What Xmas??!!

It's right after all.... there's no Xmas spirit this year.
I think it's primarily the recession at fault.
With such grim bleak news everywhere of severe job cuts and plunging markets,
who would dare whip out their wallets and have a jolly good time anymore?

Whether it's going for a feast, throwing a party, organising drinks, buying party clothes and festive gifts... you have to admit X'mas does come with a bit of spending.
How to avoid spending? Skip the celebrations, for one.
And i'm guessing that's what most people are planning to do.

I go to town on the weekends and I'm kinda freaked out.
Not by the lacklustre lighting but... by the space available this season.
I've alwaz avoided going to town in December..cos it's jam-packed even on wkdays.
But for the last few Saturday evening, a time as prime as it can get,
there were lots available in the carparks and space to walk in every shopping mall.
It was seriously strange.

And if you need more serious indications of the spiralling economy, wait!
There were actually A FEW PARKING LOTS at Holland Village on a Saturday nite.
Crazy but true!

With signs like that, really, who dares to spend?!?!

You feel like the rich cow splurging and indulging away while everyone comes to their senses and tightens their belts.
I've not bought a single piece of clothing in December.
Honestly.
You don't want to be the only one at the cash register.

Other than 2 birthday presents, I really am hardly spending.
And for my mum's birthday, we are giving her cash.
I'm sure she'll appreciate it a lot more in these dour times.

And NBC has cut jobs in our American offices.
Even some on-air correspondents were let go.
Sorry state of things really.