CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER

The house across the street already has Christmas lights put up. I saw it last night. It was such a lovely surprise. In case you are thinking that our neighbors are too excited over Christmas, they are not. Christmas in the Philippines really and truly begins in September. That's how much we love that special holiday I guess. We are not very celebratory about Halloween. And All Saints' and All Souls' Days are well, not very happy occasions so from September to December, Christmas is the happiest holiday for us (we don't celebrate Thanksgiving although I have few Filipino-American friends here who do). I have already been hearing Christmas carols at the malls and over the radio. And it really gives me a really joyous feeling. I just love Christmas a lot. Childhood memories, family bonding, lasting traditions... all these hold such a special place in my heart. I want Nikki and Ethan to love Christmas as much as I do. I want them to appreciate the season and what it symbolizes. I want them to give it importance in their lives. Christmas will always be special to me because of Baby Jesus, because of my family and because of love.