Happy Christmas (War is NOT over)

December was hectic. It was crazy, overwhelming and exhausting. I feel like it has been a month of beating deadlines after deadlines that it got me almost downward spiraling out of control. Almost. Unlike last year, which was a balance of productivity in the workplace and extracurricular pleasure, this year it feels like trying to beat the buzzer of a run of the mill holiday blur. Always.I feel like I am in constant fighting stance draining all the energy of me, wasting it.

As of now I am plotting in my head the things to be done, Christmas dinners with different circles to be booked and making sure the operating room schedule is not in disarray. I have not yet watched “Love Actually” this year and it will be three days till Christmas. It has become a tradition of mine for ten years now to watch the film during the season.

So far the highlights for the Yuletide season of 2014, is the Christmas dinner with the nerds which lasted till the wee hours of the morning. I finally was able to make egg nog and it was great. And the rest of the evening turned out to be a grand time in geek fashion. Another one is being able to participate as a Santa for less privileged kids. I will be doing that next year again.

This year the things I want are less material. If I had my way a two week off from hospital duty would be bliss. Probably I will take the opportunity to use that gift certificate in a resort in Bohol. However it is not possible. I also want to be able to enjoy Christmas morning in peace which includes mass and lunch with the family, shopping and catching up on my reading.

In the spirit of Christmas in a materialistic world, here are some of my Christmas wishes.

1.) The new Murakami book, either of the two but I prefer the thick hardbound one with Colorless on its title
2.) “The Stranger” by Albert Camus
3.) A new graphic novel for my collection
4.) Timbaland boots
5.) New running shoes (cheap ones will do!)
6.) Sanuks for duty (mine got unfortunately stolen in the operating room lounge)
7.) Rocket Raccoon action figure
8.) A new board game
And I think the older you get the shorter your Christmas wants.