Going back to the Philippines!

It's too bad I haven't been updating my blog all that often --- I think I might try to update it even more when I get back to the Philippines in a few days. Life would be so atypical that it would just make sense to update it then.

Although, truth be told, life is anything but typical. Something's always going on. For instance, work has had some major developments. New boss, new team situation, and new scope in role. I try to manage stress as best I can with Starbucks non-fat Tazo Chai, frequent full-body massages, and stress-relief body wash. Now though, I find that I have a calmer perspective because of exactly that - a change in perspective. Work is so much easier that way, despite the added workload.

I'm up for vacation though. A very extended one! Almost three weeks off - well, truly, just two weeks and a half. I'm looking forward to it though. There'll be a lot of family-oriented things to do like visit my grandmother, play with my nephew (who's been in the Philippines a few weeks and he's enjoying it incredibly), and have tons of family reunions. In addition, there's a lot of friends-oriented things to do. I have my Filipino-Chinese group to spend time with (we've been sadly depleted with all the "balikbayan"), my high school friends to see, my University friends to touch base with, and random individuals I've grown up with. I also have visits to the parlour and a lot of shopping planned.

I think this will be the first time I get to truly enjoy a trip back to the Philippines. All the other times, it was a bit of a mess because of certain situations, but this trip is solely focused on me having fun.

There's a downside as with all things. My BF's not coming with me this time. He has work and stuff to take care of. As with all things, there will come a time. We're having our own Christmas celebration when I return from the Philippines; he's had all sorts of plans for my gift as well. Apparently, he'll be setting it up in my condo before I get back to Toronto. I wonder what it can be...? He can be so thoughtful with his gifts! Will truly miss him terribly. I don't think we've been away longer than a week and a bit.

A second downside - I'll be missing Christmas morning with his family too. His mum was really thoughtful though and opened my gifts to them earlier on so she can thank me before I left (sweet thought... that's why I love her). She also made sure that she sent my Christmas stocking with my BF last weekend when he stayed over so I can open the presents I got from them.

A third downside - I will be missing an incredibly fun New Year's Eve party. My BF does know how to throw one. I can only hope that people will think to take some pictures.

I AM itching to leave the country for a bit though. The weather's gotten a bit depressing. There's barely any sun when I get to work; there's definitely no sun by the time I get out of work. When I get back, however, the shortest day would have passed and things should get brighter by then. I don't mind the cold so long as it's bright! Weather's been odd though... We haven't had much snow even though it's already December. I expect it'll start much later in the season... This is EXACTLY what David Attenborough's warned us about in Frozen Planet!

......................Unrelated, but I'm wondering. Am I going home to the Philippines? Is it truly still home? I still have a bedroom there, to be sure. A lot of my crap's still there. But honestly, I prefer my solid, stable, independent life here in Canada. I'd always felt that I stuck out a bit in the Philippines.

Anyhoot, it's 10:32 PM. I still have some clean up to do, and I want to finish watching old episodes of Top Gear. Which makes me think.......