🎶 Chestnuts roasting by the corner stand. The scent of churros & choco finds my nose.🎵 Yuletide carols and lights never tire. And folks non-stop shopping by the riooo…🎶 I'm rhyming it with the song.😅 Haha!

I do enjoy Christmas feels! As long as it's without Manila traffic and all the rush.😜 Frosty Donostia, with the fiesta de Santo Tomas, lights, and Christmas market by the river, feels festive and joyful all December. Who can complain?

Plus, Mikel's family tradition of noche buena followed by Christmas lunch the next day keeps the calendar full, leaving me with no time to sulk about missing my family. Roast beef. Croquetas. Lamb. And their version of halo-halo. Who can complain?

Who can complain?

A sick me.😆 During nochebuena, I was so uncomfortable not even the wine could cork my whines.

Weak and feeling like all around crap this week, I’ve been stuffing my nostrils with tissue instead of blowing my nose every second. (How can they not have anything like Neozep forte here?! And why does getting sick turn me into such a baby?🐥)

When I saw a posted family photo on Christmas morning, I couldn't help but cry. "What's wrong?" "I miss my family." Tears, coffee, a cookie intermission, then I was okay.♥️

The 90-Second Revelation

Did you know that, biologically, an emotion only lasts 90 seconds? Any longer, and that's our mind re-triggering, re-stimulating, lingering. Any longer, and that's on us.

I didn't know this little trivia tidbit when I cried. I read about it shortly after and immediately recalled my moment at the breakfast table. It was true! It lasted for about 90 seconds: sadness rushing over me, tears falling, acknowledging, accepting, and breathing out the emotion.

When the tears stopped, I blew my nose, popped my meds, then prepped for lunch. Oh, what a lunch!😋

The Downside of this Season

I hope you had a merry Christmas and are in for a gratifying New Year!🎄🎁⛄

I’m sending extra hugs to those that are not feeling the merry vibe. Know that you don't have to be all cheery. While jolly folks bask in the festivities, those that are going through darkness find this season extra taxing because of the pressure to appear happy.

If you’re in a rut, reach out to someone that gives you warmth! As long as you're not being a Grinch for Grinch's sake, I'm sure loved ones will be happy to provide some comfort. Remember that being around healthy people is a remedy to the blues, along with a bit of exercise and helping people. (The man who invented happiness psychology says so!👇🏻)

Bright Side Up

As the Christmas lights dim and the festive tunes fade into the background, what truly shines through is the spirit of togetherness. Families decked out in their holiday best, whipping up feasts and sharing laughter. Friends, separated by miles and time, reunite over Mongolian barbecue and a spirited game of charades.

Living away during this season is tough; FOMO hits hard. The longing to create memories with those you hold dear is strong. But it’s something you can do, even from a distance.

This Christmas, my mom took me on a virtual tour of the nochebuena celebrations, introducing me to every person and every dish, including the perfectly crisped lechon. A call to my brother, who just hit the milestone of 35, followed. And after a long drive to the countryside, moments with Patty and Anton unfolded while Mikel surfed on an empty beach.

The essence of Christmas, at least for me, lies in truly spending time and reconnecting with friends and family, a practice that should extend throughout the year.

So whether 'tis the season or not, I hope to keep that spirit alive.♥️

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