NOTHING IN PARTICULAR

This is about nothing in particular. I've been wanting to write about something deep or timely, or even political, but I just have not had the energy, nor the proper ambiance around the computer, to come up with a piece like that. However, I have started receiving feedback from my regulars -- why haven't I written anything in two weeks?

Anyway, here's an update on our lives:

BELLYDANCING
Last night I had my second session of bellydancing. It is so much fun! My teacher says that it is all about sexuality, and you just have to let it all out! She tells us to shake our hips, shake our shoulders, and just let all that jelly shake with all its might! It's great exercise too! Last night my ab muscles and shoulder muscles were a little bit sore. I love my teacher's belly dancing philosophy. Although it is about sexuality, and about maintaining eye contact and attracting that person who is watching, you never ever use your dancing to intimidate other women. Because she said, "Believe me, it will intimidate other women!" She also reminds us to always keep our knees together so we maintain a feminine look. To tell you the truth, some of the other students just look like strippers and prostitutes. For them, it's all about sex, not sexuality. There's a big difference and they're totally missing the point!

For me though, I am happy that I don't know anyone in the class. I feel that if I went there with a friend, I'd probably spend half the time laughing and making faces instead of trying to dance sensually. That's what happens with my other classmates, because they are whole groups of girlfriends. Ako pa, I get so consicous about letting go and dancing in front of other people, but here, I am trying my best to just let my body follow the music.

I wish though, that I had one of those swishy skirts with bells and beads. My teacher is selling some, which cost between $70 to $120!!! Way too much. Gogi says there are lots in Greenhills. Problem is, if she does buy one for me, by the time I get it, my lessons would have been over! Bahala na...

SOCCER
Edge has fulfilled his longtime wish of joining a soccer club. He checked out all the soccer clubs advertised in the local papers and he finally chose the St Marys Band Club League. He is in the 15 and up group. Their games start sometime in June, but in the meantime, they have twice a week practices. However, one of the practices is at the same time as my bellydancing, so for the next 6 weeks, he will just have to miss those practices.

At first, Edge was weighing whether he should join the club or not, especially since there was a fee. Plus, he didn't even have a good pair of soccer shoes to wear! He told himself that if he could find a pair of shoes for under $50, that would be the sign that he should join the club. Well, he found a pair for $52. So he thought, well, it's only $2 over. Sige na nga. But when he went to pay for it, it turned out to be only $49! Under $50! It was meant to be!

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
Diego, who in the past has been quite burara and absent-minded, has started to take on a more responsible attitude. In the morning, when he gets up, he turns off his night light and fan, and dresses himself up for school. Last year, I had to nag him through each step but now it's all on his own! Then he is always rushing to school because he wants to get his job done quickly. His teacher has assigned all the boys of his class to set up the trash bins in strategic places in school. Since they are the Year 2 boys, they are the big kids in school and have to take care of the younger ones. I attribute a lot of this improvement too to Diego's new teacher, Mrs. Minol. She has been teaching for 40 years, and she is an excellent teacher! organized, strict, but understanding of students. I think she lets the kids know exactly what she expects, and she gives them responsibilities to give them a sense of achievement. I can see that Diego wants to please her so much. I am so glad he is in her class this year!

PILYO
And of course, Luis the Pilyo. He tells his father, "Dada, I love you, but I love Mama more than you!" Then, he has been telling us that he has a girlfriend in school. He said her name is Danielle. "But not the other Danielle, the good Danielle. I don't like the other Danielle." I asked him if Danielle knows that she is his girlfriend. Luis said, "No......but I'll tell her on Wednesday!" (which is his day at daycare).

Today, Luis told me, "Mama, I love you more than Danielle!" Awwww......that's so sweet! I'm sure when he's 16 and he has a girlfriend, I'll be wishing that he would say that to me too, pero asa pa ako!

Well, I guess that will be all for now. Until the conditions are right for me to write a very profound entry. Ciao for now.