MEComposing

What is Christmas without karaoke music, right?

That's what hubby thought so too. He justified the purchase of a video karaoke midi player among the different types of karaoke machines because we could easily buy an updated CD and songbook every three months or so. And for only P450.

Ours even offers MTV videos. So, Noche Buena found my Mom singing to Tennessee Waltz and my son singing Paparazzi. Hehe.

How much did our player cost? A cheap P1,500. It will not compare to a Magic Sing (which is a microphone with a built-in chip) in portability but our videoke midi player is pretty small and light. It's not even as thick or heavy as our MyBook external hard disk.

Unfortunately, however, I was barfing around that time and nursing a migraine to really enjoy our supposed Christmas present to ourselves.

This is a picture of my son hamming it up for the camera, enjoying a lollipop and posing beside his balikbayan box loot.

Note that we got a rainfall of wipes and diapers. I actually really love it when my parents buy these instead of boxes nd boxes of mashed potatoes and mac and cheese because wipes and diapers, I actually really consume. Well, my sons use them.

But this is so bittersweet for me. My mother wipes drool from mouths, messes on the floor and people's bottoms when she changes their diapers for a living in America. So, for her to save all her hard-earned money to buy her grandkids these is really ironic.

I don't know how else to get my sister to be more pro-active about getting a job and being independent so my parents need not worry about her anymore, nor work to support her there anymore.

I also don't know how else to get my parents to stop breaking their backs trying to earn a living where the climate is harsh and the people (even our relatives at that) are harsher.

One other ironic thing is, I actually have to specify what I want my parents to buy for us, otherwise, my Mom will just buy things she thought we'd like and use, which we wouldn't... and it'd be a waste of more money. And it's not like she'd stop buying and sending us stuff no matter how many times I tell, text, e-mail and write her that I'd rather she and my dad save up for their retirement instead. I have even been crass about it... I have told them that I'd appreciate if their affairs are all in order and they wouldn't leave us with debts, should they pass away already, so they really should just save their money. I have also brought up the topic of financing family getaways instead, if they don't want to go honeymooning by themselves. Unfortunately, since they never took us travelling when we were young, it still seems unmanageable for them now.

Howell.

So, now, I use my kids and our health. I ask for baby stuff and vitamin supplements and toilettries (soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent). I ask them to go to garage sales and get secondhand books and then ask for makeup samples at the mall. I just really wish though that my Mom will cease and desist from stuffed toys. hehe.

I just really hope to be able to love as much as my parents do. And I thank God my parents are still around, not only to enjoy their grandkids, but to be enjoyed by them too.

That's the exchange rate for a dollar now. I didn't want to withdraw my newly-earned funds but I have to pay for my life insurance. Supposedly, payment of premiums ends this year with Philam Life but alas, there were some readjustments and I think I have to pay for two more years.

What's even weirder is that I got sold to purchasing said insurance because I was supposed to get P1M in case... but my plan is actually only P500,000. I'm just chalking it up to innocence, as I got it when I was just 23.

I just hope I know better now.

My blog friends, the berks, finally got to meet again because Jet came home for her mommy's birthday. She stayed at Malayan Plaza for a night and those of us who could drop by went to meet her. She specifically requested to meet our kids. Food overflowed and laughter rang and conversation was rich.

All in all, it was a rewarding blast of a meetup.

And remember how Jet introduced the song "I HOPE YOU DANCE" to me? well, she's my son's godmother and check out this book she gave him :)

On one hand, I really shouldn't read so much of the Pinoyexchange thread on this because the comments left by school-age people there can be misleading. Make no mistake, I loved the movie and cried at certain parts but I can also be objective enough and say that, to most people, it must have been a really dragging one.

My husband, a Potterfan, got bored.

I, however, didn't because I was busy comparing the comments I've read and what I was watching. And I think I was also very busy saying goodbye internally.

The highlight of the movie for me was the Polyjuice parts... the 7 Potters scene and when the trio went inside the Ministry of Magic. I think the actors they used (especially for Harry and Hermione) should be nominated for acting awards! They were so hilarious!!!

Oh, I also liked the Tale of the Three Brothers rendition.

And Bellatrix, I mean, Helena Bonham Carter, should really, really, really win an Oscar! She owned the part and was even more scary than Voldemort.

Sigh. I love British actors!

I missed a lot of conversations though... weird.

... only one face and a pair of lips. But this padala by an aunt and my sister brings my makeup total to:

3 eyeliners (black, bronze and blue)
32 shades of eyeshadow
3 lipsticks
3 lip gloss
a concealer set (4 shades)
1 tinted moisturizer
1 compact powder

Do I even include a concealer stick, liquid foundation and shimmery bronzer?

This is the most makeup I have ever owned and I am starting to feel ridiculous about it. I really should make up my face even when am just home, or at least wear that uber red shade of lipstick I can't use for public outings.

My father, as well as so many other Filipinos, had a right to be annoyed and offended. Belo's face advertising her cosmetic surgery services on official travel forms? WTH!!!

If the government, particularly the airport, wanted to generate funds for the forms (or just effect a greater income), surely other businesses could have been accommodated instead? Like maybe, those in the hospitality and travel business? But the suggestion of cosmetic surgery welcoming people coming into our country is just pure tasteless.