Beautiful As Ever

Christmas is here and each day is a count down. It was right around this time that everyone seems eaten up by what called holiday rush. You know, shopping, spending, indulging. It’s weird, but all the stresses and pressures of keeping up with the holiday spirit, and as difficult as it is financially burdensome from this time until it’s over, it is still is the merriest time of the whole year. As a child, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget how it all left me feeling: Thrilled, eager, happily expecting.

However, the feelings toned down a bit now that I am older. Although I still get this “mystical” holiday experience occasionally, heightened by all of light decorations, Christmas songs, Christmas parties, family reunions, it still dawned on me that this isn’t only the merriest, but also the most emotional, most sentimental of all months in the year. In fact, so many emotions were flying around at this time. On quiet nights, like last night, for example, when it was so quiet in my house that I could hear the sound of a pin drop, things creep into my mind and send me to some realizations. What did I achieve now that 2011 is almost over? And what is ahead of me this coming year? That’s why I sometimes think, adulthood spoils the spirit. You became overly realistic and practical, you just can’t afford to stay mesmerized and enthralled with delightful events like Christmas.


Heck, but the kid in me refused to grow.

I still want to get lost in the moment, be inspired with all the joy and bliss I see in my children’s eyes, and the love and loyalty of my husband. Enjoy the company of my mother, sister, brother, nieces and nephews. And though some friends went away, I’d love to have them in my life once again, keep them, connect with them, and love them. And to my present friends, I hope to have you for all what’s left of my life. Yes, I still get thrilled with wrapped gifts. But the gifts of time, love and devotion from family and friends are more valuable than any human will ever have.

All I Want For Christmas

Dear Santa,

I may have annoyed few people, and told few white lies, but I have also had really good moments this year, haven’t I? So if you feel like rewarding me, here’s what I want. And please, don’t get through the chimney. We don’t have one. Don’t sneak at the window either; my violent reflex could really hurt you.

Anyway, here is my Christmas list, in no particular order. I want it all. Thank you.


What could be a more perfect stocking stuffer than the latest iPhone 4S. It is full of amazing new features that make it even easier to stay not only on top of your business,but it will also make you the great envy of your techy friends. Meet Siri, the built-in intelligent assistant, to schedule your meetings, set reminders, find a great lunch spot, fix your car, or send message to wife. Can you beat that?



You know how much I love singing. Well, this Extreme Magic Sing is for me. And I’ve been dreaming for it for years. IT’S TIME, SANTA, IT’S TIME. And it's only P 10K at Abenson or ShoeMart...I should know since I caress it every time I'm in there.


And what’s best for killing time, this pink Nano Ipod is just the thing. With 2,000 songs and 5 hours of video, I can’t wait to have one of these.



Sure, I thought at first that this Hawaii Chair was another exercise gimmick. It's a chair with a motor strapped beneath it. The base of the chair gyrates your bottom and thaws your stubborn fats. Since I hate going to the gym and diet isn’t in my daily vocabulary, so this one might work for me. Who knows I might end up looking as hot as a Playboy centerfold one day?



And finally, a cd of one of my favorite local singers, Regine Velasquez. Unfortunately, I still don't have a copy of her “Low Key” album. I just love her until today. I’ve always had an attraction to her kind of songs. This is actually affordable at P 400.00 at Astrovision.

So, let's try to forget all of the times I may have thrown temper tantrums, or how I was to blame for frequent headaches and pains of people around me. Just concentrate on the good times...you know, the ones that involved me being unconscious.

Okay?

What Saved Me From Grinch-ing

No matter how I adore Christmas, I also detest the tension that comes with it. It’s not because of the familial trauma that they entail- though that would certainly be reason enough- but just because it is sometimes too demanding. It required to be celebrated regardless of how you are feeling at the time.



For example, you need to put up Christmas tree and cram the house with greens, and reds and anything gold right now. Or don’t put them at all and miss out on seeing them for an entire year, which I don’t think my kids would agree. But I'm slowly, but surely, getting there. I have already hanged our wreath and added Christmas lights to it this weekend. But more to it, I still haven’t made any plans yet where to take the children. For this year, Christmas will just be me and the kids since husband has work on Christmas day (grrr!). I seriously believed that Puregold Price Club has bosses that if not separated, are annulled and divorced.

At the risk of sounding sappy and Grinch-ly, I have to admit that, as emotional and ephemeral as my other posts are, I am actually just as anyone this time of the year. Who isn’t completely terrified at the realization that the holidays and the forced interaction with family members and the gifts that they need to get are all but upon us?

In other news though, my son is going to get his dream laptop this year. How’s that?

I can just hear him.

Me: “Aunt is going to give you a laptop”
Son: “Really!?
Me:”But that’s pretty early for you”
Son:”But everyone has laptop already.
Me:”you’re just going to spew peas to hordes of walking zombies all day”.
Son:”Uh okay, I can switch to angry birds if you like.”


Since this will be more likely the case, my only saving grace is that I can now blog during weekends. I just hope the kid will share it with me.

So? it’s Christmas after all.

Eight Years Later

You, who have laughed with me (and sometimes at me; no hard feelings, really) with all my silliness and absurdity. You, who have allowed me to be what I am without any pretense and deception, Happy Anniversary!

And I imagine you saying something along the lines of “So, would you like to go out somewhere tonight?” And in my PG-rated dream, we were hugging, embracing, cuddling and snuggling.

Lest you notice, I’m becoming emotional these days and crave all that sort of human connection that only a hug can satisfy. I don’t exactly think of tearing up the dance floor or have a candlelit dinner, or go to a movie theater to celebrate our years together. In case you are not aware, I seemed to have lost for anything outdoor. May be we can just cook our favorite pasta dish and party with the kids at home.

