The Christmas Countdown - Five Weeks Before Xmas

Inspired by the movie "Love Actually", which I watched for the nth time again, I will post at least one entry about Christmas once per week and it starts this week, five weeks before Christmas like the movie, in which the events started five weeks before Christmas.

So for this installment I will be taking about my Top Ten Favorite Christmas Albums of all time. Growing up Christmas carols have been a huge part of Christmas celebrations in the house. My mom would buy tapes and then we would listen to it while preparing for Christmas eve dinners or wrapping gifts. And yeah they do make the season brighter! Ten years ago my mom updated our cassette tapes with CDs and maybe this year we will be going digital! Its about time!

Here's the list in random order:

1.) Christmas in Our Hearts - Jose Mari Chan
This album is as Pinoy as Puto Bumbong or Parol. And any kid who grew up in the 90s has lots and lots of memories listening to this album in cassette tapes. I love this album so much because probably like any Filipino kid listening to this every Christmas brings back precious Christmas memories. And of course Jose Mari Chan's voice is the perfect complement to cold December mornings anticipating and waiting. My heart just melts every time I hear "Perfect Christmas".

2.) Music from The O.C.: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah - Various Artists
I love both the show and all its soundtracks - all six of them. Chrismukkah plays a very important role every Christmas episode. It is a actually a mix of Christmas and Hanukkah in which the characters from the show uniquely celebrate. This album is composed of modern Christmas songs with an indie rock vibe. The songs are not your typical holiday jingle feel but it is appropriate for a Christmas get together for old friends.

3.)Christmas with the Chimpmunks - Alvin and the Chipmunks
Lolo Peping, Lola Naring's (my late great-grandmother) had an extensive vinyl record collection which included this. I remember this being played (the vinyl record) when I was four or five and my cousins, siblings and I would laugh while listening to the squeaky voices of the threesome crooning the speakers while waiting for twelve midnight, all excited to open our gifts. Another childhood favorite!

4.) Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album - Glee Cast
This was the official Christmas soundtrack of 2010. Fresh off their sophomore season's success, Glee released a feel good Christmas album with fresh renditions and mash ups of ubiquitous carols and not so common ones with superb blending. Favorites include "Baby It's Cold Outside, Deck the Rooftops and Oh, Christmas Tree. Looks like I will be listening again this year.

5.) The Jackson 5 Christmas Album - Jackson 5
Yes, Lolo Peping also had this on a vinyl record and this was also overplayed during Christmas Eve parties. This album is composed of Christmas songs with a Motown touch plus anti-war pro-peace Christmas songs. I love "Someday at Christmas" and "Give Love on Christmas Day".

6.) Nabali ang Christmas Tree - Max Surban
Translated into English as "The Christmas Tree Broke",this is probably the odd one out but I am 100% Bisaya so it makes me proud to add one to the list. The history behind my attachment to this Christmas album dates back to the late 80's. Our next door neighbor loudly played the whole album one Christmas eve morning over and over until we got tired from laughing so hard over and over again. All the songs are in Cebuano and parodies the Christmas season from being poor and broke, hiding from your godchildren and firework accidents. My favorite is the Visayan version of The Christmas Alphabet. The humor in the songs are very Bisaya in trademark. Bugal-bugalon!

7.) Classic Christmas - Billy Gilman
He was a twelve year old child with a powerful voice that soared. I wonder where he is now? Anyway this album takes me back to Christmas 2000 where we spent Christmas in The Dusit Hotel in Makati. I particularly enjoy the new song "Warm and Fuzzy". Yeah, it really does make me warm and fuzzy after hearing the song. His other renditions of classic Christmas songs albeit with a country feel are well done.

8.) This Christmas - 98 Degrees
98 Degrees is one of my favorite boy bands ever and with this Christmas album, like their other albums are pop laden carols that prove that though they do not have the best voices but the blending is really pleasant. Not too loud. Though some lyrics are cheesy in the end the album serves it purpose, a feeling of wellness during the holidays. And yes I still listened to this album until college during Christmas breaks.

9.) Home for the Holidays - 'N Sync
Compared to 98 Degrees, 'N Sync's album is more upbeat with Christmas dance-esque tracks. However traditional Christmas ballads are well interpreted like "The First Noel", "Oh Holy Night" and "The Christmas Song". I also listened to this during college for Christmas.

10.) "Do They know, It's Christmas" by Band Aid
Originally done in 1984, this song still echoes twenty seven years later as the world is still haunted by famine, skirmishes and wars. The remake twenty years later in 2004 is as good as the original.

Top Five Songs (I love these songs but the albums not so much)
1.) All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
2.) Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon
3.) Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters
4.) Silver Bells - Matt Monro
5.) Sa Araw ng Pasko - Various Artists OPM.

The Daily Grind and Finances

I can't believe that November will end in a week's time. And as much as I have the urge to write I just can't seem to transcribe my thoughts on paper or to cyberspace. Its usually stuck in my head every morning or late afternoon while commuting for work or going home from work. And when I get home I can't recall what I was thinking in the first place so then I don't write anymore. I log on to Facebook and then catch up with my friends' lives or stalk people randomly.

