canapés’ I have been making all afternoon/evening long. Blame these little pieces of heaven and not me for this short and empty post.

See you next year!

Today the day couldn’t have started better.

I was enjoying my breakfast sitting at the table next to the window with the sun warming up the room while it was windy outside. The apartment was really calm because my roommates were still sleeping. I have decided then and there to start reading one of the books I took from the library yesterday.

I was one of this books you’ve always heard about and one of these authors everyone knows. But for some reason I had never given this particular book a chance until today.

The result has been extraordinary. I have read the entire book (it’s a short one) from cover to cover in one sitting. I am not a literary expert but I dare to sat that this Orwell’s masterpiece is a perfect satire to describe the society we are living in.

All the main character being animals is just the perfect juxtaposition to depict so fully the tyranny of those who proclaim themselves in charge of the rest of us.

Perhaps instead of giving away political pamphlets they should promote the reading of this novel. That way, each one of us (from sheep to pigs) could get a wiser opinion about the world that surround us.

Dear Santa,

For this year there is just one thing I would like to ask for.

In fact it’s not so much a brand new present, but I’d love if you could bring me back my Christmas’ Spirit. 

When times get rough, people start to get pessimistic and lately we’ve all been fed up with negative feelings around us. This economic crisis is hitting hard to most of us and it is saddening to think that twelve days from now it’ll be Christmas Eve and I am not nearly ready for it. 

See, just the fact of having to go and buy some presents scares me to death. I don’t have much money at all and I can’t seem to find a proper thing to give to my beloved ones. 

It has not always been this way, you know. Back in time, I would take my credit card and hit joyfully the street and get amazing finds to offer to my closest acquaintances. But this year, my bank account is shaking and not excatly because of the cold outdoors. 

We all have to be extra careful with every cent that we own, because we might get up tomorrow and have nothing. My country is in danger of being kicked out of the Euro currency and that would lead to a  terrible devaluation of assets. 

So how am I supposed to go joyfully pick up some presents if all I can afford is to look at the shop windows? The only store I am currently visiting is the grocery store and even that hurts. When you get charged 6€ for a bottle of water, some bread, a pack of cheese and a box of tissues it hurts deep down in your soul. I am nor the first not the last person who has actually eaten almost all of their life savings away. 

You might think that I am a spoiled brat who never had to fight for a dime. I guess we all agree there are way less fortunate people than us in the world. But this is not about that matter. I wish all humanity had all the basic necessities covered, but you will agree with me that sadly that is far from being a reality.

So what happened to us, the fortunate, spoiled, lucky people from “wealthier” countries? We (the fortunate occidental society) are witnessing how it all fades away in front of us and there seems to be no way to stop it. 

I have been looking for a part time job but I am starting to think, that is never going to happen to me. So how am I supposed to save a buck if I can’t get a job? It’s easy math. 

So, dear Santa, understand the fact that last weekend when I decorated the Christmas tree I was feeling low and worried rather than happy and warm-hearted. What will I put under that (metaphoric)tree is still a mystery.

There are Christmas ornaments all over the city and people, instead of enjoying them talk about the fact of how the council can still afford that and that perhaps they should have gone more low key given the circumstances.

So yes, what I want from you this year is that, at least for a day, you bring me back that Christmasy joy and comfort we all know. That way, instead of worrying about an empty tree and socks, at least for a day, I will be able to share the happiness with my beloved ones without having to worry about anything else.

Yours sincerely,

Exactly what I needed to listen to right now. It makes me feel as if you’d have my back.

Thank you John.