Cherry on Top

If I wanna name this month of December I would name is Cheery on Top of 2014. Yes every good beginning to the year is auspicious but to me the ending too needs to be a special. Such was the month of December 2014 for me. It was a complete nostalgic month of December 2014.

The month started with a special Midas touch. Off late I am going to the church first thing in the morning every starting of the month where I go to play guitar but this time I opted to go also to my CSI church. A double delight for the first time in my life. The same weekend visited Nellai and it turned out to be a real Nostalgic Vacation (click on the link I have shared the memories of that vacation).

Then came my First Flight experience, I am still running outta words to describe that 55 minutes of Journey of lifetime.

Then in 2nd sunday went for a Village Ministry with my Yeshuas Ministry troop. Before I could get out of those wonderful moments came my First ever carols experience. Later followed by it a Car drive experience on my Casper to Nellai and returning with a beautiful secret which was revealed to me. In the midst of all these incidents didn't forget to erect my Christmas Tree and my wonder star.

By the time all these happened Christmas arrived. On the eve of Christmas after a long time, went for a bike ride with my brother David to Besant Nagar and ECR may be after a couple of months. We had kind of happy memories that night with little drama.

Christmas 2014 was yet another special one with my beloved Grandpa’s presence at home was a blessing in disguise. I was blessed to gift him a shirt for him for the first time. I don’t know what was running in his mind but I was little bit on tears. Along with my Aunt’s family joining the party was a complete new experience we as a family had all together.

Now guys, temme is not cherry on the top moments for me? If you say Yes then think again, if you say No then wait the real cherry was topped only in the last week.

It was on 26th evening when I took my guitar just to strum my aunt suddenly peeped into my room with a smile. She asked me what am I gonna do. I told just take out some songs for this New Year from youtube and make younger bro sing. It was then she sparkled an idea why shouldn’t we compose an own song of our own. I was game for it. We immediately sat down and started to scribble all possible word which is used for New Year wishes. After say couple of hours we made it into a song and made a rhythm in a nursery rhymes pattern – Link.

I was not overjoyed with that version time too was hitting midnight. Told my aunt she told felt the same, after serious brainstorming session alas we came up with a peppy version with variations in the strumming and style of singing like pauses etc. Those 4 hours of experience are completely freeze in my mind. Time was hitting early morning 3 but we didn’t mind being Sunday the next day. Our scribble didn’t stop there next day we scribbled a Tamil song too for New Year. The whole day of 28th we spent on singing and composing the tamil song. It was a complete fun because it was my first experience in composing and with scribble a song. The song has come out quite well. Hope you guys will like it. --- LINK 

My beloved Grandpa

The Cherry didn’t top yet guys. Aunt left by 28th of December. On 29th morning I came to know that my grandpa loves writing songs. In coincidence he had composed one Christmas song for my first Christmas way back in 1986. I was thrilled to know that, I made him write all the lyrics out of his memory and same night made him sing. He is 95 years old but his memories were sharp to recollect all the words of the song and scribbled it. Alas I made him sang too – I am sharing the LINK.

Finally on 30th my ultimate dream came true. It was to sing as a family and praise God. It all happened yesterday night when I asked my Grandpa to sing some old Keerthanai Christian Songs. He was ready to sing. Suddenly my dad joined the groove and my mom too for the last. We sang around 6 songs as a family and grandpa sang 3 separate. I was damn happy to the core to keep on strumming. I will be sharing all those songs on my soundcloud.com/djoephilip

I was just over flowing with ultimate joy when I was hitting my bed. I donno what more should I ask from God because he gave me such a wonderful blessed 2014 ending.

It was a real Cherry on the Top moments.

Today being the last day of the year, want to sign off with a note to all. Just believe in God. He will do wonders. No matter whatever circumstances you are facing just blindly have trust in Him. I had trust that someday all these things will happen but didn’t expect all these to happen in one single month.

I appreciate all my blog viewers who had been constantly supporting me and sharing their comments all these years particularly in 2014 , looking forward to same & more Love and Support in the year 2015.

Wish me more blog posts in 2015. 

Happy New Year 2015. 

Hidden Secret !!

A wonderful secret was revealed to me last week. My friends always brand me as a good organizer. I always thank God for giving me that gift but always wonder there is something beyond that that makes me a good organizer. It was 19th of December a Friday did I realize that it is in my genes.

Guess what?

Dad is a wonderful organizer a far more surpassing me. It was my Grandma’s 10th Death Anniversary, so my Dad and his brother planned to make it a good occasion to invite all friends and have a prayer meeting. My uncle (chitappa) has also built a new house so that too needed a Mini House Warming ceremony.

