Christmas Charade.

It is a wonderful morning in the seat of a low tide. Whilst the sun kisses her chubby cheeks, she whiffs the smell of sea breeze. The cool wind dances with her wavy locks. Her pearl white slippers frolic with the sand and rocks as her feet direct her to the comely shells. She reaches the top of the dike and stands on the edge. Like wings ready to fly, she frees her hand and throws it in the air, surrendering to the restful clouds. It’s Christmas Day; she couldn’t help but feel blessed in bliss.

Pictures have captured these memories. These are nothing but extracts of my early Christmas morning last year. I spent the holidays in Dulangan, San Luis, Batangas— my daddy’s hometown. My lola came home from Chicago. My gift (well, everyone in the family’s gift) won’t be any sweeter than to hang around for her to make her stay worth while.

As October was about to end, my lolo passed away. His passing brought us (bloodline in the father side) together for Undas. You see, my lolo’s cremated remains were still abroad. When my lola arrived later this November, she has the urn with her. The urn was buried in the grotto in their house. Yet again, another meaningful gathering. Since her stay is only good until the 20th of January, it was instinctive for my family to celebrate Christmas in the hearty cradle of Batangas.

How kind. Plans were crystal clear and five days before Christmas, I’ve got CHICKEN POX.

The miserably ludicrous manifestation of the Varicella virus successfully trashed my Christmas vacation plans. My 20-day holiday break (see, I kicked off my school escape a day earlier. I missed the last day dated 2007 in the school calendar [read: Christmas Party]. **,) is also very suitable to shed off extra pounds. I dead pigged out this year, and well, I thought I just got the interlude to unscramble my weight struggle. But since I will surely feel extra-icky and itchy after an hour of workout, I postponed my shed-off slim-down plans. Oh well, talking about spoilers! But see, I am not in any chance devastated considering my laughably pathetic state.

I am not sure if I am allowed, or just if it’s right that I feel this way, but I feel very funny. Look, this is a very unusual Christmas for me. And yes, I guess for my mommy and my siblings too. My mom and my sister are in Batangas since the 23rd. My dad is in Saudi Arabia— for myriads of light-years. And I am stucked in our Christmas spirit-free home with my brother, who is by the way, no where in my path because he is doubted to be protected from me, from Chicken Pox.

I just feel so….FUNNY. This December 25 is so different from the last 14 December 25s of my life. My contagious state spelled out alterations. No presents. No aguinaldos. No greetings (I assume greetings from friends will be through text messaging but my phone is not accessible for six days now.) No hams. Not even any staple celebration food. No Christmas mass tomorrow. No Mommy. No Icka.

I guess I am not allowed to search out for sympathy. Remembering the families of Jonas Burgos and Geraldine Palma, I should never ever feel deprived of normalcy of the holidays— and I never felt so. I am not down nor depressed.

For the third time, I feel super funny. Nakakatawa, nakatutuwa. Inabutan na ako ng Pasko sa computer.

Merry Christmas.