Birthday surprise

My husband recently found himself alone on his birthday in Thailand, where he was attending a seminar. I decided to surprise him by emailing a request to Holiday Inn Bangkok, where he was staying. The request was simple: for them to print out the attached birthday greeting that my daughter and I had made for him and to give it to him when he came down to avail of the breakfast buffet.

Given the simplicity of my request, I actually expected their positive response but was still pleased when I got it.  What happened next was unexpected. Since he had so many assignments, hubby didn’t go down for the breakfast buffet but went straight to the seminar room, also located inside the hotel, to start working.

The flowers do not wish to be disturbed.

That's what the sign on top of the table centerpieces says yet hubby picks them up for a closer look.  Both of them.  To his credit, he just looks.

The one serving us explained that they had to put a sign on the decor since some of the patrons tried removing and/or touching the flowers  to check if a.) they could be removed, b.)  they were made of real icing and c.) a and b.

Psssttt!!!

This hissing sound made from pursed lips used to irritate me. Dili ko taxi (I am not a cab), I would tell the one doing it.

I find it rude to be hailed this way.  Why not call me by name?  Equally rude is finger pressure on the back - the very offensive cousin to the tap on the shoulder, especially if you don't turn immediately and the finger keeps digging into your back.

I had a good friend in college who would do a very exaggerated version of it on my arm or on my thigh even if we were face to face.  Miat!, she would say across the library table, as she would scrape her middle finger on my upper arm to get my attention.  Ann!, I would respond by digging my middle finger with exaggerated pressure into her arm as well.  It never failed to amuse her.  She never stopped.

Sa Kabukiran

Bukid na gyud ni (This is as rural as rural goes).

Our house is surrounded by a lot of greens, but I only realized how close we are to nature when one rainy night, I drew aside the curtains to find a frog clinging to the glass window.

Accckkkkk!!!!  If there's anything I hate, it's slimy creatures.  I cannot stand frogs, lizards - any reptile, I think.  Another night, I looked out and there, on our terrace, was another frog.  Now, I check the terrace floor and sides before I go out.

Letting Go

When my husband's promotion entailed re-assignment to Batangas City, relocation was not really in the picture.  I had a good job in Makati City, my daughter was in a good school and Batangas seemed nearer than it was.