Here's to one full year of Canadian randomness. For those of you who don't know, today literally marks my first morning in Canada a year ago and I cannot believe how much things have changed in the past year! Boy, I wouldn't even be able to recognize myself had I met me today. Here I am, venturing in to this new life, trying to make it big here in TO.
How quickly time does pass. Before you know it winter's here and then Christmas, though it would be a really different one this year. Not only will I be celebrating it with Pops and his friends, it would also be le boyfriend's first Christmas ever spent with Filipino traditions. So looking forward to that! I mean, mean he's never had the whole Pinoy Christmas experience complete with a month-long festive decor of trees and lights and presents under the tree, of carols being sung, of noche buenas and exchanging gifts. I must say, albeit this is Canada, Christmas isn't celebrated here much. Canadians are almost indifferent to the yuletide season. It's nonchalantly brushed off and only equated to a night of a nice family dinner and the morning after. The air is so different from back home. Pinoys would give these people a serious run for the money with the kind of festive and merry-making extravagance we put on come December. Some even start adorning their houses as early as November. Yep, we do holidays big there.
I'm more surprised because, it seems to me like the only holidays people [and I do mean all people here, excluding the context of race and multicultural backgrounds] give emphasis to are: New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Thanksgiving and Halloween. I mean, Canadians' concept of celebrating is along the lines of: throwing a huge dinner party, or spending a whole hell of a lot on costume and candies, and for the grown-ups, going to bars and clubs downtown and getting smashed. Yep, that's how they do holidays here: partying it up with a good vodka buzz.
It's not that I have problems with that, I mean hey, that's their thing. I'm just in awe of how ignored or brushed off Christmas is. Granted Christmas is a celebration introduced by Christians, it is not only limited to us. Anyone can celebrate Christmas. I mean, for crying out loud it's the spirit of giving and peace to all mankind. I believe all people regardless of what faith, religion, race and background they're from believe in the good of man right? Anyhow, I guess I'd have to get le boyfriend used to all the merry-making garb and festivities we Pinoys are known for come the yuletide season.
'Tis the season indeed to be merry.
