Boxing Day

Even before I came in Canada I heard this words through my friend who came here in April. When I landed here, I always hear my flatmates say these words with great anticipation and expectation. Some hoped that it would be their off on that day. I'm talking about boxing day in Canada where people go gaga and googoo!

December 26 was the date - Friday. It happened that the day before Christmas our salaries were released! My friends were excited and into it! One of them planned on getting a laptop - and he did! Others tried to browse the web and searched for possible items that they could get. A few tried to order online. I also tried to check some of the websites of stores near our place to look for bargain items like digicams and mp3 players just to feel the excitement of it all. I found some and if I wanted to get them I must go to that particular outlet early in the morning and line up because the items that I really liked were limited in number. Even our co-workers were discussing what to get on that fateful day for themselves. I was amused to hear them utter the things they wanted. It was like wishing a gift from Santa. The difference is, it wasn't free. One wanted to buy a plasma tv, the other an I-phone, and still some would just go to the malls and see what's on sale or bargain and pick it from there!

I wanted to go but I couldn't because I had work. I was glad I had. Aside from our outlet not being busy on boxing day, I got to keep my money intact for better use. I tried not to look for any stuff when it was time for me to go home so off I went to a dollar variety store. Nope, I didn't buy any stuff there. I sent money back home for my family. I thought it would be wise to send money than to spend it with stuff that I like but didn't need. It always works!

I never saw any line at some of the retail stores I passed. But the following day I saw a picture in one of the dailies about two Canadian teeners who went to the mall and laid flat on the floor due to exhaustion. Geez, I thought they were given upper cuts and furious jabs leading to a knock-out!!!

Now I know why it's called boxing day!