November 24, 25 & 26
It has been a really busy 3 days….
November 24
Happy Turkey Day! I was so busy between getting things ready for Thanksgiving Dinner and decorating the house for Christmas. It seemed a little pre-mature to start decorating, but I figured I would get a head-start on things since I’m usually busy and it’s hard to find a whole day to do all the decorating (not to mention it’s usually a whole weekend affair to finish everything). And while I was in the spirit, I also started my Christmas cards list, and my Christmas shopping list. The Christmas shopping list is actually in preparation for shopping the next day (you’ll see what I mean). I finished at least half of the decorations - only thing left to do are the lights, which I usually leave for my brother to do (too complicated); and the Christmas tree, which I usually wait ’till it’s closer to Christmas since I get a real tree (I like the smell of real pine on Christmas). My cousin, Eliza, stayed over for the night since we were planning on waking up early the next day to go shopping. We started talking about our plans of going back to Cebu sometime next year. I told her I wanted to do a charity event/fundraiser when we go back (possibly for a public school or church). We haven’t quite decided on what the event would be and for what type of charity, but we started brainstorming (will keep information posted as plans start to progress). Suggestions anyone?
November 25
Black Friday - one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Practically everything goes on sale and it is the perfect time to go Christmas shopping. The trick is to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds, not to mention the stores usually have an "Early Bird Special" during a certain time. My cousin, Eliza, and I woke up at around 4-ish and was ready to go in an hour, when our friend Kim met up with us at my place. On the road, we made a stop for coffee and then I realized that I left my cellphone at home (which is VERY rare). I am never without my phone. My phone’s practically my lifeline - I have it everywhere I go and it’s stays on 24/7. That brief momenet, when I realized I didn’t have my phone, I had a sense of discomfort, uneasiness, and distress (and if you think about it, that’s rather nuts - at one point in time, many years ago, I didn’t carry a cellphone around and I managed). I had this huge urge to turn the truck around and go back home to get my phone, when I noticed the time and made the decision that I would have to do without a cellphone for a day since we needed to get to Jersey Gardens Mall by 6am (which we did). The crowd wasn’t too bad until around 11, when we went back to the parking lot to drop off our bags in my truck and go back in the mall to grab something to eat and to do more shopping. Needless to say, we did a lot of damages to our wallets. It was all worth it since 9 and a half hours later, I finished my Christmas shopping. We had so much fun shopping that the feeling of distress because I didn’t have my phone with me was quickly forgotten. I think, that if it was any other day, I would have been completely uncomfortable (like I said, nuts). Now if I can just find enough energy to tie up loose ends, and drop things off at my friend’s house for my goddaughter’s bday party tomorrow….
November 26
My goddaughter, Tyra’s bday party - before I had to go to her house to get things ready, I still had a few things to finish. I had to go back to Jersey Gardens Mall to exchange a few things (wrong item, wrong size, etc.) NOW I can honestly say, I’m finished with my Christmas shopping. Of course, I had to pick up a few things for myself 
Came home with just enough time to get ready to leave for Tyra’s bday party. It was nice to see everyone again. I don’t get to see her family often - not as much as I used to. Her family, the Holmes’, are practically my adopted family (next to the Montecillo’s and my crew - the "Pincho Crew", as someone sarcastically pegged us - long story). The Holmes’ and I (with my other friend, Vicki, also the other godmother) have shared so many things - from births to deaths, bdays, etc. Seeing all the kids made me realize that I have known this family for such a long time. The kids are no longer kids, most of them are now teenagers. Gone are the days when they fought over who gets to sit next to me, gone are the days where they would call, just to say hi and tell me they miss me. My goddaughter’s now 5, and I still remember when her mom was pregnant (REALLY pregnant, at that). Where did the time go?
I’m finally home and I’m planning to have a long, relaxing day tomorrow. I don’t intend to leave the house all day, other than to go out for my brother’s bday dinner. I hope this week and this coming weekend won’t be as hectic as these past three days have been….
