Maligayang Pasco

So I got a Christmas bonus…I was told that we might get a bonus by the Big R because she got one last year [I was hired a year later]. She told me the amount she received last year and it excited me which prompted her to say, ‘now don’t get too excited cause we might not get one.’

My Christmas has been a little off kilter with all of this political correctness crap. Apparently this year this holiday season is about not being able to say Merry Christmas as it’ll offend someone, and instead about giving people presents and gift cards [I hate that stupid Old Navy commercial]. I know the tradition of exchanging gifts will always be there, but don’t take away Christmas from me. Don’t take away my memories. I don’t care about your religious background or lack there of, just don’t fuck with my Christmas.

Everywhere I went, I got a pit in my stomach as I said ‘Merry Christmas,” debating whether or not to say that or Happy Holidays…To the hostess at my favorite Thai restaurant, to the clerks at the mall. “Merry Christmas,” I said with a smile, and to my surprise they wished me a Merry Christmas back, also with a smile. See, not everyone out there are assholes.

It was hard for me to buy gifts for people that mean a lot to me as my pay day falls on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Anyway, they understand and we all decided it’d be cheaper if we waited until after Christmas when all the sales kick in to exchange gifts. It’s not about presents anyway. It’s about spending time with people you care about, exchanging stories, eating homemade goodies, and enjoying stocking stuffers, which I will be doing alone Christmas Eve. I made phone calls, and instant messaged my way through Christmas Eve.

So as I was saying, I got a bonus, and it’s a lot more than what the Big R told me it was going to be. I nearly shit a brick when our CEO pulled me into his office to thank me for all my hard work, and how much everyone loves me then tells me about the chunk of change that will be in my paycheck. I smiled, thanked him, and then went into the bathroom to cry. I’m still in awe over it.

Today is Christmas, I’ve made my coffee, had my breakfast and I’m about to clean house before I head over to my friends home for Christmas dinner. I’m bringing a tiramisu cake made with love from Konditor Meister. I’ll take plenty of pictures.

P.S. Thanks, Heather for inviting me to New York to spend Christmas with you and your brother. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.