three things...

First thing is the cold. whenever the cold weather comes, we know it's the signal of the holiday season. it reminds us to make a list, lists actually - one, of the things we need to buy in preparation for the holidays, and another for those "lucky" individuals that we're planning to give presents to even if it means parting with our hard-earned bonuses for the month :) ... as we say, 'tis the season of giving, although most of us really prefer receiving anyway :) The cold weather also signals us to once again take our jackets and sweaters out from their usual places in the cabinets and use them to attend the Misa de Gallo, although in the Philippines it's not that cold anyway, and we can do away with our everyday attire of shirts and jeans. Anyways, aside from thinking that we could be more "japorms" wearing jackets, we also know that there's not much use of those thick clothing in other times of the year, and so we take the chance of using them during this season whenever we can. And speaking of Misa de Gallo, that's one of the things I miss during this holiday season. I miss waking up early and going to the church, although sometimes it's not really the mass which makes me wake up in those cold early morning hours, but the revelry associated with it, including of course, eating "bibingka" or "puto bumbong" and sipping "salabat" while chatting with friends inside the church patio until the mass ends. It's one of the things that makes me want to sometimes go back to the Philippines... and believe me, those times don't come too often. Although I prefer the much colder weather of this country, I still long for the revelry experienced attending the Misa de Gallo and sharing it with friends...

Another thing is the festive mood. Maybe it has something to do with Christmas carols permeating the air - from the neighbor's CDs or maybe your own radio - as early as September, but I really found it different celebrating the Christmas season in the Philippines than in other countries I've been to. Well, we know that in the Philippines, radio stations start playing Christmas songs as early, and from there, malls, restaurants, fast foods, and practically any and all establishments follow suit. You will sometimes wonder whether Filipinos don't get tired of listening to all these noise until December 25. Anyways, carols are only a part of the festivities. Also in September, houses and all structures get to be decorated with Christmas accessories - lights, labels, nativity scenes - name it, and you'll probably find one in one of the structures that are being decorated in your area. This is the time when "Made in China" Christmas accessories start flooding the Philippine market. It's kind of funny how Filipinos really celebrate the season. And I miss it too... being in a country where the celebration of Christmas is quite reserved, the "over-indulgent celebrations" in the Philippines really becomes a yearning that just wouldn't go away.

The last thing is getting together. In the Philippines (at least from my experience), the holiday season is not just the time for festivities, it is the time of renewing bonds. It is the time when old friends see each other again and catch up with each other's lives... it is the time when the family gets together again in the ancestral home and renew the love they share with one another. For Filipinos, Christmas is the celebration of the family. I remember those past Christmases when we share our noche buena with my family and celebrate the season sharing jokes and playing "Bingo"... the kind you do just to be together and keep each other's company during the Christmas eve. Then on Christmas day, both of us and the kids go to Alice's old home where a reunion of her family will be celebrated the whole day. It's those times when you'll really appreciate the essence of Christmas, and it's those times that we're really missing and longing for these past several years. It's what makes Christmas in the Philippines different, really.

Sometimes, even for just a while, you really really wanted to go back home.

cormac mccarthy and the holiday season

The holiday season is always a respite. Well, at least even for just a little while, we can relax a little and savor the good things life has to offer. Anyways, I'm grateful that during the first few days of the break I've finished several books already. I guess I really had to do it since I feel that I'm really lagging in my reading and I had to seize this opportunity and try to read all the books that I bought several weeks, months even, before.

I'm fortunate that I already discovered the works of Paulo Coelho. I made mention about it in a review I wrote several days ago. I got more fortunate after reading Cormac McCarthy's "The Road". I've heard of McCarthy first in "Oprah" when I was keeping Alice company one night watching the show. Oprah is recommending the book that time and showing her short interview of the author. I decided I'll buy the book and try it, but after buying, it just stayed in my drawer for weeks, and I was not able to even scan it. Well, I guess the timing was just bad, that when I bought it it coincided with just too many works in the office.

Anyways, after reading it two days ago, I would have to say it really was a piece of work and worthy of the award(s) it received. McCarthy's technique of narrating it thru prose-like literature is really successful, as well as his description of the end of the world viewing it thru the "real" humanity of man - the good and evil that reside within him.

In its deeper context, "The Road" does not only tells about the story of the bond between a father and his son. More importantly, it narrates about the humanity of man. Such that even in despair and difficulties, there exists in him the instinct to help, and in hopeless situations there is always the love he has for his family.

