rejoicing through yuletide songs

today is exactly two weeks until christmas. are you ready? it's kinda scary, not to mention more than a little overwhelming, to think that we're now closing in on the end of the year. the final turn around the blocks; the finish line ready to be crossed. not that it's a race mind, just that at times it feels that way.

i grew up in a culture where christmas is celebrated with immense joy and anticipated even more. growing up, it wasn't uncommon to hear carols being sung and for ornaments to be seen displayed as early as september. in fact, as soon as august ends and the new month begins, seemingly it turns into the festive season overnight. it still happens even now.

for this reason, you wouldn't be surprised to know then that i am absolutely enamoured with this time of the year. while i might not be as fanatical as those people from back home, i still celebrate christmas with much gusto. that means decorations, gifts and carols. in fact, i love carols so much that sometimes i listen to them even when it isn't christmas. music helps me feel happy and nothing makes me happier than yuletide songs. for me, they embody the joyous spirit of the season.

what's unfortunate, however, is that not everyone feel the same way.

at work the other day, chatting to colleagues at reception, two ladies walk in waiting to pick up their daughters, our clients. they sit on the couches, the other side of the room, as carols are piped through in-house speakers. a playlist of songs that have been carefully cut from my own list of christmas music. over the sounds of saxophone, violin string and timpani bells, i hear the two talking. loudly.

lady #1: oh, i really hate carols.
lady #2: so do i. i hear it at work all day and it gets very annoying.
lady #1: i can't believe how people can stand listening to it.

my colleague gives me a quizzical look. she knows what i'm thinking.

lady #2: well, they're not too bad, i guess...

a redemption?

lady #2: ...but really, it's just too early to play them. a day or two maybe, or even just on christmas day, but definitely not two weeks before.

the other starts to reply but by this point, i no longer hear her. the reason? i turn the music up so loud that not only does it drown out their whining voices but neither of them can here the other speak. they turn to reception to see what's happened.

and there i am, standing with my hand clearly on the audio system's volume dial, smiling and mouthing the words, "merry christmas, bitches."

i really hope they got that last part.