Dec 15 2009
The spirit of Christmas…or the lack of it
Christmas season is probably the only season in the whole year where one’s true test of character is tested. During this time, our appreciation of it and how we prepare and celebrate it shows how how we really understand and how willing we are to share the true essence brought about by this festive holiday. So 10 days before Christmas, I was thankful and happy that we experienced several aspects of it most especially its spiritual part.
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Family portrait. Last year, my wife and I decided it’s best if we shoot our own. This year we opted to have it taken in the studio after realizing that we are running out of time before those Christmas cards for abroad gets super delayed.
"Is this a toy, Dad?" (Yes, a costly toy)
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Meeting a long lost friend. While my kid and I were about to claim our pictures from the photo store, I saw a very familiar face. She’s a long lost family friend who for some unfortunate turn of events we got disconnected from her. After years which seemed like an eternity, which I learned was just barely 3 years, I’m very glad that we finally met and had quite a long fulfilling chat no matter how sad the topic was. After we parted ways, hopefully not long enough this time, it struck me that after all the advent masses and recollection where I tried to imbibe myself to the values of forgiving and sharing, it was during yesterday’s encounter that I unconsciously applied those; and yes, it does feel good doing so. That’s Christmas without a hefty price tag – simple in form, overly gratifying in effect.
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Food. It cannot be denied that this season is very well related to the palate. The holiday feeling isn’t complete without the thought of food and that the word diet is the most unpopular. And so yesterday, my calorie counter I’m sure lost track again and had gone bonkers. Lunch was pizza, dinner was a lot of chicken and a couple of beers.
No, the chicken isn’t a teaser for our Bacolod vacation, but rather was part of the process my wife and her two other ex-colleagues are doing in preparation for a small business that we all hope will rival the now famous Chooks to Go. Well, not yet, but that’s the goal…or dream. Whatever. Anyway, the first time I tasted their chicken, without bias, I’d say it is a promising venture. Next time though, I promise I’ll just have a teeny-weeny bit of the taste test. Promise. So, with all fingers crossed, we all hope that the yuletide season will prove to be a good way to start this business.
It's been a while since our little kitchen got pretty occupied.
Watch out for these chickens...and letters.
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Still about food, my wife and I agreed that the Christmas package we got from our cooperative will be shared to two of our neighbors. One goes to our enduring baby sitter who at a very short notice willingly looks after our active baby. The other one will be given to our neighbor who recently lost their home during a fire. Yes, I’d say the noche buena package was tempting, but sharing it to those who need and deserve it most is what Christmas is all about. Bye cheese, bye macaroni…
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Lastly, however we avoid it, as we all feel the Christmas rush, it will bring out one way or another, the grinches in all of us. Yesterday, mine manifested itself. We were in a photo studio and excitedly waiting for our turn to have our pictures taken when the photographer showed us the background options and none of those presented were “christmassy” despite making it clear what we want. I tried negotiating if we can have a white background instead and that if he can edit it thru the computer to add the background we’re looking for. He agreed. Then he didn’t. Moments after I listened to and tolerated lame excuses, the bad grinch smiled and laughed. We were out of that store in no time with our payment refunded. My bad. He’s “badder”. Okay, that’s my Grinch speaking.
Mood: 2/10 Honks! (a couple more classes this week and we’ll be on our way to Bacolod)