As I stayed awake the whole night reading McCarthy's book, it dawned on me that the story is real, and it's happening to all of us. There are lessons that can be learned from this book. You have to read it.

The Alchemist

I have to admit I just recently discovered Paulo Coelho. Alice told me about him, when one of our friends from South Africa who is a very indulgent reader told her about his works. When we happened to pass by Borders several weeks ago, I bought Alice this book, and after she finished reading it I took turn in scanning its pages.

The Alchemist's story is not unique. It is in fact, a very common one. And there lies the success of the book and the power of its author. The Alchemist is very powerful in its simplicity, and its uniqueness lies in the beauty of its message: pursue your personal legend and you will find happiness, for then you will know the purpose of your existence.

Santiago's story tells us that we must listen to our hearts, for if we know what our hearts desire, only then can we know the true purpose of our existence, and only then can we truly be happy. This book also tells us to continue following our dreams, for only through it can we find our purpose in life.

What makes Paulo Coelho's book a success?

Its narration of the simplicity of life. And its telling of the simple things that make our lives more meaningful and interesting. The story of the shepherd boy is the story of each and everyone of us. The quest for happiness and the meaning of life is the same quest that we try to achieve everyday. Each and everyone of us shares the same dream with Santiago.

What is the secret of one's happiness?

As The Alchemist tells us, happiness is following our dreams. And not being afraid of obstacles that can be encountered following the path to our dreams. As the book says, true happiness is understanding the meaning of our lives, the purpose of our existence. We can do that by listening to our hearts... and by following its yearnings.

Paulo Coelho tries to tell us these simple things in his little book. I guess it won't be hard for us to get his message and learn from it.

"in pursuit of happyness"

I borrowed this movie from a friend, not knowing really what this movie is all about at first. When I had the chance to watch it on a night when there's not much to do, I got some valuable life lessons that will stay with me for a long time...

The movie "In Pursuit of Happyness", is the story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman with a 5-year old son. Like most of us, the movie portrays the difficulties one has to go through when we're just initially starting a family and only having a "common", average job. The life of Chris Gardner is a portrayal of the triumph of the spirit, that is, against all odds and armed only with commitment and dedication, one can realize his dreams only if he won't lose focus and continue to sacrifice and persevere to attain it.

I haven't read the book from which the movie was based, nor I know the story of Chris Gardner prior to my watching the said movie. But after watching Will Smith and his son Jaden in the movie, I feel like I could relate to their story somehow. I don't know. Maybe because their story is such that it's actually the same story most of us currently have. Maybe somehow, this story is also the story or our lives as we live them right now.

One important lesson this movie taught me is to love your kids. And don't let anyone take them away from you even in difficult times. It's sad that I could not do that. Like millions of other Filipino parents, I am separated with my kids right now. That's the sacrifice 10% of the Filipino parents have to go through. It's part of our diaspora. And although sad, it's a fact of our life. I just try to make up for it by constantly communicating with them and trying to let them feel I am not away in any way I can.

Gardner's story is an inspiration. Every one of us is in one way or another, experiencing struggles in life. And like Chris, we have to learn to face them all. We have to stay focused and committed to our goals, and move towards realizing them everyday, every minute that we can. We shouldn't lose any given opportunity.

As this movie tells us, if we persevere, if we try hard, if we dream long enough, our pursuit of happiness will eventually be rewarded.

Sick

The season is really changing already. Cold mornings are here once again, and the cool air permeates longer even until before noon. It's good to know that winter has arrived once more...

There's just one problem when the winter season comes, and for that matter, the climate starts to change along with it... people get sick. I personally experienced it the past week. Maybe it was the cold nights or the prolong cold mornings, but either way, I got hit by a flu. I even experienced some chills during the first day I got it. And so, I was not feeling well for maybe, four days... with aching muscles and headache, combined with on-off fever. I finally decided to visit the clinic on the second day. The nurse said I had an inflammation of my tonsils, which indicate something of an infection is there. Anyways, after taking some anti-biotics and vitamin C tablets, I finally felt good in the fourth day. Everything's well again :)

After my encounter with flu, I decided winter - and the cold weather - is really finally here, and so I started wearing light sweaters during nighttime. I also started to put away my sleeveless shirts, I won't use them for quite sometime.

Alice is happy... I won't be using the airconditioner anymore at night :)