It's our first new year without Dad. My mom requested that we celebrate the new year far from home. She fears that she will only get sad seeing the places where Dad usually stayed at. It was suggested that we spend New Year's Eve at my brother's new place - a unit at the 5th floor of a condo-ish apartment in the city. There we will have a good view of the metro's fireworks display. It was a good idea, however, there are no lifts there yet. My grandmother will have a hard time going up the stairs. Grandma proposed that half of us go there while the rest stayed at the family house. Of course it's a bit against the usual Filipino tradition for families to spend the new year together (and remain a strong unit throughout the entire year, according to superstition), so most of us agreed to following urban legends leaving us here, at home, complete.
Dad will still be celebrating with us but my mom needs not worry. We will just create new, happier memories of the new year for her. We've set up our house to look 'zen' - with the lights, ambiance and all. I'm sure Dad will appreciate the effort we've done to help Ma recover.
Happy new year to everyone!
Here are some really ugly pictures taken from our grilling station.
Yeah, I know, my Tab doesn't take good low-light pictures. It sucks monkey balls. And yes, we are grilling barbeques in the dark.
