November 1st

We all have different ways and traditions on how we celebrate Halloween. For some, they grew up dressing up on different costumes and going door to door in the neighborhood to do some trick or treat. Just like what we usually see on movies.

Opposite to it, that's not the culture I grew up with. November 1st is like a family day to us for all of us were gathered together, we cook and buy foods, the delicacies are always present, then at the afternoon, we'll go to the cemetery to visit my father's grave.

We'll go home when it's already dark, eat dinner, light up candles and enjoy the rest of the night. I also remember a memory during Halloween where me and my cousins will pull up some prank like putting a white sheet or white blanket over our head, bring a candle or a flashlight, then knock on the windows at the houses around the neighborhood trying to pretend like a white lady trying to scary. LOL

That's what we usually do, that's what we always do. I'm already so used to going to the cemetery ever since I was a kid. But for this year, cemetery has been closed that's why we weren't able to go but that's the only difference. Despite not being able to go, we were able to have some family day wherein all of us were able to relax and just enjoy with the simple foods we have and each other's company.

We had a nice breakfast together. My sister in law prepared grilled tilapia for breakfast. It was so good and I was so full. I use soy sauce with calamansi and chili for the sauce. Fish sauce would have been better but we don't have any. Still, it goes well with soy sauce.

Then they cooked caldereta for lunch and were once again so full. This is what I really missed going in there, just simple viands, simple meal, with a great company. Nothing grand but it was the best.

At noon time, I hang out with my cousins and I wasn't able to resist them when they asked for some treats. I don't have much money and they spend it all. LOL. We just bought some milktea, pizza (just the cheap one, still tastes good though), and puto (rice cake).

Then I lied down on my cousin's sofa, fall asleep there, I woke up 2hrs later and my family isn't home. They go to my aunt's house and they left me. That's what I get from sleeping. Haha

They cooked biko (another kind of rice cake) and macaroni soup for our merienda and that's what I eat after I wake up. I then go out again to hang out with my cousins. As night time approaches, we had a little drinking session. Just a bottle of brandy while we're having nice conversations about nonsense stuffs that we find funny.

The night's going smoothly, another cousin came with her girlfriend and they bough more drinks. That's when my cousins requested me to stay for the night but sadly, my sister didn't allowed me (bummer). There's still much work to do the next day (which is today) so I missed the fun.

At 8:30PM, we are back at home. Around 9PM, my cousin started a video call with me just to tease me for not being able to join them. LOL. It's fun watching them get wasted. Everyone's noisy and they all have stories to share. We talked for almost 2 hours until their done. Then they sent me a video of my other cousin who dived on the mud. Haha.

I was not able to join them but I'm glad I was able to join the fun through a video call.

Before, we usually stay for 2-3days in there but the circumstances have changed now. We recently lost a loved one and as much as we wanted to stay, my sister will still have to fix some paperworks for the burial.

One day isn't enough to have fun and catch up but I'm still glad we were able to celebrate the All Saints Day together even a short period of time. Truly, a day doesn't have to be grand, there's no need for a nice place, no need for a lot of foods. Simple get together is enough as long as we are with the people that we want to be. Family will always be the best company for me.

I'm now looking forward for Christmas since that will be the next that we'll go home. Can't wait already! AAAAAAARRGH. hehe.

Anyways, this is it for now. My body is so tired right now. It's such a quick turn of events. From a relaxing halloween to getting back to the real world. I still have to catch up with my studies since I have been busy with the business for the past weeks. I really hope to stay at home and focus but my sister is asking me again to stay at store. Can't say no, we're understaffed and I'm the only one who knows how to run it well.

Apologies for my ramblings. I just like updating you guys even though you're not asking me. LOL

Thanks for reading this far. I hope you did enjoy the long weekend. Holliday is over, break is over. Back to work, back to studies but we got this. Fighting!

Article No. 153
Date: November 2, 2021
By: immaryandmerry
Daily blog, personal experiences.