Holidays and Nostalgia

This time of year can be hard for many, especially for those who don't have family and friends, and for the ones who have a lot of responsibilities, or are going through tough situations. I know this only too well. I've been there, and it's not fun. 

However, I have always been fortunate enough to have people in my life who encouraged me to hang in there, and be strong. This will pass too, and life will get better. Even so, no one can do it for you. You're the one who has to face your challenges, and come out of it in one piece.

The holidays always remind me of the people I love. The ones who are around, and those who have passed on. And it's not that I don't think about the people I care about on other days, but somehow this time of year brings about a feeling of nostalgia for me.

I used to put up a real tree, not every year, because you know, life sometimes gets in the way. But the years that I did, I somehow felt better, more relaxed. This year, I was debating if I should put up something and send out some cards even though I rarely get a card from anyone. The card in the above photo is from an old friend, and it's the only one I have received so far. I think our parents knew each other before we were born. She loves Christmas, and I call her Santa Clause because her house looks like Santa's house, and as soon as the New Year begins, she starts counting the days until the next Christmas.

I decided last minute to do a little decoration and turn on my fireplace. No, it's not a traditional décor, but it's easy to put up. I don't have to go shopping for it, and it takes very little space when I put it away. I like things that are minimalist. I know that my nieces, and my Santa Clause friend would prefer a real tree. As for me, I want to keep it simple 😉

As you see, my cards have not been mailed yet. I'm not looking forward to the post office line. In L.A, lines can get a bit crazy, particularly around the holidays. Nevertheless, it's got to get done, because some of them are going to a few friends who live outside the country. I want to make sure that I put the right amount of postage. Also one year, the post office behaved like scrooge, and sent all my cards back because the size didn't meet their standard requirement (I think the envelopes were square instead of rectangle), and I needed to add more stamps to compensate for their irregular size.

This year, I made a few plans with my friends and family, one or perhaps two of which I will share here when it happens. I think if I didn't have any friends or family, I wouldn't let it stop me from having fun. I would watch my favorite Christmas movies, hang out in places that were festive, and strike up conversations with strangers. 

Life is what we make of it. There are times when we feel sad, because of stressful things going on in our lives. But we need to create moments of happiness, even if they are tiny moments. So, make time to create your mini moment and find some enjoyment, as small as it may be 💙

 

   

A walking tour in Dublin

The British ruled over Ireland for 800 years. When you go through most tours in Dublin, the consensus is how the British abused the Irish. And my walking tour was no different. Our tour guide in the blue shirt had a ton of energy, and spoke with excitement. He asked where everybody was from, and my British friend said that she was from Poland, which in a way was true because that's where she was born. I joked with her, and said I dare you to say that you are British.

The above photo is of Michael Joseph O'Rahilly who died at age 41 during the 1916 Easter rising as the Irish fought for their independence against the British rule. He could have been saved after he got wounded, but the British would not allow the paramedics save him until it was too late.

As Michael O'Rahilly laid on the ground, dying, he writes a letter to his wife, Nannie, which later becomes a part of the Irish history. The photo above is a plaque of his letter installed on a brick wall at the corner of Moore street in Dublin. This is what he wrote:

 

Written after I was shot. Darling Nancy I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street, and took refuge in a doorway. While I was there, I heard the men pointing out where I was, and made a bolt for the laneway I'm in now. I got more than one bullet, I think. Tons and tons of love dearie to you and the boys and to Nell and Anna. It was a good fight anyhow. Please deliver this to Nannie O'Rahilly, 40 Herbert Park, Dublin. 

Goodbye Darling

His house at 40 Herbert Park, Dublin, was demolished in 2020 to make way for a 66 million Euro apartment project. Historians and the city council were against the demolition, but ultimately, the big money developers won. The irony is that the reason these developers are enjoying a comfortable lifestyle free from the British rule is that Michael O'Rahilly was among the many who risked their lives to clear a path for independence. No good deed goes unpunished.

Famine memorial on the custom quay. The statues were sculpted by a Dubliner named Rowan Gillespie. It represents the Irish people walking toward the ship to escape hunger. During the British rule, there was plenty unrest. Farmers had to send their food to Britain, leaving them not much to eat except potatoes. And so, many country's poor depended on the potato to feed their families. In 1845, a mold infestation hit the potato crops, and as food became scarce, more than a million people died during the Potato Famine. On a different tour, a guide told us that it is believed the infestation was done on purpose. There are other sets of these statues presenting the arrival of the Irish refugees in cities, such as Toronto, where the Irish migrated.

During the Irish War of Independence, the men involved in the rebellion were excommunicated by the Catholic church, and were being chased and killed by the British forces. Sympathetic priests would travel from an underground tunnel in Dublin to the Maid of Erin pub, known today as the Confession Box, to do communion, and hear confessions.

After the tour, Dominika and I walked around to find a place for dinner. We ended up in the Temple Bar area, and had pizza. What was interesting was as the evening approached, and seats became scarce, people grabbed their food and drinks, and sat on the ground to eat. 

Unexpected things in life 

So, after spending Thanksgiving with my family, I was in a good mood until the day after when someone smashed into my car. I was pretty shaken because I haven't been a car accident in more than 10 years. I'm okay. It's just that I wasn't expecting someone to run their car into mine. 

Long story about what happened and all that. But I have been mentally blocked lately, not feeling like doing anything. Not even updating my blog or my social media. I had to keep reminding myself to be grateful that no one was injured.

I feel better today. Maybe because today was one of those days that everybody decided to call me. I've been on the phone all day past 1 a.m. Maybe that's what I needed to get out of my funk.

Anyway, since I didn't have much to write about, I decided to just post a video of one of my favorite musicians, Lady Gaga. I went to her concert once long ago with a friend of mine who asked me why I didn't film her and post it on my blog. I told her that I just wanted to enjoy listening to her songs instead of looking through a camera. And so, since I don't own any recordings of her, the below video from YouTube will have to do. I have another post coming up after this one. I guess things are starting to look up.