Karaoke Blues

It’s the time of the year again.  The time for celebrations, parties and endless singing revelries.  The celebrations and parties, I can understand.  The endless singing revelries, I can not.  I am supposed to be finishing my work quietly here at my home office.  I’m trying to instill the discipline of working 9am-7pm.  It’s not even 7pm yet.  Yet, the unavoidable happens.  The karaoke machine of my neighbor is now blaring.  Their family reunion is starting early.   So much for instilling discipline on myself regarding my work schedule.  With the blasting machine within hearing distance, how am I supposed to finish my work?

Argh!  I don’t want to be a Christmas humbug.  But, the Karaoke thingie is really getting in my nerves.  The machine is really blaring.  The alarms of nearby parked cars are sounding off due to loud vibrations.  The ”singers” could only sing so much.  I mean, choose your song wisely, for heaven’s sake!  You are badly out of tune, your party is slowly turning to a pasyon.  Worse still, your singing make you seem that you are in pain.  Don’t eat the words dearie, it’s already prompted on the screen…sing it properly naman! 

Right now, there is nothing I could do but grin and bear it.  As of now, his playlist are written below, the italics are my mean comments:

Right here waiting for you - i’m right here, waiting for you to stop singing.

Wherever You Will Go - If I could, I would turn back the time. I’d go wherever you will go.  (Para pigilan kita sa pag-upa ng karaoke machine)

Himala - you badly need one.  With a voice like yours, only a miracle can save you.

Sorry na - yup, that’s what you’ll be saying after facing the wrath of other neighbors.

I’m no party pooper.  But we all know, karaoke are only fun if you’re the one who’s singing it, rather than listening to it.  Now, where’s those darn ear plugs….

Crocs

I have been channel surfing last night.  I chanced upon Korina’s show featuring their Christmas outreach.  As corny at it seems, one segment brought tears to my eyes.  They featured children from a remote province who were in dire need of slippers.  Due to poverty, they can not afford to buy a decent pair of slippers.  These children walk long distances with their make shift footwear.  For Christmas, the show gave each child a pair of Crocs.  The Crocs could function both as their “sapatos na pamasok” and ”tsinelas na panglakad”.  A simple yet very helpful gesture.

Why the tears?  Could it be because of pity? Or was it a sign of guilt on my part?  Maybe, it was both.  Many of us live life in excess.  Though I always claim that I am living as simply as I can, I know that I am not.  For starters, I own 3 pairs of slippers.  One to be used in the bedroom, one to be used inside the house and one to be used within the yard.  Quite an excess if compared to the makeshift footwear the children wear.  Honestly, I could and should live with a pair.

Is this an ‘AHA!’ moment for me?  Not quite, but it made me reflect on things that I often take for granted.  Does this mean that I will also do a ‘Korina’?  Probably, but not in the near future.  I have to fix my finances first. (But I do promise that if I have the means, I will do so)  What I do know is - it made me reflect on my excessive habits.  We only need the basics.  If I cut on all my consumerism habits and excessive kaartehan, a simple yet functional slippers will do.  As Ed of Lifestyle Network always say, “Live simply that others may simply live.”

Finally

Finally, I am finally feeling Christmassy!  The queasy feeling started on our way home last night.  We were listening to Mariah Carey belt out ”All I Want for Christmas”.  I thought I’ve grown too old, wary and cynical about Christmas.  Good thing, the Christmas feeling finally rubbed off on me.  I’m almost done with my Christmas shopping.  I’m about to wrap the gifts later.  I’m done planning the menu for our Noche Buena.  I’ll be baking apple pies to be given to relatives.  In fact, I was surprised to realize that I am actually looking forward for Christmas Day and New Year’s.

Item 1 Off the List

Finally, Item 1 from my to-do list before the years ends is ticked off.  I’m done with the portfolio.  All it needs is some binding work.  It’s my ticket of hope for the coming year.  I’m praying that it will lead to fruitful projects.

Now, there’s Items 2 & 3 to accomplish.  Got 9 days more before the year ends…