Exchange student fears lonely holidays
Foreign Eyes
Eric Ariel Salas
Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: Opinion & Editorial
It seems it will be a lonely Christmas in Brookings. No ever-vibrant carolers and their songs. No aesthetically-pleasing decors appealingly hung in each household. No huge, I mean HUGE, colorful lanterns lined-up on busy sidewalks. No effulgent blinking series lights that mimic the enchanting twinkle of the midnight stars. Nothing special (not even the lights at the downtown area) is telling me to cruise to the nearest post office and have my most valuable cards sent with Yuletide greetings and good cheers to my family back home. Sigh.
Even though I saw Eve this weekend (the girl I secretly admire at the student union) and even talked to her, the holidays would still be lacking with lustre. By the way, she looked extra super-duper gorgeous and I just melted like a candle, however, a million times faster. Maybe she already knew that the previous article I wrote was for her.
Though barely felt, the holiday season is here. I am wishing that Eve could do magic and trick the never-ending flame of the holidays burning in my heart, leaving a stinging sensation I would remember year after year. Truth is, I do not want my Christmas this year to be lonesome.
Before you start bashing me of my negativity on how I see Christmas in Brookings, let me explicate a few things first. You see, Christmas in the Philippines starts when the month starts with "ber," that is, September. It ends at the day of the three kings, around mid-January. A Christian country with a devout population, no surprise, it holds the title as the nation with the longest Christmas celebration.
As early as September, I would already see a different glow on the faces of young children - something so wonderful that could only spring from eternally clinging to every hope in life. I am referring to children from less-fortunate families. Christmas for them is a complete joy, for it is when horrible nightmares in their sleep along dreadful sidewalks become sweet, enchanted dreams on a soft, mushy bed. Christmas is a wish of being adopted by rich families even for a day and be out from their wretched, cartoon-made shanties that are easily blown by a muted passing breeze. Christmas is a big dream of having to taste the sweetness of Notche Buena and the all-time favorite keso de bola.
Even though I saw Eve this weekend (the girl I secretly admire at the student union) and even talked to her, the holidays would still be lacking with lustre. By the way, she looked extra super-duper gorgeous and I just melted like a candle, however, a million times faster. Maybe she already knew that the previous article I wrote was for her.
Though barely felt, the holiday season is here. I am wishing that Eve could do magic and trick the never-ending flame of the holidays burning in my heart, leaving a stinging sensation I would remember year after year. Truth is, I do not want my Christmas this year to be lonesome.
Before you start bashing me of my negativity on how I see Christmas in Brookings, let me explicate a few things first. You see, Christmas in the Philippines starts when the month starts with "ber," that is, September. It ends at the day of the three kings, around mid-January. A Christian country with a devout population, no surprise, it holds the title as the nation with the longest Christmas celebration.
As early as September, I would already see a different glow on the faces of young children - something so wonderful that could only spring from eternally clinging to every hope in life. I am referring to children from less-fortunate families. Christmas for them is a complete joy, for it is when horrible nightmares in their sleep along dreadful sidewalks become sweet, enchanted dreams on a soft, mushy bed. Christmas is a wish of being adopted by rich families even for a day and be out from their wretched, cartoon-made shanties that are easily blown by a muted passing breeze. Christmas is a big dream of having to taste the sweetness of Notche Buena and the all-time favorite keso de bola.
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John Pullis
posted 12/06/06 @ 3:37 PM CST
Great editorial! Its good to see some people still come alive with joy, mystery and hope in this most beautiful and glorious of seasons. Sing out, "Christ is Born, Alleluia!"
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