A little BIG girl

Meet Lira. Oh, sorry… that’s Lira Angeline. She’s five going on 20. She is the living, breathing testament how time flies. It seems like only yesterday when I was cuddling a baby in my arms.

Today, I have to plug my ears from the moment she wakes up until she says goodnight. It is both entertaining and tiring to watch and listen to her all day. Because she never stops. Well, Spongebob, Phineas and Ferb, Tom and Jerry, Fairly Odd Parents and Wonderpets can keep her still and quiet. That’s about 30 minutes. But otherwise, she throws bombs at anyone and you’ll never know what hit you.

Lira loves to read. She used to be scared of reading, thinking she might be saying words wrong. But eventually, she learned that practice makes perfect. We’re proud of her because even before she went to formal school, she already knew the basics. She just doesn’t like structure very much, although she recognizes teacher authority.

She picks up super fast. So you always have to watch what you’re saying when she’s around. Sometimes, even when you think she’s preoccupied and you’re within hearing distance discussing something with someone, her ears are like radar that pick these up and stores it in her brain. Then, one day out of the blue, she’ll casually ask about the thing she overheard and you’re like huh???

A lot of people mistake her for a seven or eight-year old. The girl is way “mature” for her age. A lot of times, she acts more sensibly and responsibly than her older brothers. If you’re just hearing her talk without seeing a little girl, you’d think she was an adult admonishing the boys. The househelp always gets caught in her web, being asked so many questions that flabbergast or stump her. In the end, she just laughs it off that Lira was able to best her yet again.

Even when she acts like an adult sometimes, she remains very much a little girl. She has a best friend (a neighbor) who always calls her up to play. She pretends exasperation whenever her playmate calls (It’s you again!!!), but in truth she’s always excited and looking forward to their play time.

She can be very stubborn, but if her acting chops don’t cut it, she knows when to throw in the towel. It can be very draining to argue with her because she is never content with “because I said so..” You always play 20 questions with Lira Angeline.

She knows politics. I once asked her to look at pictures of her lolo (grandfather) and his siblings and choose who was the best looking. It took her forever to answer me. I kept badgering and each time she would say, “I’m still thinking…” Finally, she gave me her answer. She said it was her lolo. When I asked why it took her so long to say it, she quipped, “Did I give the right answer?” In her very young mind, she already has a sense that her real choice may not be correct so she has to play it safe. I am certain that she was thinking of some other grandfather as the better looking.

Up until she was 3, she ate most fruits and bananas were her favorite. But one incident turned her into an anti-fruity. She was made to eat a banana that was not yet ripe and tasted tarty. Since then, she has sworn off fruits. And the banana is now her most hated fruit!  Last week, there was a school presentation for Nutrition Month. And each child was assigned a fruit or veggie as costume. Guess what was assigned to Lira?

“Mommy, teacher said my costume is BANANA!. (She showed her mom the notebook stating this) Yuck! I hate banana!” How ironic… But she never dared tell teacher her sentiment. And she agreed that for as long as it wasn’t a real banana, she would wear one. We settled for a banana necklace.

Last Saturday, we had a girls night out. My two sisters, Lira and I. We had a pizza dinner at D’Marks. It was a quiet place with gourmet pizza and because of the inclement weather, there were only a few customers that evening. Little girl noticed that the place wasn’t packed with people. I said it was nice to eat out where it wasn’t so noisy. But she said she liked them full. Why? “Because it’s like a party!” Yes, Lira Angeline is a very social animal.

She wanted to pee and when told where the bathrooms were, she went ahead of me. She immediately went inside and switched on the light, then squealed “Nyeee!” She pointed at this life-size picture of a Roman god (Apollo or someone???) which was stuck on the door. There at eye-level for a five year old was the you know what! Goodness gracious! I was confused and squealed myself!

Wrong door! Right across was Venus de Milo, just as naked. And I had to hurry her inside and shut the door. I was in a laughing fit! Of course, she wanted to know what was so funny. And why they had those pictures on the door! I think my eyeballs rolled way up there!

There is never a dull moment with my niece. And even when we get into spats, we both know that we love each other and how much our lives are made more eventful with the other’s presence. Oh boy… I talked too much… but there’s more… let the pics do the talking, okay?

She loves to pose... here with her Baby Bear

Getting the hang of eating ice cream

She dressed herself up in fancy blings

Moving Up Day in her Terno

Posing in her bathing suit

Not Rambonette but harvesting peanuts in the farm

this is a pic she took of herself.