I've been working in an outpatient department clinic in a district hospital, office hours from 8 to 5 pm, weekdays only. I really love my schedule. Because I get to have a social life after office hours and get to have weekends off! Okay initially I wanted to work office hours during the weekdays so that during the weekends I will have an opportunity to cover and earn additional 50% of what I earn. But honestly this never came about. Weekends I prefer to lounge around the house reading books or magazines or having a wonderful lunch or dinner outside. Usually to meet up with friends. But I don't mind if I lose moolah the time spent with family and friends are priceless!

And yes after a month's delay I've finally got my paycheck and I've decline my parents' offer to continue receiving allowance. As much as it pains me a bit, I mean hey if I accept the offer, I would have all my money to myself and that means hedonism with shopping, drinks and fancy dinners to my heart's content. But they have done so much for me already so I was just thinking maybe they could use the money that they would allot for me to have some fun and relaxation on their own. The irony of earning on your own is you hesitate to spend compared to when you are not earning at all. So after I got my check I exchanged it to cash and roamed around two shopping malls. Still I got nothing. But in my mind I wanted to buy a lot of things - sneakers, Murakami's new book, shirts and underwear but as soon as I am about to march to the counter I turn back and return the item to the rack. I'll probably have a shopping spree during the Christmas holiday sale rush. For now I am saving for my inaanaks, family and friends for Christmas gifts.

My free spiritedness clashes with my practicality when it comes to the money issues. My spontaneous side says: "Go spend have fun and enjoy life". My thrifty side retorts: "Save for the rainy days and save for your future. Okay as much as I don't like money to be the center of decisions, but sometimes it really has to. So now that I am earning on my own, I liquidate my cash and take note if I am spending too much or I am just right on the budget. But despite having to do this I am thankful that I still get to earn a pretty decent amount for expenses, try good food, a little goodies here and there and to be able to have a good time two or three times a week. Plus I really do enjoy my job!

The holidays are just around the corner. I am now making my Christmas wish list and checking my list - naughty or nice if you are my friend I might actually give you something!

October Rushed Catch Up Post

The past month has been really fast. The days became weeks then the weeks became five and sooner than you know it the month ended already. It has been three weeks since I last posted and a lot of things has changed since then. I have met new people that are great to work with, old friends and classmates leaving going abroad or going back to their places of origin and some colleagues working already some as general physicians and others jumping into residency. And my employment prospects have become clearer and less murky compared to a month ago. Yes, better days are coming back in town. Let's just keep it that way since I don't want to count the chickens before the eggs have hatched. In short I don't want to jinx it. Anyhoo here are the details:

1.) Working in a district hospital an hour away from where I live has taught me discipline and time management. I really do enjoy working in Minglanilla (technically a municipality), which is considered the suburbs here. The staff are very friendly, accommodating and efficient. I am assigned both in the outpatient department, delivery room and OB ward 8 hours a day weekdays only. Weekend I usually turn down gigs to go on duty two to three hours away from the city. The job I have right now currently pays well (except paychecks are ridiculously delayed), relaxed and I get to see a maximum of 50 patients per eight hours, which I consider a decent number really. Not too exhausting. Plus I get to have weekends off which I have the option of covering other doctors or just chilling in bed or somewhere at my spontaneity's fancy.

2.) I got sick with the flu on a long weekend that coincided with Halloween. I had fever, body malaise, runny nose and dry cough. So this year unlike the previous no costume parties for me. I was in bed the whole time nursing myself back to optimum health by watching movies loaded with anti-histamines and mucolytics, on a water diet and going to the loo every two hours. I watched Suspiria, Bad Teacher, Crazy, Stupid Love and bits of The Shining (I have yet to finish this!).

3.) I went out Friday night, a day before I got sick to go to a bar and was able to hear Up Dharma Down live, up close and personal. Though I am not a big fan of them but I have heard a couple of their songs on MYX and YouTube and thought they make interesting music. I can't seem to classify it really more like a fusion of rock and jazz or something. So just to spend Friday night differently than the usual (which includes books, Entertainment Weekly or catching up on documentaries), I went out with my friend Guada for a night of drinks, pizza and good music. Man it felt good! I can't remember the last time I went out on a Friday night. Up Dharma Down rocks!

4.) Jo visited Cebu one weekend right before Halloween and it was catch up make up reaffirmation weekend. We got to talk personally, had sumptuous burgers in Dong Juan (can't believe I didn't drop by sooner!), coffee at Bo's Ayala for nostalgia's sake and exchanged pasalubongs which consisted of an artsy fartsy planner from Seoul and Special Edition Andy Warhol postcards. Our get togethers are always a blast. Can't wait for the next one come December.

5.) I finally made up my mind not to be shipped to Camiguin and I think it was the right decision as my employment hullaballoo called for a qualifying exam. It was nerve wracking and whats even more anxious is waiting for the call and results. But I am waiting as patiently as I can armed with hope and optimism and at the same time frightened as much as I don't want to mess up this one chance. Oh well. Rejection is better than regret but right now I am inducing myself with positive thoughts and good vibes.

And then we are down to the last two months of the year. The huge Christmas tree in Fuente is being currently set up. This means the holidays are coming!