Here's to the Holidays!

Noche Buena was celebrated in the usual Morales fashion at home last night.

That included a lot of agitated nephews and nieces asking: "Is it Christmas yet? Can we open the gifts NOW?" To which my answer was "NO!" At that point, I'm sure one of their wishes for the holiday was for their Lolo to be in Manila and not in Georgia. My Dad always gives in to their requests. Last year, he let them open gifts at 11:30pm, despite my constant ranting.

It also included my sister drinking wine coolers like it were ice cold water. Needless to say, she was inebriated and was laughing like Santa Claus on LSD by the 3rd bottle.

Then, my siblings and I decided to have a dance showdown. After my nephew put on this 80s CD on the player, my kuya and 2 ates were standing up and trying to recreate the dances of that era. There was Ate Bullet trying to "Rock the Boat," Ate Lissa trying to find out the "State of the Nation", Kuya Marv dancing to "Stars of 45" and the four of us dancing to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. My Kuya captured the moment perfectly when he said:

"Kapag kasama ko kayo, I feel like a kid all over again." (awww... tear...)

At the strike of midnight, I distributed the gifts and the wrappers flew around fast and furiously. That's the best part of the holiday season: seeing wide eyed kids with gargantuan smiles after seeing the gift they've wished for for the past few months. There were PSPs, a lot of iPods and MP4 players, basketball shoes, and moolah from the U.S.

I was so glad seeing my nephews and nieces getting their Christmas wishes. That's because I know exactly how they're feeling. There's one big wish I had for Christmas, and I got it! Actually, I got it a week earlier, and I think it's quite evident. Last December 23, during a dinner party, one of my best friends told me: "Gosh! I've seen that smile on your face the past few days, and it's priceless." And of course, my reply was the same big smile.

(... now if only I got a red iPod Nano, then that would even be perfect...)



ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU
Mariah Carey

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true...
All I want for Christmas
Is you...

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You...

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need -
won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You...

All I want for Christmas is you baby... (repeat)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!