Ringing in 2013

To quote Charles Dickens in "A Tale of Two Cities"  (1859),   the year 2012  :

".... was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of  Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way."

A lot of the time it was like the salmon's journey - upstream against the torrents and losing good friends along the way.

But there were also blessings - like the warmth of new friends ........

 ....... Zarina and her three boys, husband Ken and sons Daniel and Haiqal and Kakak Zainon the mother and grandmother.   And as always, stalwart companions Irene and Jailani.

In Leicester,  there was little  Wania, Yasir's and Rafiah's new and first born bundle of joy.

Happy mum, Rafiah and little Wania.

Proud Baba (Dad)  Yasir.  He could , off the top of his head, inform me that Wania's  " date of birth is 28 November 2012, Wednesday, 1620 at Leicester General Hospital, delivery room number 7"!

So we now have a new title in Urdu, Dada for grandfather and Dadi for grandmother.  In future, each time we come back to Leicester we will have someone under 21 to catch up with.

A big 'teh tarik' thank you to Maria for helping us through many hurdles and crossings - and just for being there - when we were in Kuala Lumpur and even while we are here in Leicester.

This ex-student of mine.....

..... gave up three days of his time to drive me to Singapore and back  -  to enable me to see Lely -  as the spouse was not well enough to make the journey.  Thank you Din from us two and Lely.

Another year, another journey and  I wish for all who pass my way and AsH's blog a happy and peaceful 2013  and a big thank you.