We went by car from Chennai and reached only on 19th noon. The function started at 4 by offering Flowers and Poo Maazhai to Grandma’s cemetery, then picking up Church Pastor from church to home. Followed by a warm welcome at home, later a prayer meeting and quick dinner for pastor.
By the time all guest too were present, nobody was left alone wandering. Everyone was having a cup of sweet (Payasam) for evening. Then at 7 the dinner with Mutton Kuzhambu (cooked with a cook at home) and Idiyapam & Idly ordered from outside. By 10 the function was over with a special memento (Bible verse) to all the guests. Mark my words there were no hick ups and issues. It was a simple but a well organized one.

At the end of everything I was just stumped because my uncle and my thatha (grandpa) told the entire thing was organized by Dad. I was just wondering how could he do that? Guess why? The entire thing was organized by him over the phone by sitting in Chennai. Now isn't that something to astonishing? To me it is very much. I being an organizer yes may too have organized the same event but not better compared to him.

A real secret was revealed to me :)

Really want to take this opportunity to thank God for giving a wonderful dad.

#ThankYouLord

My Dad :) 

Blessed Christmas Carols

All my dreams are coming true I should say happening in the month of December 2014. Second time in a month got a chance to post on the Label - "My First" followed by my first Flight Experience. 

It was my long time wish ever since I was in Delhi to be a part of Carol groups. My chithi's during Delhi childhood days used to come very late in the night by the time I would have slept most of the years. I always longed to be a part of Christmas Carols. Somehow or other God didn't had in His agenda of plans for me till last Saturday. 

Being a child of an Ex-Service man right from my childhood it was hard to be a part of Carol service because before I get gelled with any friends in Church, dad used to be transferred to some other state. During my end of School days and College days, I never got an opportunity to gel with some one. Though I am a regular Church goer still guess God didn't had will to allow me to get into this. 

Alas I was happy to the core to be part of my Church Carol group, more over was excited because I will be on Guitars ( Luckily the only instrument which was taken that day). I had very little practice and only the day of Carol did I know all the songs. I was quite confident that I would be able to strum with ease even though I would be playing for the first time. I waited for this opportunity for 28 long years to be a part of a Carol round service. 

The real ecstasy of dreams came alive at 9.30 p.m. when I first entered the house. I was very happy to play my first song of Carol. The song too was an easy one, with my favorite Biala Strumming pattern and then "We Wish you a Marry Christmas". Wow, the Adrenaline level was on peak and was almost jumping in joy. Me and my bro David were geared up with hooded Tee-shirt especially for this carols and had plans for some Pandora of Photographic poses. 

Most of all I was very delighted and got a peace of Mind because the main purpose of the entire Carol service was served. It was so Praise God and to Glorify His name, which I delivered it with full deliverance. 

We managed to cover around 8 houses because our time duration was limited, also because of the late start, We ended up only at 2.00 a.m. and reached home by 2.30 a.m. In the end because I was playing with full enthusiasm, my string broke up in the last house visit of the day.

Anyway this was a short experience which I wished to share with you all people about my first experience of my first carol service. It was for a small circle but the bundle of Happiness which was running in my mind was as if I was doing for a large gathering. Purely felt God's presence and His blessings which He rendered to me on that day. 

I take this opportunity to thank God for the wonderful opportunity which He gave me and enabled for a real blessed Carol rounds. Hope it is just a beginning and many more to follow in the coming weeks and in following years. 

p.s.: Also wish to thank God, because I slept at 2.30 a.m. and woke up at 5 a.m followed by which went to Kondakuppam a Village in Vellore for His ministry. I drove the entire journey and played Guitar. There were no obstacles or tireness. He was just filled in me and kept me fresh the entire day. Also enabled me to go and meet my school friends after that and made me sleep only 12.30 a.m. Midnight. Really it was His blessing because of which I am Alive today and happy under His shield. 

The entire signing crew of Carols

A Journey of 55 minutes

It may sound childish but need to share with shear happiness that I have finally traveled by Aeroplane. While many of my friends would have traveled at very young age and even my sister Cadence has traveled when she was hardly some months old, it took 28 years for me to step inside a Aeroplane and travel by it. 

It was for a marriage occasion of my Business Partner’s son for which I had to travel to Hyderabad on 9th December 2014 and return on 10th December 2014 both with God’s grace by flight.

Till afternoon of 9th Dec I didn't had thoughts that I was going to travel by Flight. Only when I packed my dresses did I realize that I am going to travel by Air. I even pinched myself whether it was a dream or a reality. The excitement level was at peak when I reached Airport and checked in. Incidentally my colleague who traveled with me too was in excitement. For him too it was his first experience in flight. I managed to click my first Selfie at Airport. 

After a little drama to board the flight we got seated in our seats and fastened our seat belts. I was lucky enough to get a window seat both the times. The adrenaline started pumping to max when the flight took reverse gear and was ready to take off. 

