As many of you know, I'm a rebel and a black sheep. I do whatever I want and worry the crap out of my mother. Love ya ma! A little back story. Christmas is something I used to not celebrate. Because of the religious belief and all the poverty shenanigans etc. You're smart, you'll get it. It's a pet peeve of mine when people ask "why?" after just giving them the answer. And they follow up with why I don't hangout with them? I just SMH. I'm impatiently enjoying my toddler's why questions though but "I no like"(Spoken like a true authentic asian) making up stories to every question. Ex. ME: "Let me wash your butt" K:WHY? ME:"Because I said so."
Back to the story.
I love you mom and respect you. You are the reason why I am who I am today. But you are a "Kunsintidor-An Enabler."
Every year, Christmas Season-- which is September. HOLD ON A SECOND.
Let me explain to you why this holiday is a torture growing up? I have a neighbor that plays Christmas songs as soon as September 1st marks the calendar. They decorate with twinkly lights and have their christmas tree up and those annoying shiny cellophane streamers dangling on every corner of their house. And when I say neighbor, I mean --the entire country. It's a culture thing and that
probably explains why we are bat crazy happy people. I don't know anyone who celebrate Christmas for 4months. The anticipation, depression & corruption is felt in the air. It's crazy.
I beg my mother to let me go to my Elementary Christmas party every year. It's basically where you wear your Brand New Ukay-Ukay(Goodwill) clothes, buy a gift worth P20/50cents. Exchange gift to any anonymous member of the class which is and I quote - "A box of choclat. You'll never know what your gonna get." --Forrest Gump
She never says anything. I felt defeated but nevertheless not hopeless. The true spirit of Christmas is running in my veins. So, I saved money by lying to her about a project that never really existed. Bam! Christmas Gift money done! I told her that our last day before Christmas Vacation begins after the party. Worked like a charm. But never realizing that my mom was playing along with me. Because one, I am a horrible liar. And two, that she's my mother. It's never really that hard to figure out. Specially if she bought you an outfit to wear just accidentally the day before the event. -That's Unconditional love. You can cry. I'll let you.
The Smart Idea
Because I am a smart intellectual pre-teen. My thought process is unbelievably different. You know how it is! Don't tell me you are not stupid back then? Anyway, I thought that if I buy something heavy that it would be so cool. That element of surprise is what's exciting. I have P20 and back then a can of sardines is P10. I felt clever and utterly proud of what I did.
The Repercussion
At the party. We all placed our gifts on the table and one by one our teacher called our number to see what gift corresponds to it. We all got to open our gifts all at the same time. You'll hear a familiar sound of oohs and ahh and yay and little tiny voices saying, "You got mine! You got mine!" There are some of them that are disappointed with what they got. A toothpaste and a toothbrush. A bunch of Goodmorning Towel. A notebook and pen. You'll hear some unappreciative pre-teens shouting, "I don't like it. I want my gift back." then burst into crying and throw a pre-teen tantrum.
The Observationist
I was too distracted to say the least. Too busy opening what I got that I never really paid attention to whom got mine. As soon as I knew what I got(PictureFrame) I scanned and saw it. About to yell "You got mine!" I stopped myself when see the look on his face.(one of my classmate) He's pissed, ready to pick a fight look. But he was too embarass to show what he got that he never pulls it out until one of his buddy saw it and shouted; "YOU GOT SARDINES?HAHAHA!" Instantaneously, I knew exactly what to do. I never mentioned to anyone that it was me who gave that poor boy 2 cans of sardines. But I guess time heals all wounds. I wanna come clean. It was me. HAHAHAHAHA
