8) Yuletide Joy; I Love Christmas

This is my rambling Christmas tale... I love Christmas. I love everything about the season; the timeless tunes, the food, the weather, the corny movies... I ramble on quite a bit about all the things I love about Christmas... I go off-topic quite a lot... as usual... Sorry... I ate too much cookies and maybe drank the rum that my mom was keeping for the fruit cake... I'm old as fudge cake, but I think my mom just grounded me... 

I guess there's a cut-off age to being grounded but am I going to tell my mom that... Probably not... Pretty sure there's an unwritten rule out there somewhere... that under no circumstances... should thou ire thou maman during the Christmas season... unless thou fancy missing the bountiful repast thou maman will prepare... 

For me, missing out on the cooking my mom does so well especially during Christmas... is as horrifying as finding out Santa isn't real... which I did when I was like 8? No... last year... All those letters to Santa... gone to waste...

 

Heard this on a show I was watching... A Christmas tune that's just like me... Slightly crooked... A little off-center...

 

I love Decembers.... For with it comes Christmas; the season I love the most. 

The time for Christmas food, Christmas songs, and Christmas cheer... 

As you look forward with anticipation to the huge gathering of family and friends that come this time of year.... and the food... Let's not forget the food... 

The weather in Malaysia, during this time, or what my mom calls, the Christmas weather, is perfect... We don't have snow but there's a slight, cold breeze that plays with your hair and makes you feel all warm and gooey inside... 

Maybe it's the season... but it does seem like the perfect time for feeling all warm and gooey...

In Malaysia, it's the monsoon season, from November to March... A time for thunderstorms and non-stop rain... when all my senses are activated... 

It's usually quite cold, compared to the warmer climate we're accustomed to... but then again... as the great Queen once said... "the cold has never bothered me anyway".

Sorry... It's Christmas, the time for cheesy lines, potatoes, meatballs and pies... 

More coming your way...   

 

Thanks for the enthusiasm...

 

Christmas in Malaysia....

👀 A time for watching the gathering storm, the dark, puffy clouds and stormy skies,

👂 listening to the sound of thunder in the distance and the falling rain,

👃 and the earthy scent that comes from a heavy downpour. 

👄 The activation of my sense of taste; enjoying the rain with some comfort food.

P.S. Fooled you, did I with that lips emoji? Trust me, I ain't kissing no fella under the mistletoe... like that mommy who kissed Santa Claus under the mistletoe, and traumatized her child, who would probably need therapy... 

The poor kid... 

P.S. Fun Story. My mom told us... that when my father, my very conservative, traditional Indian father, first heard the song, 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus', he was scandalized.

Until my mom patiently and gently explained to him that the "mommy" WASN'T actually cheating on her husband, and that Santa was actually her husband in disguise... 😀

 

Probably my father's reaction hearing that song...

 

My poor father... I'm just glad my mom cleared my dad's outrage... Wouldn't want him to wrongly think the worst of some random woman in a song now, would we?...  

It's like Lois Lane... Imagine the many people who have wrongly judged her because they saw her hugging or kissing Superman... 

"Look at Lois, cheating on her poor, innocent, dorky husband, Clark... Tsk... Tsk.... I get that he's Superman... But Clark will be devastated when he finds out.." 

Sorry...

I was thinking how a perfect day for me would be sitting by the window, watching the pouring rain with a good book in my hand and a mug of coffee and a slice of Christmas cake by my side.... Coffee blended with whipped cream on top would make it even more perfect... with a dash of rum... 

And I remembered Tyler Hoechlin and the photoshoot of him gorgeously sitting by the window... 

Oh well... It's Christmas... A time for daydreams and fantasies... of Santa and Angels granting wishes... and this brooding man in my dreams...       

Sorry... I sometimes forget I'm in my 40s... and not a kid anymore...

Although I do wish I was a kid again so I could be out there playing in the rain... a little dancing and singing in the rain...

I mean I could dance in the rain now. My neighbors already think I'm nuts so a little dancing in the rain is not going to make a difference. 

Come to think of it, I think I did this step while walking into the house one day. 

Oh my poor mom... The things she has to endure having me for a daughter...

I think I've embarrassed my mom enough as it is, so I'll refrain from dancing in the rain... Cause it's Christmas and I'm feeling generous.

Also... I really suck at dancing... My dancing is so bad, I look like I'm trying to choke myself... Or that I need to pee.. 

I know that I'm an Indian and should be genetically predisposed to dancing... Like haven't you seen all those Bollywood movies... every Indian has those killer dance moves. 

I'm the odd one out... Like my DNA is missing those dancing cells... I'm no Hrithik Roshan for sure... who not only looks good... but has the moves too... the dancing moves... 

So no putting on my dancing shoes and dancing my blues away...

Staring at the falling rain is what I do best. 

Anyway... Christmas!

I love Christmas and everything that goes with it. Some may call it a money-making scam, robbing you of everything you own and your sanity, but I don't. 

I love the season. I always have... And I love buying things for my loved ones.

I love the feelings that come from Christmas. I love the corny Christmas movies. I love planning the Christmas menu with my family. I love getting out the Christmas decorations and seeing the house all decorated. 

Of course usually all my Christmas ideas and suggestions are rejected... 

My job is to hand the tape... and climb the ladder and bring the Christmas decorations box down... or stick things on high walls...

 

Exactly the reaction I get too when I give my ideas...

 

I love the smell of baking that fills the house when I come home from work, thanks to my mom and her awesome baking skills. 

Nothing like the torture of the scent of your mom's wonderful cooking coming from the kitchen, while you wait for the food to be ready.

I love going to church and singing Christmas hymns.

Most of all, I love being at home, exchanging presents, surrounded by family, extended family and close friends, as we celebrate Christmas together. 

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Sometimes I wish I could afford to take just the whole month off.. The entire month of December... so I could enjoy the season and all its glories... To bake and cook for my loved ones... To work on the presents... To get the house ready... To just bask in the season...

