IT'S CHRISTMAS!!


Last week, I spent more time socializing, and getting ready to socialize, than anything else. The SmashingFoxyMinx was a hit at the Evil Multinational's Staff Party. I am assuming I was a hit based on the slurry, drunken compliments I received and the stellar comment from one of the "higher-ups" telling me that she almost didnt recognize me (do I look THAT BAD on a daily basis?). Of course, I had to spend a substantial amount of time avoiding one of my co-workers who, in his intoxicated state, suddenly found it cool to slap me on my arm every time I went to the bar and scream my name out as loudly as possible. I smiled politely while I imagined myself confiscating his hand for the rest of the night. Needless to say, his cool factor is now -3.

This being Christmas week, I have been more than happy to lay low. As a child, I used to look forward to Christmas. I remember one year, sitting down around my 20 gifts from various aunties and uncles, giving a big toothless grin to my mother's camera, utterly proud that little me had managed to amass so many treats. I got goosebumps on Christmas Eve, intoxicated by the smells of my grandmother's fruit cake, and my mother's baked chicken. I would fall asleep during midnight mass and conveniently awake when we arrived home - just in time to open my gifts. These days, I can count the number of gifts I receive on one hand, if not one finger. I am constantly annoyed at all the Christmas commercials encouraging people to spend more money. I refuse to listen to any of the cheesy Christmas songs, unless there is a cuatro and broken Spanish involved. I hit myself every time I go near a mall for not remembering that this is the time of year when the world goes money-spending mad. Call me Scrooge (or at least a hotter version) but the world has forgotten the true reason for the season. I am not a religious person myself but I am still surprised at what little reference there is to the holy aspect of Christmas.

That aside, there is still something magical about this time of year. The air is a little bit nippier and you feel just a tad bit cherrier. You can hug the boys just a bit longer and hold them slightly closer. Eating fruit cake and a pastelle for breakfast is perfectly acceptable and you actually enjoy your nagging aunty's crude jokes while you stuff your face with Mummy's chicken.

Ahh Christmas, it even makes sarcastic cynics like me seem sensitive....

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

SmashingFoxyMinx