Ramblings 제 2 부

I think I should sue my brother for illegal detention or possession .  Since June he has been in possession of Edie.  Edie, not really liking the name but my sister gave it so fine is my DSLR which he borrowed (stress on the term) for the Pintados Festival back in June but until now he hasn't returned to me.  True, no one we know can hand-carry it from Manila to LA but I am missing my camera especially since I don't have a camera at all with me right now.  My brother was nice enough to buy a lens for Edie and have it cleaned (Thanks bro!) and allowing Edie to stay longer is the nice thing to do but what about me. .  Oh well.  It seems too that Edie was able to go to Taipei before I did.  I guess all I can do is wait for someone to bring it over plus the pasalubong from Taipei that I sent through SMS to my brother and photos from Taipei.

Speaking of cameras, this was my horoscope for yesterday..

Thursday, December 11:

Tech gadgets are on your mind -- maybe there's a new version of something you already know and love or maybe you've finally decided to jump into something totally new and exciting.

I have been eyeing this camera for sometime, its sleek and small enough to sneak into venues that don't allow flash photography.  Its hard to sneak in a bulky SLR. But it doesn't belong in the "urgent, important" quadrant at this point so it would have to wait.  Or until some manna falls from the heaven and makes it possible.

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Monday (Dec 15) is the start of Simbang Gabi here.  The time was changed this year.  It has been 530AM for the past 3 years but after some people complained that they are not able to finish the mass or they are late to work, it was moved up.  Now its at 5AM.  It really makes no difference to me because either way I will still wake up at least at 3AM in order to shower before my aunt does.  Its the only 9 days out of the 365 days in the year that I wake up that early.  This year is my 4th year and its a small sacrifice to make.  I just hope I have enough hours of sleep reserved in my body to survive the next 9 mornings. 

There's a belief that your intentions (or sought after wishes) at the start of the Simbang Gabi which is really a novena, become true when you complete it.  Fr. Vic has said that 3 babies have been born out of the 3 Simbang Gabi so far.  Whether it was coincidence or what, it makes you think that there might actually be some truth to this belief.  I've had a few of my intentions from the past years come true and some have not but it has not deterred me from going.  I think I have a pretty good batting average.  I don't have a list of intentions yet for this year.  Maybe I should make it more detailed compared to the previous years.  But that's not the sole reason I drag myself from my bed during the ungodly and cold mornings, its the people.  Its amazing how people come in droves to church battling the cold to attend mass, be in community with everyone and feel as if one never left the Philippines.  Its tradition and I am glad that our parish is continuing that.  It is also said in Filipino.  Each year, our parish priests have come up with themes and this is what they discuss during the homily.  Last year I think was about the sacraments, the previous year was about the parts of the mass.  I will know on Monday what this year's theme is.  It becomes an education of sorts which I have to admit make me appreciate my faith all the more.  Some aspects of the CatholicChurch still make me stop and think but for the most part, the ones that I have chosen to do have been fulfilling and enriching to me.  Not to mention the warm and hearty breakfast that awaits you after every mass.  No puto bumbong or bibingka but its okay. Oh the parish also hands out little tokens to those who are able to complete the 9 masses.  Its cute to see people really going for it after the last mass.  It is some accomplishment.