I can hear, smell, and see Christmas coming ...

Christmas is my favorite holiday ever since I was a kid. It's one of the occasions that brings family together. Chikahan to the max, pagkain to the max, inuman to the max. I remember this one time which was probably 15-17 years ago (shiet, tanda ko na), Ate Kaye and I were the "eldest" and we were the ones assigned to give out the gifts. All were the gifts for the whole family (it was Xmas so it was all of the Balatbat lang muna, lahat ng anak ng grandparents - mom's side) was in one area. Then Ate Kaye and I would take the gifts and scream out the name on the gift tag. At that time, I'd feel irritated if I don't hear my name a lot coz that means, I didn't get lots of gifts. Pero, looking back, I remember seeing the happy faces of my younger cousins when they receive the gifts and the reactions of the parents when they see us lil ones smiling and beaming with happiness ... it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. LOL. Pero di nga, it's heartwarming. That's Christmas for me ... spending time with family and making each other happy.

Unfortunately, this year, I'm not going home. This will be my second Christmas away from family. It sucks ... not because I won't get gifts from family (coz at this age na may trabaho na and all, di na madami ang regalo from the titas/titos/lolos/lolas/mom/dad/bros) but because my family is so far away. Pero this second Christmas away from the whole family is better than the first one coz at least my brother is here with me. Pero mas wawa brother ko coz this is his first, tas his GF is in pinas. I, of course, will do my best to cheer him up (Ate to the rescue! hehe) Although I have relatives sa CA and Canada, I don't anymore vacation days. so .... thank God for friends! LOL.

Christmas Countdown