(Last year I started a special Christmas blog series entitled 25 Days of Christmas. For this year I wanted to do it again. If the Christmas song has 12 days of Christmas, I have my longer version – 25 Days of  Christmas Year 2.)

On the 23^rd day of Christmas, it’s home sweet home once again.

This time it’s the happiest travel going back home because 2 days to go and it’s  Christmas Day already! I woke up early around 3 AM. I had a lot of things to bring back home. I brought with me the trolley full of gifts and some canned goods from the Christmas package provided to us by the Company. I also brought a separate paper bag for the three hams for Noche Buena.

Habang excited akong makauwi, iniisip ko naman kung gaano kadaming kalaban ko sa pagsakay ng bus. Ang hassle bumyahe kapag maraming dala. Di ka pa man umaabot sa bus terminal parang pagod na ang utak kakaisip kung makakasakay ba agad o hindi.

Good thing when I arrived in the bus terminal, the queue in the ticket booth was still manageable (akala ko blockbuster na naman). I bought my ticket easily and the bus arrived just in time I was about to take my seat in the waiting area. I guess it was my lucky day. Eventhough I had tons of things to bring back home, everything seemed at the right place and at the right time. I was just in time and I from the moment in buying tickets and waiting for the arrival of the bus.

It was still dark when the bus left the terminal. Eventhough the traffic in Cubao “Ibabaw” was getting heavier at the early hours of the day, the bus driver decided to take the Cubao “Ilalim” route to escape the congestion. While the conductor checked on the tickets, I took out my phone and plugged my headphone. It has been my habit to listen to music since I bought my phone (Samsung galaxy Mini lang naman).

Dati kasi isang simpleng maglalakbay lang ako. Walang arte sa katawan. Ako ang tipong pagkabayad eh tulog na ako agad. Madalas nakasandal ako sa window side ng bus at nauuntog ang ulo habang nasa byahe. Pero kung minsan headbanger din ako, habang tumutulo ang laway (eew). Pero kung hindi ako tulog, inaaliw ko na lang ang sarili ko sa panonood ng libreng palabas sa loob ng bus. Napanood ko na ata ang lahat ng FPJ classic films at mga bagong piratang movies. Siguro naka 6 na beses kong napanood ang Avatar at Apocalyto sa loob ng bus. Minsan nga pati Indian movie napanood ko na rin. Ang lupet nga eh inabot ung Indian movie na yun ng mahigit 3 hours. Natulog ako yun ang palabas, pagkagising ko yun pa rin! Parang MTV with love story ang style ng pelikulang Indiano.

But now things changed. With the advent of technology and easy access to internet, I frequently checked my Facebook account during my bus trip. There are some buses which provide free wifi. I am of those thankful passengers who is happily surfing the net. I also chat around with friend online to ease the boredom during the trip. Thanks to the power of wifi of Bus 182!

***

When I arrived home, I immediately greeted my father and my sister. After I unpacked my things, I proceeded at  our terrace at the back of our house. Our terrace serves as a storage place for items not frequently being used. I was looking for our old Christmas Tree. Wala kasi akong nakikitang Christmas Tree sa aming sala. Hindi rin kasi mahilig magdecorate ang father ko kaya parang walang kadeko-dekorasyon sa amin. Inisip kong ilabas ang Christmas Tree namin at ihabol sa pagsalubong sa Pasko.

However, I couldn’t find it.

Our Christmas Tree became a significant symbol in our family. It has a sentimental value to me since it provides an unexplainable joy to me. Eventhough its leaves are falling and branches are missing and the whole tree is brittle, I still managed to make it look like a one big proud Christmas tree every Yuletide Season.

Tinanong ko ang father ko kung nasaan ang aming lumang Christmas Tree, ang Christmas Tree na naging kasama namin sa lahat ng Pasko. Naalala ko pa ang yung taon na unang binili ang Christmas Tree namin (pinagalitan kasi ako, kasi sa kakulitan ko kaya di ko makalimutan). Bawat Christmas, lagi akong excited itayo at ilagay ang mga Christmas decors ng aming Christmas Tree. Pero sa taong eto, ang lahat ay mababago.

Nalungkot ako sa sinabi ng father ko, ”Wala na yung Christmas Tree natin. Tinapon na nung nagpalinis ako sa likod.”

Halos gumuho ang mundo ko (exaggerated much). Nalungkot ako kasi kung alam ko lang nag-ipon na sana ako ng pambili sa bagong Christmas Tree namin.

There will be no Christmas Tree in our house this Christmas but it doesn’t mean that our Christmas will never be complete.

Our celebration will still be joyful and merry kahit walang Christmas Tree. But still iba pa rin ang feeling pagkasama ang aming lumang Christmas Tree!

To our dear Christmas Tree maraming salamat sa lahat ng taon nakipagpose ka sa akin every Christmas!!!

You will never be forgotten.

DB