It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's also the 3rd straight time I've spent Christmas without my family.

While I'm grateful for the job that I have in Cambodia, I am quite, hmmm... what's the word, maybe irritated, that I'm so far away from home.

From the time I was born, I've spent my Christmas Eves with my family.  Big gatherings, sometimes small.
But nevertheless fun.

Even before the 24th, the atmosphere at home oozes out with fun anticipation and happy positivity.

It's just the time of the year when all gather.  When everyone scrambles to buy gifts.  Where everyone's tummies bulges into humungous proportion because of the endless feasts -- EVERYWHERE.

And I miss that. Terribly.

Partly also my fault for not planning early to go home in December.  Tanga.

Anyway, so now, on the eve of Christmas, in a non-Christian country, we are all living our lives like it was a normal day of the year.  I'm at work doing OT.  I can imaging my family, relatives and friends preparing for Noche Buena.  

I would sulk in loneliness for sure tonight  - especially when family and friends call to greet me.
I would cry for sure.

But this, I would say.  I refuse to let loneliness ruin this Christmas season.  It will not reign.

I have my good friends here also.  Thankful for that.

I will celebrate with them.  They're my family here.  So, not bad.  In fact, I look forward to spending time with them. So, to heck with this work stuff. 

I'll be merry this Christmas.