Missing Manila

As the temperature goes down and winter slowly kicks in (yes, we had some snow in parts of NY and it’s only FALL!), I can’t deny that I miss Manila weather. In fact, I’m missing Manila yet again. I have already visited twice this year, but for the first time, I will not be spending Christmas and New Years back home. For the first time, I will be spending the holidays with my “other” wonderful family, David’s. I can’t explain this feeling I have – it’s like a habit that I know I have to break at some point, because I’ve embraced this change in my life.

Ahhh, I miss the Christmas season in Manila. I remember being able to complete all of the “simbang gabi” and knowing deep down that I’m prepared to marry if I did so (talaga lang ha!). Only because it takes a huge sacrifice (especially for a non-morning person) to wake up at 4AM everyday for 16 days to hear mass. I remember the carolers outside of houses singing in the wrong tune, and the grumpy old ladies shooing them away. I remember the Noche Buena feast my mom would usually prepare for us; that large ham that’s gone by end of night, and the queso de bola that’s always left untouched (what’s in that thing anyway?), and of course, the very tasty and creamy tsokolate that’s always served in a tea pot that was a gift to my parents for my wedding (yes, a 30 year old pot). I remember our silly holiday pre-requisites, like wearing the same-colored shirts and opening all cabinets and drawers to let all the blessings (and the pollution) in.

I will also miss one of my best friend’s wedding this time – it breaks my heart but I can’t keep going home every time there’s a wedding! (might as well just send the couple a $2,000 check instead of paying for my ticket).

The cold weather reminds me of how much I miss my first home, Manila. Someday I will be back. Because I always keep coming back to Manila (and that song is now in my head). But in the meantime, the cold, cold New York is home.

Christmas in 2005. Color Theme: Orange