New Year's Day

Celebrations around the world, for the purpose of welcoming 2009, was characterized by magnificent fireworks display and blockbuster parties from the Time Square in New York to Paris' Eiffel Tower, from the Red Square to the Sydney Opera House, and from Manila's finest party venues to the Philippines' festive rural areas.

Five hours before the first seconds of 2009 would have ticked-out on the clocks, I, together with my family had to go to my grandmother's house on the next street for dinner. There we met with my father's siblings and their families. It has been about five years, if i'm not mistaken, when we last celebrated the New Year's with them. This year it was only during the before-New Year's dinner that we met. The families have decided to meet 2009 at their own households then see each other in the morning for a party on a beach towards the north.

Midnight came. 2008 was over. Welcome 2009. Fireworks started flooding the night sky. Firecrackers, loud music, and dragged galvanized irons extinguished silence in the night.

I think I was only able to sleep for about 5 hours after the celebrations. I missed an hour for my minimum sleeping requirement, of which I need not to go low-bat before sunset.

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I had to attend the baptism of my third godchild. It was such a blessing to attend such occassion on the very first day of the year. The baby girl's name was Venice Claire, first daughter of my elementary classmate -- a brother of my sister's friend Michelle which, actually, was the one who "commissioned" me to be godfather. Anyway, its a blessing so why not. It was a nice way of starting my year.

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After the baptism, I went to follow La Familia to Tingib beach -- the regular site where the family usually go during the first day of the year. It was my first time to attend La Familia's New Year's beach party. It was fun. I had to swim all day. Eat. Swim. Eat. Swim. Who will ever resist to taste Tita Ampi's halayang ube?

Earlier before the family's beach party, I was informed by my neighbor that we'll be having a reunion with our elementary batchmates at an adjacent beach. I was left in between. In dilemma. But I chose to attend the family's.

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At the end of the day, everyone who celebrated to welcome the year 2009, had to go hugging their pillows and hide under the warmth of their blankets.

Happy and Prosperous 2009!!!

Bless us Lord!!!