Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope the holidays brings you good cheer, love, and happiness all around.

I called my mom and dad today to greet them on their wedding anniversary. Can you imagine, 33 years! Man, that’s something. I was so happy to hear their voices, although it was weird when I called.

Me: Ma!
Mom: Sino ‘to?
Me: Ha? Sino pa ba anak mo?

Of course, I have two other sisters, but she should know my voice. Hehe. Anyhoo, my mom told me that Santa’s been leaving lots of gifts for me in my room (yay!) and that they’ll bring it over the next time they go here (double yay!).

My parents were on their own on their date today. Normally, they would have wanted us sisters to tag along but my sisters couldn’t make it because of work and school, and I’m way over here, so no can do. My mom said that I should be the one to go with them because when I was still back home, I would normally be the one to tag along with them since my schedule’s always been the freest. The nice thing about it is that I got to tell them that even I’m here now, I still got to “go to lunch with them,” so to speak!

It was lovely talking to them!

It’s beginning to look, and sound, like Christmas. Huge Christmas trees are in the malls, Christmas songs are playing anywhere, anytime.

And yet I don’t feel Christmassy. I go about my days, as we try to go about our business, finding the carols routine. I don’t feel the excitement of Christmas day nearing.

It’ll be my first time to spend Christmas without my family. It’ll be my first time to spend Christmas with my new one. How I wish the two could be one. How I wish I could eat the Noche Buena that my mom would lovingly prepare for us. How I wish I could be with them, maybe playing cards with my dad and sisters before we head out for the midnight mass. How I long for my mom’s nonchalance while we open our gifts from Santa Claus. How we eagerly rip up our carefully wrapped presents from each other. Because it’s so different here. Things just aren’t the same.

It’ll be a very different Christmas indeed. I just hope it’ll be a happy one as well.

So we had a small get together at our house today. Early morning, we had to go to Parkway Parade to pick up the char siew pau plus Burger King for lunch. This should have been a routine trip. But…the Singapore Marathon was on. Unfortunately, that meant that the ECP exit to our place, as well as the route from PP was partially and fully closed respectively. That meant that we had to take the loooong way round, even going into the city just to go to the other end. Not good.

The get together was pretty ok though. It was pretty fun, although as usual, I was the only non-Chinese in the group. I did fit in well because I look the part; unfortunately, I can’t say the same for my language skills. It’s pretty hard to just keep smiling and nodding my head along when I have no idea what they’re saying when they switch to Chinese. Not that they do so all the time, mind you. Most of the time, it’s really Tagalog or English, but I suppose they can’t help interjecting Hokkien into the conversation when they can express a particular thought better in Chinese. Thank goodness that’s not the case here at home! Mostly, it’s really either Tagalog or Chinese. In fact, I’ve been having to speak more Tagalog here than I normally do, just because they do. So even if there are times when I would instinctively say something in English, I’d make the effort to translate it in Tagalog before I blurt it out so I can fit in more. Not too bad.

Speaking Tagalog in a foreign country is actually something you’d miss. When you’re pretty much forced to speak English when you’re dealing with every other person, finding someone who can speak and understand Tagalog in unexpected places is quite refreshing. Like the other day when we delivered some ice cream to an orphanage, the help happened to be a Filipina. So when I started talking to her in Tagalog, it just felt sooo nice.

Anyhoo, I’m sooo full now, after having a dinner of penne al carbonara and panna cotta at Pasta Fresca at the airport. *Burp*

MY WISHLIST

I know it’s not my birthday, and my mom told me that Santa Claus won’t be coming into my town anymore, but I do have a few items on my wishlist:

• A personal shopper. Like I’ve mentioned previously, I’m probably one of the very, very few girls who’s not really into shopping. Clothes shopping, to be more precise. I can go look at gadgets, grocery, furniture, appliances, etc, without any problems. But clothes shopping…it’s just a tad too bothersome for me. What with finding clothes that will not only good but will fit well too! With my shape, I’m never sure as to what will look good on me. Funnily enough, other people seem to know what will, because clothes given to me already fit well and look nice. Which brings me back to my wish: a personal shopper who will be on hand to always replenish my closet with much needed clothes.
• Fashion sense. Aside from having a personal shopper, I wish I could have a keener fashion sense that will allow me to come up with cute outfits complete with all the nice accessories to match. I’m not totally clueless naman, but I guess I need to know just a bit more!
• Shoes!! I love shoes. I want to have shoes to match every outfit. And I want shoes that will be stylish and comfortable, that will make my legs look ooh-la-la and still be a joy to walk on.
• An MRT station. Not that I want to own one, but I would want an MRT station that would be within walking distance. Preferably something that will be accessible through a walkway directly connected to our condo’s basement. Now that would just be fab!
• A personal manicurist. I want someone who will be on hand whenever my nails need cleaning, pampering, and painting. I can be quite vain with my nails, and unfortunately for me, I’m just not a good DIY manicurist. My efforts are…passable, but nowhere near close to the kind of handiwork I would get from a professional!
• Unlimited plane tickets with Singapore Airlines. This will allow me to go anywhere I want, anytime I want. I could go back home to visit my family and friends in the Philippines, play a round of baccarat in Vegas, have fresh crepes in Paris, go to London to visit the Queen, play with Mickey in Anaheim, breathe fresh air in Victoria Peak, take a leisurely dip in Maldives, walk like Carrie in NYC, and a whole lot more.

If only it’s as easy as waving my fingers and going *poof!*