new year polka dots







Every new years eve, I get reminded of what my mom used to do. We do a couple of inane things leading up to the new year. Now if I do not do these things, I feel that my year will not start right. For one thing, she will wear her polka dotted dress whether it is a brightly dotted duster or a nice dotted dress. In the '80's after being able to make a lot of money (of course this is very relative), I bought her a pink polka dotted dress which she made into a dress for herself Bing on the other hand is wearing one of the sleepwear samples that Joy gave me which my mother altered into a nice dress. You know this was in the '80s because of the Dynasty shoulder pads they were wearing.

Prior to new years, we would always do a general cleaning of the house, which I still try to do to this time. Even with a maid, my apartment still manage to collect a mountain of dust during the year.

Then there is the matter of the 12 fruits. At the start it was just all rounded and gold coloured fruits in season. Later on, we excluded fruits coming from vines because vines crawl. Boy this was always a struggle in Manila, prices would go up and there was always a limited assortment. When I moved to Bangkok in 1990, I noted that the groceries here are well stocked and it was not that difficult to get the 12 assorted fruits that I need. The following morning I would go to the flower market to hunt down the pink gladioli that I need.

O yes, and there is the matter of opening all the cabinets, the doors and making as much noise as possible. In Manila, all this look normal because everyone is making noise outside. Here firecrackers are outlawed (thankfully) and most of my neighbors are quiet. But then this New Year, my next door neigbor started blaring his classical music. I responded by playing merengue on my cd player and proceeded to dance with Soon.

Do not get me started with the money that my mother used to put on her bed! One time I was looking for her outside our house in San Pedro while we were lighting up the fire works. She was not outside with Bing and me. Then I went inside the house and she was lying down on her bed covered with paper money and had a wide grin on her face. After that we would just laugh.

This year, some friends were inviting me on a road trip. I had to decline. They had left morning of new years eve for destinations upcountry. But I could not leave my domicile, I just can't! My mother had programmed me very well that if I do not do so, it just does not feel right. Happy New Year everyone. Bing happy new year to you too.