And you will bring out your gift, a tiffany ring inside a tiny, red velvet box. And from somewhere came the sound of Jose Mari Chan’s I Have Fallen in Love With The Same Woman Three Times.

You know what? I am a wee bit jealous of your job right now. You are becoming too absorbed with it. I do apologize in advance if it came right over my head. But I can’t help thinking that there will always be younger, slimmer, sexier, prettier girls that will go around you. Those girls who can oh-so-casually walk up to any guy, look him straight in the eye, and ask him out. I hope you will not fall in to the trap. That though I cherish and adore you, I don’t think I can share you with any body to make the relationship thrive; and I’m not about to settle for anything less than a thriving relationship. No one should ever settle for anything less than that.

Your phone rings but you seemed not mindful of it. You look very happy, and proud with what become now of our married life together.

You have let me share a piece of myself with you, both as a woman and a friend, and for that, I am eternally grateful. This marriage has truly become a labor of love (translation: two cesarean cuts, one vertical, one horizontal. Just enough to remind of babies, and other hazards of sex).

I look forward to what the next eight years will bring. After all, this journey wouldn't be the same without you.

P.S.

My husband, a self-confessed computer nerd, will read this probably after so many years, so long a year I already forgot about the tiffany ring.

What's Your Story?

We all have a story, don't we, friends? This was one of the reasons why we turn to things where we get them: books, movies, comics, TV series, news reports and blogs. From the seemingly mundane activities of our neighbors to high-profiled personalities, it is our stories that make us who we are. It's our joys, our struggles, our laughter and our tears that bring those stories colorful and alive. It does not take rocket scientist to explain why we get so addicted to watching reality TV shows. We love seeing life stories as they happen.



Perhaps you know when your life will end, would you ask for a second one? And re-live everything like exactly how it was?

Or re-write the plot, get new group of actors and take a fresh start? Remove all sicknesses, failures, heart aches and losses and be a total success.

Looking back on your life, what are you proud of? What are you ashamed of? How does your own life square when it comes to materials blessings? relationship? career? I got a good news. God has given each one of us unique talents and abilities, so unique nothing can duplicate these. And he also gave us dreams He himself will fulfill. We don’t need to twist God’s arms to better our lives. If will you only see a little farther; you will know how great a story God written for you.

Pretty cool, right?

You see, you don't have to be afraid; this isn't a test you pass or fail. There's no right or wrong answer. There's no pressure to be better or smarter or prettier than anyone else.

So? what’s your story? I’d love to hear.

Merry November

Oh I love this time of the year. As usual, October just flew by and I am quite excited that Christmas is just around the corner. I think it’s the best time of the whole year. Suddenly the air gets colder and chillier, but just enough to leave you feeling fresh and clean in the first hours of the morning. This is what November should be: cold crisp mornings and clear, calm starlit night. And who wouldn’t get lost in sweet thought when you start to hear Christmas songs? Aren’t they reminiscent of your past Christmases?

By this time, people begin to plan for Christmas gifts. And shopping now was made easy by these ever growing shopping websites.

For bags, dresses, accessories and what ever you need, shop on line at ChuchayOnline and relieve yourself from the hustle and bustle of going to the malls.

For other assortment of things you like, visit Cucumber. Great finds await you with just one click.

And what is sweeter than having your gifts personalized? Go on line to ThingsRemembered and check their ribbons, calendars, note pads made customized for you.

So, tell me, friends, what are your give-aways this year? Here's wishing (as I metaphorically raise a tall glass of wine in the air) everyone an advanced Merry Christmas full of love, laughter, and of course, shopping!

Why I (Sometimes) Hate Facebook

Well, this one is about my current gripes about Facebook. Don’t you notice that it has now become a little bit annoying that some people use it as it is some form of therapy or something? Like they will die if they can’t update their statuses every five minutes. You see, not all people are interested with where have you been and what have you been doing. Not all the time, but I got pissed when someone post how stressed they are, how tired they are and how much work they need to get done. The fact that they found time to open their FB, plus play Farmville or whatever games is the new obsession on Facebook, plus post song after song from Youtube leads me to believe that 1. They are not really busy, and 2. They need professional help. Obviously, they only need attention. Lots of it.

I also can’t stand those who put pictures after pictures every single day. Let’s call them photo-addict. Seriously? does the world have to know that you like the interior of the bus so much you can’t resist taking your photos there? And more importantly, do all people care? As for myself, no. No I most certainly do not. These photo addicts eat much space of our wall, and therefore should not be tolerated. In a way, FB gets the best and worst of us. I have a friend who I know as one gentle speaking, squashy and conservative . But for the love of me, I saw him one time half-clothed on FB. Talking about suppression. Obviously, what they can’t do in the real world, they do it in the cyber world.

The next thing that annoys me is when people post something about their suicidal tendencies. But I thought, well, he was giggly and funny the last Sunday. But yes, he is still alive as of this writing. Say, if you are really feeling the way that you project yourself to be on Facebook, you really need to seek professional help. Facebook is not your therapist, ok? Seriously. And please getting your first tattoo is not everyone’s business.

And to go along with that, can you be more realistic and personal? I mean if it is your love ones’ birthday, wedding, anniversary, etc, Do yourself and your love ones a favor: get off of Facebook, go to him, write him a check or buy him a gift, and tell him how you love him that way, instead of sending all of your love via the Internet. Common, there’s a little chance that your 70-year old parent will read your greetings. By this time, he’ll probably just want to rock chair instead of commenting on your post.

But again, I understand when Zuckerberg tells that FB helps you connect and share with the people in your life. Yes it really is one good channel to link up with everyone in the world. Just hope that people will be sagacious with just about what they do, or say, on this popular social website.