Christmas 2009

Couple of days before Christmas, instinct or intuition or common sense whatever, told me that this year’s Christmas celebration would be totally different. And so it was, in many ways dissimilar from the past Christmases that I was so used to having.

Everything began with the parties we had for IPVG and e-Games. We tried to be as much lively and christmassy as we could be, putting all the work load aside and enjoying the nights with a mix of childish and grown-up delight.

First off was the IPVG company party we had in Bubba Gump, a resto which prides itself with its delicious shrimp delicacies that I was having a hard time to distinguish from common table fish. Haha. It was said that the place couldnt hold the sum of all the subsidiaries of IPVG, but I was sure that there many attendees from IP-Converge, IPCCO, Megamobile and FVSC too. Of course, e-Games dominated the party and I estimate that eighty percent of the raffle winners were from us. (Heck, I was wishing silently that I would get to win one of the Ipod shuffles which were up for the raffle, notwithstanding the belief that I have been inflicted with the curse that would not make me win raffles as long as I live).

Miss Jane, the one with the wig (from the first photo, left side) was the one who took photos of us during the affair. She toyed with her cam, experimenting with all sorts of wacky and stolen shots which she soon uploaded to Facebook. She was also the lucky grand prize winner of the 32- inch LCD television which none us knew what its brand was and what it look like. (Later on, I boldly commented on one of her photos in FB that if all it takes to win the grand prize in the raffle is to sport a fashionable wig, then I would, without second thoughts , wear the coolest, most trendy wig that I could find in the department store ).

Christmas in my Eardrums

The finest things in life often come during the Christmas season, where almost everyone I know and see is filled with the spirit of the season. The nights are getting colder, but the thought of spending the times together with my dear loved ones embrace my heart with such warmth that I am starting to feel more excited about Christmas than I have been when I was a little younger. 

One of the fantastic things that I love about Christmas is the wonderful collection of songs that go with all the celebration. I remember singing ‘carols’ when I was young, together with childhood buddies with our own improvised instruments in our hands, creating a kind of unorganized yet beautiful music that earns us a couple of pesos. In recent times, the culture has dwindled, and I see less children roaming the streets singing Christmas carols, but the songs of the season are still the same, rich in both meaning and melody. 

Let me share to you some of my most favorite songs this festive yuletide season: 

 

Notes to Self

No lavish parties on my birthday this year, which is the usual setting that I grew up to expect and implement for myself. Nonetheless, I was fascinated with the unexpected outbursts of greetings that I got from all those people who remembered and cared to send me a greeting during the day that I was born into the earth. They came in many forms, mostly electronic:  in ym (where it is basically easiest to send); in my profile wall over at Facebook (whose comments I earnestly replied with sweet thank you msgs); in friendster (which I really rarely visit); in the e-games forums (by gamer friends) and some few greetings which came via sms. Being greeted on my very birthday made me feel a little more important to the world (or at least to some people).

Several points of self- transformative reminders to myself on my red-letter day:

Celebrate each day like its your very last day on Earth. Begin each day with a smile, and be hopeful that a colorful experience will greet you in your way.

Live more productively. Set goals and try to achieve it with all your abilities and strengths.

Never burden yourself when you make mistakes and fail at the things you do. Instead, capitalize on them.

Cut down on too much spending. Live within your means. Learn to value money as it is something that you work hard for. Learn how to save.

Spread love all over the world. Begin it in your family. And then in your office. Show your friends that you truly care for them. Make them feel that you exist in the world to help them in their difficulties or share the best things in life with them.

Value your work more and think of ways on how you can improve on it. Take note of all the experiences that you get from it and remember the people that you meet as you go along in your usual day of work.

Seek for deeper and newer adventures. Never lose interest in finding new ways of living life. Discover new cultures, go to places you’ve never been before, try out new games, read other kinds of books, watch more movies.

Take care of yourself, especially your health. It’s the kind of wealth no professional robber can take away from you. Do not tire yourself too much. Sleep adequately.

Watch pornographic downloads less.

Be kinder to all types of people. Listen and understand as much as you can.

Blog more frequently. Make your blog posts more interesting. You’re wasting other people’s time anyway, so do your very best at it.

Eat moderately. Make conscious effort to make your stomach as flat as it could be.

Maintain your laugh-loving personality. Joke around, but think before you jest.

And make people love you more.

Happy Birthday to Me!