♫ Christmas, Christmas time is here ♪

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?

Sounds familiar huh? It’s a quote from our dear old Dr. Seuss from the famous “The Grinch”. HOwever, this entry is not exactly about them though I have to admit I’ve been itching to write something about a couple of people I know who’ve been grinching around the entire season. But then again, as I come to my senses, I told myself, why waste such precious creative ideas on them? They just go on blabbering stuff about how they hate christmas and then blame society for everything. Well, as far as I can see, society’s been glammed up with colorful lights of green and red, shiny presents and glittery christmas trees. They couldn’t care less, so why should I? Hahahha, so, all ye christmas lovers, let’s get to my entry now, shall we? =)

As for me, I’ve always loved christmas. I loved it most when I was a kid. I remember I’d always sneak into my Kuya’s room to find where he’s had all our presents hidden. He’s a sly one, mind you! His hiding place has almost always been undiscovered every year, which went on til I’m 18. Been missing that for two years now. Today, it seems as if kids are smarter than ever. I’m honestly finding it hard to keep my piles of gifts from my nieces. Things really do change in a short span of time.

Some 2 - 3 years ago, I remember running to and from the store buying stuff we forgot to get in the grocery. I recall smelling the sweet aroma of food from every house I pass by. Christmas songs, families welcoming relatives on their doorstep, Videoke from every corner of the street, smoke from pork barbecues and grilled fish and squid, kids paying respect to their ninongs and ninangs, of course in their best dress, headband, watch and shoes the entire year. You just gotta love the bright smiles on their faces for that’s something we do not see everyday, unfortunately.

They say that Christmas really is not an eternal event. Christmas, my friends, is a state of mind. It dwells in our hearts, in our homes, in our sweetest of dreams. It is nothing but just sheer joyfulness, selflessness, and love. Today, I do not just celebrate my favorite holiday of the year, but I also celebrate a brand new me. New hopes. New dreams. New gifts. New *and longer* christmas list. A new me. Christmases have been continuously changing my perspective in life, my passion, my responsibilities and my dedication to my family, to my friends, to my advocacies, to my music, and to God. And no grinch could ever ruin that… EVER!

Christmas truly is here.. officially! And I’ve got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night!