The spirit of Christmas is so alive at home! My sister has finished creating and putting up the Christmas tree these past weeks. Oh how I miss home, and the joy of Philippine Christmas celebration with everyone, so spirited and free, I have never experienced somewhere else, so warm and happy, with loving families, loyal and true, through thick and thin! Perhaps I’m just missing home this season. I could not go home for I don’t have a passport yet, and no moolah:(

My mother-in-law called early today. She said she had put up their Christmas tree back to their attic. Mine, I have not. The year is not over yet. It’s just too beautiful to hide. If we could prolong the celebration longer. In Philippines we start putting decorations and playing Christmas songs months early, and keep the light and decors for as long as till January, how festive is that. I know I will still have mine until hubby comes back, soon. We may all have a prosperous and fruitful New Year ahead of us. And this country recover and go back it’s good ways.

My flight to Florida is tomorrow and though I had a lot of time this week, I just packed my bags today, to maximize my excitement I guess. I know we will be going to some outlets and thrift stores, for short, shopping galore, so my luggage is purposely just half-full. I will be checking in just one bag, with all the fees for checked luggage and the tendency to be lost, though I have experienced it just once, but for comfort, it will be the only bag. Anyway, I will be staying in their house for just one week. I insisted to stay shorter but my hostess wanted it one whole week, her whole vacation time. And it is just as well because I would be able to join their Filipina group Christmas Party. Earlier I climbed up the attic to retrieve bags I would be using, and it was there that I decided to move down the Christmas tree as well. Never too late. I told my sister I’m not gonna have one this year but she’s right, we still, and always, have reason to celebrate especially of Jesus’ birth. So I accomplished two good things tonight. And I am so excited to go.

I did not spend my Christmas in the Philippines last year, but I was able to see the record-high Christmas tree that was built in Freedom Park. In 2006 it was the highest Christmas tree nationwide, but last year it was divided into two equal lengths, the other half was giving lights to the people around the public market. They were tremendous. This year they are just fabulous with all the other Christmas lights and displays, they are very entertaining and ‘joy-giving’. May yours is full.

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