I love Christmas Tunes!

December comes and it's time to dust out those timeless Christmas tunes. To open that playlist titled “Christmas” that stays silent until December... 

Maybe it's the cool breeze in the air, or the sweet scent of baking, or the Christmas decorations... December is the month for warmth and yuletide joy.. 

I mean you could listen to Christmas tunes in May. Ain't nobody stopping you. 

And I have been that girl, who listened to Christmas tunes in July and felt like such a badass... Like cool Jason Statham in the Transporter series. 

 

Man... How hot is Jason Statham...

 

But December is when you feeeeeel these Christmas tunes.  

I enjoy going to church and hearing these songs... I'm like the weird person who excitedly waits to see what hymns they're going to sing... then do a fist pump when it's a song I like and enjoy singing... while my mom winces at my childish behavior then maybe pretends to not be related to me (in her mind) when I sing loudly... in my cats could scream voice... occasionally out of tune... but definitely with passion...  

Weird looks and stares from the congregation is a given though.... when I massacre the songs (their words not mine)... by singing them according to the melody a singer has made his or her own... instead of the traditional version. 

If they could talk in church, they would probably say, “That's not how it's sung, dear”. 

Oh really... but that is how Cliff Richard sings “O Little Town”. 

 

People's reaction to my singing too...

 

Yeah. I'm the girl, the church choir hates, for ruining their perfect rendition with my awful, cats can kill themselves, frogs hate me, voice.  

Pretty sure I sang to a cat once and the cat slapped me... True Story... 

But when I hear songs like "Shine Jesus Shine" and “Shout to the Lord”, which are my favorite Christian songs, suddenly sung in church, I can't help but sing the song loudly... 

It's a song that calls for passionate singing even if I sound like a broken kettle, and the low parts of the song can kill flies when I sing it. 

 

How I kill flies with my voice... 

 

I'm sorry, church choir people, I can't help it. I love singing these hymns, so I continue to be the weird girl in church, who sings loudly, off-key, in her horrendous voice... because it's church and they can't have any murderous intent towards me... and my mom can't be embarrassed by me.... 

I mean she could and she probably is... but she would feel guilty for feeling that way.... as it's church and you are supposed to only have good thoughts... 

And not think how cute Tyler Hoechlin looked in the Instagram posts his fans have been sharing... wait... did I just say that out loud...

Note to self : Don't look at Insta while waiting for your mom to get ready for church.. 

Because that smile... or those mesmerizing hazel green eyes and brooding look is gonna haunt you...

 hmmmmmm where was I??? 

 

Yeah.. Although I feel guilty for my mind wandering elsewhere... 

And I scold myself for being a bad person...

But when it comes to Tyler Hoechlin, it's like all the "angels got together to sprinkle moondust in his hair.. and starlight in his eyes of sparkling green".

  

Sorry... Where was I? 

So I guess I'm perpetually on Santa's naughty list... probably why I've never gotten any gifts from Santa... 

I thought it's because he's from the North Pole, and he can't take our hot Asian weather? 

But it's not him... It's me, isn't it?

Touche! 

The copious amount of fruit cake I consumed is really working its magic, huh?

My conscience to me : Yeah right, blame it on the rum. 

Anyway talking about church hymns... Why do church hymns sound so good in church... 

It's like listening to the sound of church bells... You can hear them on tv but it just hits you different when you're sitting in church... 

Is it the vibration? The acoustics? The environment? The divine presence? 

It just sounds different in church... 

 

I so feel this cute kid... 

 

Sometimes I hear a nice hymn then go back home after church and look for it online because I enjoyed singing it in church and want to hear and sing it again... but then can't find the hymn... Not even on YouTube...

Or worst the version they have online just doesn't hit right.... The melody is off... The singing doesn't touch you... 

It's one of the things I can't get... and wish I could change... I wish people would sing hymns well and post it online...  

Oh man... These cute kids... I do love looking at kids who are so passionate at church... 

There's a kid in my church, who sings all the hymns so loudly and with so much feeling... even repeating all the prayer our priest says... 

I know I should be concentrating... but that kid is a pleasure to watch... Love to see him kneeling and praying so fervently... 

I never had any compulsion to have children of my own maybe because I worry I would not make a good mother... and have never fallen in love or met any guy I wanted... especially to start a family with... 

And although I realize I can never have a child anymore... 

But if I did have a one... and that's a big IF... because I doubt if people would ever allow me to adopt... I would like to hope that my kid would be as devoted in church... 

 

Or if my kid wasn't devoted but bored.. I would be ok with that too...

 

I won't force any kid of mine to do or be what I want them to be... It would be the kid's choice... but to at least fill the kid with the same love for the divinity that I have... 

But then again if my kid wanted to wear make up and be all goth... I will be ok with that too as long as he or she is happy... and they're not harming themselves or anyone else... 

It would be a great irony though if my kid wanted to wear make up when I never do...    

Ok sorry I got a little carried away... I know I keep saying I don't want kids... But I do love them... 

But most of the time kids look at me like I'm the scary monster that they have tried convincing their parents currently lives under their bed... Even when I smile and try to give them gifts of toys and chocolate... they're too scared to come near me to take those treats... 

 

I guess how I look like to kids... especially when I'm occasionally forced to wear make-up during family events...

 

The oldies have always been a part of my life... And when I say the Oldies, I don't mean the 90s songs that youngsters now have the audacity to call the “Oldies”... Oldies for me, were the songs my mom introduced us kids to... Songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. 

My childhood memories were my mom listening to these songs on the vinyl record player then later upgrading to cassettes and CDs. 

Now she has discovered the joys of YouTube and plays the songs on her tablet in the kitchen while she cooks... Occasionally she listens to some well-known preacher's inspiring sermon... but sometimes it's the oldies... I guess it depends on her mood... whether she's feeling the need for devotion or "Poetry in Motion"...

