Nevergirl’s

It’s amazing what nostalgia does. In my case, it made me cry 15 hours before New Year, while watching an infomercial for hand dryers. For some strange reason, the hand dryer reminded me of home. And, home wouldn’t be home if not for the amazing but mostly grubby-while-little kids I grew up with.

I miss my sister Jeansen. I took care of her from the time I was 9 years old and she was 2 – when our mama died – until I moved out of Bohol to go to college.

Two nights before New Year, she called us, crying. She says it feels strange to spend New Year without her sisters.

I love Jeansen and I’m proud of her. She doesn’t party, she doesn’t shop, she doesn’t go out with friends. She stubbornly refuses to join beauty pageants because she doesn’t want distractions. She gets good grades even though she does all the chores at home. She said no when I offered to pay for rebonding because she says she’s a student and students have no business pampering themselves when they can’t pay for their vanities themselves.

Really, I’m proud of my sister. I don’t worry about her so much. I know she’s like the classic Timex watch: she can take a licking and keep on ticking. She’s kind, and thoughtful, and tough, and hardworking. Above all, she’s beautiful in the ways that matter.

Sometimes, I wonder why I have friends. I am not friendly, not friendly at all. I very rarely go out. I live without a cellphone. And, we almost never have people over, too. It doesn’t help that I’d rather be lost in a sea of books, kitchenware, or office furniture rather than in a sea of people. But yes, I’ll have you know that even though it confounds me how I came to have them, I have friends — and they’re a wonderful lot.
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There are things in life you don’t have to see to know. For instance, I have never seen cherry blossoms  but I know the sight of one tree in full bloom will take my breath away. I have never swum my way to the middle of the sea (because I can’t swim) but I know it’s one place I can simultaneously peer at the sky and my soul. I have never touched a snowflake but I know it will feel like Christmas to me. I have never smoked Dutch Master cigars but I know they will send me running for the nebulizer. (more…)

I met Enzo the same day I saw a Persian cat. Kara and I never got to throw a baby shower for Enzo because E had a difficult pregnancy and had to spend most of it resting. But we were there to welcome him the day E brought him home from the hospital.

Enzo is incredibly cute; the Persian cat is unbelievably expensive. I know it’s weird to remember the cat along with the baby, but I found it shocking a cat could cost so much. None of lola’s cats back home cost a thing, and she had way too many of them. I’m sure if E were any less outgoing, she just may turn into that little old lazy who lives in a quaint little house with her Persian cats and spends her day knitting. But because E is E, she most likely will spend her time Facebooking or making fasyon necklaces like the one she gave me on my birthday instead.

I’m sure you’ll never make your way here, E, but just in case you do, thanks for the necklace.

This, folks, was taken during Barbie’s 50th at Philippine Fashion week.

That necklace the model is wearing was designed and made by E. It’s mine to wear now. Thank you, E, for this present.