Parol: The colors of my vacation

 

Happy Holidays! Hello and welcome to Mai Diary!

    How are you spending the holidays? I hope you are all spending your holidays in the way that you like and love. I want to thank you for being here, whether you’re initially reading this or just stopping by. This is actually my first blog, which is technically a requirement for my subject, meaning it will be posted online and seen publicly. However, I’ve come to realize that sharing my diary isn’t such a bad idea, especially since it will serve as a written memory of my favorite moments and shared feelings, and sooner or later, I know I’ll be reading this once again with a merry and happy smile.

    Holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and togetherness, and perhaps no other thing captures the essence of these feelings as vividly as Christmas vacation. Christmas shines as a day to create lasting memories  and embracing the true spirit of the season. What is a holiday without Christmas? And what is Christmas without those colorful lights? I really enjoy looking at the streets with the music of those carols, laughter, the beat of fireworks, my very own Christmas tree, and the glow of lights on the streets and each home. My mom, dad, and I bought a round Christmas light that looks like just a 'parol'. When my father placed it on our terrace, I looked at it and thought about our past Christmas celebrations. From the glow of candles on my grandparents' Christmas tree to the twinkling strings of lights that now adorn our home, each color holds a piece of our shared memory.

    Before Christmas Eve, we spent our break in Bukidnon to celebrate my Tito’s Christmas party with his company. Traveling there was very exhausting because we were traveling on a motorcycle for six long hours. Nevertheless, it was fun. We went to an exclusive pool named LCL Place Resort, and there's a feast of food. When it was night, the whole place was surrounded by the soft glow of Christmas lights, which made the whole place shiny and glowing. It was an amusing experience.

    To smell the holiday season, of course, what is a celebration without food on the table? Dive into the heartwarming aroma of lechon, sweet and sour, bulalo, and roasted fish cooked by my father. And for dessert, my mom made a macaroni salad and, my favorite, a mango float. There's also kakanin, and cake (we forgot to get it on the refrigerator). But beyond those foods, we've not only created delicious dishes but also shared moments.

    On top of that, I want to tell you that ever since I was young, and up until now, I have only had one cousin who I am really close with. She's two years younger than me, but we are inseparable. Our childhood was a thread of giggles, scraped knees, and games—a time when the world was small, but our dreams were big. When we grew up, we rarely saw each other. Only text messages and video calls keep us both updated. And this Christmas, to my surprise, my relatives came. She came. I am very elated to see her again. The happy tears, laughter, and tight hugs feel so nostalgic. After that, we bonded again, just like before. We went into a coffee shop to make her try matcha. We went to a store to buy things we wanted. And we're both on cloud nine. We're creating new memories to be kept that will twinkle forever in years.

    All the things that happened during my vacation are experiences that cannot be paid for. It was a holiday I enjoyed, and I will treasure it forever. Together, we saw the lights shine bright, traveled, cooked foods, reunited with our relatives, and above all, we celebrated this holiday complete with happiness and contentment. From the first page of the calendar to turning the page to another year, I will always remember how our smile and laughter glow, just like the 'parol' in our home. 

    And I, Mai, will keep this forever in my diary.