Christmas Miles Away

Few more days from now, it’s Christmas again - another tough moment for me and for those spending the holidays far away from home. This year, I’ll be on-duty, a regular 12-hour shift the same thing I had back in 2009.  It’s quite a challenge to beat this supposed to be “family day” especially in a world where Christmas doesn’t exist at all.  But this should not stop us from celebrating the season because for me, we can find the true meaning of Christmas, wherever.

Last year, it’s so fortunate that I had my annual vacation in time for the holidays. I spent the season of course with my family, relatives and close friends.  Spending the season with people close to your heart is truly unmatched. I had the traditional simbang gabi, putu-bungbong along the street, and even the “libreng tsaa” still exists.  I also had to beat the Christmas rush, traffic, endless shopping for gifts for my “inaanak” and dine out with friends while listening to those non-stop Christmas medley. I would be missing the children’s carolling and of course the “noche buena” with the whole family - things and moments that I enjoy every season but of course not this year.

The excitement of being in a foreign place isn’t so great especially during the holidays. But there are countless ways to make the season as happier and meaningful where you can still have at least the same spirit even you’re miles away.  Each individual may have unique ways of spending the holidays the same way I have which I’ve been doing for the past years of being away on Christmas. This time, I have listed down some stuff that could help me spend the holidays far from home.

How about scheduling a game tournament? While I am a gamer, I already planned to have a DOTA session as early as now.  Inviting some friends for this game despite heavy schedules is a simple way of bringing the spirit of getting together especially with those people who are also away from their families and loved ones.  It’s a great feeling that once in a while you gather not just for the sake of playing but also for spending your free time and sharing the moments to celebrate and feel the spirit of the season.

Go out, shop and dine-out with friends and colleagues. Yes, I do these things I used to do when I’m home with my family during the holidays. Going out gives us the chance to meet friends and other people in the same situation and connecting with them is helpful for homesickness. I love to shop though, and just like a kid who would always ask Santa for a new shoes, I feel it’s nice to get a pair of chucks in time for Christmas.

Celebrate like you’re at home. Christmas is a big celebration and there are places in the world that traditionally celebrate the season. You may consider travelling to places with some similarities with our practices during Christmas and surely bigger cities may have more going on.  Chances are you join celebrations that really make you feel like you’re part of the culture. But in my case where Christmas is not a practice, I either invite friends or visit friend’s place for a simple get-together and dinner with “kababayans” to feel the spirit of the season.

Of course technology is really a good friend.  It’s hard to deny that I would be missing my family.  Just like me, millions of OFWs around the globe are missing their families too. And the same way, our loved ones are missing us also. But it’s easier these days because the power of technology can bring us closer. While having the Noche Buena, we can Skype, Hangout with our families and it’s like we are on the same table.  We can easily greet each other and feel the spirit of Christmas.

Being away from home during Christmas is never easy for anyone, especially for people like us working abroad.  At some point, homesickness and boredom hit us and it’s common to have these feelings as the holidays approach. I would say it’s a total sacrifice. There are millions out there who are on-duty during the holidays (that includes me, lol) and their sacrifices are all worth-rewarding. Despite tons of ways to make the celebrations enjoyable and meaningful, we can never replace the feelings of being home with our families and loved ones on Christmas. While it would be my last occasion to celebrate Christmas miles away, I’ll make it sure that this one is gonna be absolutely memorable.

Isang MALIGAYANG PASKO PO sa ating lahat!