Friday, January 06, 2006

A Different New Year


“New Year na! Ambak na ta!” was what my friend exclaimed at the strike of twelve on New Year’s Eve! Yeah, it’s been one of the old practices then –- to jump up as high as you can with the belief that you would gain even just an inch of height increase. Well then, petite as I am, I’ve never tried that trick in my whole life maybe because I’m really not so keen about superstitions, and I’ve always loved being small, it makes me feel I’m ten years younger. Hahaha!

So, what am I really up to, anyway? Welcome the new year by firing up those tiny explosives? Nahh, not me! I’m quite afraid of triangle and rebentador. Not even baby rocket nor piccolo. Kutob ra gyud ko sa torotot ug sparklers. What about new year’s resolution? Not either! As much as possible I don’t set resolutions ‘coz oftentimes, I would just end up not fulfilling anything on the list. Okay, okay. Was there at least 12 round fruits in the table? It was meant for good luck as we enter another year. Uh, we only had seven round fruits, enough for some to say that I don't have to necessarily conform to what is trending and popular.

We are not so keen about astrology either, but there’s one thing we did at home which somewhat coincide with astrological belief. We had this dog named Chamco. He’s been with us for five years now, and never did he experience not being tied since the time we acquired him kay mahadlok ang mga silingan sa iya, kusog kaayo mopaghot ug mahadlok pud mi makapaak sya. I dunno but my dad just released him from being tied when we woke up late on January 1st. Chamco had his first release ever, and I can see how joyful he was. He would hop in every now and then, sniffed every corner of the yard, and ran like it was his first time taking advantage of his four legs for rigorous running. Later did we realized, 2006 is.. uh-yeah.. the year of the Fire Dog! What a coincidence!

Going back to that not-so-still New Year’s Eve (due to the noise barrage outside), me and my family had this prayer session after finishing our media noche. We gathered in the living room and had an individual scripture reading. As I opened my bible with my eyes gently closed, my hands led me to these following verses: Jeremiah 9:23-24 and Luke 11:9-13, 27-28, 12:4-7. Reading through these verses, God’s message for me for 2006 and the years ahead was sum up into one: BE MORE HUMBLE AND BE MORE FAITHFUL. It struck me indeed! And how blessed I really felt!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!