Nothing beats the scent of my mom's wonderful cooking with these songs playing in the background... while we eagerly wait for the meal to be ready... 

So growing up, these songs have always been a part of my life.... and they are still even until now. 

I love these timeless tunes... and have even found myself listening to them instead of the latest pop songs.... on my headphones, while I work.

It was through this love for the Oldies that I discovered artists like Cliff Richard and Christmas song gems like the one below... 

I was hooked from his first line of, "The Child is a King" to the meaningful lyrics, "A time for forgiving, and for forgetting", beautifully delivered in his soulful voice... 

A song that will always be my favorite Christmas song.

 

Cause I love Christmas songs. 

I enjoy the traditional hymns like "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", "Oh Holy Night", and "Oh, Come, All ye Faithful"...

and the commercial ones, like "Last Christmas" and “All I want for Christmas is You”... 

Or unique ones like "Christmas in Killarney"... 

So much so I wish I could go to the Irish town of Killarney, with my family, one of these days for the Christmas season... They do seem to have a jolly good time there according to the song... 

And if you're wondering...

Do I mutilate these songs with my horrible voice...  

Yes.

Do I still continue to sing them... 

Yes.  

Elf approved.

All I want for Christmas...

I listen to All I want for Christmas... and it's instant Christmas mood for me... It's become like tradition to start the season with this song.

I don't get the song though... Like why would anyone say all they want for Christmas is a man.... Instead of chocolates, which are more satisfying... Delicious too...  

It's like getting a plant for Christmas... They need attention and care... and then die... because I suck at even taking care of a plant... Sorry plant. 

I can't barely handle myself... so taking care of a man? That poor man..

I don't even want a dog, although I think they're cute, because it's too much things to do like bathing the dog, cleaning up its waste, feeding it and stuff, and I'm just way too lazy. 

Also I'm scared of dogs... They could bite me... especially when I start singing... 

And I don't like touching anything furry... Which is why I don't want to date... Too much fur... 

So I don't get the song... although I like looking at Tyler Hoechlin... I still prefer chocolates instead of anything living... man, animal or plants...

But I do enjoy the song... The only problem is the desire to sing and dance which accompanies the song... Cause it's a song made for dancing... 

But when you live in a small house like mine and have a huge body, you tend to bump into things and they break... 

Talking from experience.... remembering fondly all the things I've broken in my house in the past.

What my mom says too, I guess... 

 

What do I want for Christmas?

To spend it with my loved ones.... I want my family and friends to be happy. 

I want to be able to eat all my favorite food, and not put on any weight.... to open my purse, and see my money multiplying.... to have a boss like Jack Harper... 

yeahhh I take that back. I can't barely concentrate at work, as it is, and make some annoying fumbles... 

Like when I suddenly run into the top management, and he speaks to me... and I struggle to say something that will make me sound smart and witty... and professional.... but I end up sounding like a fish...

I hope he doesn't fire me... 

So no... I don't want a boss that looks like Tyler Hoechlin... Or even a colleague that looks like him...

I would faint in that lift if Tyler Hoechlin walked in...

I should change my wish to never get a boss or a colleague that I find good-looking.

I prefer to go to work and be lust-free... and to only lust over the mug of ice-blended coffee I like to drink.... which I know I shouldn't but can't resist... 

That my colleagues like to order from Coffee Bean... and Zus... and Starbucks (Man... We do have a lot of coffee shops in my small town)... and I should say, “NO” but I don't... Cause when it comes to food, I have the willpower of a rat...

I also want the chance to travel and see the world.  

That when I eat all my favorite food, it will be calorie-free. That it would be carb-free... Heck... That I would lose weight eating my favorite food...  

To have the strength and willpower to make my dreams come true, so I can make the world a better place for the ones I love... 

And to always remember to thank God for His many blessings, that although I may whine about things, I'm still grateful for my life and the people in it. 

I love Christmas Food!

The best thing about Christmas, is the smell of baking emanating from the kitchen.

When you come home from work and walk into the house, you're hit with this delightful scent of baked treats. 

Thanks mom for being such an avid, eager baker. For always filling our home with your delicious, to-die-for food.  

I have fond childhood memories of my mom's cooking, and now as an adult, I have learnt to treasure them... And realize how blessed I am to have a mom, who loves cooking for the people she loves...

My friends leave home and go away to study for three years, and they put on weight, cause they get to enjoy a multitude of food they never could at home... I lose weight cause I miss my mom's cooking that much...

That's the way my family shows love.... to each other and family and friends... through food...

My mom's baked treats, especially her pineapple jam tarts, are hot commodities... They've even caused fights. 

I have literally seen people fight over the last jam tart on the plate. 

It can even cause rifts. I kid you not. She gives the jam tarts to some married friends of ours, and the wife tells my mom, 

"Can you please pack them in separate containers for us, and label them accordingly cause my husband complains that I'm eating his share of jam tarts.... I come out of the kitchen, and he says, 'did you eat the jam tarts?'.... So please pack them separately for us".

When do you know you've made it as a baker? When people fight over your tarts. 

My mom gave the jam tarts to one of her brothers. And he hid it in his room. To protect it... From his children... Father of the Year, I tell you. Not that he's a bad father. He loves his children but it's my mom's jam tarts that only makes an appearance for Christmas, and he ain't sharing!

So it's Christmas and I'm on an all-carb diet. 

To my bed and weighing-scale, you and I need to have a talk. 

I'm sorry but it's gonna be tough for you guys the next couple of days. 

Hang in there! 

I love Christmas Movies!

Then there's the Christmas movies that comes with the season. 

It may be corny, and cheesy, and sometimes not easy to believe....  

But then again, I'm the last person to talk about being cheesy... as I'm the person who sends the Avicii's Hey Brother song to my siblings to tell them I love them... 

