This does not come as a surprise since I have always loved the holidays. In those numerous surveys which go around the Internet faster than TGV trains, I always have the same answer to the question "What is your favorite time of the year?" My answer would always be "Christmas." I like Chrismas better than my birthday even! And my reasons for liking Christmas are endless! There's the decorations, the food, the gift exchange...yada yada. But what I like best about Christmas is the fact that it is the only time of the year wherein every person seems to be in the greatest mood ever. I have yet to encounter people who act like the Grinch during Christmas. Everybody seems to be so jolly and happy and giving (forgiving, even) and cheerful that it would appear to most that a frown would be enough reason to lock up a person in the deepest abyss of the earth simply because he deeply affected the current sugary nature of the world. The word "merry" is vital in Christmas as much as "happy" is to the New Year. And to think that I was able to survive the entire two weeks with barely no time for Internet!
This Holiday season was no different from the ones I spent years before but I never get tired of the same old routine. We still spent it with my grandparents in the province. My uncles and aunts along with my cousins would come and go. We also still hosted our annual Christmas party on Christmas Day with the people who lived near our house. We still had ham on the table. My Lolo still sneaked glassfuls of Fundador into his mouth when we weren't looking. My mom still wore her annual New Year "costume" - an old red dress with while polka dots in concordance with the belief that the circles would bring in more money.
But this year was made extra fun because my Tita Vilma and Tito Danny from Manila visited us for the New Year. So we had two additional seats on the table which made our conversations louder and our laughs more boisterous.
I find myself writing nothing new about the Holidays every year. Maybe that's just the way it is. For me, Christmas has always held a simple meaning. It's all about love - being with the ones you love and remembering Christ's love for us also. There's nothing difficult about it, there's nothing complicated. But for a simple message, why doesn't it truly get to our core?
My sister and I with Tito Dan and Tita Vilma
New Year's Eve with my grandparents, Tita Neoly and cousins Ramboy, Ai-ai, Carol, Manuel, Gracious and Loida.
Don't know why Lolo looks so cross but maybe it's because my nieces Aidagere, Bea and Pau did nothing all day but eat datilis from his tree!
I'm such a bad aunt! I'm teaching my nieces how to gamble at an early age! Playing with mahjong blocks underneath Lola's starapple.
In case you didn't notice, we have this thing for trees.
Lolo is very fortunate to have such pretty granddaughters in the person of Manang Gracious, Candy and my sister.
One of my favorite shots of Lolo and Inday...
...and this too!
Tita Vilma tried to go on a diet during her visit. I can't say for sure how that went.
If there's one thing Tito Dan's gotta have, it's Coke!
Whatcha doin?
My dad hangs tough with his ate. He'd kill me if I ask this question but who looks older?
Regarding the diet question I mentioned somewhere above, see why it's difficult?
This Holiday season was no different from the ones I spent years before but I never get tired of the same old routine. We still spent it with my grandparents in the province. My uncles and aunts along with my cousins would come and go. We also still hosted our annual Christmas party on Christmas Day with the people who lived near our house. We still had ham on the table. My Lolo still sneaked glassfuls of Fundador into his mouth when we weren't looking. My mom still wore her annual New Year "costume" - an old red dress with while polka dots in concordance with the belief that the circles would bring in more money.
But this year was made extra fun because my Tita Vilma and Tito Danny from Manila visited us for the New Year. So we had two additional seats on the table which made our conversations louder and our laughs more boisterous.
I find myself writing nothing new about the Holidays every year. Maybe that's just the way it is. For me, Christmas has always held a simple meaning. It's all about love - being with the ones you love and remembering Christ's love for us also. There's nothing difficult about it, there's nothing complicated. But for a simple message, why doesn't it truly get to our core?
My sister and I with Tito Dan and Tita Vilma
New Year's Eve with my grandparents, Tita Neoly and cousins Ramboy, Ai-ai, Carol, Manuel, Gracious and Loida.
Don't know why Lolo looks so cross but maybe it's because my nieces Aidagere, Bea and Pau did nothing all day but eat datilis from his tree!
I'm such a bad aunt! I'm teaching my nieces how to gamble at an early age! Playing with mahjong blocks underneath Lola's starapple.
In case you didn't notice, we have this thing for trees.
Lolo is very fortunate to have such pretty granddaughters in the person of Manang Gracious, Candy and my sister.
One of my favorite shots of Lolo and Inday...
...and this too!
Tita Vilma tried to go on a diet during her visit. I can't say for sure how that went.
If there's one thing Tito Dan's gotta have, it's Coke!
Whatcha doin?
My dad hangs tough with his ate. He'd kill me if I ask this question but who looks older?
Regarding the diet question I mentioned somewhere above, see why it's difficult?
