Beauty & The Geek

Hubby spent so much time scouring his favorite electronics haven for his new gadget, that we almost missed the UPS guy when we got home. I signed for the package, and for a brief moment, our flat was silent save for the ripping sound of boxes being opened.

We cried out in unison as the contents of our respective packages were revealed - tan wingtip shoes and an Android phone for the beauty and the geek. He turned to me and rattled off the specs of his new toy, as I raved about the detailed craftsmanship of my oxfords.

I couldn't understand his questions on battery life and firmware versions, and he dismissed mine on matching belts, socks, and trousers. We spent the rest of the afternoon in separate corners, busy with our new objects of affection, remembering the other only when the pangs of hunger came.

As we walked side by side to a nearby eatery, hubby's phone rang loudly.

"I like your ringtone," I complimented over the phone. "And reception's still clear in this usual dead spot."

"Shoes are nice. You look great," he replied, his face lighting up. As did mine.

photo from tumblr.com

Cattle Car

I was on the metro on my way to work with the rest of humanity. It was a typical winter's Monday morning. People wore grim faces with their dark winter coats and bed hair, most likely unwashed, judging by the stale scent of Sunday that hung in the air.

One Chinese guy boarded in one of the stations and immediately caught my eye. He smiled at everyone, a stark contrast to the long faces around him. He started tapping the ring on his finger against the overhead railing, as he bobbed his head to the beat of some music in his head.

The crowd around him quickly parted, and I heard more than a few people whisper the word "crazy". As I stared at the man and rest of us in the cattle car, I wondered if soundness of mind is really defined by the behavior of the majority. I plugged in my headphones, selected a playlist, and started tapping my foot, trying to find my rhythm for the week ahead.

38 Seconds and More

Time ticked away. It was still early, but you could feel that everyone was counting down the hours. The family did some last minute grocery shopping for missing key ingredients for the feast being prepared, and everyone in the mall was in a rush.

The minutes ticked away, and I could hear the ticking everywhere. It was in my cousin's tapping of the steering wheel, as we rushed home from a trip to the convenient store for more alcohol. It was in the regularity of the passing lights, or even in my own breathing.

The seconds ticked away, then everyone started counting out loud. Five, four, three, two, one, then everything erupted into chaos. The noise, bright lights, and smoke immediately consumed everything. In spite of the din of fireworks, I could still hear the incessant ticking.

"Happy New Year!" I texted to my hubby. "Will be home in 7 days, 8 hours, and 38 seconds..."

photo from tumblr.com

Unwrapped

If I had doubts on the magic of Christmas, they disappeared when i witnessed my nephews and nieces open their Christmas presents. The surprised expressions, the sparkle in their eyes, the squeals of delight.

One of the little ones even became emotional and in between loud sobs, declared that it was the best Christmas day ever.

Then it was my turn. I was handed a beautifully wrapped package with my name from beneath the tree. I felt each side with my fingers, and scratched a corner of an adhesive tape, which I then carefully peeled off.

I unwrapped each package to the sound of oohs and aahs of an audience. A mug, a shirt, a box of pastries - things that I didn't really need. I reminded myself to sprinkle some Christmas magic, even if it was merely drawn from up my sleeve, into my facial expressions.

But I didn't need to put on an act. I was genuinely surprised and grateful for the presents, for the blessings, for my family. I scooped up my nephew, who was still sobbing, and held him in my arms.

"You are right little one. It is the best Christmas day ever."

photo from tumblr.com

Hollister

Hubby and I went to Hollister to do some shopping. For me, the shop was a feast for the senses. It was nicely decorated, the lighting was muted, the music suited my taste, everything smelled nice, and gorgeous guys greeted everyone with "Hey, what's up?" It looked like an upscale sauna minus, well, the sauna. And the sex.

My partner complained the whole time. It's too dark. You can't see the clothes and how they look on you. It's too crowded. He's very much a guy when it comes to shopping. His points were valid but I was already too excited to listen. I pointed out several bear types that i suspected were gay couples, and that convinced him to stay a while longer.

I quickly grabbed whatever I could and headed to the fitting rooms. I was delighted that I was a medium size again for the first time in years, and in the insufficient lighting, I thought i looked no different to the modelesque sales men. I rang up quite a hefty bill but was pleased with my purchases.

As hubby was too busy ogling at the cute couples, he didn't get a chance to see the clothes on me in the fitting room. In any case, they don't allow pairs in the same cubicle, hmmm... When we got home, I excitedly tried each item and paraded in front of him.

Under normal lighting, i didn't look as hot as the Hollister employees. I should have listened when Hubby told me more than just a few times that clothes should fit me and not the other way around. I pouted in disappointment and started fidgeting with the tight sleeves and torso.

My better half knew how much i was looking forward to buying the shirts, so he remarked how the cut and color hid my girth while emphasizing my arms and chest. His encouragement brought me back to the tasteful decor, muted lighting, hip music, and fragrant environment. With a slight nod of my head and the thickest American accent I could muster, I gave it a go.

"Hey, what's up?"


photo from fashionsnap.com

9 Degrees

Gumapang papalapit ang taglamig nang di ko namamalayan. At bigla na lang hinubad ng ngayon ang init ng kahapon. Kasabay ng pagbagsak ng nahilang kumot sa sahig ang pag-alsa ng aking balahibo, sa pagpigil nito sa pagsingaw ng taglay kong init. Hanggang sa magsimula akong manginig, mangatal.

Nagsumiksik ako sa lugar na kaniyang nilisan. At nilasap ang init ng anino na kaniyang iniwan. Nang pati ang natirang ligamgam ay naglaho, napilitan na akong bumangon. Tinawid ko ang dilim ng aming sala, tahimik na inawitan ang sarili nang masupil ang kumakalat na kaba.

Inabutan ko siyang pinagmamasdan sa ang aming pictures sa computer. Mahigpit na akap mula sa likod kasabay ng maiksing "sorry", at magkasama na kaming bumalik sa kama. Ibinalot ko ang kumot sa aming dalawa nang napakahigpit. At mahimbing kaming nakatulog kasabay ng paglaho ng lamig.

photo from nman.com

Yuletide Bubble

"I can't believe it's December already," a colleague of mine in the US mentioned in one of our online meetings. "I can't wait for Christmas."

That was the first time it hit me. Well, you don't really feel the Christmas spirit here in China. They have started putting up Christmas decor in the malls in recent years, but it is not yet ingrained in the local culture. The 25th is not even a public holiday.

I was thinking of flying with my partner to Manila. But I'm newly employed and not entitled to any leaves yet. And typical of OFWs, with the ridiculous fares, I'd rather send the money back home. Don't I just sound perfect for Coke's OFW ad that's gone viral?

So i guess I'll be stuck here, working my ass off, as everyone elsewhere celebrate with yuletide cheer.

Quite a number of friends from Manila are in town though for a short trip. Having had their fill of Chinese fare the past days, we opted to go for Spanish. We feasted on paella, callos, cochinillo, flan, and the latest news on Piolo, KC, Mo and Rhian in between swigs of San Miguel.

A Filipino band came on stage and started playing Christmas carols. In the midst of friends, noche buena fare and the festive mood, I felt that Christmas has finally arrived in China.

photo from tumblr.com