I was of course aiming for being sweet... but would probably come across as cheesy... The double dose of kill my diet.. sweet and cheesy... 

So anyway... Those Christmas movies... 

You just met each other, but suddenly it's true love? Love of your life. Like, are you sure you're not going to break-up.... after Christmas... like in February?    

To save on the Valentine's Day present...  

No... I'm no Christmas Grinch... I'm a realist...    

I actually am quite ok seeing my non-single friends get nice Valentine's Day flowers and gifts... I'm honestly happy for them... No jealousy... No yearning... 

But I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship and your significant other... just ignoring you... Doing nothing to make you feel special... I would probably feel like how Pam felt right there...  

Please guys and gals, if you're gonna break-up with someone... Please don't do it early February... cause the person you're breaking up with may have already got you a Valentine's Day present... 

Now what are they going to do with that sweater they made... embroidered with your name... They can't give it to another person... And I hate to see a good sweater go to waste... 

Then there's the I love you... but you're married so I'm going to go behind your husband's back.... who is my best friend, btw.... and declare my love for you... 

Hmmm... Sleazy much? 

When the person is married, you don't tell them, you love them... It's too late... They're married. 

Like the Michael Learns to Rock song, “you're 25 minutes too late, dude”... 

It's like when you buy a tube of yogurt... but forget to check the expiry date... then you keep it in the fridge too long... take it to eat it and see it has expired the day before... ONE DAY LATE... You were one day late... So I kinda get the 25 mins too late song.... Throwing away yogurt you wanted to eat is pain....

But move on.... Pine for her all you want... But do it in the privacy of your own thoughts... Stop embarrassing yourself.... Now you've gone and made it awkward for her... Man... Seriously! 

Yeahhhhh Ok.... Maybe I'm not a romantic... The idea of romance for me is unwrapping a bar of chocolate... 

Sexier would be Tyler Hoechlin unwrapping that bar of chocolate... but then that's just wishful thinking on my part... And I would still probably want the chocolate more than I would the man...

Wait... Are you smirking at me, Tyler?

Ok... I'm kidding... I do enjoy romantic gestures and would love to have a guy write declarations of love on a card and hold it up... 

Or sing me a song.... Serenading someone is even more romantic... I don't care if his voice sounds like a toad... It's the thought that counts... and I would love it... the guy and the song... the toad not so much...  

So see... I'm not a romance scrooge...  

But just that this whole cardboard scene from the movie, "Love Actually" would have been oh so cool and romantic, if she was single.. and not just recently married to his best friend...

Also her running up to him and kissing him even if it's a pity kiss... then going back to cuddle with her husband... I found that so wrong... 

Your husband's best friend tells you he loves you... you don't kiss him... you punch him in the face... 

Well... that's just me... I have a short fuse... And also take being faithful to extreme levels... Once you're married or in a relationship, your mouth belongs to each other... Only to each other... 

The only OTHER thing that is allowed to touch your lips, other than your significant other, is food...

Actually the movie, Love Actually was supposed to be a feel-good Christmas movie but all I felt was misery watching it... 

From the wife kissing a man not her husband... To the wife whose husband bought the chain for his young secretary... He didn't cheat physically but he longed for that other woman... and that to me is emotional and mental cheating... and it just tore at me... 

I cried with Emma Thompson watching that scene... 

 

Because even if I could not relate to the scene from personal experience... because I've never had a boyfriend... but I have felt the pain of betrayal from those I've been close with... And I felt her pain..

Anyway, if I had a boyfriend, he probably would be buying the entire jewellery range for another woman.. 

He probably would cheat every day... Who am I kidding... I'm not going to keep a guy long enough to be considered a relationship... 

All the so-called love stories in the movie were horrible... The guy calling the woman fat... I ain't falling in love with a guy who calls me names... 

The young guy who just wants to sleep with you but not in love with you enough to support you when he should be praising you for being a good big sister... Moral of the story, don't sleep with random guys no matter how much you are crushing on them... 

Ok the rest I forgot... 

The only one that was passable was the young kid... with those first blooms of romance... 

But I guess being a young kid.. she would enjoy the guy running up to her and proclaiming his love... 

I mean it's cute for a kid... As an adult, I would probably pretend not to know the guy... 

And the kid would probably forget the girl he just declared undying love to when another girl comes along.. Is there any fidelity left at all in this world... 

 

Sorry I'm a romance Scrooge...

 

Then there's the workaholic Christmas movies... I watch these Christmas movies and don't get why people get angry when that one person has to work during Christmas. 

I know you want them to spend time with you, but it's their work... The work is what puts food on the table so they need to complete it...

It's their company who's the Scrooge for making them work during Christmas. 

It's not their fault... They want to spend time with you too but they've got no choice...

Ok.. maybe I caught some flak from my family, because I was spending time at my laptop working, instead of spending time with them... So feeling a bit defensive...

P.S. Do I now look back at the photos and videos of them happily spending time together laughing and enjoying themselves... making cookies... playing games... chatting... while I was at my computer working... wishing I had spent time with them instead?  

Your work and career may be important, but the memories you build, with the people you love, is what matters, at the end of the day... 

The time spent together... and things done with love... are forever...

I guess I learnt that lesson the hard way and a little too late. 

Then it's all those Christmas movies with the same plot. 

One will be a grouch or scrooge or the Grinch.... who hates Christmas and everything to do with it... Who just wants to work...

While the other will be a hardened Christmas fanatic... who kills you with their enthusiasm and Christmas passion... and the constant smiling... Like can a person really be that cheerful... all the time?  

But by the end of the movie, they're in love and filled with the Christmas spirit. 

Do I find these movies corny and cheesy? 

Yes! 

But do I love these movies? 

Yes! Absolutely yes! 

Maybe cause it's Christmas, but I find all these Christmas movies so fun to watch. 

I don't care how corny they are, I enjoy every moment of them. 

I love their cheesy dialogues... I love the romance... Of falling in love at first sight over hot chocolate, a warm blanket, and the stars... 

