Well, if I haven’t, then I’m saying it now — I love Christmas. Just about almost everything about it. The whole season. 

Even with all the money I’ve spent - I’m not even gonna say how much I spent, I’m not even done yet with last minute presents - I really like shopping for gifts especially for the people very dear to me. And to see them all happy and smiling when I give them my present, the feeling just can’t compare.

Christmas has been and always will be a very special and important occasion celebrated by people in my country, if not the most important one. The mass, the food, the gifts, the parties, and just the mere fact that everyone gets together and celebrate it together makes me feel all giddy and mushy inside. 

This year is the first time I’m celebrating Christmas outside the country. I’ve gone to other countries during December before, but have never actually celebrated the actual Christmas day in another country. This time, it’s different.

Today, 23rd, was the last day of school this year. It’s 冬休み tomorrow until the 5th of January. Everyone was just in the winter break mood, not wanting to do anything school related, and just want to think about things to do on Christmas and the days after. We kept on greeting each other a ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ - Japanese and English - and it just really makes me so Christmas-y. I don’t even know how to explain. My friend even baked two cheesecakes to give it to his host family and us today, and some of my friends are already done with their Christmas shopping too. I have gifts to some of them, while the others either didn’t go to school, or I didn’t bring their gift to school since I’m meeting them over the winter break anyway. 

My host family and I had a small Christmas party at our place after, with cakes, presents, games, and good food. Their going to Taiwan tomorrow and will stay there until the 27th, while I stay here in Japan. After the party, I went to perform at the cafe in front of my university, and was even able to see a really good opera performance by one of the friends of the owner there.

…Oh wait, did I mention my parents and younger sister are coming over to spend Christmas here? —- I am so happy.

Believe it or not, I very much miss my family back home. I still don’t wanna go home, but I do want my family to come over here and stay for a while. I am so happy to know that they’re spending Christmas here with me. It would be better if my elder brother and sister were able to come too, but they’re busy so… I’m gonna have to buy presents for them!

My parents and sister arrived in Japan at 6 in the evening today.  I wasn’t able to get them since I had a Christmas party, but I’m meeting them tomorrow. Ah, despite being in Japan and not celebrating Christmas the ‘Filipino’ way, I’m still so glad my family’s here.

This has been a post in Japan at two in the morning. I am writing this in a Christmas-hyped mood; I should sleep.