reminiscing: Of Christmases present

Merry Christmas!

I’m currently feeling like a koala, chillin’ on a branch of eucalyptus. All the holiday food keep on coming and well, couldn’t resist!

A couple of days ago, I’ve stumbled across a couple of posts on Facebook from friends my age lamenting how they still haven’t felt the Christmas spirit yet. To some extent, I sadly agree. I’m currently 25 and at a crossroads in finding a new meaning to this season.

How did you spend your Christmas?

An hour before Christmas eve and after wrapping all our presents, I slowly slipped into dreamland while my parents were preparing for our family Christmas eve party over at my uncle's place. I found my way to my room, slept and told them I can't join. I was too tired and my energy was running out for it took me more than 12 hours to reach home, in time for the holidays.

You see, 24 hours before I finally decided to rest, our LCLC reunion had just finished and I was packing my stuff, getting ready for my 4am ride to the airport. I tried to get some shut-eye but was too worried I won't be able to wake up to my alarms. I was able to get to my trip, then my flight. 

Arrived at Cebu just on time. The mood at the airport was light and jovial. All the attendants were cheerful, as well as the tourists and travellers eager to reach home. I was one of those people, a little less cheerful than the rest because I was worried I won't be able to catch the RORO trip back home. That I needed to pack all my things in my pad in Iloilo, catch the trip, reach home before midnight and celebrate the holidays with my family. Man, I was starving so I indulged myself with some airport lechon. Before I knew it, my flight was about to leave and in less than an hour, we landed in Iloilo.

Off I was, rushing to my pad. I had exactly 4 hours to pack a year's worth of clothes and other stuff from my pad. As much as I want to go reminisce all the moments and memories that went with everything I was packing, I needed to do much in so little time. I passed by McDonald's and drove like crazy to the RORO port, boarded the next ship out and patiently waited for the ship to dock at BREDCO.

I don't want to bore you with details of my boring Christmas any further. I may have dozed off and skipped the Christmas eve party but I felt blessed to be home. This year, Christmas for me meant going back to a place of peace and happiness and being with the people I love the most, my family. It's about turning away from work-related stress and the petty worries of the world and finding time for the people and things that really matter to you.

That's about it, for now. I'll also be finding time for my next OVERDUE posts about Canberra (and the rest of my Australia trip), Seoul and Siargao. Let's go!