Pots and Pans
Friday, December 28, 2012
THE very first time I spent my Christmas in the United States was way back in ’87 and that was in New York. It was truly really memorable. Memorable in so many ways but I experienced also an ambivalent feeling, happy being in a new and exciting place that I have been dreaming of and sad because I was away from my family.
Guess everyone would think of winter, snow, Santa Claus, reindeers,nutcrackers , shopping and more shopping especially when in NYC!
Guess everyone would think of winter, snow, Santa Claus, reindeers,
Well, that is true, but at the same time, it was not as exciting as being with your love ones at this time of year.
It was particularly exhilarating being in a new environment, something new, something different and something we all would like to experience at least once (or several times!) in our lifetime.
All the “firsts” -- first visit to Rockefeller Center’s huge “Christmas tree” and its skating rink, attending mass at St. Patrick Cathedral which is just across the street along New York city’s famous 5th avenue, checking out the spectacular holiday window displays of famous stores and shops like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s,Lord and Taylor , Gucci and many, many others.
Of course, not to forget also Radio City Music Hall for its Rockette’s Show and other fantastic and unique Broadway shows, Grand Central, Central Park and a lot more. It really mesmerizes and fills the five senses to the max! It is just plainly stunning and spectacular.
But after the picture-picture taking moment, it is back to reality. Most often, one has to go back to work the following day, be it on a Christmas or New Years’ day (well, am actually referring to nurses, in general).
Aside from the parties of co-workers, old and new-found friends which last only for so short a time, and with a little exchanging gifts, it just becomes memories.
It should be thrilling to enjoy the moment while it last. Plus the hundreds of photos, taken during those Christmas activities which one would like to share with friends and families.
Spending Christmas and spreading Holiday cheers with family members and “old” friends back home is a totally different happening. Even without the “expensive” gifts, extravagant food, snow and all, just the presence of our love one’s is enough. A simple Christmas party with a few well-loved dishes and desserts and some “Pinoy” Christmas carols playing in the background is often enough to make the get-together an unforgettable one.
We are lucky because we get to listen toChristmas songs from all over the world, but more so from our Pinoy artists which gives a totally different meaning to the word, “Pasko.”
In the US, it is the same songs played over and over again, that after a while it becomes boring.
And with a lot of Pinoys and Pinoy priests, midnight masses are celebrated and most often, where majority of Filipinos congregate, the mass is even said in Tagalog or Visayan which again, makes it more stimulating and makes one feel more closer, even with the absence of close family members.
I am sure what most overseas workers missed is the “authentic” food we customarily prepare for noche Buena and media noche. Suman, Biko, Puto, cutchinta, bibinka, tsokolate and other native kakanins. Letchon, adobo, pancit, kare-kare, hamon and the like plus desserts such as brazo de mercedez, chiffon cake, fruit salad and mango float are basics on the dining table.
I remembered experiencing my first snowfall and it came one very cold night. And since most of us (my new-found Pinoy friends) live in one floor of the building, we just can’t help ourselves but to change into our thick winter clothes and get out of the building where we would literally catch the snow! And with the snow on the ground, we make them into a small snow man. It was really breathtaking and thrilling!
And all the while I thought when it is winter, there should be snow! Silly me! It wasn’t a “white Christmas” after all since the snow fell several days before Christmas but what the heck! We all enjoyed our first snow fall anyway!
We might not have snow here in the Philippines, but needless to say, the way we celebrate and enjoy our Christmas season the longest in the whole wide world is a “world record”! And being Catholics, going to mass and greeting Jesus a Happy birthday is sure sign that we will always welcome Him into our lives and that we will continue to be a blessing to others during this holiday season and the whole year round.
Again, a merry and blessed Christmas and a prosperous and safe New Year to one and all!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, Email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
It was particularly exhilarating being in a new environment, something new, something different and something we all would like to experience at least once (or several times!) in our lifetime.
All the “firsts” -- first visit to Rockefeller Center’s huge “Christmas tree” and its skating rink, attending mass at St. Patrick Cathedral which is just across the street along New York city’s famous 5th avenue, checking out the spectacular holiday window displays of famous stores and shops like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s,
Of course, not to forget also Radio City Music Hall for its Rockette’s Show and other fantastic and unique Broadway shows, Grand Central, Central Park and a lot more. It really mesmerizes and fills the five senses to the max! It is just plainly stunning and spectacular.
But after the picture-picture taking moment, it is back to reality. Most often, one has to go back to work the following day, be it on a Christmas or New Years’ day (well, am actually referring to nurses, in general).
Aside from the parties of co-workers, old and new-found friends which last only for so short a time, and with a little exchanging gifts, it just becomes memories.
It should be thrilling to enjoy the moment while it last. Plus the hundreds of photos, taken during those Christmas activities which one would like to share with friends and families.
Spending Christmas and spreading Holiday cheers with family members and “old” friends back home is a totally different happening. Even without the “expensive” gifts, extravagant food, snow and all, just the presence of our love one’s is enough. A simple Christmas party with a few well-loved dishes and desserts and some “Pinoy” Christmas carols playing in the background is often enough to make the get-together an unforgettable one.
We are lucky because we get to listen to
In the US, it is the same songs played over and over again, that after a while it becomes boring.
And with a lot of Pinoys and Pinoy priests, midnight masses are celebrated and most often, where majority of Filipinos congregate, the mass is even said in Tagalog or Visayan which again, makes it more stimulating and makes one feel more closer, even with the absence of close family members.
I am sure what most overseas workers missed is the “authentic” food we customarily prepare for noche Buena and media noche. Suman, Biko, Puto, cutchinta, bibinka, tsokolate and other native kakanins. Letchon, adobo, pancit, kare-kare, hamon and the like plus desserts such as brazo de mercedez, chiffon cake, fruit salad and mango float are basics on the dining table.
I remembered experiencing my first snowfall and it came one very cold night. And since most of us (my new-found Pinoy friends) live in one floor of the building, we just can’t help ourselves but to change into our thick winter clothes and get out of the building where we would literally catch the snow! And with the snow on the ground, we make them into a small snow man. It was really breathtaking and thrilling!
And all the while I thought when it is winter, there should be snow! Silly me! It wasn’t a “white Christmas” after all since the snow fell several days before Christmas but what the heck! We all enjoyed our first snow fall anyway!
We might not have snow here in the Philippines, but needless to say, the way we celebrate and enjoy our Christmas season the longest in the whole wide world is a “world record”! And being Catholics, going to mass and greeting Jesus a Happy birthday is sure sign that we will always welcome Him into our lives and that we will continue to be a blessing to others during this holiday season and the whole year round.
Again, a merry and blessed Christmas and a prosperous and safe New Year to one and all!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, Email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
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