What happened in next 55 minutes of travel from Chennai to Hyderabad was a moment to cherish. The flight took its speed and started to take off. I was just Praising God and thanking Him in the entire journey. It was almost same like going in a Roller Coaster ride when it took off but in real, words aren’t there to describe the happiness I got when the flight took off. My heart was shouting in joy and my mouth was itching to shout #yaay but was in control over myself to hold my emotions & expressions. It was just a 55 minutes travel and even today I am not out of the hangover of my dream. While landing there was a bit of nervousness but with God’s grace it was a smooth landing.

On return from Hyderabad to Chennai the excitement level was not as much of the first one though.

Myself and my colleague were so curious about the Air Hostess and were having some exciting chats about them. I was itching to buy something while traveling but didn't want to waste money just for the sake of buying. 

Only one small disappointment that both onward and return journey were night travels so hardly could do any site seeing. But really I loved beautiful city of Chennai with heavy lights and lively traffic when I crossed above it. I even saw the Hyderabad city which was not too exciting as compared to the Chennai city. I have shared the pic of both cities in the last. 

God willing I may travel more on air to others parts of India or to other countries but this first experience of flight it will remain cherished forever. Also wish I travel during day time so that I could take some snaps of the God’s creation from up above. 

I took a snapshot of my first Air tickets which I am sharing. These tickets will remain fresh ever in my memories for ever. In another luck by chance I traveled by #GoIndigo which I felt gave me a wonderful support and service. Most important there were no flight delays during arrival & departure both on onward and return. 

There was one more dream which was fulfilled which I longed to do if I travel by Air someday. It was the tag of "Check-In Carry baggage" and let it remain till it gets torn. From my childhood I always dreamed one day my baggage too will have such a tag and it was fulfilled with God's grace. 

I know it was a perfect execution plan of my Almighty God who was the director of this show.  #PraiseGod for everything.

There were loads of tips to get away from the fear of Take Off given by my Chithi's like take a Chewing Gum which will ease your pressure. But one thing it was purely God's grace that I traveled safely both onward and return.

The return flight which I traveled :)

A vacation to remember :)

In the midst of busy hard days, got a couple of days break to my native for my Anna's marriage.

Uff, it was a tight jam packed scheduled but the memories were rocking to the core. Never imagined that it would be so memorable.

There were loads of plans to go out and huddle with my cousins from Ice-Cream parlours to Restaurants, but we settled down in our home upper portion of house which was quite spacious for around 10 of us.

It was an ultimate nostalgic evening. We huddled up wid a Groupfie and were thinking how to kill our time, so I came up with an idea to play "dumb charades". 

We managed to kill time the whole evening by playing that. In the midst of all these game, my cutie little sister was busy in painting my nails legs with nail polish. I repeat painting not just applying.

Uff, I took one snap which I am sharing, got scared literary at the end. Then all my cousins, poured Nail Polish remover to take off 90% of the Nail Polish, of which my little sister too accompanied in removing the paint.

Night we had a party with Parotta and Chicken 65 with all the Brothers & Sister and  their family present in our home. It was a very rare occasion to celebrate. It was also my Mama's birthday. 

Next day, being the last day of the trip we didn't wanted to waste by sitting just in home. My cousin Minna was having school till 11.30 a.m. so all young ones accompanied me to pick her up from school, later we all huddled. Thanks to Almighty we managed to squeeze out our time to hit atleast Arasan outlet for a quick munch.

The ultimate fun was in the evening. It was luck by chance when only the Grand Children of Michael Raj (i.e. my Mom's dad) were all together at one place except for Sekar mama's kids.

We six at the end sat together for a group photo-up and with shear coincidence all were wearing a unique dress code. I am sharing the pic below, see our Tops from Left to Right -->> Red followed by Blue, then Red and ended with me with Blue Tee. Also all were in Full pants. It was an unplanned photo up but we enjoyed to the core.

I am also sharing below another wonderful video which we took it one the same day - The Columbus Ride of our Family Kutties.

I am sure you guys will love it. 

This post is all about the fun and happiness which can't be bought even if Millions of $$$ are given. I guess many of my / our friends are missing such fun by being too much busy with their work life 24*7 and showing least interest in spending time with their family members. Hope this video will kindle their instinct to spend some time with their cousins and family members. A small piece of advise, whenever you get time huddle with your cousins sply younger ones never miss to hit them with a bang and celebrate each moment. 

Being far from my cousins always make me miss them to the core. But being far also builds the expectations to meet them and huddle with them for some nostalgic memories.

p.s. it was a 2 days trip but ended up in loads of memories which couldn't be expressed out to the fullest in the blog. But hope the pics which I have shared and the videos will express out to larger extent. I thank the Almighty Jesus who gave me such a wonderful trip to Nellai.