ZEN Bitchin'

I do not wish to write about the holidays again and yet here I am doing so. The past holiday season did not leave me with feelings of joy that I usually felt before. In fact, if anything, I felt absolutely mirthless over-all. Sure, I had bursts of exhilaration and cheer (which can be mistaken for real happiness) but these were ‘facilitated’ by external agents like drugs and alcohol. In fact, I was so glad, no–thankful that the holidays are over. That’s one less reason for my innards to continually knot themselves into tight balls inside my belly.

Still, there are other things that I’m also thankful for during the past holiday season: the gifts. Yes, you read it right. In spite of the general malaise that my prose has exhibited of late, when it comes to gifts (giving & receiving–but more on the receiving), I am still a big soft, fluffy monkey. Of all the gifts I received, these are the ones I like most.

What’s not to like about this gift? It’s orange, it has a cute chicken in front, and it’s a giant egg-shell! It’s adorable, and with no real purpose in life other than being beautiful (and yes, adorable). Scrump was given by another friend, who knows I sorta collect Lilo’s (Lilo from Lilo and Stitch, not LiLo the Lindsay Lohan) doll. I just put in there because of the great contrast in color.

I love books. Books as presents I love more. This book was given to me by the author himself. This self-published memoir chronicles his struggle at reconciling his sexuality with his faith. Some people might find the thickness of the book daunting, but I read it in one sitting, one cool evening. Ray writes such fluid prose, making the reading process easier. But this is not to say that it’s an unremarkable book. Some of the contents are bordering on the ’scandalous’–depending on the degree of one’s modesty (read: prudishness). As for me, there were some moments that made me blush. But all in all it is a compelling read. I promised Ray a review of his book in this blog. I will do a ‘proper review’ in the coming days.

And finally, the gift that made me tingle in excitement. Not really. I was just happy to receive it and pleasantly surprised that the guy who gave it to me remembered how I liked fashion illustration. I mean, I love the way Christian Lacroix illustrates his designs (more than the actual outfits). This is why I was ecstatic to see the exhibit at the Singapore National Museum last year. Among Filipino designer, I think Rajo Laurel does the most exquisite illustrations. They’re artistic enough to be framed, in fact. I’m not a fashion designer, but I like to draw dresses worn by models. I remember, as a boy, my mother would make me draw the dresses that she’d eventually bring to her seamstress. This book is indeed a treasure. I can practice and take up drawing again this year.

This isn’t technically a Christmas gift, but it was given to me by a good friend for my birthday last year. However, due to some unforeseen delays, I only got a hold of it in the last quarter of the year, stretching the gift’s eligibility to be considered a holiday gift. Hehehe. That’s my name, dear reader, written in the Khmer script–phonetic, but comprehensible to those who can read Khmer. Next step? I’d probably have one made in white gold as well.