 

Birthday blowout

My sister celebrated her birthday Sunday. With three kids, it’s pretty interesting how each one decided to make mom feel special. They’re aged 11, 10 and 5, two boys and a girl.

Little girl has been preparing for mom’s birthday. She likes crafts and has been creating cards since a week ago. She also likes wrapping gifts, taking anything she sees, whether appropriate or not. Last Christmas, one small dumb bell made it to a little cousin. No one knew what she bundled up and tagged until the boy was surprised. Anyway, I think she got some book of mine for her mom. Whew!

After several attempts, she did manage a cute card for her “mumsy”. And I must say even I was impressed.

Eldest brother had set his mind to buying his mother a gift and said he was going to Sunday market with us. When we asked what he was planning on buying, he said he had no idea except that all he had was 40 pesos for it. Which was a hoot because somewhere in his wallet he had 170 pesos more, money he saved up to buy something else for himself.

He was so happy to find a plastic kit that for certain his mom would have some use for that sold for 50 bucks. My other sister laughingly forked over the remaining 10 bucks.

Middle child had something else planned out. He wanted to cook breakfast for mom. Well, there were already pancakes done, but he still cooked egg and prepared sausages for her. Big brother pitched in with juice.

Of course, presentation counts a lot. And between the three of them, this is what they served mom for breakfast:

pancakes, sausage, scrambled egg, orange juice, candles and a card... all for the celebrant

These guys are a handful, individually and collectively. They’re kids with a lot of energy and often, a world of their own. Sometimes, you can cope. Other times, you throw your hands in the air. Kids bring out the best and worst in you. But in the end, like on occasions such as these, they always come through and you realize that not all your rumbling, grumbling and growling is gone to waste.

They can and will always give back. It’s really just planting the seeds, watering them and praying they bear the most luscious fruits. I am sure my sister knows how lucky she is with her children. And how much they love her.

* * *

Somehow, the day ended up with food and lots of food. None of it made at home. (thank God! 🙂 ). It’s been a while since we had an occasion to go out and savor family bonding amidst some delectable meal.

We initially planned on trying out a new resto nearby. But it rained cats and dogs, and the place was still jampacked. We ended up heading to SM North EDSA because 1) we’d be indoors and won’t have to negotiate the wet and the wild, and 2) there is a variety to choose from under one roof. Of course, being Sunday and all, everyone in the country has the same idea. To hang out with friends and family inside the mall.

Since the original plan was a Chinese resto, (actually it was a Panciteria and my sisters who had gone in to see if seats were available attest the aroma inside was heavenly so we will have to try it some other time) we scouted around for a similar venue at SM Annex. We ended up at the President Tea House (3^rd level), which with its tables good for 6 to 8 persons at least, we didn’t have to wait to be seated and served. A dimsum cart was parked right next to our table and four kinds of dimsum made it to the table pronto.

We were five adults and three kids, and somehow our mini lauriat was wiped out. It was one big burp after another and everyone, including Dad, was patting tummies. We all loved the food and best of all, unlike most Chinese restos, we did not end up smelling like dimsum or peking duck after.

BIrthday pancit

Lunch was over by 2:30 and we hung around a bit at the mall in the thick of masses of humanity lining up for the Transformers movie and Temptation Island, I think. Wow, the lines were super long and you had to elbow your way to get past them.

We made it home by 4 and had about 45 minutes to while away before hearing mass. Dinner was the next agenda. After Chinese, sister decided she wanted Italian next! She knew this little hole-in-the-wall place in Teacher’s Village that served muy delicioso food. It’s a two-storey affair and nobody there looked Italian to me. But goodness, it was gourmet pizza that leaves you lickin’ your lips after. Waiting, I had myself a cup of tea, birthday sister and her son enjoyed mozzarella sticks and my other sister tried this rock hard cake-cum-ice cream dessert.

Want some?

Are we full yet? You bet! We stopped by at the grocery for some ice cream and then part 2 of the birthday pig out!

It’s always an occasion to be grateful for blessings. Family, food on the table, laughter and memories. And I thank God for every single minute when we can enjoy these precious moments together…

P.S. Friuli Trattoria is located along Maginhawa St. a few meters away from Holy Family School in Teacher’s Village. 