I love the Christmas tunes played on the show. I love the Christmas decorations. 

I love the picturesque scenery. I love that it makes me feel warm and happy... and Christmassy...

Like look at this landscape. Who wouldn't feel all Christmassy inside. 

My Wish List is to be able to visit Christmas towns like these....  

With Christmas decorations everywhere... Carolers... 

Snow... Always wanted to do snow angels and build many cute "snowman"s... 

Beautiful cabins... with a cute reindeer on top. 

The beautiful Christmas lights. 

And guys in sweaters.

Cause every Christmas movie will surely have the obligatory guy in a sweater.

So maybe I find guys in sweaters hot... I'm unique like that.

Man... Tyler Hoechlin literally killed me in this blue sweater he wore as Jack Harper.    

Would have killed me more if it was a white sweater.  

Cause it doesn't matter whether it's all business in a formal white shirt, a sweater or a simple t-shirt... men in white does things to me...

It's my guilty pleasure. Like white chocolate. 

You know it's bad for you and has too much sugar but you can't resist it's sinful delights, no matter how hard you try.

But nothing beats Tyler Hoechlin in a white shirt... preferably tight...

Maybe it makes my heart beat a little faster... 

Makes me forget... things... like my morals... and my chocolate cravings.

 

Is that a "What is wrong with you" gesture?

Because honestly... It's the rum... 

 

It's a good thing he doesn't wear much white... 

I don't think my heart can take that much.

A bigger dream would be to have Tyler Hoechlin in a Christmas movie one day... doing stuff like... wearing white sweaters... chopping wood... decorating the Christmas tree... baking pie... smiling... 

A CEO.... A prince hiding out in a Christmas village... in his cardigans and sweaters...

Hey... He could play a Rhinestone Cowboy, riding a horse in a star-spangled rodeo... And I would still watch it.... I would watch baseball movies for him... especially if he's in it...     

Ok... Ok... I'll stop now. You know there's something wrong with you when Hermione Granger rolls her eyes at you. 

Sorry Hermione. 

Sorry Tyler.  

Sorry Tyler's parents.

Sorry Tyler's significant other. 

It's the rum... 

Kinda get the feeling that nobody believes it's the rum... 

I know people sometimes call Christmas movies corny... With the same plot and the same twist... Sometimes even the same people... But they're called feel-good movies for a reason...

They make me smile and feel all dreamy and for a moment... the teeniest weeniest moment... I may perhaps wish it would be nice to fall in love like that... To mean something special to that one person... 

Actually have someone think the world of you... and that you're not just annoying and weird... and sometimes downright creepy over your celebrity crush... 

Hmmmm... A little hesitation would have been nice, Tyler... Instead of full agreement... Like would it be too much for you to say, “Sure creep over me as much as you want”... I mean it's the Christmas season!

Yeah... I don't think so cause I get back to reality and realize I have the personality of a rotting tree... and nobody would want a dead tree... as their special someone...

Also I don't look beautiful when I cry... Cause I've read the books, watched the movies and listened to the songs, and I know there will be a lot of crying... 

Not all love stories end up like the ones on the Hallmark channel...

Actually I don't want Hallmark movies kind of love... 

I want a love story like this... from the animated movie, Up... that I still can't bring myself to watch because of the sad intro... in which even seeing the gif of this scene made me emotional.. 

But then again I don't want to risk the awesome life I'm currently having... I did a little risk management on being in love and realize the cons outweigh the pros... 

And that, even counting my celebrity crush, I've never actually met a person I would like to be special with...   

Nice... Thanks for changing the topic, gif... Instead of being a joyful rambling Christmas tale full of cheer and rum... it was starting to become Les Misérables... 

I love Santa!

Yes... My favorite subject... Santa Claus...  

What is Christmas without all the Santa Claus movies.  

Whether it's Santa Claus or angels, I love magical Christmas movies.

I love Christmas Movies that fill you with hope... and increase your faith... and leave you with inspiring messages of hope and love... It's nice to be made to believe that anything is possible...  

Romantic Christmas movies are nice, and some are heartwarming... but I wish they would make stories like they used to... with Santa, angels and magic... 

Magical faith-filled Christmas movies... as I was the girl, who used to cry at the end of every Touched by an Angel episode, when Roma Downey gives her “God loves you” speech... 

It's comforting to have that feeling that there's someone out there looking out for us... That things will be ok eventually no matter how difficult things get...

Cause where's the harm in believing in some Christmas magic, and Christmas miracles...  

It doesn't even have to be religious as some may not be religiously inclined... But wouldn't it be nice to believe in something that can't be explained...

Not everything has to be about love and romance... Sometimes love can be just showing some kindness to people... 

Oh well... I believe in magic... and miracles... I even believe in Santa... 

Heck... My wish list is to visit the North Pole and hang with Santa...   

Wait. Does using the word "heck" get you on the naughty list? 

And no it's not weird that I still believe in Santa at my age... 

It helps that I may look like one... with that scruff I have... and the big belly...   

Not because of the cookies.... I don't go for cookies.... I'm more of a cake girl...  

Unless they are chewy cookies like the Subway ones... The only cookies I don't mind eating...  

There were a few magical Christmas movies that I did watch recently... 

One had Santa doing his magic and pairing these two single people together... Maybe I found the character annoying but I did question Santa's wisdom in the pairing... Like of all the people, you chose her, Santa?

Although, who am I to judge, I date my bolster... 

Then there was this other one... that had the Guardian Angel falling in love with his charge... Like why does that happen... What makes the person so special that the Guardian Angel falls in love with them... 

I definitely cannot imagine it happening to me... I'm boring and annoying.. 

My Guardian Angel probably hates his/her job... Could be asking for a transfer right this minute... 

Not only that, my Guardian Angel has to be on constant watch... like a full stake-out... not even being able to take a nap... 

