The Holidays have a way of turning into a holidaze for me. It’s like I’m emotionally and mentally whipping my head back and forth in an endless dance of insanity.

{ Outfit Architecture: Drape lapel blazer, Vintage via eBay. Tank, socks, watch, Target. Silk petal tank, J. Crew. Bow necklace, ModCloth. Gold waffle cuff, Kenneth Cole. Patent Mary Jane Pumps, Bakers Shoes. }

This year, having traveled to Victoria and Vancouver to see both parents’ immediate families, in only 4 days, both Nate and I were pulled pretty thin, and my emotions were running much too high. It turned out to be a very, very manic holiday. Vehemently annoyed one moment, pulled in one direction, incandescently happy the next, pulled in another. During a Christmas Day dinner with both sides of the family crammed into one home, with a delicate and frail grandmother weeping and refusing to let go of my hand, I downed several glasses of wine and scotch, after which I was blissfully effervescent and able to stomach the absolute frenzy of the evening. Christmas gifting with both sides of the family is insane.

Also, my family gives really shitty presents.

• Sensodyne toothpaste.
• Colgate Toothbrush.
• Champion socks.
• Tide detergent.
• Orange, purple and pink scarves.
• Lilac Costco pajamas.
• More socks.
• Underwear.
• Makeup sponges.
• Walgreens body lotion.
• Hangers.

Basically, the entire sock and pajama section at Costco and the health and beauty section of Shoppers Drugmart. One year, my mum got me a crappy drugstore alarm clock that broke after I took it out of the plastic packaging. Another year, I got hangers, 2 drugstore bras and a car emergency kit my parents said they’d give me as a car warming present for the car that I got in July. They waited six months for Christmas to give it to me. SMH.

I chalk it up to the fact that my family grew up in the Philippines without such niceties as the basics, like socks and makeup sponges, so culturally speaking, I totally understand. However, as a child of my parents and niece of my aunts, I always have requested to either don’t get me anything at all (we spent the better part of our summer trying to downsize), or just give me the money it cost to purchase said things we don’t need… But… Nope.

Thank the Lord for cousins who give cool stuff, and a single grandmother and an aunt who gives money. Oh, I got a cool set of Vancouver Olympic work out towels. Those will definitely come in handy.

On the way home, we were stressed and pressed for time. My day went something like this:

• 9:30AM check out of hotel
• 10:00AM brunch with family one last time
• 11:00AM 1 on 1 with mum, which I hadn’t had the luxury of having during the entire four days
• 12:30PM Quick run to senior home to kiss grandma good bye and have one of her epic fifteen minute prayers.
• 1:05PM Run to Ferry, and realize we missed both the 1PM and 2PM ferry due to traffic
• 1:10PM Check border wait times at the Washington Peace Arch US/CANADA border crossing and see that it is 1.5 hours to get through immigration
• 1:30PM quick call to my E-BFF Lily of Bleed for Fashion to tell her I can’t meet up with her for lunch after all. I cry inside a bit, and then feel better after hearing her sweet voice.
• 2:00-3:00PM walk around ferry terminal, stressing the hell out, trying to get exercise and stretch legs
• 3:10PM Board ferry, literally the 4th to the last car on the boat, THISCLOSE to missing the 3PM
• 3:20 – 5PM Ferry from Victoria to Tsawassen (Vancouver) ferry terminal
• 6:00PM US border. We coast through Customs.
• 8:30PM Sea-Tac Seattle airport. Coast through security and make it to our gate for a crappy dinner of airport veggie udon, salmon sushi and cheese and fruit. I discreetly cringe in disgust at the 400lb couple next to us who brought a briefcase (no exaggeration) of cinnamon buns, cheesy poofs, McDonald’s and other processed foods.
• 9:30PM – 10:55PM Laps around the terminal for exercise, stopping now and again to charge iPod to play Final Fantasy videogames.
• 11:10PM Board plane
• 11:30PM PST Out like a burned out incandescent bulb
• 6:05AM EST Awake to painful popping ears and the PA announcement to the Flight Attendants to make landing preparations, then we land.
• 7:00AM EST Retrieve car from Qwik Park lot
• 7:45AM EST pick up dog from Mother in Law’s house. Feel grumpiness ease away after hugging my “mama” and petting my Bear Dog, Max.
• 8:10AM EST In the door at home.
• 9:00AM EST Breakfast
• 10:00AM EST asleep again.
• 5:45PM EST Awake shortly to eat dinner, pick up the house a bit, send cousins & Lily a few love tweets, watch some TV.
• 9:30PM Asleep on couch with Husby…
• 11:00PM he nudges me awake so I can actually sleep in a real bed.

I need to live near West Coast Canada, because this holiday travel schedule really, really blows. Next time, to bypass this insanity, we’re flying to Vancouver DIRECTLY. Then I get to see Lily AND family.

Seriously. This kind of insanity is really hair-whipping-worthy. Que no?

What are your Holidaze like? I want to know!

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