 

The young and not so innocent

Two days ago I met Elena and Manuela. They are cousins, both nine-year-old girls. They sell flower leis in front of the church. By my calculations, home is maybe a 20 minute-walk for their small legs. I caught them playing piko (hopscotch), while waiting for someone to come along and buy their leis. At 4 p.m. they were mostly wilted, with just a few still in their original color

Fishballs did not interest them, but hotdog and juice did. We walked to the stand, both convincing me to buy the flowers so they can head on home. They were scrawny looking, their faces and arms full of grime. Their hair unkempt, their clothes soiled. I noticed Elena had a big scratch on her left cheek. Manuela had some on her arms. I can only imagine how they got those wounds, but did not bother to ask.

Yes, they went to a nearby school. Elena is in Grade 3, while Manuela in Grade 2. When I asked why she was lagging behind, she almost snorted: “I did not learn anything from my teacher!” Ah that’s why she had to repeat a level.

They giggled as I asked them if they knew how to read and do simple math. Being vendors, they had to be good at counting, at least. Since they are already doing their share to bring in income to the household, they are quick with numbers.

Elena has five other siblings. Her parents both work as caddies. An elder sister, she said, suffered from a mental breakdown when their mother went to work abroad a few years back and their father was sent to prison, accused of killing someone. I guess they found the real culprit if he’s working at the golf course now.

Sometimes Elena misses school because she fails to wake up early. It must be late nights for these two little girls, who enjoyed their hotdogs immensely.

Manuela’s parents are unemployed. Her mother does occasional laundry. I never got around to asking about the rest of her family. She was scraping off the ketchup from the small paper plate, rolling her hotdog on it.

They smiled in gratitude after their snack. And forgot to sales talk me into buying the rest of their flowers. Made by an aunt, they each had a total of 230 or 250 pesos worth of leis to sell each day. They had half to go, but there were students milling around willing to help out the little girls.

Two other street kids, snooty and snotty, came along asking for food, too. I went to get them something. By the time I came back, Elena and Manuela had disappeared. Well, they must have gone back to their game or found more willing buyers elsewhere.

I was actually going to buy the rest of the flowers and asked that they stay put since I had to break my big bill. They had been fed, so I know it wasn’t a big deal if I didn’t buy from them.

Here are two children already exposed to the harsh realities of life, yet they just keep moving on. They obviously live hand-to-mouth and their families don’t really care where they are or what they’re up to. Elena and her siblings are sometimes in the care of their aunt.

I had the strongest urge to scrub them down with a hose, brush their teeth till these sparkled, and dress them up with fresh, clean clothes. I know they are so susceptible to disease because of lack of proper hygiene.

Are they happy? A hotdog and juice certainly was a joyous enough treat.

God will watch over them. I know it. They are good kids. And I pray for that day when the opportunity to improve their lives will come. Life is as grand as we make it. When we have little, everything that comes our way is a bonus. And a chance to be grateful.

Elena and Manuela… thank you for opening my eyes and touching my heart.

 

I want to see God!

The sunset, the trees, the darkness... God is there, too!

How do you react when a five-year-old looks you in the eye and bellows at the top of her lungs “Where is God? I want to see God!” It was actually a demand and I have no idea where that came from.

To say that I was flabbergasted is an understatement. For how do you explain all these to a tyke, who is learning to ask about God and religion?

Well, suffice it to say that I simply listened to God so I could answer in the best way possible, in a way that would be understandable, and in a way that won’t sound incredulous. Thank you, Lord!

Of course, this line of query was followed with: What does God look like? When a kid is sitting on your lap, her eyes boring into yours, it’s pretty difficult to roll your eyeballs or scratch your head. You just have to answer the question as truthfully as possible.

When I said that God can look like anyone and anything He created, she looked skeptical. I had to say that God is everywhere around us and in all that we see, including the homeless children, the hapless doggie, the beggar, or even your enemy.

She asked: if God is everywhere, can He see and hear all of us? Most definitely. Doesn’t He sleep, she wanted to know? He rests, but He still knows what is going on around in this earthly world.

This was Tuesday, a day before Ash Wednesday, the official start of the Lenten season.

My niece’s query and demand was actually a good one to reflect on. I don’t quite recall ever demanding to “see God” even when I was young. Perhaps, I was either more accepting that He does not have to be seen to know He is there. Or, I wasn’t as curious as this five-year-old.