Cause I knock into things while walking... Heck I get injured while sleeping... It's actually a surprise I made it this far in life... 

My poor Guardian Angel... Nothing could beat its weariness... He definitely has earned his wings... 

I wish Santa would bring me some cool gifts.... 

Like hot Derek Hale; a sure as ale.... tempting gift...

But then what if Derek gets injured fighting Rudolph? 

He's a werewolf, you think a reindeer is going to stop him....   

Don't worry, I'm a good person and will never do that to you, Tyler.

I won't wish for you... Cause you may be the gift Santa gives... 

But I'll be your nightmare... like stuck in the Twilight Zone... endless torture and suffering...  

Like Hell... Without a cool Lucifer.

I don't even wish harm on my enemies... No matter how angry or how hurt I am by them, especially the ex-boss who made my life at work actual Hell, I still wish him well... 

One of my colleague said she prays our ex-boss will find himself one day under a truck, that will roll him flat like you would a chapati... But that's not me... I don't want harm on him... 

My prayer is that he learns the error of his ways and will be a better man... And I pray I won't do the same to others... to cause them that much pain... 

Hmmm.... The same "judging you" look my colleagues gave me too...  

Wait... Do my colleagues think I'm pompous, Tyler?

Oh well... Maybe I am... I'm sorry if it sounded pompous... But I do mean this sincerely... I do hope that my ex-boss feels regret but nothing like too much pain... 

So if I only wish the best for people I don't even like... Do you think I would wish bad things on the man I have a crush on? 

Definitely not... So unlike other fans, I don't pray to get Tyler... cause I care about him... I wouldn't wish him or any other guy to be stuck with a troll like me... 

 

Thanks man.... 😒

 

Jeez... I'm doing it again, aren't I? 

Mentioning Tyler Hoechlin in every post.

Man... I'm so weird... 

I know... It's like my superpower...

Man... I hope my mom doesn't find out I've been stealing little shots of the rum she had kept for her fruit cake.       

 Yup... Pretty sure this is going to be her reaction when she finds out. 

Am I worried?

I'm in my early 40s. 

Scared of my mom?

What do you think?

Of course I am!

Anyway.. What I want from Santa this Christmas... is just blessings on my family and the people I care about.

Most importantly, that the world will be healthy again... And as cheesy as it sounds, world peace... I wish people would rule with love instead of hate or greed...  

 

I love Christmas Shopping!

So yes... maybe Christmas has become slightly commercialized, but I love doing Christmas shopping. 

Buying things for the people I love. To think of something special that I hope they will like. I'm grateful for any chance to make my family and close friends happy. 

 

You certainly are, Tyrion. You certainly are.

I had this happy plan to complete my Christmas shopping in November instead of rushing to the malls doing last-minute Christmas shopping like the previous years, leaving me exhausted, or worried that the things ordered online won't arrive in time for Christmas.

Goal : To complete my Christmas shopping in November. 

Predicted Outcome : Rushing to complete my Christmas shopping the weekend before Christmas.

Unfortunately, when you have decision making problems like me, it's tough buying Christmas presents. 

I agonize for weeks over the Christmas presents. Like will this be good. Will they like it. Can I get something better. 

I keep adding things to my cart without actually buying them, thinking I may get something better... The next thing I know, there are 50 things in my shopping cart, it's a week to Christmas and things will never be delivered on time anyway so I rush to the shopping mall to get something. 

Then there's the thing that happened this year. 

I became a shopping addict, where I kept buying and buying things online. Sometimes I buy more than one present because I'm thinking this other person may like it too so I buy it for them. 

Then I see something else I think they would like and get it too. So one person may have more than one present, and there are boxes and boxes of presents under the Christmas tree.   

I've gone over budget, and there's the worry of not having enough to pay for not only the presents but for the meals to be prepared for all those coming.  

And yes... I know I have no one else to blame but me. 

Still over-budget I may be... and probably going to spend the next few months of the next year trying to cover the Christmas present debts... but I don't mind... 

I mean it was on SALE, it would be rude not to buy...

But nothing beats the joy when the ordered gifts arrive and you excitedly open them.... Especially when you receive something that looked ok online but then they arrive and they're amazing... way above and beyond your expectation...  

Nothing beats that feeling of joy... Knowing that the receiver is going to be thrilled...   

Then there's the fun of wrapping all those arrrived gifts... There are some... The wrapping-ly gifted ones... who wrap presents with bows and wings... And make cute shapes... Just looking at the present fill people with awe... 

I wrap by sticking two separate papers together to save paper... I save those scraps of wrapping paper so I can use them for the next present... I'm not a complete monster though, I do use wrapper papers that are similar in design...

But hey... it's what's inside that matters, right? 

For me, joy comes from the giving not the receiving... 

Seeing my loved ones' happiness in opening all those presents... and hope that they will like what I got them...

 

The reaction I'm hoping for....

I love giving gifts... I love the joy it brings them... And try to always think of something that will make the person happy... Maybe even inspire them a little... 

As for me, I love all the gifts I have gotten... I don't care how much it costs... Even if it was a simple gift... A handwritten note...It's not the cost of the gift that matters and makes it precious but the thought behind it and the love... 

There's a kid I'm close with who gave me a sweet gift... She said sorry she couldn't buy more because she's still in school... But it came with a poem that she wrote for me... 

 

How I felt about the giver too.... A gift as special as them...

 

So it didn't matter how much it cost, I love that she thought of me, and wanted to get me something...and took the trouble to pen something sweet for me to make me smile... It's a gift I will always treasure because of the love that came with it... 

Or the times my family, siblings and cousins got me the gift of a photo frame with many tiny photos of Tyler Hoechlin... 

It was not the crush that mattered but my loved ones and them doing that frame to make me smile... 

Gifts from the heart always make the most precious gifts... or so I think

Christmas Memories 

No matter the fun that comes from giving and getting Christmas gifts... For me, Christmas is not only about the presents... it's also the presence of the people you love...  

