Nevergirl’s

I miss my sister.

She’s naive, she’s quick to cry, and she’s always losing money and things because she’s too kind and trusting for her own good.

Last Christmas, she called up in tears, asking us to come fetch her in Ayala because she lost the 5k she had brought with her.

A few days before THIS Christmas, she emailed saying she lost her money. In Thailand. Inside the faculty room. Doesn’t that beat all, huh? The week after that, she emailed again to say she lost her phone.

Do you now see why I worry about her more than any other sibling?

Last October, she told me she wants to teach in Thailand. I almost fainted. I didn’t want to see her go. I thought about not letting her go. She wouldn’t be able to, unless I help her. But I love her. How could I not help her?

“Let her go,” Rose said, when I told her about my misgivings. “It’s time she strikes out on her own.”

Three weeks later, I watched her board a cab for the airport. The family saw her off; I didn’t. Airport goodbyes are too heartbreaking. I couldn’t break at that point. I knew she’d need me more once she gets to Bangkok and she’d have to look for a job. And, she did.

I worry about Allaine. I’m not sure she can take care of herself. I hope she toughens up a bit. I don’t want her to run into trouble when she’s so far away from home and I can’t help her.

Allaine, I tell you this every time we talk and I’ll tell you this again. Don’t send me, Wett, or the kids presents. We’re fine. We only want three things from you:

1. Be good.
2. Be careful.
3. Be happy.

So, no one gave me a tv stand or anything heftier than that, thank God, but the girls and I got a ton of books and dresses! As a matter of fact, Alex is in a semi-panic because she says she has nowhere to wear all the dresses she got to. I don’t know how you lovely people are spending your holiday but as for ours, we’re spending it eating, laughing, and talking too much. I won’t be surprised if we return to the city dark as coal because we’ve been going to the beach every day!

I promise to make a lengthier entry when we get back to the city. These two photos would have to do for now. Happy holidays, everyone!

At Bo's with grade school classmates (that's me in blue!)

Rubbing elbows with Barney at a kid's party

This was the year I thought I wouldn’t be making wish lists because times are tough, and wish lists only make them even tougher. But how wrong I was! People still want to give, and give a’plenty!

This reminds me of a study I read somewhere. The more financially hard-up Filipinos are, the more they want to give — not for show, but because it makes the giving all the more meaningful. Giving when you have very little yourself — what could be more amazing than that?

So, anyway, to those who asked, here’s my wish list:

1. Havaianas (in silver, black, or any shade you think is nice because I’d never buy myself one)

2. NARS Blush (Orgasm, not Super Orgasm, and you pick the shade please because I’m hopeless at makeup!)

3. Uh, small party bag?

4. A magic potion that will make my hair grow faster, if there is one

I’m sorry my wish list is so short and unhelpful. Honestly, I’ve no clue what to write. I even thought about putting best weight loss supplement on the list but that would have been useless given the holiday over-eating I’m bound to do hahaha! I’m happy and content with what I have. I rarely want anything these days but I do know I’d die if you give me a book. No more books, please! I’ve tons I haven’t read. Plus, we’re moving by April and I’m trying not to add anything more to my stash. The hub worries enough about how huge our freight charges will be!

Know, though, that whatever you give, I will be grateful and happy. Thank you, generous people!

Overnight it seems, I find myself coming home to a house where kids are everywhere. True, I only have two but sometimes, it feels like I’ve more, especially while I’m assessing the mess that surround us. There are little clubhouses of Lego blocks everywhere. Shoes – both the worn out and outgrown – look out like sentinels from underneath the yaya’s bed. Toys are strewn here and there. Pacifiers and feeding bottles vie for space on our bedside table. And, wherever I walk, I seem to stumble onto a hairless doll or two, or a mangy-furred bear with one eye missing.

Yes, time flies. My girls aren’t babies anymore. Even 14-month-old Charlie would rather drink milk from the glass – Alex’s glass. I look at them sleeping today and it hit me hard: their limbs are much longer now, their features are more defined. One day, they will have activities that do not involve me. There will be pimple-faced friends. There might be very late-night texts or whispered phone calls. There will be rooms with locked doors. There will be Saturday jaunts to the mall. Then, worst of all, there is the possibility of boyfriends.

Believe me, the husband and I don’t plan to stand in the way of the inevitable. It makes us sad that they’re growing too fast but it can’t be helped. My only plan is that this year, I get to horse around with them more. I gotta keep up, physique-wise. And, I gotta slap on more anti wrinkle cream, too!

Photo Above: Alex and Charlie sleep together, on the same bed. A few days after we started this arrangement, we worried the bigger one would end up smothering the smaller one. They both sleep helicopter-style: arms akimbo and limbs everywhere. Well, the worst did happen: Alex made a foot stool out of Charlie’s head! The baby was fine with it, though, and slept like she always does – face down and peacefully.