Remember remember the Month of December...

Some signs that December is indeed here. Aside from pointing out the obvious that there is only one page in my calendar left.

1.) The temperature is getting colder. Though it is humid occasionally in the mid mornings to afternoons, the nights are windy and sometimes a heavy rain is all you need to make the weather very conducive for a twelve hour sleep.

2.) The yearly huge Christmas tree is already standing in the middle of Fuente Osmena circle all decked out in lights, shiny decor and Sr. Sto Nino on top.

3.) Our house already has a Christmas tree with a silver motif matched with Chrismas red curtains, a little bit off in the papers

4.) Bazaars sprouting everywhere - from MEPZ in Lapu Lapu City to the annual IT park Christmas Bazaar, we all can't get enough.

5.) The window displays in the malls vary from huge nutcrackers to cute little houses made up of cardboard put presented in a very artistic manner - all of them equally splendid and adds more to the holiday feel.

I am really excited for Christmas shopping. I am at a goal this year to spend half of my savings for wonderful yet affordable Christmas gifts for around 25 people. Two years ago I was able to accomplish this, and now there is nothing stopping me.

I am also looking forward to watching Love Actually again, starting a Christmas movie marathon, sipping hot coffee, PGIs Christmas Party, Christmas dinners and get together with friends, eating mom's Mango Float and cheese cake, lechon, Midnight Mass (I think it is about time I attend) and whole lotta more. December here I come!

In retrospect, here are the my Top 5 Best Decembers and Christmas:

1.) December 2008
This was my junior year of medical school and I know that I really have to enjoy and soak in. In my mind I am already aware that next year I might be on duty on Christmas.
Highlights: One week of Christmas parties, from Clinics group mates to Fashion Week to closest friends, High School reunion bowling, Banana Creme Pie, another one week of strolling around the malls, taking pictures of elegant Christmas trees and window displays, clearance sale shopping and quality time with family and friends. Last hurrah before the grind house.

2.) December 2004
As I have said over and over before everything about 2004 was awesome. New found freedom, new found friends and new found ways of having fun!
Highlights: This was my medical internship year - the Christmas parties, practicing for the choir singing and spending most of the month in Paknaan for community rotation, what a great way to end the year. Plus Christmas off and New Year's off!

3.) December 1996
I was in sixth grade, so this was the last for elementary school
Highlights: Our Christmas Field demonstration, Christmas party with all the fun and games, Our Periodic Table of Elements inspired Secret Santa (our adviser assigned each one of us elements as our code names and we don't know who we were and who we got in the first place, but a day before the party he revealed our identities so that we will know what to buy for our secret Santa. I was Americium and I got Platinum), spending the holidays in Manila, Enchanted Kingdom and Baguio.

4.) December 1991
This is the Christmas in which I have the earliest vivid memory of
Highlights: My grandparents actually paid or asked someone to play the part of Santa Claus. Though he didn't come down the chimney on Christmas Eve, he came knocking down on the door of Grandma's house bringing gifts and candy. And because of this I was a firm believer of Santa Claus, but right now I still believe the abstractness of his enigma.

5.) tie between December 2003 and December 2007
December 2003 was rebound Christmas year. The year before Lola Naring died so Christmas was a bit sad. This year I was on a goal to make up for the previous year and it was all good. It was even more special since I just battled depression two months before.
Highlights: First year I bought gifts for everyone, Berks all out Christmas drinking spree, very very rainy Christmas

December 2007 was a great way to start a year that started out kinda bad. But after summer everything went smooth sailing and things were falling as if they are in the right place without really wishful thinking for it to be.
Highlights: Guada and Bany's joint birthday celebration, Stardressed which is the most awesome students ball ever, Christmas party with Group 1 together with Dr. Sanchez and the most creative Secret Santa ever, Elixir Christmas Party organizer again for the second time, Dare or No Dare, Chain smoking and binge drinking, loudest High School reunion ever!

Honorable mention:
December 2000 - Last year of high school and my family and I spent the Christmas in Manila. Though I was initially against the idea but after a year it was indeed worth it.
Highlights: Christmas shopping in Glorietta and Megamall, wet day at Enchanted Kingdom, watching The X-Men on pay per view on Christmas Eve, buffet breakfast, receiving a Craig David CD, watching fireworks on my hotel window overlooking Dasma village in Makati, pool dipping at The Dusit, practicing and entertaining the crowd with our Blast from the Past Decade Rewind Dance.