I always count myself blessed that I have friends.... Not a handful of friends... But many... Some who have become like a part of our family... Closer to us than even some of our relatives... 

That when both my siblings got married, we had like 1k guests.... Mostly everyone we invited turned up ... Some we meet on the street, many days, even years after the wedding, turn to my mom and say, “Congratulations on your daughter/son's wedding. But why didn't you invite me”... And in my heart I'm like, "Dude I don't even know who you are"... 

Some of my best Christmas memories, are with my family, my mother's youngest brother's family and close friends. We've had some great Christmases together...

There was barely room to sleep in my small house. Everyone just crashed on the floor at any corner they can find... Some slept on the couch... There was literally a row of sleeping bodies in the hall. 

But all that mattered was the fun we had... Chats, jokes and laughter that went on the whole night.

There was food... Lots of it... 

There was no sleep... What we had was non-stop chatting... next thing we know it's 5am...  

Cause when families get together... especially mine... It's usually eat a lot... laugh a lot... noise a lot... that irritates the neighbors (sorry next door buddy... but we have a problem controlling our voice volume when we're excited... and we're usually excited cause the whole clan is down... also it's Christmas!)... 

The true gift is being in the company of someone you can have long conversations with... that you enjoy being with... 

Which is usually my family... and some friends who've become like family...

We find that we never run out of things to talk about... and could go on for hours... 

I guess a happy home is a noisy one... and I'm blessed to belong to a family... that enjoy each other's company instead of their phones... and not that I'm judging those who do enjoy their phones... to each their own... but I would prefer the chats than the game and social media apps on the phone...  

So when we go out to eat... we don't look at our phones... cause we have so many stories to share... and never run out of topic for conversation with everyone fighting for their turn to talk... 

We're usually also the noisiest table at the restaurant so we usually try to get a table far from others... so we don't distract their eating while looking at their phones with our noisy chatter... 

Also we tend to share a lot of stories that may be deemed private... and not really ok with others listening in to our personal conversations... 

 

Some of my favorite Christmas memories are the:

Non-Stop Food... 

Midnight runs to the nearest McDonald's with the gang because someone had a craving for sundaes and nuggets.... Or cooking something at 2am when you feel hungry after all the chatting...

Family Group Games 

Where we play the online game of Who Wants to be a Millionaire... with one person assigned to do the clicking of the answer... while the others Google for the answer.... 

Then High 5 each other when we win.... No... it's not cheating... It's called strategy.... and being smart, creative and innovative...

Monopoly; in which my teenage cousin, the youngest in our family, a sweet and wonderfully kind girl but a wizard in the art of wheeling and dealing in Monopoly, beating and bankrupting us all... I hate you Park Place and Boardwalk!

Poker; in which we cousins ganged up and cheated my uncle... And did we feel guilty? Nope... The look of confusion on my uncle's face was worth the guilt...

Man... I miss my family...

The Company of Friends who have become like Family...

My brother's friend said that we're like family to him... and he has definitely become a part of ours... and he came..

Another cousin was like, "we're coming too, and maybe bringing my girlfriend and some friends... is that ok?" I'm like... sure... the more the merrier... 

The Booze... 

My brother did the Christmas cocktails, with enthusiastic plans for the drink.

I patiently listened to his explanation on the 'mixing'... like he was some Science guy on those smart people show... 

I tried to share in his excitement... and also be patient... but ended up saying, "Look... Great Science lesson.... but honestly, I don't really care on the mechanism of it... Just hand me the booze when you're done"...

Exactly the pitiful, "you know there's something wrong with you" look my brother gave me, saying, 

"Yeah... someone talks like they're going to guzzle down the entire bottle.... when they will probably go to bed after one glass”... 

Hmmm... It seems little bro knows me well...

 

Big Sleepover... 

Our home is small... We didn't have space so everyone slept on the floor...

It was a lot of people... Only a few were related by blood. The rest were friends who have become like family.

I'm just honored that they all wanted to come spend Christmas with us in our small home.

Why all the Fast & Furious reference, you may wonder? Cause you know someone means business when they give a toast with the mi familia speech from the movie, Fast & Furious...

Also.. I really miss the handsome face, and rich manly voice of Paul Walker...

Although I can ramble on non-stop on this blog... sharing things no one wants to know... I'm actually very reserved in real life... 

It takes me some time to actually get comfortable with someone and be more open.... Which is why I hate social gatherings cause I'm usually looking for something to talk about... 

The same when I'm at work and washing my food containers at the pantry... or filling my water bottle... and someone stands next to me... and I try to find a topic for conversation and come up with something other than just a 'Hi”...

Making it harder is talking to someone who doesn't make the effort to make conversation... Like I ask about your lunch... Just ask me about mine... so we can have a conversation about that... Instead of giving me monosyllabic answers...

Maybe they're full... or sleepy... Maybe people don't like me at my office, so no one wants to talk to me and are not interested in my life... 

Man... That's a lowering thought... I'm making myself depressed with the things I write about myself in my blog... 

Anyway... Christmas... Yayyyyyyy... 

So was looking forward to Christmas this year (2020)... 

This year, we were worried that Covid would keep us apart. Many states in my country, especially states my sister and brother were living in were having lockdowns and inter-state traveling was banned.

Was imagining Christmas without my whole family... and was sad... 

But call it a Christmas Miracle... if you will... but surprisingly... two weeks before Christmas... they announced the opening of borders, with inter-state traveling now allowed...

The moment she hears the news, my sister calls to say, "I'm supposed to work from home... I can work from home... from home... I'm coming tomorrow!"

So she came. Then we convinced my uncle to send his teenage daughter over so we could do Christmas preparations together. And she came too... 

Going to work was the hardest cause my sister and cousin are home, and fun things are going on... while I'm stuck at work... wishing the week will go quicker so I can start my week-long Christmas holiday.

