Tag Archive: Christmas

Back on track

So, as of this past afternoon, I’ve got some really big news. I want to talk about it here, but I figure that I should wait a little bit until I have some photo evidence. For this news, I’m sort of trading one stress factor for another, however this one new factor is probably better for me and my family in the long run. Intrigued? Yeah, you’ll know what it’s about soon.

For me, today really seems to be about transitions. First of all, my aunts have left for New York. After a couple of days of having a full house, we’re back to the peace of just the three of us here. It’s kind of lonely, but really that’s where my sense of normality lies. I enjoy having family over because there’s really a sense of warmth that comes from it. At the same time, I need to go back to my usual peaceful state. For one thing, I have my room back. While they were here I chose to sleep in the basement so that one of my aunts could have a comfortable place to sleep while staying here. I didn’t mind at all because the inflatable bed isn’t all that bad. In fact, sleeping on it (favourably) reminds me of my last term in Waterloo. Still, obviously, it’s no substitute for sleeping in my own bed.

As for eating, I can forgive myself for over-indulging–it’s the time of year to do so, after all. Today, I felt myself readjusting and going back to a more normal eating pattern. Good thing! The past few days has been an experience that I know I shouldn’t continue. It’s like my body was sending me signals that I was full, but it was always being overridden by having little nibbles here and there. I was always kind of in a stupor where I was prone to bouts of lethargic sleeping fits. And God, I haven’t been that flatulent in ages. No kidding. All is well though: no damage has been done that cannot be undone.

In any case, that’s all I’ve got for today. It kind of feels like Sunday for whatever reason. I guess it’s because I almost feel like tomorrow I’m going to be getting down to normal business again. I don’t think it’s that I’m actually missing work (as much as that might seem likely). Things are just heading back on track.

Unquiet Christmas

The thing about having family over for the holidays is that the whole food thing goes into overdrive. My three aunts from New York area over. With (relatively) so many people here the dynamics are certainly different. I mean, if it was just me and my parents we’d probably be a heck of a lot more low key. This is a time to celebrate, so the table’s always full. The other day I made two pies. A while ago I made a batch of cookies. My mom’s been cooking so many good things. God, I’m really so used to having quiet Christmases that all of this is a bit much. A lot of people expect to gain weight over the holidays but the thought hasn’t crossed my mind. After all of this food though? This food is really hitting me. Seems that all I’ve done over the past few days is eat, socialize and sleep.

No worries, I guess. When the new year rolls around I’m going to hit the pavement hard and get the mileage in. Life is good. It’s more important to enjoy this time more than anything else.

Santas and summertime grilling

Summertime...and the grilling is easy

You know, just the juxtaposition of the banner of Santas versus the “Summertime” poster advocating grilled meats is enough for pause. It’s not like I’m in the southern hemisphere, you know?

Apparently they had some sense to be seasonal, but not fully. Confused? I know I am.

Before it’s time

I helped my mother put together a lot of food this morning. It seems unconventional, but we generally have our big Christmas meal at lunch instead of at night. GOD. My mother hasn’t made lumpia in ages. :-D Last night was just a small meal–we just had congee. Tonight, we just had leftovers from lunch. It’s all good. I mean, usually it’s just the three of us so we just do things totally informally anyway. This time though, my uncle and his girlfriend were coming to visit from the suburbs. I haven’t seen them since last year. It’s nice to have family over because we’re all so spread out over the continent. Seems that as soon as I move out, we’ll be even more fractured by geography. I guess…that just means I should enjoy times like then while I can before it’s time for me to create my own memories.

Shall we call it a day?

I came in to work early today in order to leave early. I had no intention of staying late in the office. The other guys had the same idea, and we were all in by 9.

At about 2:30, my manager asks us: “What do you think? Shall we call it a day?” We all agreed and were off soon after, leaving the people in the other departments toiling away at their desks. I realize that we were sent home just because he wanted to get out of there as well, but at the same time it was an awesome gesture. All in the spirit of giving, no?

Allowing myself to be content

Oh hey…being so close to Christmas, I’m surprised that I haven’t yet written an entry describing how I’m not in the holiday spirit yet. I seem to do that every year. And yet, this year I don’t think I can. I don’t know whether it’s more of a perspective change, or if it’s more to do with maturing, or if it’s just a blip on the graph, but I think I’m sort of allowing myself to be content this year.

Think about that for a moment.

I’m allowing myself to be content. What happened in previous years? Self-sabotage maybe? I dunno. Maybe I was just feeling under pressure and felt like there was just so much more to achieve, so much more to reach for, know what I mean? Well, it’s not like that’s changed. I mean, there are still lots of goals I’m gunning for. Those goals are what give me the drive to keep pushing forward. However, I think that for this year (at least), I recognize, that I’m doing…OK. At least, OK enough. What I’m giving myself now is probably the best gift I’ll get this holiday season.

Last Christmas

It just occurred to me moments ago. This may well be my last Christmas where “home” is with my parents.

To be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about that. :???:

Starting to feel like Christmas

I guess I didn’t really state it explicitly, but yes, I did enjoy the party. The dynamics were wholly different in that the event wasn’t really about couples at all like a ball or a school dance would be about.

Anyway, I think I over-indulged that night. During the dinner, the servers kept pouring the wine. Afterwards, I used up my 3 drink tickets. As well, some people leaving the party early gave me their remaining tickets. In the end…I was pretty out of it, although, not at puke levels like that time this past March. I took a cab home (it was on the company’s account) which cost about $58.

Up till today, it seemed like the celebrating hadn’t ended yet. At about half past 4, everyone gathered upstairs where we had wine and cheese. I kept on saying to everyone: “this is just awesome, man.” Seriously, not many places are like this, right? I had two glasses of red wine, and unfortunately, I kind of got blindsided by them. I think my stomach would have been able to handle it better if I had more starchy stuff in my stomach (I didn’t). I wasn’t drunk…but my typing suffered. Luckily I didn’t update any work tickets afterwards, you know? That could have been embarassing. I ended up walking for 45 minutes just to burn off the buzz.

All is well now. I will readily admit that now things are starting to feel a bit more like Christmas.

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