The Christmas Lantern





Photo credit: Noel Y.C
 http://nyclovesnyc.blogspot.com/2008/12/parol-philippine-christmas-lanterns.html

I admit, with a lot of things going on with our life right now, I already taken out of plan to put our Christmas tree and Christmas lights and other ornaments. I just thought, "then, I have to take these down after a month.." I am totally lost. I forgot that putting up the decorations isn't a show but a celebration. A christian celebration of thanksgiving, love and sharing. So there is more to say than just seeing the Christmas tree and colorful lights during christmas.

The Parol vendor

Back in the days, as early as September, all local stores are already filled with Christmas decorations. One of the things we do in our household is to make our native Christmas decorations from materials and scraps that we could recycle inside the house. I love how we do our Christmas Tree from plastic bags or dried tree branch from a tree we call "Pobreng Kahoy". 

Yes, the Parol is a reminder of the simplicity of life way back the early Filipino christians who use this lantern to light their ways to attend the dawn mass we called "Misa de Gallo" or "Aguinaldo Mass".  Simple and yet it brings back the true meaning of the season.

A Christmas Conversation

I ran across my photo files when I saw my picture with Mr. and Mrs. Stamm. She worked as a resource teacher, helping students needing extra help. The thought of how our conversation went on during our Christmas party is still fresh in my mind, because that time the three of us were not at all into the Christmas program. We talked about education, economy, the new president of the US and even the immigration issues.

I found the couple really amazing on the way we exchanged views about new generation of Americans, how to mold a family and up to the way teachers struggled to teach kids who don't want to learn at all.

One incident I could not forget about Mrs. Stamm when I saw her yelling at students in B hall. "Get your hands off! Stop! Anyone who has a radio?! I need an administrator here!"
I was at the other end of the hall when I heard her. I was on my hall duty when it happened, and I was only standing on the post where I was assigned. A riot happened between group of students from the other team. Unfortunately, Mrs. Stamm was there so she has to do something. Thanks goodness I was not the one in there. You have no idea with the risk!

As we talked together in the party, her right hand was held with a protector. Only to learn that she was hurt when he was trying to stop a fight in school. I was so sorry for her. They laughed at me when I said we should have some kind of an insurance for an incident like that. A hazard fee. " You wish..." I said at the back of my mind. There is like an association for teachers that promises for a lawyer and other things in cases like when a student sue you on something. But that is for a certain membership contract and monthly obligations. Seriously, this is one of the risks that teachers have, aside from the daily struggle inside the classroom.

The party ended with only the three of us together. I haven't even talked with our principal but before I left home I reached their table to greet merry Christmas. To Mr. and Mrs. Stamm, I am so privileged to meet you, and become your friend.