Cutty

I just want to remember every bit of this busy Christmas season.  It was extra busy this year, juggling two businesses, a 70th birthday party, a wedding and Christmas.  Sometimes, I really wonder how am I still standing. Looking back, a few days after the festivities, it is really the busyness of the season that makes it special and memorable. 21:  We had a singing engagement at the Tamarind St. residence of the T family.  I was a bit distracted because of Tita Tessie's condition.  David looked distraught.  I called Vic several times to send reinforcements to SLGC.  We thought she wouldn't make it till the next morning. 22:  I woke up early for the morning mass then spent the rest of the morning finishing up Mama's cake for her party.  Then, Vic and I visited Tita Tessie at the hospital.  Vic was dealing with customs requirements while I was having my hair done.  I sang for Kuya Jopet and Ate Love's wedding.  I sang everything....

Christmas in Europe.  I want to visit the Christmas markets, see the wonderful gigantic trees and taste the local Christmas fare.  I can just imagine the smell of pine and winter chill. I've seen EU in spring, summer and autumn, but never in winter.  It will happen next year.  I can feel it in my bones.  

Hahaha.  I know this is such a self-serving post.  Sorry.  Not really. As I shop for everyone else's gifts, I am reminded of the things I would really appreciate getting. Because you know, at this age, we rarely get the gifts we really want to receive. We deserve to get something we like, every once in a while. I really do not mind receiving a really nice cookbook. I also wouldn't mind a shopping credit in my favorite stores.  I always appreciate piece of clothing or a pair of shoes or some YL essential oils. Lastly, I would really appreciate it if I got any of these. How about you?  What's on your list?  I hope you get to tick off one item from your list.  

As much as I do not love the rush, the heavy traffic, the expenses and mindless eating that comes with this season, it is still my most favorite time of year.  It seems that everyone is in a good mood.  People do not mind the busyness of the season. For a decade now, our Christmases are always spent with our extended families.  It has always been a big, happy gathering though short.  We'd spent the first few hours of  Christmas eve with my husband's side of the family.  The remaining part of the evening will be with my side of the family. Christmas morning is difficult because we still have to wake up early for Christmas Day mass and brunch.   My eldest is 12 years old now and my children have been used to that arrangement.  Maybe, when we're older, we'd change this tradition. This year I introduced something new.  I initiated a bible reading session before bedtime.  We'd read one chapter before our evening prayers.  Hopef...

I know I am a couple of weeks behind.  But, please allow me to do my annual round-up. It was all about new beginnings, new experiences and new opportunities. I didn't realize it but 2013 was still filled with trips with family and friends.  It didn't feel like it towards the latter half. In the first quarter, there was Hokkaido, the center of the Japanese Winter Festival.  I was happy to experience snow once again.  After 10 years, I remembered how pretty but inconvenient it could be.  It was en route to Hokkaido that I experienced being disembarked at the snowy tarmac of Busan, with no warning.  Walking in the snow was fun.  Slipping on ice wasn't.  Dressing up in layers, donning snow boots, drying skin, being driven in a taxi slipping on ice weren't my ideas of fun.  I was glad to see that the THREE in Hokkaido trip reflect things we've started in TATLO.  It just affirmed that we did something right. Then there was our US trip....

... just around the corner.  I'm ashamed to admit that with too many obligations, I have not allowed myself to feel the true meaning of Christmas.  Sadly, Christmas has always been an excuse to indulge and to excessively accumulate stuff.  It has always been the busy season of the year when traffic has reached gridlock status, when there are cakes to bake,  music to learn, and numerous obligations to fulfill.  With all these, I tell you, Christmas is not easy to find.  There are just too many distractions. So, to catch up on what needs to be done before Christmas, MORTIFICATION will be my theme for this final week of Advent.  Maybe, by focusing on other people's good traits, curbing my tongue, and by practicing patience, tolerance and selflessness, the TRUE Christmas spirit will spring back into my life. Hopefully, with a renewed heart, I can easily welcome the true meaning of Christmas.