noche buena

There are few things in the world that get my attention these days, and the holidays, don’t attract me any more than they did when I was five.

I spent Christmas eve and the first few hours of Christmas day at work. So me and my colleagues were mocking ourselves by setting a stopwatch in the computer and counting down to the official start of Christmas day. As soon as the computer clocks struck 12, people began greeting each other ‘Merry Christmas’ in a manner like strangers greet ‘Peace be with you’ in church. Some tears were shed for those who missed their families. I was laughing through the cheekiness of it all, but I thought it was amazing. Some people actually feel it that much, huh?

My colleagues brought food and we stuffed ourselves with pasta, doughnuts, brownies and coffee. It was refreshing to share Noche Buena with people I don’t know and who don’t know me as well. Somehow, we were not kidding ourselves.

Merry Christmas.

consuming barbecue

This entry would probably destroy whatever respectable impression I have with people who don’t know me well enough. You’ll get what I mean after reading this:

Friday night. I was on leave for no valid reason whatsoever. Even though I came from Manila that morning, I still had time to nap and go to work… but I chose to take a leave. You can’t blame me if I want to escape that Hellish Pit of Fatal Boredom even for just one day. Anyway, taking advantage of my leave, I watched the shows I missed on cable without realizing I dozed off on the couch. My brother took over the TV and ignored my journey to the abyssal dreamland.
A couple of hours into my sleep,

Me: Who was with me during THAT exam?
Bro: What?

Me: Who was with me in that exam?!
Bro: Well, why is it me you’re asking? (while pulling the computer chair near me)

Me: Duh? You’re the one sitting there!
Bro: So?
Me: What the heck, search for it in my laptop!

He kept quiet and continued surfing the net and watching a movie.

An hour later,

Me: ConsumeNgBarbecue.com.
Bro: What?!

Me: Consume-ng-barbecue-dot-com.
Bro: Consuming barbecue? (types away in the lappie)

Me: Consume NG!
Bro: Consuming?!
Me: NG! Consume NG! Tsk! (appeared irritated according to bro)

Bro: Are you really awake or just dreaming?
Me: I’m awake, dammit!

Again, silence. My brother began making mental notes about the conversation and tried not to burst in laughter. Meanwhile, my parents claimed to have heard us talking (slightly arguing) around midnight. So I guess my brother wasn’t fooling me… it really happened.

How can you be sleeptalking and be conceited at the same time? I don’t know, just ask me when I’m asleep.