There's no place like home! December 12, 1997 (and more)

My dear little Pretties,

What a year! What a dream!

But it wasn't a dream, it was a place, and you, and you, and you, and you were there! But you couldn't have been, could you? This was a real truly live place. And I remember that some of it wasn't very nice, but most of it was beautiful. But just the same, all I kept saying to everybody was, "I want to go home." And they sent me home! - Dorothy

My crèche is in place, the decorations are all up (yep, both of them) and my place won first place in the competition for the best decorated building in Singapore. It just goes to show that tackiness is indeed international. We did not win the "Cleanest Toilet" competition but there is always next year!

I have finished my Christmas shopping and I am starting to pack for my trip back from Asia to the Wicked West. Goodness, in the time of candy canes and eggnog, all I can dream of are bagels, chewing gum, and a long visit with Ms. Margarita on the Rocks! Funny how you miss the smallest of things! I will be in the new trailer in Barbados for the season. A 36 hour ride home will be worth it! Cousin V! Hope your floor is strong enough for the big bash this year! I do have to stop in London, Amsterdam and NYC on the way, basically taking the flight from hell (with stopovers).

Thanks for the cards and letters but you folks need to cool in on the calling. It is slightly embarrassing to have my handphone ring in the middle of a meeting. The embarrassing part is not the interruption (not here in Asia), but the fact that I have my ringer set to a lovely piece from the "Phantom Of the Opera" AND I CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO CHANGE IT! I just grin at the room, and give them my coolest Alexis-stare. I am twice their size, the do not make fun of me, or my showtunes! I'll SMACK them. I will!

My move to Asia has been made so much easier with all of the warm thoughts that have come to me from afar. It was nice to get away from the vicious back stabbing queens . Yes I got Debbe's South Beach Thanksgiving Update and Sister Juci's Southern Decadence blur. But I can honestly say that I have not missed the vicious trailers wenches of the old Park. I was recently confronted (electronically) by one...hmmm...she did not know who she had crossed! I quoted my fave line from the Wizard of Oz, "Oh rubbish...you have no power here...be gone, before somebody drops a house on you too."

And she was gone...

Sylvia, I am sorry that we did not do Paree together this year, Chipperlean, I've learned to live with life's smaller pleasures, Amanda, say off of the Campus. Ms. Zoom Zoom, where have the personals gone? Trudy, one day! Alana, we will catch up on the beach (you bring the mixers). V! Home soon! Consuela, tuck in the good Dr. for me (tuck, with a "t"), Jackie, keep getting better, and love the 'burbs. Tina! White Christmas? Charms, I'm trying, got the present? Marta and Marianne, stay out of the Snow! Bad for the nipples! Alana, I was going to ask you to the wedding next year, but your hysterical wailing will not suit the mood of the church! T.J(s).I LOVE you and hope that you remember me when the academy nominates you this year! Everyone else. I hope that you got your fruitcakes! I love each and every one of you.

I know, I am gushing. It's the tequila talking!

Well folks that is all for 1997. From the bottom of my heart I wish you all (near and far)...Merry Christmas, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Kwanza, Hanukkah, and what ever else I am missing. This has truly been a wondrous year for the old Verly Girl, and I could honestly not think of a better time. All of you are to thank for that.

Time for my Ping Pong Lessons!

LOVE and remember
"Only bad witches are ugly" - Glinda, the witch of the North.

Verlence of the East!

P.S. In case you are interested in the Chinese translation for the following:

Ding Dong = Ring Ring
Auntie Em = Auntie Auntie
Toto = Many Many