Christmas eve at Holy family

Got a call from my sis yesterday. An SMS from Limlim too. Check out the web for Xmas eve celebration.

Left office at 7:50, rode a bike across colorfully decorated, lanterns and tinsels adorned Ta'an park brushing trough the crowd of people going to the stage show. Arrived a bit later, parked, and went to 2nd floor chapel at the right. Saw Sis. Florence, and Emma busying with mass preparation and asked what I could do to help.

I was told to light the candle 10 mins before mass, and give every churchgoer a candle to lite during the adoration. I greeted and welcomed every churchgoer with shengdankuaile, merry christmas, or maligayang pasko, and of course met natal.

I caught up with old friends and exchanged a bit. Saw Joseph the german guy and gave him my new namecard. My sis came a while later and I told her to find a seat followed by Limlim, Sietny and their friends. The chapel was full by 10:00. I had to stand cramped near the stair. Besides me was an Indonesian cook, and an American Couple with a baby. In front of me is a Japanese Obasan and her kodomo and her mago. The mass ended with the adoration--the kissing of the feet of baby Jesus--a ritual from philippines. Met a cool filipinoperformer wearing a long goatee at the church. Thought he's a magician. Or that boss in 8 hao dang bu (don't worry if you don't know what is this, it's the title of one of the soap opera here)

I gave out the cakes prepared by the church to everyone leaving. Had to finish 8 boxes of cakes. I couldn't finish giving them out. People are too careful about their diet these days. Saw Fred frontier's mom Klita at the church. Had a short exchange with her expressing sympathy. Left a while later after a hot tea served at the church hall.

Merry Christmas
ax