Thursday, December 27, 2007



We are lucky because we live in a country that celebrates Christmas annually. I know some places around the world who do not commemorate such a celebration as we do. Perhaps, it is due to religion disparities or people are not just mindful of how Christmas actually came about.

Truth be told, I have been feeling less of the Christmas spirit as years go by. Before, I was desperately waiting for the 25th that I'd actually count the days to go before its coming. By the 24th I am as restless as an American little boy eager to see Santa. (As a kid though, I did not believe in Santa.. never had been exposed to his legend, even.) By midnight, I have to wait anxiously for my Mom to get the camera and househelps taking pictures as I unwrap my gifts sheathed in colorful, glossy packages. Then, I'd jump around our living room as I managed to realize that my parents gave me the toy I had been longing for.

However, as I seem to get older, the more it's hard for me to grasp that Christmas spirit. I do not exactly know the factors that trigger it's disappearance nor do I know how to revive it back. But some times, I get the notion that it's a cycle. There are times wherein you get all excited, jumpy and ecstatic as there times wherein you'd be as bland as salad without dressing.

This Christmas, it was not like how it used to be. For Christmas eve, we had Noche Buena with my Father's relatives and spent the evening just eating our heart out with the sumptuous meals prepared by each household. For Christmas day itself, we travelled to Las Piñas, as we normally would during such an occasion. We ate, chatted, and had the normal gift giving.

Though it wasn't a Christmas blast like my previous childhood experiences, I was grateful enough that I had my family all by my side during the whole time. I believe their presence and the fact that we are still a complete family could help, one day, bring back that elated feeling during the Christmas season.

Monday, December 24, 2007



A day before Christmas and I did something that extends beyond my regular December 24's. Unlike the previous Christmas eve's wherein I'd waste my time watching movies and sleeping, this time I hit the kitchen. My Mom used to forbid me to enter when she is "at work" in our newly renovated kitchen-- of which she claims, "my corner." Her corner served her craving for cooking, baking and by all means, satisfied her when she just wants to make her favorites: oatmeal cookies. Trust me, she makes dozens of them when she's happy and in the mood. However, this time, I guess she considered me mature enough to enter her corner, mature enough to help her through every bit of her planned meals for this evening's traditional Noche Buena with her in-laws. So, in I went and armed I was, my hair tied up and I was every bit neat, I entered her corner and she handed me a bowl of fruit cocktail with additional peaches and grapes of which I still had to slice. Carefully, I sliced each, trying to make them look equal in size. Then, I beat the cream with a dash of confectioner's sugar. Soon, it was off to the refridgerator to chill. For a break, I took hold of yesterday's newspaper, however, she spotted me almost immediately that the next thing I knew, I was slicing boiled chicken into bits mixing it in her favorite mixing bowl with mayonnaise, celery, salt, red onion and her secret ingredient, Karo (Pancake) syrup. Once finished, I was assigned another task. I had to marinate her chicken wings and distribute them equally into two bowls. It took a while for me to take hold of the uncooked chicken but since I was dirty and messy, I decided to dig in and go for it. Afterall, it's all soft and gooey-- just like holding slimey green toys that my sister used to bring home.

As it was all done, we topped the noon of cooking with Chicken Mayo Sandwiches with Wheat Bread and served with a glass of Sparkling White Grape Juice. It was a sweaty-tiring half-day of cooking but I can say it was all worth it. Well, Mom still has her Paella in the oven, I hope she gets it out just in time.