12 Days of Christmas List: 12 Random Thoughts from 12 Random Christmas Prompts

1. Wishlist. Technically, these are things that I don’t really need but I wouldn’t mind getting, but wouldn’t kill me if I don’t have it. Usually, a list like this goes up to 12 things, but apparently, mine gets only to about half, in no particular order:

Tennis Racquet: An effective placebo during bad hitting days.

Fujitsu or Asus Laptop: Just because people say that a prof is fit to have one.

Barricades: To reduce wear and tear of my new tennis shoes. And because the name sounds cool.


Nintendo Wii: For the interactivity factor in gaming—and with proper planning, I can make a psychological study and incorporate the Wii in it.

FM Modulator: Simply to play MP3s when I drive since All-Neu only plays audio cd.

An Alaskan Malamute and/or a Siberian Husky: The sheer cuteness is enough to make me hug everybody.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919: A Dream of Harmony (Basic Series): Eyecandy, technique and relaxation.

2. Godparents. Back when I was younger, it’s tradition to go collect gifts from godparents, and other older adult relatives. One particular memory that I really like was visiting an uncle and he would bring out a box full of 1-peso coins and all the kids will take turns grabbing all the coins we can get at only one time using both hands. Another is that my other aunts and uncles would ask kids a color—green, brown, orange, red or purple. Most kids would choose orange or red, the bright ones. I would choose purple and this leaves the adults shaking their heads—that’s because that’s equivalent to PhP100. Hey, I can’t help it if that’s really my favorite color, right?

3. Godchildren. The point where one is identified as no longer young is when s/he stops collecting gifts from godparents. Another sign is s/he instead is the one being approached by the kids of the new generation, the new batch who will continue the tradition. I found it a little hard to get used to this, since for a long time, I was usually treated as “the kid” (being the youngest in line in both sides of my family). The moment the tables have turned, I was like a deer-in-headlights. Choosing gifts for children is such a challenge for me—and yes, even when I decided to get them stuffed toys, I ended up wanting the gift for myself.

4. Christmas Songs. The first time I encountered “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Johann Sebastian Bach, it was from the soundtrack of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The violin was so awesome that it instantly became one of my favorites after “Air”. Recently, I found out that it’s also considered as a Christmas song—I’ve heard three renditions already and I don’t think I’ll get tired listening to it again and again.

5. Divisoria. One should experience shopping in Divisoria during mid-December, with the whole package of great bargains AND the hassles of vehicular and human traffic. Even just once. When I went there with my mom a couple of weeks ago, the streets were swarmed with people and if not for the safety concerns, I would’ve photographed the whole scene.

6. Santa Claus. There’s this Filipino dubbed Italian movie that was shown on cable some nights back. The scene showed that there is more than one Santa Claus that delivers toys to kids. I was intrigued by the idea ^_^. Anyway, I distinctly remember three gifts that I received from Santa Claus on separate Christmases—a set of colored pencils, a bike and a volleyball. No one really told me that Santa Claus wasn’t real, only that when I became “old enough”, I was informed that Santa Claus does not cater to my wishes anymore. The parents took over from there.

7. Traffic. This is the reason why I’m too lazy to bring a car anywhere a few days before Christmas. And a reason how commuting can be less of a hassle since I can go for alternative routes, or maybe walk and burn calories in the process.

8. Climate. I love the coolness during December. Unlike many others, I prefer less sun, less heat and humidity, and more of the chill and occasional light drizzle here and there.

9. Gift Giving. Usually, people give gifts to their loved ones. I learned to give gifts to security guards and janitors. It’s one of the things that my parents used to do when I was still studying in grade school and high school, and when they used to work. They would also give gifts to security and maintenance people, mostly ordinary, usable objects and nothing fancy nor expensive. Now, I do the same but since Uni is rather big, I’m only able to give to select individuals that I get to meet frequently—usually in SportsCom, Hepalane entrance and Engate.

10. Home Alone. I’m referring to the movie. No matter how many times I watch this, I don’t get tired of it. Surprisingly, I also still laugh at the slapstick humor and there are still scenes that get me even at the tiniest bit (i.e., the pigeon scene/finale in the sequel).

11. Home Decorations. We used to have a 7-foot Christmas tree that never failed to annoy my brother to hell. It had a stubborn stand that only with the finest touch will it stand tall; otherwise, it ends up as the leaning Christmas tree. I was too young to help at the time and they won’t let me anyway. Eventually, I was allowed to help when I got older and I took over handling the stand, which also challenged me—but it’s not like I’d let that get me, right?

12. Chocolates. I only eat chocolate candies between December 25 to January 1. It started a couple of years ago for me to see if I can do it—no one put me up to it and I don’t get a prize for keeping up with the deal. Today, I already consumed a couple of bite size Crunch and half a pack of Lindt chocolates. I’m making room for Ferrero Rocher and Meiji’s Macadamia nuts.

There, instant list! Hehe. Now that I’ve got these out, time to return to formal, academic writing. Tomorrow, it’s youth research all over again.