Last Wednesday we got the most-awaited capiz parol in the mail. A had ordered it online and it was much, much cheaper than others we had seen before, and definitely cheaper than buying it in the Philippines and trying to bring it to Canada. I had seen another house a couple miles down the road with a twinkling parol on the window (and in the carport, a service van with Tender Care Nannies printed on the side), and since then I have dreamed of having one of my own. I think it is a truly Filipino symbol of Christmas, and I was very thankful to find www.pangbahay.com and they didn't charge horrendous amounts for shipping. I'm really looking forward to hanging it up on the first Saturday of December, when we plan to cut down a tree from the Jingle Bells Christmas tree farm, bring it home, decorate it, and make hot chocolate with marshmallows. I also want to make biko just like we used to back in the Philippines but with my gestational diabetes, I think the 100% Filipino Christmas I was hoping to have will have to wait another year. God knows this holiday season will be the busiest ever for the family and me as we wait for the arrival of baby J. (Is he coming before or after Christmas?....)
Next Christmas, I hope to have biko, kamay and white bread, ham, and hot chocolate for Noche Buena. I really want to start the tradition of Noche Buena in my house, because it will be a way to keep memories of my childhood Christmases alive.
Next Christmas, I hope to have biko, kamay and white bread, ham, and hot chocolate for Noche Buena. I really want to start the tradition of Noche Buena in my house, because it will be a way to keep memories of my childhood Christmases alive.
