Christmas 2006

Merry Christmas fellow bloggers! To all my friends, fwennies, and poigi, a special Christmas wish goes out to you! I guess I did not feel that it was Christmas until I arrived at my puwa's (dad's sis) house last night. Her husband turned 50 yesterday, Christmas Eve, and he was so happy that he was out on the street dancing to Carnival music. He grew up in St. James, Trinidad. Enough said! All the St. James people have a little bit of St. Anns in them;) For my non-Trini friends, St. Anns is a psychiatric hospital, commonly called "the Mad house." No really, he is the livliest uncle I have. He will get up and dance as long as there is music playing. The funniest thing is that my little cousin, Shivy was walking around and dancing as well just like his father does. He got moves!
I thought at first that it would have been boring but there is something about being with family that makes the holidays more pronounced. When we were leaving, my eldest cousin busted out a wine dey eh! Lawd Fadda!
We came home and opened presents at midnight. I would have posted the pictures if my dad was wearing a shirt but unfortunately, he kinda forgets. Typical Trini! This morning, he was counting the number of shirts he got and putting them away. Everyone loved their presents. Vin got me perfume, and nan got me a really hot-up red dress for me to wear for holiday parties. Actually, she wanted me to wear it to Ami's sister's Christmas dinner but it was a little bit big for me. Hopefully, she will adjust it for me.
I was so sleepy that I didn't wake up until it was after midday and my mom was almost done with her cooking. She outdid herself and while I was eating, she announced to me that we were having guests over. I found out that she had called up my dad's two sisters and invited them over to dinner and they readily agreed to come. That's the best thing about our relatives, they will show up on little or no notice whatsoever. In fact, we made it a rule that when we are over at family's house, we can walk in the house and go straight to the fridge as if it's the most normal thing ever. My mom explained it best today, "At least we comfortable wit dem."
At Ami's sister's house, she had an elaborate meal planned. Actually, we opened presents first. Ami and I exchanged presents outside though. I told Ami that I didn't have time to go shopping for him. Actually, I got him a custom-made name bracelet and he was not supposed to know about it. He didn't. I gave it to him in a shirt box and he loved it. He got me a really pretty watch. I'm not one for name brands but Ami got me a Bulova watch. His sister bought me a Coach handbag. It's something I would use but would never buy for myself. Really, it was too much. I'm not complaining though=0) I got two trendy tops from Ami's younger sister and brother. We had a fun time with the presents and the food was really good as well.
Of all the presents I opened, there was one very very useful present I received. It was from my mom. After walking through the whole mall and finding presents for everyone, my mom did not know what to buy for me. She ended up telling me that she would give me the money and let me go out and buy something for myself and show her what I bought so that she knew I got a present. However, when she gave me the money, she put it in between a six pack of socks. It was the most needed present this Christmas. I loved it! Just seeing the present made me realize how much thought she had placed in buying those set of socks. For me, I can never find my socks when I am looking for them so they are always a welcomed present. I am supposed to buy myself a present and show my mom what I bought because it will make her happy that I spent the money on something tangible. She told me to buy a nice little dress. Actually, I know which one I will buy already.
At my job, I was given a Christmas bonus for all the days I made my goal in the store. Nan also had the same option and we chose to buy little hoop earrings for all our younger girl cousins. I think they will love them. This year, Christmas was beautiful. I liked it a lot. There was a certain sadness in the air because it was on Christmas day last year that my mamoo (mom's brother) died but we tried not to mention it to my mom. She didn't take it too well. However, everyone said a little prayer at sometime during the day for his soul. I know that much. When I came home, my cousins were over at our house. They left shortly after I came in and it was just my family and Ami. We decided to do karoke and Ami played the keyboard. Nan was hilarious. I guess i will post pictures later. when I have some more time. Merry Christmas!