The Fetal Diaries #6: Winter break!

Posted by kristine on December 23rd, 2007 | Categorized as Blog | 190 views and 6 Comments

It’s December 23rd, in Canada, and it barely feels like Christmas is coming. It’s ironic - this place is mainly Christian, but I’ve felt more of the ‘Christmas spirit’ in the Middle East. There, my friends and I used to go around the compound (we lived in those company ‘compounds’ where we were given nice condos to live in) and sing Chrismas songs for people. They’d give us money, and we’d donate part of it to the church - we’re very Catholic (given I’m Filipino and also, part Spanish; go figure). Anyways, there was this time we earned 700 UAE Dirhams. In one night. The priest would come over to the compound  (since the closest ACTUAL church was 3 hours away) once a week, and when he found out what we’d gotten, he was happy haha. Ah, good times. I was pretty proud.

In the Phils, we’d just spend it with family, and again, church. Then we’d go to our grandma’s house and it’s always a reunion. We’re pretty scattered, my extended family. I remember, we used to have a small, fake Christmas tree, and since we had a HUGE extended family, the presents were piled up high.

When we were in Calgary, there was the ‘turkey dinner’ which I never did like anyways LOL. I’ve always found turkey sorta tasteless. However, that was my first ‘white christmas’ with the snow and everything. Fun, fun. I’d spend it with cousins that I never really talked to, and friends that felt like cousins more than my actual ones in Calgary lol. It’s quite funny - when people would ask me if Jill, a friend, was related to me, I’d say yes right away. Then correct myself 3 seconds later. When people ask me if I’m related to my cousins, I say uhhh, yeah.

Here in Fort McMurray, it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all. There’s the occasional Christmas songs playing in stores, and people greeting you. There’s even the foot and a half (and growing) of snow outside. There’s the lights, and the inflatable santa clauses. Sure, we have all that. Even wal-mart’s open 24 hours. However, it feels like it’s not Christmas. I dunno why.. it’s kinda sad. I guess spending my Christmases in the previous places kinda blew it for others. I imagine my non-TCK friends here spending Christmas where I have before and I see them having the best Christmas of their lives.

Anyways.. I learned today that Scandivanians celebrate Christmas on the 24th. Haha, my ex-bf turned bestfriend, Jonny - who happens to be a TCK too - greeted me a Merry Christmas and I’m like, okay, so I know it’s already the 24th there, but why are you greeting me already? It’s not the 25th yet. He’s like all Swedes do that. I’m like oh. LOL. I now know what non-TCKs feel like when I tell em something weird about a country Haha.

And Jonny and I were talking about me visiting him up there in Sweden. He insisted that I do visit so I can meet his friends and his girlfriend, and so we’d see each other again. Actually, he’s been trying to convince me to come up there to Scandivania. Haha, he says I NEED to come there. I said no, I don’t NEED to, I WANT to. There’s a difference. He still insisted anyways. Chea, as if. Not now, anyways. Maybe when I’m 17, then I will. It costs $1325 for a roundtrip, and sure I can afford that, but what do I tell my parents? Haha. Besides, I don’t wanna go alone, and I don’t wanna spend $1325 knowing that I can pay $235 for Madrid lol. But then he’s a friend. So I told him, well if you really want me to come, then why don’t YOU pay for my ticket? He’s like naw, I’m alright. Haha.

Ah well, I shall. I promised him I will someday, just not this time of year lol. Well I’ll stop rambling about stuff that don’t really relate to most of you. LOL.

Rant over!

Love, Kristine aka fetus.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Born in the Philippines, then lived in Abu Dhabi, UAE for almost 4 years. Immigrated to Calgary, Canada (one of the most, if not THE most diverse city in Canada), but lives even farther north now (where it seems to be the opposite of Calgary).