Life as I Know It

Like most people, my inbox is quite full of Christmas-y text messages, all warm, merry, and well-meaning. Whether spam-like or the clichéd merry Christmas, every single text message I received I truly appreciate (yes, even those from my least-favorite-people list).  The stand-out though was this one:

“this holiday season is 1 of those things u take with a grain of salt.  And a shot, heck, a bottle of tquilla.  Here’s to surviving xmas! Ü hope ur holding up ok…”

I just had to shake my head and smile at the message.  Man!  Zee nailed it again.  Although this time, it was Absolut Vodka. :p

Yes!  I survived Christmas.  Because although only one thing pervade my thoughts, I kept my eyes open for every single thing that can possibly make me more thankful about life.

… Like any normal person, I bitch about my work.  But during this time, I truly am grateful.  I’m saved from one major worry.  I have what I need.

… Last Friday, I dropped by the hospital to visit my cousin.  She just had complete masectomy.  About 2 years ago, breast cancer claimed my other cousin.  As I was talking to her, I was thinking “it could be me”.  Since my last visit to the doc, I am glad I am ok.

… My nephews love me.  And they are actually concerned about me especially with the news about Ate Betty.  Kuya, Seth and I were in a cab going to SM when Seth blurted out from out of the blue “Tita pagdali na lagi.  Dapat maminyo na ka para dili ka magka-breast cancer”.   I actually laughed and I said “Ate Betty was married and yet…”  But he had an answer to that too.  “aw pag-baby na lagi maski walay daddy”.  And I reminded him that he once said “ayaw na lang pag-asawa tita aron wala kay problema”.  And with all the confidence he said “Tita kaya lagi na nato”.  What can be more flattering than concern from an 11-year old?

… I have wonderful friends.  There is nothing like Christmas to remind me how lucky I am with the friends that walked into my life.  I am not talking about gifts here ok (although I do have a lot hehehe).  Christmas is always the perfect excuse for that long overdue get-together.  It doesn’t matter how long you lost touch, real friends always leave you with that warm feeling of being important and loved.  Thank God from impromptu Christmas lunches, dinners, coffees.  And yes, phone calls count too!

… I still have what I can call my family. Although I am convinced we are close to being dysfunctional in the mental sense :p  Well it’s just really quirks I’m referring to.  I love my hypersensitive mama, my really old and cranky lola, my peter-pan brother, my nephews, my sister-in-law.  I am glad that inspite differences, we can still spend Christmas together.  This was really unexpected!  Yes God.  I get it.  There are priorities, especially on holidays.

… Dogs.  They do make good pets.  We have a new pup.  Kuya named her Cherry Pie.  And for all her kakulitan, the furry dog does wonders for mama and mommy.  She’s definitely the new baby of the house.  And truly spoiled to the core and my Kulit is feeling a little left-out.  But of course, Kulit is still my baby and I guess he knows it by the way he makes lambing.  I just love the way climbs on my lap and lays his head on my arms!  And I can’t wait to have another baby soon

… Vacations that I rarely take.  These days in the mountains are doing me good.  Although my routine is totally altered, I got stuff to keep me busy.  Yes!  I get playtime with my nephews.  Since Saturday, Seth and I have been playing backyard basketball, the type that gets your hands really dry and all dirty.  But it’s more fun than arcade hoops hahaha  And then there are stuffs that require near zero brain activity aka household chores.  Yesterday, I got to burn a huge pile of nearly dried up leaves and branches.  Mama pruned (again!) our chico to the point of baldness.  I actually made a great fire going.  Now who can say “malamig ang pasko ko” :p

… There are more naptimes and peaceful sleeps in the bukid.  Maybe because it’s colder here?  Or maybe cricket sounds have a lulling effect.  I still sleep late but I don’t get to wake up every now and then.  And oversleeping is actually encouraged except when the hyperactive puppy starts its magic and wakes all sleeping beauties within her reach.  She nibbles noses!!!

I did survive Christmas!  Even when I am DMS-ing (yes DMS and if you know what I mean, I truly feel sorry for you) for most part of the day.  Sure Santa didn’t manage to get my first 2 wishes.  It’s quite depressing really.  But I got other presents under the tree as well.  So I’m fine, for now.  I am indeed holding up ok.  Worry not Zee.  Not yet anyway

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26dec2006