Life as I Know It

Barely two days to go before Christmas.  I wonder what it’s gonna be like this year?  A few days ago, I was a bit apprehensive about the coming holidays.  Yes.  It is my favorite time of the year.  It’s just that certain things made me a little less excited about it.

I’m happy though that my spirits are lifting up.  That’s one thing I love about Christmas.  Noone is immune to it.  Even the most jaded of people J 

So what’s my Christmas high?

… Presents.  As a kid, I truly believed in Santa Clause.  I used to write him my wishes.  Too bad mama wasn’t so good at hiding her stash.  Or perhaps I shouldn’t have been too nosy.  What I’m saying is that, I enjoyed getting all those gifts.  It doesn’t matter if it was jack stone, hair clip or doll.  I loved everything that I got.  And nothing has changed.  I still love receiving gifts.  It really doesn’t matter what I get.  To me, the excitement really comes from ripping the wrappers.

… Putting up the Christmas tree.  Nothing completes the Christmas picture but the tree.  I don’t know why.  I am not so moved by parols, wreaths, and other decors.  To me Christmas Tree is everything.  I get sad when I don’t have one at home.  Back when I was just renting a room, I had to have one even if it doesn’t even stand a foot!   Basta tree!  The gaudier the better!  And guess what, we have two 4-foot tree at home!  Mama and I were taking out the decors and I jokingly said “2 trees para mas masaya”.  What do I know, mommy was listening and the next time I went home, there were indeed 2 trees!

… hunting for the best buys.  I have a santa-complex which I’d love to indulge.  What is Christmas anyway without giving away gifts especially to kids.  There’s nothing like seeing a child’s eyes grow big with excitement at the site of a gift.  Over the years, there’s been one place that has always been my ally.  Time and again, divi hasn’t let me down yet.  Now if only there is a CDO version of the thing…

… Christmas parties.  No other occasion tops the merriment and preparation of a Christmas party.  From the small intimate family dinners, to office parties, to batch reunions, to the most happening ones.  And yes, I cannot pretend to discount the fact that I don’t look forward to the open bars hahaha

… Christmas air.  If there is one day that I can clip my horns and curb my sharp tough it is Christmas.  There are quite a number of us in this world.  But Mr. Hyde always gets the VL on this day.  Now ain’t that grand?  Peace and harmony indeed!

… Fireworks.  Fireworks have a way with me.  I love watching the bright colors burst into different shapes.  For a brief moment, I pause and just do nothing but look up the sky and smile in awe.

… Carols.  Carols on the other hand makes me a bit sad.  Sometimes it even makes me cry.  It’s silly how I’m more drawn to the sad tones of Christmas.  The mental image of mama with a far away look in her eyes and Johnny Mathis playing I’ll Be Home for Christmas is never far away.  And though it’s sad, that song is still my favorite song.  Never mind that there will never be snow where home is.

But I’m afraid, I missed out a lot this year.  There was none of the Christmas dinner with my best friends.  Bad weather (and old age hahaha) made me miss all the Misa de Gallo.  I miss the Christmas carols and fireworks of Ayala Center (last year’s was really great – fireworks display and the UP Singing Ambassadors).  I miss the excitement of going home to the province for an extended holiday. 

I’m looking at the tree.  Sadly, I see none of the gifts that trully matter yet.  And I wonder… Is there still something for me in that huge red pouch that the fat jolly fellow in red is lugging around the globe?  Is my wishlist really such a tall order?