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Last Christmas was one of the best I had in recent years for several reasons. First of all, most of the family was able to gather together like we often used to… I haven’t seen Ann for a couple of years, and I don’t spend Christmas in Cebu all the time… Second, it was the first time we got to spend it outside the country. Third, we all had such a great time that everyone was in good spirits, in spite of some language barriers (Ann’s kids barely speak English and we don’t speak Mandarin :))..

And none of it wouldn’t have happened without Ann’s preparations and great itinerary, and specially her huge sacrifice to go off work almost unplanned.. After all, it was almost on a whim that we decided to go. Ate Chan just asked me a couple months back whether I wanted to join them in Taiwan for Christmas.. So I thought why not bring the ‘rents as well so they can see Ann and her family since it’s been a while anyways… I also ended up inviting Dong and Tonton, the eldest apo. Eyen is 7months pregnant so the trip was out of the question. Unfortunately, Dong and Tonton’s visas were both denied. Thank goodness for the powers and connections of my Ate’s mother-in-law, though, Dong managed to get his visa (albeit 2x more expensive now, as well as his plane tix) in the nick of time. Ton, on the other hand was a different story, and it was really quite disheartening for us. I wonder though if there was a warning made about his status and possible visa denial to begin with. It would have saved us not just the money but the heartache as well. Definitely lesson learned here.

The circumstances led to our different arrival dates and time, another inconvenience we caused Ann and her family Thankfully, though, after we all arrived, it was mostly a lot of fun, laughter, and well, maybe a weather that was just cold for most of us We did the usual touristy stuff like night markets in Taipei and Taichung (which is cheaper by a couple of dollars), Taipei 101, and we even got to watch and listen to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. It was definitely a treat, specially for mom who loves music like that.

I always say that a trip to another country is never complete without trying their public transportation.. And we had a lot of that (more than enough for the ‘rents, actually, haha) in Taipei at the Metro transit. I enjoy trains though. And I mostly enjoy just watching the people coming and going… Lots of back stories. Including that of a man who stole from 711 and also went back in the Metro without paying the token needed.

We also had our share of ala-Amazing Race experience. Since we were such a huge group, it was inevitable to lose each other sometimes… And at point, we left Ann  at a station since she got back off thinking we lost papa. Everything was just funny and stressful, fun and tiring. Haha.

The only downside to the night market was that most of the stalls mostly sold winter stuff. But I managed to buy a nice pair of flats and some crazy-colored stockings! Watch out. Harhar.

After our Taipei trip, we all headed back to Hsinchu in time for Christmas, and by then Ate Chan and the rest of the fam also arrived. Christmas dinner was awesome! Mega buffet at a Jap resto. I mostly enjoyed my tempura and dimsum, and then the desserts, of course. Haha.

Then came the biking in the coast of Hsinchu. That was another exhilarating experience. It’s been two years since I last rode Spike, my bike (and I hope to start biking again this year), so it really felt good to be cycling again, albeit unconventionally

After some more shopping, and a lot more eating (we capped our stay with another buffet feast at a barbeque/karaoke resto), it was soon time to go home. The ‘rents and I had committed to attend a wedding of a cousin, and much as I enjoyed the stay, we had to go…

For the most part, the goodbye meant coming to terms once more with the reality that I have loved ones so far away. It would have been perfect if we were all within 5 miles from each other. But we’re not. Instead, we are only comforted by the thought that we live in a boundary-less virtual world, and no matter that it cannot replace the real warmth of a hug or a kiss, we have no other choice but to live with that.

I miss Ann and her kids every day. And one of my dreams is for her children to get to know the other facet of their identities and get to know the rest of their family even better, and for us to do the same as well… It’s a heartbreaking thought but one that I’ve been able to come to terms with. For some reason, life’s like that sometimes. You may have all the love in the world, but they may not necessarily be within your reach at all times. Whether it be your parents, your siblings, significant others or even friends. That’s just the way it is.. and I guess that’s why we all have hearts and minds.. So we will always remember, whenever we choose to remember..

Thanks, Ann, Tom, TJ and AJ for a wonderful Christmas… See you all again soon.