Her next question again floored me: How big is God? Now that’s difficult to explain. We went the route of as big as a mountain? As big as the ocean? As big as a dinosaur? As big as the house? As big as a volcano? As big as the universe?

I’m not quite sure if she truly accepted that God is greater than any of those because He created them all.

Thankfully, there have been no other monumental questions since then. I have to prepare myself for this event in the future. And yes, it is an EVENT for me. Because it is like being put to a test, not merely my knowledge, but my beliefs.

Still, I am grateful she is asking me these questions now. Because I have a more deeply rooted faith and because I have learned to listen more.

Why she wanted to see God, I never really got around to asking. My niece attends Sunday school, and she is quick to grasp concepts and teachings. She is also very curious and likes to go through my things, including prayer books and my Holy Rosary guide. It’s illustrated and she has asked to be told the story about the mysteries. Everything to her is a story. So you have to be careful not to mislead.

Am I looking forward to our next round of 20 questions about the Lord? I certainly have to be on my toes, and my ears and heart better be listening to God for the right answers.

Still, I am very proud to have been the one to be asked such profound questions. It makes me look deep into myself more. Do I really know God as much as I should? At least, she wasn’t questioning if there really was a God.

As adults, do we get to the point having this desire to “see GOD?” Maybe we should. Not necessarily with our eyes. But wanting to see God only means believing He is there.

After that episode, my niece left the room. She seemed accepting of what I said. That was fun. And a very humbling experience.

 

Our Little Entrep

Last week, my four-year-old niece was so ecstatic when she got home from school. “May sweldo ako!” she hollered. She was announcing to all the world that she earned a “salary” and was jiggling 15 pesos worth of coins in her pocket. Everyone was of course incredulous.  We asked what she did that merited the salary. Little girl proudly said she sold pastillas (soft milk candies) and teacher gave her the 15 pesos for her effort. Goodness, we have a little entrepreneur in the house!

When I interviewed her some more, I learned part of their class made the pastillas, while another group sold the product, with teacher’s help.  She was with two or three other classmates and they sold “many, many pastillas.” But one classmate ate two, she complained.

The exercise was obviously confidence-building for little niece. She now realized that by selling goods in their school, she could earn money.

Over the weekend, my sister who works at a pre-school, decided to make polvoron (shaped candy made from powdered milk) that she will provide their kids for snacks. The two boys helped in the production, especially in shaping and wrapping them, even if maybe a fourth of the candies ended in their mouth!

Just for kicks, we asked little niece if she wanted to sell them in school. Her eyes lit up! Of course, she answered, without hesitation. Wow, such an enthusiastic babe! We told her to just sell them to her classmates, but she shook her head. “I don’t like. They don’t have money,” she explained. Instead, she would head to the bigger kids’ rooms and sell to them because they had “lots” of money. Hmmm… already understanding the market.

Yesterday, she wanted to leave for school early so excited about her entrepreneurship venture. Her goods were packed in a plastic container, fresh from the ref to preserve the oval shape and keep them firm. Instead of 10 pieces, she insisted on selling more. We told her to sell them at 5 pesos each, but she said they sold the pastillas at “tres” (3 pesos each).  After explaining the  difference in products, she agreed to 5 pesos.

Alas, little entrep would come home frustrated. Her teacher was sick and so no one could accompany her to the other classes to sell. She was beside herself. She later said the class prayed for teacher to get well so she will be around the next day.

She was again bright and early today, eager to head out with her dad. Goods in her bag and excited at her prospects. Kinder class starts at 8:30.  Around that time, dad sent a text message to mom. “Ang galing ni Lira. Ubos lahat ng tinda. Meron siyang 80 pesos!” (Lira was terrific! She sold all the candy and she made 80 pesos) Waaaaaahhhh!

Apparently, she caught her older brother’s class who went on break before she entered their room. There were her target clients. And she was right, sell them to the big kids because they have lots of money.  She absolutely refused to give her dad the money insisting it was hers.

So early in the day and so productive already. That’s perseverance. We are all proud of little niece. And maybe wary, too. If she realizes she can be self-sufficient, who knows what she’ll attempt to do next!

Training is really essential to instill good habits in children. Support is crucial, too. I really appreciate their school for how they educate the kids. It’s a holistic approach and I know the children will be better for it in the end.

It will be so exciting when she comes home later and tells her version of the selling adventure. Certainly, one little girl will be strutting around proudly for her achievement.