Early Christmas Decor Shopping

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On the way home from Baguio, I caught the colorful array of Christmas lanterns on the roadside of Gerona, Tarlac.

“I want to take photos” I begged my husband to stop.

The long stretch of bright [tag]Christmas Lanterns[/tag] was captivating. I had no plans of buying [tag]Christmas decors[/tag] but my husband (the Grinch) thought it was rude to take photos and not buy anything from the poor vendors. Strictly speaking, my husband isn’t really a Christmas Grinch. Ever since my son died in 2000, the holidays are the most depressing season for him. Next to Halloween day, the most difficult holiday of the year is Christmas. Christmas decors just remind him that Christmas is lonely without our little boy. Of course, we grieve differently . Christmas is a happy occasion for me. I digress. Anyway…

“Okay, let’s shop”. M and I started our search for the traditional Christmas lantern, the parol . There were probably more than 20 vendors all selling the same design ranging from flowers, butterflies, snowmen, stars, trees even a papaya tree, capiz lanterns and more.
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My husband ventured to the other side of the roadside stand. Much later, he surprised me with 10 colorful star lanterns strung together. I never expected him to actually shop for himself. Joy filled my heart. It shows that Christmas shopping wasn’t a difficult task anymore. Look at what we got…

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Anger Management

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It surprised me that there is a scientific explanation for those drivers that are just stark raving mad on the road. Scientists call it “Road Rage” Disorder or Intermittent Explosive Disorder. I thought they were just rude , annoying drivers. Excuse me!

To you, that angry, horn-blasting tailgater is suffering from road rage. But doctors have another name for it – intermittent explosive disorder – and a new study suggests it is far more common than they realized, affecting up to 16 million Americans.

That’s an extreme case of road rage which [tag]anger management[tag] techniques might offer some help along with treatment with antidepressants. For those that don’t suffer from this disorder, how do they relieve their anger? I bet there are many constructive ways.

anger wall (enlarge) I never realized how many angry people there were until I saw Isdaan‘s Tacsiyapo Anger wall or rather “The Wall of Fury”. The sign said “Release Your Anger” (Ilabas ang sama ng Loob). Tacsiyapo means “shame on you”. Located along McArthur Highway in Gerona, Tarlac, my husband, M and I dropped by for lunch on our way up to Baguio a few days ago. What a novel idea! Painted on the wall where targets labelled as ex-wife, ex-husband, 5-6, intrigera, mother/father in-law,professors, classmates , manyak, intrigera, Boss, alcohol, gambling , casino and many more. There are just so many reasons to get mad if you let them get to you. (View Anger Wall Photo). At the Tacsiyapo wall, one can hurl your plate at the desired target. Hmm, did I see any politician’s name in the wall? There should be.

anger wall
One has the choice of throwing plates, mugs and even a working television set. Looking at the broken television set among the pile of procelain debris, I wonder if that person’s anger reached boiling proportions or he just threw it in jest. That TV set cost 1,000 pesos (around $20). Imagine that! Doesn’t everyone feel so frustrated at times that smashing something would really help relieve the stress? But breaking plates at our own home is such a waste.

anger (enlarge photo)
My husband chose a 15 peso mug and also bought one for M. I don’t think he was angry at that moment. Maybe hidden anger inside had yet to be released. M didn’t want to break her mug and decided to just bring it home. Feeling contented, we headed back to the restaurant to enjoy our grilled dishes.

me and my husbandSo next time you’re feeling angry over your long drive, take a break, and drop by the Isdaan Floating Restaurant Park Anger Wall.

Baguio City in September

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johnhay.jpgMy husband and I just arrived from an overnight trip from Baguio. Oh I just love Baguio on a non-peak month. Traffic was so smooth all the way to Baguio and back. We were supposed to stay at the Baguio Country Club but the club gave such a lovely promo to its members , like pay one night for a two nights stay . Naturally, all the rooms were fully booked. We decided to stay at my husband’s ancestral home instead. Not quite the romantic interlude I expected for the weekend but oh well, at least I was with my loving husband. Revisiting Baguio is such a bittersweet experience. Every summer and Christmas season, we bring the three kids to bond with their roots or rather with their father’s roots. I also bring them to Cebu, where I grew up. Camp John Hay is one of the places that my son and I use to play during the summer months. I have not been here for such a long time since his death. I cannot help but miss his physical presence so I breathe in the cold pine scent hoping to feel a spiritual connection with him. Knowing he was here at one point in his life is enough to make me smile.

I looked around for a wifi enabled coffee shop on an early sunday morning.

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The best place to get an internet wi-fi is at the Filling Station in Camp John Hay. It’s quiet and has a spectacular view of the pine trees. There is a butterfly farm beside it but the rains prevented me from strolling further. So there I was sipping coffee and looking out at the pine trees hoping to catch a moment in time. Those moments when the laughter of my son and girls used to reverberate the cool air of this city. God, how I miss those days.