Thursday, December 25, 2003
Christmas Blues
You know you're too old for christmas when you start giving presents instead of receiving them. Coming from personal experience, it does sound a little selfishly disappointing. We had our usual family reunion last night at my grandparent's house. It was somehow the same old celebration, except for having more kids now (nieces and nephews), and a nostalgic air of what was Christmas in our family. It was kind of different not having Mama Dely around to join in, despite the fact that she has been spending less and less time downstairs in the festivities as the years went by. This year though, she wasn't around to go down at all. We all remembered her, along with Tito Junior and Tita Edith, both who passed away a couple of years before Mama did. I had mixed feelings that night about spending Christmas. It sure wasn't like the old days, when Iya and I were considered the youngest ones in the family; well not until Gaby, and Andrea really made their presence felt through the years. Somehow you get to muster a meloncholic smile, and relive those moments through the new kids in the family. There's quite a multitude now, with my older cousins starting their own families. It's quite amusing how all of them would play and argue over a game of twister later that night. If there was something different this year, most of us didn't receive Christmas money anymore. I'm sourgraping over that fact, but somehow it kind of makes me think of how times passes and eventually good things would have an end. Well, I sure did enjoy it while it lasted, and I guess it's the younger generation who now have their turn in enjoying Christmas almost the same way we did.
You know you're too old for christmas when you start giving presents instead of receiving them. Coming from personal experience, it does sound a little selfishly disappointing. We had our usual family reunion last night at my grandparent's house. It was somehow the same old celebration, except for having more kids now (nieces and nephews), and a nostalgic air of what was Christmas in our family. It was kind of different not having Mama Dely around to join in, despite the fact that she has been spending less and less time downstairs in the festivities as the years went by. This year though, she wasn't around to go down at all. We all remembered her, along with Tito Junior and Tita Edith, both who passed away a couple of years before Mama did. I had mixed feelings that night about spending Christmas. It sure wasn't like the old days, when Iya and I were considered the youngest ones in the family; well not until Gaby, and Andrea really made their presence felt through the years. Somehow you get to muster a meloncholic smile, and relive those moments through the new kids in the family. There's quite a multitude now, with my older cousins starting their own families. It's quite amusing how all of them would play and argue over a game of twister later that night. If there was something different this year, most of us didn't receive Christmas money anymore. I'm sourgraping over that fact, but somehow it kind of makes me think of how times passes and eventually good things would have an end. Well, I sure did enjoy it while it lasted, and I guess it's the younger generation who now have their turn in enjoying Christmas almost the same way we did.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Actually feeling some christmas spirit
It is the season when it's okay for people to just call you up in the middle of the night, and suddenly plan a roadtrip. I came from a shoot last Saturday, only to find myself snoozing the entire afternoon. On the good side though, Emilio dropped by the studio that day and helped me out with the product photography. I have to admit though, that's my weak point when in came to this line of job. I usually work with people, and shooting inanimate stuff just leaves me dumbfounded. Well, I got through it that afternoon and was able to send work to my client within the day. Next thing I knew, I was as good as knocked out when I got home. It gets pretty disorienting having to sleep during the evening, and waking up still seeing darkness. Doesn't do the body clock good.
I spent Monday going around Quiapo to get myself some nice stuff, with the funds Dad gave me. I was able to get a deal from one of the shops over a nifty digital camera for about P 16,500. Comes along with a printer and paper too. Although I'm not really after the printer and paper, I just thought it's quite a bargain. It was also my sister's oath taking in Manila Hotel, so I had to hitch a ride with them to make it Quiapo. I also got dad a Lord of the Rings: Return of the King DVD (pirated of course), for him to watch that evening. Rachel called up later that night and asked if I wanted to go see the carnival with her mom. Well, I couldn't resist nor refuse the offer, so next thing I know, I was already on my way to her apartment. The nearby carnival was called, "Paskong Pasiklab" which was sponsored by ABS-CBN. Honestly, I haven't been to carnivals for such a long time, and the last one I visited was more than 10 years ago when we used to have reunions with my mom's friends in Alabang. The carnival there was called "Big Bang sa Alabang". I'm not so sure if that place still exists until now though. Anyway, we just spent the night walking around the place, and did not dare to take the usual rides.
I guess everything is affected by inflation and a bad economy, which just makes the price of having fun a little more expensive than before. Chits and tickets already given up in exchange for hard cash right from the booth. If the the lack of health insurance is one thing, the cost of riding them are another. Rachel and I decided to ride the carting track, which damaged us around P100.00 each. If that didn't discourage us, just getting a kick out of the so-called labyrinth cost around P60.00. The remainder the place was just spent on walking and gawking at people. If some things haven't changed, it's those freak shows they still hold. I know they're a complete hoax, but some still get the thrill of watching something out of the ordinary. Maybe perhaps to kids. I honestly didn't buy those stuff when I younger.
I'm at John's right now, spending a nice afternoon playing Final Fantasy X-2. Whatta Christmas...wallowing in geekhood. Too bad there's no XBOX edition for the Final Fantasy series...Sounds a little depressing. Merry Christmas guys!
It is the season when it's okay for people to just call you up in the middle of the night, and suddenly plan a roadtrip. I came from a shoot last Saturday, only to find myself snoozing the entire afternoon. On the good side though, Emilio dropped by the studio that day and helped me out with the product photography. I have to admit though, that's my weak point when in came to this line of job. I usually work with people, and shooting inanimate stuff just leaves me dumbfounded. Well, I got through it that afternoon and was able to send work to my client within the day. Next thing I knew, I was as good as knocked out when I got home. It gets pretty disorienting having to sleep during the evening, and waking up still seeing darkness. Doesn't do the body clock good.
I spent Monday going around Quiapo to get myself some nice stuff, with the funds Dad gave me. I was able to get a deal from one of the shops over a nifty digital camera for about P 16,500. Comes along with a printer and paper too. Although I'm not really after the printer and paper, I just thought it's quite a bargain. It was also my sister's oath taking in Manila Hotel, so I had to hitch a ride with them to make it Quiapo. I also got dad a Lord of the Rings: Return of the King DVD (pirated of course), for him to watch that evening. Rachel called up later that night and asked if I wanted to go see the carnival with her mom. Well, I couldn't resist nor refuse the offer, so next thing I know, I was already on my way to her apartment. The nearby carnival was called, "Paskong Pasiklab" which was sponsored by ABS-CBN. Honestly, I haven't been to carnivals for such a long time, and the last one I visited was more than 10 years ago when we used to have reunions with my mom's friends in Alabang. The carnival there was called "Big Bang sa Alabang". I'm not so sure if that place still exists until now though. Anyway, we just spent the night walking around the place, and did not dare to take the usual rides.
I guess everything is affected by inflation and a bad economy, which just makes the price of having fun a little more expensive than before. Chits and tickets already given up in exchange for hard cash right from the booth. If the the lack of health insurance is one thing, the cost of riding them are another. Rachel and I decided to ride the carting track, which damaged us around P100.00 each. If that didn't discourage us, just getting a kick out of the so-called labyrinth cost around P60.00. The remainder the place was just spent on walking and gawking at people. If some things haven't changed, it's those freak shows they still hold. I know they're a complete hoax, but some still get the thrill of watching something out of the ordinary. Maybe perhaps to kids. I honestly didn't buy those stuff when I younger.
I'm at John's right now, spending a nice afternoon playing Final Fantasy X-2. Whatta Christmas...wallowing in geekhood. Too bad there's no XBOX edition for the Final Fantasy series...Sounds a little depressing. Merry Christmas guys!
