Is it really Christmas?

Yesterday was Christmas day. Was it?

I am trying to find out the reason why it seemed so different this year. Have I become jaded and gotten used to the season?

I don't seem to be feeling the usual excitement that courses through my body and mind. The thrill that the season brings seemed gone. What happened?

I prepared my list of people I want to appreciate. I thought deeply about the best gift I could give to them (taking into consideration the price, the availability of the products, my time and the accesibility of the place). I bought the gifts. I wrapped them. Gave them a bit early than usual.

I received gifs. Thanked the giver and kept all the gifts in one area of my room. I planned to open them on Christmas eve. I did this a few years ago and I remember the feeling of excitement as I unwrapped each one. But this year, it was not the same. I loved the gifts I received . There were a few surprises. Yet it was different.

Early Saturday morning, on December 24, I left and went grocery shopping to buy the ingredients I needed for the Christmas food we were preparing. Back home, I gave instructions to our helper. I methodically opened tin cans of milk and fruit cocktail. I mixed all the ingredients and came up with a tasty (to me anyway) buko salad. We alse prepared the tuna spaghetti we wanted to make for that night ( a healthy choice!). There were other kinds of food in the refrigerator, ready for anyone who wants to wolf down a heavy dinner. Shopped, prepared, ate. All done. Usually, this gives me a certain satisfaction. Joyful that I was able to prepare something for the family. Truly, I was happy to have done all the things I have done. Yet, something is really different.

I am not sad. I am not feeling down. Yet I was not so very happy. When I try to think about it, I seem not to be feeling anything. I know that I loved the things I have done to celebrate the birth of our Christ. I gave gifts to people that I really want to appreaciate. I planned what food to eat.

What is the reason? Maybe I became distracted of the fact that I am assuming new and more responsibilities at the office? Maybe I was too busy with all the preparation that my heart forgot to relish the true meaning of the season? Maybe...

Greetings to all!

Prohibited on week-ends

It was back in November when I realized that both Christmas and New Year would fall on a Sunday. I didn't give it much thought.

A week before the "day," I am feeling the negative effect of this very nice timing. Why?

I lost two extra weekends for shopping. Imagine if it fell on a Tuesday. Or a Wednesday. Or any day except Saturday or Sunday. I would have gained an extra holiday. Celebrate the birth of Christ and the New Year on that additional day. And I could have done a lot during those two week-ends.

Week-ends are meant for last minute shopping and panic buying. I wrap my gifts on week-ends. I write my wishes and blessings on Christmas cards. I distribute my gifts to churchmates on Sundays. I do my grocery shopping for the noche buena on Saturdays. I sneak in side trips to the mall for people I've forgotten to buy a gift for. I need my week-end for all those tiny little things I do in order to prepare for the season of appreciation and thanksgiving.

What happens if my week-end is taken away from me? I rush. I feel harrassed. I frequent the malls every after working day so that I could buy a gift for my officemates or niece. I go to the tiangge a month before the event. I became less creative. I chose the same gift for everyone. I just list down the most important ones, hoping that I didn't miss a special someone. Subtract the nights I couldn't do my shopping because of parties in the office, reunions with college friends, baby shower on the side, events that are official in nature that I need to attend.

That's not a lot of time.

I vote that Christmas shouldn't fall on a week-end. For New Year as well.