Having someone to remember is pleasing enough to the heart, it doesn’t matter kung naaalala ka nila once in a while, what matters is, they are with you all the times pag kailangan mo sila. Kaya just a week before I go on vacation, in my own little way, I was able to prepare special gift to special people for them to remember me on Christmas holidays during my absence.
Unlike in my previous years where we spent Christmas and New year together, this time I will surely miss the fun and our exchange of greetings during Christmas and New Year.
Usually, I celebrate the season, kasama ang grupo, in Cetro’s residence (a family we consider to be the one of the best in Riyadh). Bigayan ng regalo, kuwentuhan, at hindi mawawala ang masarap na kainan. Although the celebration time is always limited at hindi puwedeng mag ingay ng husto dahil nga sa bawal dito sa Saudi Arabia, masaya pa ring lumipas ang okasyon na lahat masaya.
When I first arrived in Saudi, it was October, nanibago ako sa unang pasko ko dito. Actually, we didn’t have any celebration at all dahil that time, may pasok sa office namin. Our office time ended at 7:30pm which is 12:30 ng umaga sa Pilipinas. Kaya naman 6:00pm pa lang, kanya-kanya na kaming diskarte para lang mabati ang aming mga loved ones sa Pinas. Yong iba, nag off ng maaga para makapila na sa call cabin dahil wala pang cellphone noon. Yong iba naman nakikisuyo sa company telephone operator tapos ide-deduct na lang sa sahod yong bill. Ang hirap tumawag sa Pinas that time. It cost you 8.5SR/minute ( almost 100.00 pesos)
At pagdating ng uwian, kain ng dinner sa Mess Hall… … konting kuwentuhan, batian at tuloy na sa kanilang quarters para matulog, nagkataon kasi it was the holy month of Ramadan. Ang higpit ng mga military police at pag may narinig na ingay, papasukin nila at huhulihin lahat. There were many instances that after Christmas, ang dami naming nabalitaan na hinuli at ikinulong.
Pero recently, medyo hindi na sila mahigpit.
Going back to my special gift, actually it was my own choices. I prepared special MP3 music that can be appreciated and shall remember me when they listen to these selected songs.
First, a compilation of a hundred Tagalog Christmas songs.
Second, Sitti’s Bossanova music which I considered to be great for car stereo and during sleep time.
I also include Christian Bautista ballad songs/live concert and Charice Pempenco’s album.
What I like most is the Scholars sing Cayabyab album especially Van Pojas's (not Roxas) "Another Goodbye Song" and Laarni's "Manalig Ka".
To add more, I include soundtrack of The High School Musical 3.
I started searching for these albums since September and just in time before I left, everything had been done.
I hope I can touch someone else’s heart thru these songs and they can feel my own way of expressing my gratitude for a wonderful year I’ve spent with them.
I was expecting that I can only bring with me a hand-carry bag for my stuff sa pag uwi ko. Hassle kasi pag may check-in luggage. I hate waiting pa naman sa conveyor sa airport. However, dahil na rin sa mga bigay na pasalubong from my friends (and I expect more to come), kahit mag excess baggage ako, okey lang. Beside, dahil nga sa kulang ako sa budget, nakakadagdag na rin ang mga ito, and I thank you guys.
To Johhnie and Matet for the bunch of Galaxy chocolates.
To Tita Edith for more chocolates and cash.
To Tita Evelyn (who called me up @ 2am just to let me know na may ibibigay siya sa aking bonggang-bongga) for the imported perfumery set (S.T. Dupont Paris binili pa daw niya sa Debenhams!), which according to Doc Delfin is one of the most expensive perfume. Pero humirit pa rin ako ng favorite kong Bulgari Blue..he.he.he.he.. which she promised to give me soon.
To Manoy Joel, although hindi ko pa natatanggap yong Celio na promise niya, thanks in advance.
To my Syrian friend, Ezmat, for the gift.
To my ever-so-kind boss, who handed-over to me “special gift” for my family.
Sana marami pang magbigay..he.he.he.he.he..Ang bait talaga ni Lord alam niya na kailangan ko ang mga ito dahil sa problema ko...
Likewise, let me thank also my ever-generous friends.
Of course to Rani , available 24 hours for anything I need.
To Doctor Delfin for giving me a new look and a reason to have a smile-that-fits-across-my-face.
To Mommy and Daddy Quiambao for the advice.
Of course, to my dear good friend, Sam… thanks for everything you’ve done everytime I need a friend.
And to all of you who wish me luck on my coming vacation.
Promise, dadalhan ko kayo pagbalik ko ng boy bawang or dingdong..he.he.he.he.
