“Santa that’s my only wish this year…” Britney’s voice is heard in the air as I pass by a store filled with plastic christmas trees, balls, stars, and colorful angels. People stop by the store and are busy choosing which decoration would look best on their tree this year. Children wander to the toys’ section and thinking up of ways to convince their mom to buy them one…for Christmas.
As I go to my favorite coffee shop, there was a plastic wreath on the glass door. Thankfully, Christian music was blaring from the speakers. It’s better this way than having to listen to cheesy Christmas songs on the radio. Blech!
While reading a book with two chocolate chip cookies and a cup of cappuccino, my brain, which has this amazing capability of thinking about two million things a minute, started whirring. Suddenly, I stopped reading and just stared into my coffee cup, just thinking.
What’s a good plot for a short story? When will I start writing the essay that I planned to write a long time ago? But what will i write about? I am drawn to eyes. Should that be the central theme? I haven’t done my Math homework yet. I wonder when I’ll pick up my workbook and calculator and actually do it. I don’t wanna do my C Fund homework! I want to finish reading this book so I can start reading my new Italo Calvino book. What should I do after this? Should I buy today’s newspaper or not? And what’s with Christmas???
I finally settled on the Christmas thought. Why can’t I feel the Christmas spirit? I used to be excited whenever December comes. I remember that I’d feel this beautiful and magical feeling while sitting under the Christmas tree with the tiny lights on and just stare at it for hours. But where is this feeling? have i lost it? Have I…*gulp*…OUTGROWN CHRISTMAS???
Maybe I have. Maybe I’m too busy thinking about a million things that i just get irritated by Christmas songs that seem to catch me wherever I go. I get irritated by caroling and gifts. Yes, I admit, the trees in National Bookstore with the pink and blue angels are pretty but I don’t want it. What is wrong with me? Have I turned to the Grinch?
Hmm…the Grinch. That big, icky, green fur ball. Yuck! I don’t even wanna compare myself to him. But I can’t help it. I have all the symptoms. I just want to hide in my favorite coffee shop and avoid Christmas shoppers and songs. I’m contented with a cup of my favorite coffee while I bury my nose in a book. I’d rather study than feel festive. I swear.
But I don’t want to be the Grinch. I don’t want to turn green and be a hermit. I want to feel that beautiful feeling again. That feeling of anticipation and excitement for Christmas. Where is it?
Maybe it’s because Christmas has been too commercialized that the real reason foe celebrating this holiday and taking our mind away from schoolwork is hidden behind a landslide of Christmas parties, Kris Kringle, cheesy songs, and dusty, plastic trees. And while I’m writing this, a plastic version of Santa Claus is looking at me through the window. Stop staring at me Santa! No cookies and milk for you this time.
After i convinced myself that commercialization is the reason behind the gloomy feeling, my thoughts go back to the million things I thought about earlier, searching for a new thing to think about. I lift the green cup of coffee to take a sip. Should my story start at a coffee shop? I thought. Before I got an answer, I felt a burning sensation on my tongue. It’s hot!
