Friday, December 27, 2013

The season's sense of urgency

Yuletide is my favorite season—it brings about a certain sense of urgency in terms of meet ups. It is, in a way, the last hurrah. This is the final call for reaching out to people you've ignored the entire year. It's the only time you can compel people to go home earlier than usual to get together for drinks or dinner. When there is no other excuse except: "I already have something planned for the night." When it would be absurd to claim you need to work (even if you really do).

It's my favorite season because all my foreign city-based friends like to come home during this time to experience what we've touted as the unique Pinoy Christmas (one that begins in September and ends in January, one where everyone celebrates from the start of Simbang Gabi until New Year.

It's been a good season for me—my sister, Giselle took a few days off (mostly to watch KBS and Red channel) from her work as Doctor to the Barrios in Abra; Bianca is back from NYC after 2 1/2 years, at least until January; Belle is visiting from Singapore; likewise, Ken is visiting from Dubai.

While Bianca and I have had a chance to catch up, I don't think I'll still be able to meet up with Belle. Blame it on Third World Telecom, I lost signal for a bit, so when I finally managed to drive to the place she was in, I seem to have missed her.

In any case, I still have a chance to bond with Doc Giselle, as with Kenneth, in the coming days. As it is, indeed my busiest season (a party every night, gift shopping, deadline surfing), I appreciate it in its entirety. Until next year then, when I can schedule more reunions and despedidas!


Holiday list: Loving this pair of Dolce & Gabbana Golden Cage wedges with flowers and straps.



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

A Little Christmas Accident

A curious thing happened earlier today. I'm usually very graceful but today has been off for some reason. Not only did I spill black nail polish on my plaid cotton dress, I also dropped a different colored polish on the floor, which shattered into a hundred pieces! This happened all while we were out with our cousins for Christmas lunch. Boy, it was awkward! Some of glass cover shattered and hurt my sister Giselle, while also staining her foot with dark purple (bruise-looking) polish. We had to get my cousin to buy acetone and alcohol to remove the stains as well as treat her wound. Plus we had to free the floor from a horrible splash polish on the floor. Yikes!

Meanwhile, uncomfortable silence filled the room. The kids didn't know how to react. 

I decided to take matters into my own hands by creating an impromptu Christmas program. I started it off by singing a Christmas carol with my sisters, and then somehow convinced my nephews and nieces to sing, rap, and dance. Somehow, I pulled it off. My dad even gave out rewards for those who performed. Hopefully, this will be a traditional we can repeat in the coming years.

In the end, I turned a bad situaion into a happy moment. I'm glad, for the most part, although I swear never to bring nail polish to a Christmas party ever again.

Merry Christmas!