better than expected

most of the time, I forget that attending obligatory family gatherings can be nice. Even therapeutic. Aside from the normal catching up on each other's lives, there's the funny anecdotes and bloopers from family members/relatives. And of course the abundance of food. This year, my tita was not able to cook her famous home-made lasagna recipe (which is actually the first menu to disappear on the table). She said that due to her hectic schedule, she was not able to buy some of the necessary ingredients on time, which meant the supermarkets ran out of stock. But she compensated by cooking the ever-present spaghetti this season, among other things of course. Mind you, this is not just your regular pinoy spaghetti served in most households. Her pasta recipes are always to die for. This year, the pasta she used was bought all the way from Italy itself, the time when she, her husband and my pretty cousin went to Europe a few months back. She bought it at this 'pasta factory' somewhere in Venice. I actually saw their pictures from their Europe trip. I still can't believe they were able to get inside the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. I gasped when I saw the photo of Marie Antoinette's bedroom up close, and of course, King Louise IV's room. The extravagance, the opulence, the grandeur. The chandeliers were real crystals! Anyway, I digress. I generally don't enjoy these family gatherings because some relatives ask too many personal questions-- such as how much you're earning so far. Or if you're moving up the corporate ladder, if at all. I squirm in my seat if the questions are about my personal relationships. I normally don't discuss them, unless it's a matter of urgency. However, I was able to survive this holiday season. I actually enjoyed myself. I felt relieved and exultant even. Happy Solstice!

crapola

I admit, I can be very snooty, condescending and the most opinionated person sometimes. There are also days when I get annoyed so easily and lose my patience. And I thought I am a patient person. My annoyance usually shoots up during the holiday season. Everything just goes berserk. The mad rush. The packed malls. Picky taxi drivers. The unpredictable weather. You name it. The malls are the worst this time of the year. Not only you have to deal with the stampede of crazed shoppers but you also have to avoid crushing the toddlers wandering or running around the hallways. I just feel my disgust and displeasure over parents who bring their entire brood to the mall like it's a f*** park! Kids should be out there in open spaces preferably public parks so that they can enjoy the greenery-- not concrete pavement. It's also irritating to see couples doing the classic HHWW in the middle of a rush hour. I know they're wrapped up in their own worlds but geez, get a room! This is the time of year when I just want to hide under a rock and block out everything. I want to avoid being a part of the consumerism of this materialistic world. How I'd love to have some peace and quiet. And sleep. Lots of sleep.

same old, same old

to my utter disappointment, I was not chosen by this certain organization. I am no longer happy with the way things are going. Everyday I have to drag myself to work, forcing myself to do the same thing over and over again. I feel unfulfilled. I have no motivation anymore. I no longer go the extra mile for anything. I'm done. Everything I'm doing is no longer worth it.