So Christmas is onnnn, people...  

Not everyone will be able to make it though due to quarantine and social distancing measures (each household is limited to a small quantity of people). 

But my immediate family members will be coming.    

Of course, we will be safe... Maintaining good hygiene... Washing our hands regularly... Wearing a mask...  And also maybe less hugging and physical contact...

The most important thing is... we will be together... and that's all that matters...

Although I'm grateful that I'll get to spend Christmas with my family... not all are that lucky. 

Due to Quarantine measures, some will be spending Christmas alone... 

I know what it's like, being alone and away from your family... 

The most difficult thing in the world, is not being able to be with your family... especially during major holidays... like Christmas...

I did worry about my Celebrity Crush, Tyler Hoechlin too... He has always spoken about how close he is with his family, and I'm sure he would want to spend Christmas with them... But due to strict filming protocols, he probably wouldn't be able to leave the Superman & Lois set and go be with them.... So I was sad and did worry for him....

 

When I was away doing my degree, we did not have long breaks for Christmas... Just a short one-day holiday then it was back to classes... So I could not travel back home for Christmas... It was also too costly to make the one-day trip back home and I couldn't afford the plane ticket...

So I know what it's like to have a lonely Christmas... Missing your family... Wishing you were with them... 

The calls I made to them just made me miss them more...

It was hard... I got through it with a lot of junk food... and Christmas movies.    

So for those going through the same. My heart goes out to you. It may be tough but may you find solace in knowing that your family is safe. 

In later years, I was blessed to have a family, who took me in as part of their own... and celebrated Christmas with me even though they were not Christians, so I wouldn't miss my family so much... 

My wish for all of you, who can't be with your family, the same comfort... that you may find people there for you... to fill the loneliness a little...  

Some may have made the brave sacrifice of staying away for Christmas as a safety precaution to protect their family. I salute you. Thinking of others before yourself is one of the bravest things you can do.   

There are those who are battling illnesses and they or their families may not be able to have a happy Christmas together. I send my prayers out to you. 

About 10 years ago, my mom was making preparations for Christmas, then found out she had breast cancer and had to undergo an emergency surgery right before Christmas. We were worried for her as she rarely ever got sick before, but she pulled through it, and came out of it stronger... Never losing her faith or her positivity...

And we ended up spending Christmas in her room by her hospital bed... Talking... Laughing... With feelings of gratitude that the surgery went well... I realized it wasn't the Christmas meal that my mom lovingly prepared for us that made us happy... it was just being together... no matter the circumstances or the surroundings...  

So I wish you the same blessings. That things will work out for you and your families... No matter how difficult, never lose faith or hope... and no matter how hard, do try to find blessings in all the sadness...

There are frontliners who may not be able to spend Christmas with their families. I honor you. You're our heroes.... Your sacrifice so we can be healthy and well, and safe, is beyond compare...  

Then there are those going through life without a family to share the Holidays with; I send my love out to you. May you find comfort from the people around you because sometime families are built not from blood ties but from those who care.  

No matter where you are... Stay safe.. Take care of yourself.. and hopefully a true Christmas Miracle will happen, and we will be rid of this pandemic once and for all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Wishing everyone a bright and happy Christmas.  

 

P.S. 

I know that Christmas is about celebrating the Birth of Christ, and that sometimes the religious aspect of Christmas is lost, amidst all the fun and laughter, the food, and presents... It's something priests constantly remind us in their homily; to not forget the true meaning of Christmas, and the reason for the celebration.

And yes, my family and I, especially my mother, are never neglectful of our worship and prayer, even as we prepare to entertain people for Christmas. 

But I feel that love, and the bond built with that love, is an important part of any religion.

For me, the Spirit of Christmas, is not only honoring God, and remaining strong in our faith, but it's also to be grateful for all that we have and to show our love not only to God but the people around us. 

Many of those celebrating Christmas with us, are not Christians. They may be of another religion or they may not believe in God, yet they too get into the spirit of things. 

With the world being a little dull and dreary sometimes, I feel there's nothing wrong in spreading a little cheer. 

Even if you don't believe in Christ, His message of always being kind, never judging others or neglecting them... and being accepting of those that are normally looked upon with disdain and disrespect... and showing love without prejudice and bias is something we all can aspire to... and it's a good way to live our life.

So no matter your religious belief, I wish you joy, cheer, blessings, and good fortune.   

 

Update (Christmas 2022) :

Wanted to share a little on the two heartwarming Christmas movies I watched over the Christmas holidays that filled me with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside...

1) A Boy Called Christmas

A unique take on the classic Santa Claus tale... An endearing origin story... I loved the creativity behind the story... The weaving of tale around all the familiar Santa Claus symbolism... I think I screamed a little when I heard the reindeer being called Blitzen... Thank you Netflix for giving us such a beautiful, magical Christmas tale...

 

2)Random Acts of Christmas

It's the usual romantic Christmas movie... but I loved the premise of the movie, that's so different from the usual romantic tales we usually get during Christmas... It's the message behind the movie that I found so uplifting... with some of the scenes and the message behind them so touching...

Sometimes all of us, in the hustle and bustle of Christmas... forget the beauty of the season... It's the joy, love and laughter... Sharing what you have not only with your loved ones but those around you.... The spreading of cheer...

I wish more people, especially the wealthy would use a little of their wealth to bring joy into the lives of those who need them... Help those in need... Cause in giving... sharing... and caring... lies the Christmas spirit...

Watching the movie, my mom was inspired to spread a little cheer herself... and had the idea of placing a candy cane on all the cars parked at church... So when we come out of church, after Christmas mass, everyone will be filled with delight.. especially the kids... And if we have the financial means, buy some Christmas presents for those in homes... those without families of their own...

It's a noble idea... and one I hope we will be able to do next Christmas...

Thanks Hallmark for inspiring us and teaching us the true meaning of Christmas...