The Return of the "Bers"

When the calendar starts to end in "BER," it sets off a series of panic buttons in my direction. Aside from my birthday looming ahead, it also reminds me that once again I have to unload some of my dough to go gift shopping. Then there's the weather and the problem of keeping things clean. And then, there's the problem on how to keep myself awake.

Christmas is such a big deal here in the Philippines that one should do things
4 months ahead of everybody.With family, relatives, friends, househelp, and god children in mind, this is the time I start making my list and checking it twice as not to miss anyone (and face guilt for ruining their Christmas). So as early as September, I would usually keep my eyes open for the magic word - SALE - at the malls, to curb my expenses.

But it seems that it's not just me who thinks about these things in September. Traffic starts to build up on all roads leading to the malls. You want to experience how big our population is - go to the mall at holiday season (or when one of those local reality-tv contestants do a mall tour. I hate driving around during this time.

Just a week ago I went out to buy Escada Sentiment for my mom (50% off!!!), I noticed that the Christmas songs start to enjoy continuous airplay in the appliance stores. Some of them already have Christmas decor set up .... and All Soul's Day haven't arrived yet ( --> most families in this country set up their Christmas decor after All Soul's Day - November 2).

Along with the buying fever, the weather starts to get weird as well. We don't have cool months ... only rainy months. Whether the meteorologist is right or wrong, it will rain at least for 30 minutes a day. So if you were caught under the sudden downpour - too bad for you and me.

As I seem to attract precipitation, this La Nina Season is a headache. Sometimes I even wonder if I should have Johnny (my ford escape) car-washed at all because darn it, it never fails - IT WILL ALWAYS RAIN WHEN MY CAR IS CLEAN! Aside from this, for some structural defect, all the water flows towards the door of the office ... hence all the oil, grease, and other stuff threaten to destroy every footwear that dares to cross the threshold. Weekly foot spas are the added regimen for me then. Then there's the mudprints that stain the floor (I have a thing about clean floors) - I just hate it.

As the weather cools, like most bears out there ... the call of hibernation is just irresistible. My caffeine intake increases everyday it rains, as the fluffy pillows, soft mattress, and warm blanket beckon me. It's hard to stay awake. The weather is sleep-inducing. This is one of the things I love about the "bers." My insomnia is temporarily cured. I just get worried though about my bro in the North Pole ... because if it's cold here, I can't imagine how bone-breakingly cold Calgary could be.

The "bers" are here indeed.