Sunday, December 26, 2004

It starts at around 4.30pm. We stop whatever we're doing, and jostle for our bathroom (cuz that's the one with the nice smelling body shop sugar and spice bath and shampoo). I give up and settle down on my bed with a book, just so nobody notices and tells me to go bathe in mum's bathroom. After about half an hour and several pointed raps on the bathroom door, she comes out smelling like orange - which she could have found in mum's bathroom. Ah well, it's Christmas Eve and I've already worked off my weird mood - I refuse to take the bait. My turn for a half hour long, beautifully scented, relaxing bath.

I've already picked out the dress I'm gonna wear for Christmas Eve Mass. A dark green strapless number with black trimming. Matches my black heels, choker and earrings purrrfectly. So after coming out of the bath smelling distinctly like sugar, spice and all things nice, it takes me less than 20min to get ready. Which is pretty good, considering. Daddy catches sight of me before I get in the car, and orders me to put a shawl on. Ah well. You win some, you lose some.

Mass is, as usual, beautiful. I still feel like something's missing, but it doesn't hurt too bad. I guess on Christmas, you want it to be right so much it just is right.

After church, it's off to our annual Christmas Eve family dinner at Nana's place. Everybody's there - Nana of course, Uncle Vyner, Uncle Vernon&Aunty Noraini&Adil, Godma&Uncle Mark&Sonya. The food's always the same - but that's how it's supposed to be. Turkey, pontay, shepherd's pie, devil's curry - it tastes like Christmas Eve. The adults talk about adult stuff, and we kids drift off to Uncle Vyner's room. Which is really where, out of sight and sound of the adults, we're more comfortable with one another.

We emerge at midnight to a round of kisses, hugs and well wishes - as well as presents from everybody to everybody. After the thanks, more kisses hugs and well wishes, we all leave - bringing with us chocolate cakes, orange cakes, cookies, sugee buiscuits and cake AND shepherd's pie. Breakfast tomorrow would be easy enough to decide on.

It's 1.30am when we reach home. Ness and I decide to give mum and dad their presents, thus starting off another round of exchanges of affection and gifts. By the time we drag ourselves upstairs, it's almost 2.30 - which is about the time I get a surprise visit and gift. If you read this, which I doubt you do, thanks. :)

I awake to the sound of the gate opening, and for a split second I'm afraid I overslept and it's lunch time. A glance at the clock reassures me it's only 10.30 - so I get changed and delight in pulling Nessa out of bed. She's more satisfying to wake up than Jeremy. I spend some time deliberating over what I should wear, and finally decide I'd rather look National Day than Christmas Tree, so red and white it is. The green shorts would have to wait for tomorrow. I go downstairs and assume my position as poker of toothpicks into sausagecucumber and cheesepineapple combos.

People start coming about 12...the family friends first: Aunty Lee Noy&Uncle Daniel&Daryl&Derek&Leonara, Aunty Shirley&Uncle Thomas&Sheila&Sibyl (who's coming to TJ next year whoop!)&Thaddeus, Uncle Edward&AuntyDinah&Melissa&Melanie, Uncle Philip&family...followed by mostly my friends - Jannie, Tootsie, Charmie, my darling darling councillors, classmates, Jon, Denise&Martino (*grinz*), JC, Pris, Chris...and then at night Aunty Alicia&Aunty Tina&Stacey&Sarah.

Yesh I'm perfectly aware nobody's quite interested in the last paragraph - but it's MY blog, so I can write what I like. Besides, every blogger functions on the assumption that people are actually interested in SOME part of their blog.

The 26th is more of a family day. We go for Mass in the morning, cuz it's the Feast of the Holy Family. That's what I love about the Catholic Church - every day is special.

The kids start coming at about 3pm. And from then on, it really does feel like Christmas. They really are darlings - although they dont take too kindly to kisses. :p

Gosh I'm tired. Gonna turn in. G'nite babez. Sweet dreams.