Delving into a New World in a New Era

 Last year's memories felt like an hour. I just cannot imagine we're on year 2025 now. All seemed to passed by very quickly. I was just jumping last january and now, I woke up to see our calendar brand new and says the year 2025 on it. Time just flies so fast. It even had me surprised that those countless problems, difficulties, and obstacles I've experienced last year, had turned into a healed wound. Then, a thought came into mind, "This year's gonna be different. It's time for a new me."  

As the year 2025 begins, there are a few things and characteristics of mine I also want to change for me to start it. First of all is my trait to please people. I have become a people pleaser for a long time and I realized that  I am just showing people that I am weak whenever I please them and it is really bad for me. I wasn't born to just follow all the things they want, to be swallowed by my own guilt and pride just by not being able to follow them. But this time, I will be more mindful and think more about merely myself, of what's best for me. This time, I will be braver. Aside from my people pleasing trait, I also want to dig deeper into a new whole experience together with my family and friends. I want to explore new things and enhance my skill and abilities for the betterment of my self-esteem and confidence. 

Changes can be hard, but let us not be tempted. We might need it for us to grow, develop, and delve into a different person, not physically, but emotionally. New year is all about making new memories, exploring new horizons, and developing a new character.This year, you will discover a new me. A new me who is not a people pleaser anymore. A new me who is more independent than before and a new me who is much more stronger and braver. 

A Magical Evening

     "Christmas? It's Christmas!" I said as I was filled with excitement and precise happiness as my mother woke me up at exactly 11:30 on Christmas Eve. I immediately run to see our kitchen with all my favorite handas like shanghai, macaroni salad, carbonara, and chicken joy. That night feels so magical because of the essence of our Chrsitmas tree wandered by colorful lights, garlands, and ornaments and it was filled with gifts. It was so magical that everything felt so unreal. All of a sudden, I heard my alarm ringing and I woke up. It's the 24th of December, morning. That magical evening was just a dream, but it felt true. It felt real and I know for sure that it really happened, I just can't remember it.

   However, when I woke up, I heard a sound of a car infront of our house. To my surprise, I saw  my first cousins, aunts, and grandmothers all from my mother's side. Since 2021, we've been celebrating Christmas together in Pampanga but this year, it's different. They all came in our house to celebrate and for me, it was more than enough than all the gifts to receive. My tita who usually organizes the games was also there, together with her signature cassava cake. I was again filled with excitement because our Christmas tree was then again fllled with gifts and all our ready to cook handas were macaroni, spaghetti, shanghai, and chicken joy. It seemed familiar, but I ignored it and proceeded to enjoy the moment. 

    Few hours have passed, it's already Christmas Eve. We went to the church to be blessed as we come to celebrate the birth of jesus Christ. After that, we played several parlor games sponsored by our tita who gave us 50 Php worth of prizes for every game. it was so fun and I enjoyed every single moment we've established together with my family. I turned to look at the Christmas Tree. It was sparkling, the ornaments were shining, and the gifts seemed to be waving at me. For a second, everything felt silent. Now, I remember. My dreams, they really happened and it was the memory of my Christmas experience back when I was 6 years old. Everything was a memory that will forever remained as just a memory. 

    Suddenly, my cousin tapped my shoulder, asking me to come eat with them. After all, it was really joyful, all my experiences throughout the night. However, it was not the same as before, not as magical as when I was a child. Christmas had been part of my life, and I am ready to make the most out of it every year, together with my cousins, relatives, and my family. Regardless of how different and less magical our christmas tree is or whatever our handa is, what the most important is the real spirit of Christmas, that is, celebrating with our loved ones.