***
It's the last day of 2006 and I ended up sniffling. I wasn't able to attend Xydia's wedding. It was held in Hong Kong and I'm here as everyone can see. I can't believe my high school best friend just got married. I couldn't help but become teary-eyed with the realization that I wasn't there on her special day and I'm getting old. It looks like almost everyone I know are married, planning to get married, raising kids and making babies. Look at me. The first thought I had this morning when I woke up was my media noche outfit. I feel like a teenager. My niece said I look 18 not 25. The anti-aging beauty products must be doing wonders on my skin or is it because I'm worry-free?
Lu-de Guzman nuptials in Hong Kong
***
My cousins, Quincy and Jeoff stayed in the house for three days and two nights with my aunt and their yaya. Jeoff ended up pulling Christmas decors from our tree and throwing them behind the cabinet. The tree now looks like it's about to fall to one side after the abuse. My mom gave Quin a Barbie for Christmas. After opening it, my aunt whispered into my ear that my little cousin was disappointed because the doll didn't come with mirrors and other accessories. They tell me she took after me when it comes to tantrums, stubbornness and the infamous topak. Goodness, she is Pem times two thousand.
me and porky pig Jeoff =)
Jeoff hugging Quin's toy
kid at heart
The day after they arrived, my aunt took her to Robinson's Place Imus so she can see the Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses decor. She ended up buying a doll that is almost the same size as her with a button on the tummy that she can press to listen to a lively tune programmed inside the toy. Jeoff enjoyed pressing it and dancing when the music starts blaring. We were delighted to find out that he holds pencils and ballpens really well and loves scribbling on paper. For a one-year-old, it is a joy to see him showing interest in writing. Quincy, on the other hand has great potential for tormenting other kids. She had our laundrywoman's pesky son thrown off the couch and lying flat on the floor. My aunt gave her a nasty scolding when the boy and his mom left. Why? At one time, she put her arm around the boy and told him, "Ang baho mo naman." We can't stop her from saying what's on her mind. Kids don't lie. I just hope she knows when to keep her mouth shut. Augy found it cute. I found it embarrassing. Gem wanted to give her a pat in the back because he doesn't like the naughty little boy. Nakahanap ng katapat.
***
I need to get one of those plastic handcuffs the next time I venture inside a mall. I just cannot control myself from burning cash. In Augy's words, nakakatakot ako kapag madaming pera. We went to Market! Market! yesterday so I can go shopping. My fourth shopping spree in a span of two weeks. We had lunch at the newly-opened Gerry's Grill. Our tummies bulged from the lumpiang sariwa, spicy garlic chicken, adobo flakes and garlic rice we munched on. I sipped a glass of ripe mango shake and he drank two cans of coke. We walked to Serendra after our meal and we swooned over beautiful, interesting books in A Different Bookstore. I will definitely go back there to buy Gabriel Garcia Marquez's memoir, a novel by Zora Neale Hurston and a book about Audrey Hepburn. Augy was looking for a book about his favorite band, U2 and one of the ladies in the bookstore asked him to leave his contact number in their records once they get hold of the book. We just found another haven.
pigging out at Gerry's
I went home with a gray bolero, two pairs of knickers in black and brown and a black handbag. I was supposed to buy the same bolero in dark brown, but Augy made me change my mind by saying that I'll look maitim if I wear it. I ditched the piece of clothing and just dragged Augy around the mall to look for other things. Am I done shopping? Not!
***
Saddam Hussein was hanged yesterday. Grief for the Sunnis who support him and justice for the Shiites who he tormented during his reign. When will we ever have peace? It has been years since the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. I can't believe things would end this way.