Early Merry Christmas

Ever since I found out that my eldest brother and his family who are based in the US will be spending Christmas here in the Philippines this year, I don't think I've ever really felt sad. The last time we were all together prior to this was in 2005. So I was really excited about them being with us for the holidays, and so were all of my family.

Yesterday was the last day that we were all going to be together before my brother and his family go back to California so we had an early celebration of Christmas eve dinner (Noche Buena). I thought it was just going to be a normal dinner but we ended up starting late because we had to wait for my other sister-in-law who flew in from Singapore, and so we still got to open presents at midnight, although it was a day early.

Speaking of presents, here are some of the things I got:

A shiranian (shih-tzu pomeranian) dog,
I named him Barkley

Harry Potter merch

"Rihanna Navy" shirt
(Excuse my weird face)

I gotta say, getting material gifts is nice (more than nice, if I'm totally honest) but nothing really beats having your family by your side during this special occasion. The best present is that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you share precious moments with family. :)

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
--Burton Hillis

So I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas! May we all keep in our hearts the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ!