Mom’s Amazing Blond Moments

After lunch I shared with mom my intentions of working abroad. It’s been more than a year since I flunked the medical exam for an Abu Dhabi job and I thought I should try my luck once more but not for a job in the middle east, maybe in North America. I want to find out the kind of life that I could have if ever I migrate to anothe country. It could really be difficult for most citizens of third world countries to migrate to rich countries. Mom was quick to say this to my face: “You should find yourself a nurse, marry her and then let her bring you to Canada.” This is my reaction: “Huh?!?”

 

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Every morning, mom, dad and I would hike around the subdivision and help my dad do some physical activities to lower down his glucose and cholesterol. We are not the only people who make the rounds. We often meet other residents from other blocks do their brisk walks. At one section of the village, we met a homeowner – a retired government employee – who lives in a four-storey house. She and mom engaged in a lengthy conversation as we walked several blocks after. They talked about children and school and houses and domestic stuff. Soon after the woman split from us, mom waved at her and said her good bye. I asked my mom if she got her name. Mom just smiled at me and said “No, I dont know her name but at least I know where she lives.”

 

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Mom likes to eat seafood. Fish is a staple in the house. Mom hates red meat and anything fatty and greasy. For days, she would cook and serve the same type of fish. The house has witnessed a lot of “fish festivals” all because mom is afraid of cholesterol-rich food.

One time she heard stories from people in the wet market that fishes and sea creatures may have partaken some of the decaying bodies from the capsized Princess of the Stars. She went home and automatically flushed out all her preference for fish and seafood. Frozen tuna, budboron, bangus, bilong-bilong, even bottled spanish sardines were taken out from the fidge and landed in the trash bin. The adobong pusit was even fed to the dogs.

People in the house were glad though. We could see beef stews and pochero on the dining table again but mom purposely did not add any salt. Mom even served fried chicken. Yes, she served fried chicken breasts only and without the tasty, crunchy skin.