Completing the "Siyam na Simbang Gabi" with the Oldies, Christmas Preparation, and the Sweetest Reward I Had Today

This is the first time that we take the 6 pm mass for Simbang Gabi. I am so glad we can choose what time to attend because, seriously, it's hard to wake up at 3 am to prepare for the night mass that takes place at 4 am. I remember my struggle when I was a kid. Mom is still so strict then, and she got really mad if she noticed I was not focusing with the Homily.

I mean, it's not as if I can control my sleepiness. So during prayer, when we had to kneel, I would take that time to close my eyes and pretend that I was still in focus. Even just for a minute or maybe a second, at least I can close my eyes, and it feels good to finally give in to the sleepiness I am feeling. Even just closing my eyes, lol. I know it's bad, but sleepiness won ( ꈍᴗꈍ).

But anyways, I am so happy to share that we completed the nine-night mass yesterday as the last. And it is such a great feeling to achieve it. I can't remember how many times I completed the "Siyam na Simbang Gabi," but it's really been a long time. But this year, I can proudly say, we did it! Yep, same with my oldies. Mama didn't complete it though, she has one absent, sadly.

Here's a photo I took last night. We're surely gonna do this again next year. Anyone here who completed the Nine Night Mass?

And today, December 24, it's preparation time for Christmas Eve. Mommy D decided to cook pork dish and sopas. She cooked it earlier, saying we would just reheat it on the Christmas Day. At least we don't have to wake up early and cook the dish tomorrow as early as four. ＼(^o^)／

I was tasked with cutting all the ingredients needed, especially these. It's kinda hard peeling all the garlic because Mom decided to give me the smallest cloves of garlic, which is just a leftover from making her fermented honey garlic, lol. And there's like 20 or 30 cloves of it. Like seriously, it is the smallest. Good thing I know what to do to make my work finish faster, lol. I crushed all of em and started peeling them. Then I cut them like this. This is already for the two dishes that Mommy D's planning to cook. With all this, all she'll have to do is cook.

After all the peeling and cutting, here's a sweet reward I got. It is so good that these four cubes are not enough. But I have to control myself because my cough is not totally healed yet. But what a sweet treat it is! ＼(^o^)／

Merry Merry Christmas, Everyone! How's the preparation in your home? I Bet, everyone is busy now ┏(＾0＾)┛. I got busy as well and that's why I am not lurking on Hive today that much, hehe.

Lead Image Edited in Canva.