"Life may not be replete with the moments that pause your soul, the vivid memories of which cause your heart to beat differently, or make it hard to swallow. And all the better. Much of the beauty of those moments lies in their rarity -- in the awe of being in the right place, at the right time, a partaker in coincidence. And in finding a reason to believe in fate..."

Friday, December 26, 2008

Holiday Traditions

Christmas has always been magical for me, and when December strikes, I'm as giddy as the next kid who opened her toy from Santa on Christmas Eve. I love everything about Christmas: the carols, the lights, the food, the cool December air, and the traditions most especially. I'm a big follower of traditions, and I was happy to have been able to keep most of them this year:
  • Simbang Gabi. I wasn't able to complete it, but I heard very meaningful masses with the people who mattered: My First Night alone at Greenhills Chapel (great way to reflect and welcome the Advent), Christ the King with Ling and Hangad Singers, Dawn Mass at Christ the King (again) with Family, and Gesu Church with Drew and Ateneo Chamber Singers.
  • Amusement Parks. Star City with Monna and Jeff after our Star Theater Musical Extravaganza with Hairspray. Perya galore! :)
  • Christmas Tree. Decors with Mom :)
  • Christmas Lights. Trimmings with Dad :)
  • Bibingka and Puto Bumbong. Wasnt able to taste puto bumbong yet, but i've had my share of hot bibingka. Yumyum!
  • COD. Finally got to watch the whole thing, after a month of driving by and parking at Greenhills. Theme for the year: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle!
  • Tiangge. Maxed out my bonus at Greenhills Tiangge.. got new PJs, new lacoste shirts, new crocs, new nike sports shirts, and more gifts for the fam! Happiness is Tiangge!
  • Christmas Carols. St Lukes and Medical City Residents regaled us with a round of Christmas Hymns. We Wish you a Merry Christmas!
  • Exchange Gifts and Kris Kringle. Something Red and Hot (Chinese Lip Balm), Something Green and Healthy (Del Monte Pineapple Tidbits). Something White and Light (Zonrox). Haha!
  • Reunions! Haberdei. KwaiLuh. Big 40 with AIESEC. New Orleans girls. BSP. LRI. Judanskis. Morales. All nighters na sunod sunod! But it's nice to reminisce and catch up and be thankful for these wonderful people who have made my life truly rich and inspired.
  • Misa de Gallo. Christmas Eve Mass at Christ the King :) Family Pictures beforehand!
  • Noche Buena. All our favorite food: Angel Hair Carbonara, KFC Bucket Meal (my recipe!), Red Ribbon Coffee Crunch Cake (again, my recipe! haha!), My-Caroni Salad, Novellino.
  • Opening the Gifts. Got a lot of purple stuff this year: purple bag, purple dress, purple hand bag. at least terno lahat! hehe :)
  • *New* Gift-giving to Street Kids. New tradition.. be Santa's Little Helper and share the blessings with the less fortunate. Nakakatuwa sila :) The happiness in the children's faces are truly priceless.
  • Makati Street Lights. Mom's neck craned back and forth, coupled with some ooh's and aah's at Makati Buildings' Christmas Extravaganza as we drove by Christmas Day. Classic!
  • Spring Cleaning. Nilagnat ako this year.. hindi sanay nang malinis ang kwarto! haha!
  • Metro Manila Film Fest. I think we're watching Tanging Ina this year. hehe :)
  • Fireworks at StaLucia. December 30th!
  • ... and of course, my Christmas and New Year Blogs!

At this time of merrymaking and enjoyment, may we all still remember the reason for the season: the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

A Blessed Christmas to Everyone! :)

Posted by Gladys Judan at 4:28 PM

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