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September 21 Christmas 2008 & New Year 2009I wonder why? But the two occasions are a week apart and seems like one occasion. This was our small Christmas Day and our New Year Day Lunch with our family. Some people prefer to have a large gathering but we seem to love our small together lunch & dinner. It’s been two years since we decided to cook & eat a meal that is usually out of the blues for us. This is what makes the day different and exciting… The traditional Goan food for such occasion has stopped since we cook them during our parties… I suggest that you try that out… or treat yourself to something that you’d never do normally. January 10 Happy New Year 2008Yes, my dear friends and family - Wishing you a Happy New Year 2008, a prosperous & joyous one to come your way. This post was put at this time because if I did publish it earlier, everyone would have been busy with the New Year celebration that no one would have read it. Now, we all have resumed with our daily routine and new year seems a time of the past...we can get back to reading my thoughts....
 On 31st when we attended the evening service at Chruch, the priest said, rightfully, that we go to Church for 2 reasons... 1st reason, to thank God for all the rewards / favours / happiness that He granted us in 2007... 2nd reason, to lay our petition to ask for the same in the year 2008... I might sound relgious, now, but I believe this is true... hmmm... any say?
 Let's reflect... We think back and feel good only of the good favours and times that we got our way as the blessing that was granted to us... We forget and don't want to think of the times that we were sunk low with "bad luck". But those were times of hardship & stepping stone to the blessing... Believe it or not? I've checked my life and that has turned true...
Anyways, away from the philosophy of life... to New Year's Day... We had a small family gathering for dinner in which we had invited my Dad, Mum and my brother, Agnelo, & family. We began with a snack for Garlic Cheese Bread... everyone seemed to enjoy it
September 01 2007 Vacation to Goa - Part 1As promised following are details of our vacation: 21st June, 2007 - Bena & the kids arrived to Goa on the 21st of August at 9am after being delayed on flight for about 2 hours because of heavy rainfall and the runway being flooded. Upon arrival, they visited Mr. Santosh Kurtarkar (the contractor for Kurtarkar Contructions and for our building Kurtarkar Gardens). Crystal received the keys to our new flat and Bena opened the door to our new asset. Click here to view the pictures. 24th June, 2007 - Bena & the kids joined my parents in Siolim to celebrate San Joao festival. This festival is well-known and specially celebrate in Siolim in the most colourful and traditional manner. It began with all the villagers attending the Mass at Tropa Church (for the serious part of the festival). This followed by all the grown-up & kids heading to St. Anthony water well. This is where the kids jump into the well and have grownup to help them out. This is symbolized as being "Baptized". Next was the colourful Boat and floats flowing to St. Anthony Church (the central church of Siolim). Everyone was rocking with Lorna, a famous singer from Goa. Click here to view the pictures. 19th July, 2007 - Yes, the day when I arrived... The morning was busy, cause we had to arrange for 2 events in the evening. There was not much for me to do, just minor touch-ups here and there. It was a day filled with double joys... First, we had our home blessing at 4pm in the evening - followed by the the 2nd joy, my birthday :) My mum, aunt & her family, my in-laws and a dear friend. A small gathering but filled with joy, I must say. Click here to view the pictures. Our home - We celebrated India Independence day & Our Lady of Assumption feast on the 15th of August and had a small lunch for our near ones. Click here to see our home decorated with wonderful furniture made of Burma Teak wood and was hand picked by my wife. I arrived home to find all furniture in-place and ready to be used. 2 heavy beds with great mattress & side tables, beautiful dinning table with a strong glass top, sofa set (3 + 2) with a tea poy and a gorgeous tall showcase... We're Back...Yes, my dear fans... We've back in Kuwait... Bena & the kids had left on 20th of June to Goa... I, followed them on 18th of July... After spending 2 & 1 month respectively we arrived back on the 22nd of August... Details of the trip will follow soon (I will try my best to fill you with all the facts)... In summary, although there was heavy rainfalls in Goa - almost everyday - life was still fun filled with alot of various activities... After coming back, we tried to get adjusted to the time change... I know it's not much but after a vacation this seems to be always the case. Now with the weekend change... We all off on Friday & Saturday... Very close to the holidays back in Goa... Don't move from this channel... Loads of pics coming soon... January 08 Happy belated Birthday Bena & New Year 2007I felt a little better on New year... A miracle of the New Year, I guess...
You see, Bena will never give herself a break, even if the party is for her. She makes sure that she always has something prepared by her - meaning I could never have a surprise party for her or else I'm dead! (just kidding).
Our Christmas DayOur Christmas day, on the whole, was fun... My kids woke up in the morning and were over joyed to see the gifts from Santa left them at night. Both toys proved to be education because they couldn't wait to start learning its use.
We were invited to my Dad's for Lunch and there are some pics of the same in the album (click on the image above). Between lunch and dinner, we had couple of visitors come over to our home and really kept our day filled. For dinner, we had an invitation to my brother's place... He had a table full of dishes prepared (of course, it was prepared by his wife)... To top of things of the table, he had a Turkey prepared... Wow, big and grilled well with all the stuffing and the works...
Like life in Kuwait... the day passes by real quick and before you know a month has passed by. That was Christmas day. December 24 Merry Christmas EveryoneAnother year with this occassion we call "Christmas"...
 What is Christmas? Is it a time to party - get drunk or have fun wishing one and other? I think I can define this time in another way... Wish everyone we meet this year, "Merry Hope - Joy - Peace & Love"... I think we need these actions in our lives to help us live better and, most of all, with one and other...
I don't want to sound like a person beyond my "calling of age" but I was touched by a person I came aross in Church... After mass, my family & myself were leaving out, when a ederly gentleman passed by us, saw my daugher and wished her "Merry Christmas" and hugged her... then proceeded to wish me... I, of course, wished him too... He didn't know us but still came forward to wish us... I guess he wanted to spread the joys of Christmas... Silly of me, I didn't stop to ask him his kind name and perhaps get to know him... I still would like to thank him for making this change this year...
My wish to all of you, my family & friends, is to seek & spread "hope - joy - peace & love"... We all need to receive & return these gifts... Let's help one and other to live better - bring the world a little closer to each other... Like "Band Aid" in the 80's sung "We are the World" - I guess this song should be combined with the spirit of Christmas.
On a more religious blessing... Peace to you and your family this & every Christmas... May the Lord shine his Joys upon your worries... May the Love that you seek for - find you and stay with your heart for ever... And may the Hope of a bright new tomorrow come your way always...
I would like to thank one and all for all the Christmas greetings that you have sent...
 Loves from the ABCD Rodrigues family this Christmas Season 2006... Our Christmas Eve Dinner
My early Christmas Gift
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We decided to have a Lunch party for Bena and invited my Dad, Mum, brother Agnelo & his family. We prepared a home made Carrot Cake with mixed fruits and nuts. For the main favorite, the food, we had the following prepared. The main food, Vegetable Mixed Rice, Chicken Sweet & Sour & Pepper Steak were prepared by me and Green Mutton Curry, Cauliflower Prawn Curry & Shrimp Fry prepared by Bena. The dessert, Birthday Cake prepared by both of us and the Baked Bread Pudding prepared by Bena. 
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