Seasons of Mist

It’s that time of the year again. And no, I don’t mean the impending Christmas season. It’s my yearly what-do-I-really-want-to-do-with-my-life period. It’s that time of year when I question why I’m in my particular job, weigh the pros and cons, consider leaving, ponder on other career options, fantasize running a beach house in Bohol.

In every job I’ve taken (including this one) there are always things that’ll drive me batty. There’s no perfect job, I’m sure. The big question I always grapple is: are the things that drive me batty in my current job enough to drive me away, or are the pluses enough to outweigh the minuses?

Actually I don’t know the answer just yet. I’m still grappling with it. Meanwhile, I look forward to taking pictures during the weekend.

*****

It’s that time of year, when the carols are played way before the parols and the trees are put up. I think they only do that in deference to another money-making season—Halloween. But I think Christmas is the season people look forward to the most, whether out of anticipation or out of dread.

This year I dread and look forward to Christmas at the time of crisis. Local and global events have hit our economy pretty hard, and I’m sure prices will still go up. I’ve already decided to start my shopping early and limit it—severely. I don’t care if I out-Scrooge Scrooge.

At the same time I am looking forward to an austere Christmas. In fact, for the McVie Family I’m envisioning an “essential Christmas.” In the classic book The Little Prince the fox said, “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” No, I’m not thinking of giving invisible gifts; I’m thinking of revising the way we celebrate the season. After all, this is the first time we’ll have Christmas without my dad. And with my brother getting married before the year ends, he might set up house somewhere else. I think I’ll just focus on the essentials. Christmas isn’t really a celebration of the material things in life. So for this Christmas I’ll be an immaterial girl living in an immaterial world.

Meanwhile, I suspect that candles will make a comeback. There’ll be more cards sent, so Hallmark will be raking it in this year. There’ll be more fakes and knock-offs. And I think there’ll be more food given this year—fruitcakes will make another comeback (I know, I know, they never really left, but for the past few years they have been relegated to the “last-minute buys” section; now I think they’ll be upfront.)

Maybe I’ll take my mom, sister and brother on a road trip this year. We’ll see.