Random Thoughts for the Week

Home Life. Lately I noticed that our house is starting to have a bit of an odd but familiar smell, something like an Asian fusion kind of smell. It is a cross between adobo,sinigang, garlic, pansit, rice, curry and what have you. Strange. I'm trying to get the darn smell out but couldn't. I think the Pinoy influence in this house is getting to be more obvious. My hubby even said that whenever I cook adobo or sinigang, he could smell it as soon as he gets off the car. Mmmm, perhaps our house is now known as the "smelly house" in the neighbourhood. Nakakahiya. I told hubby that we have to do something to get the smell out. Perhaps we should start cooking more potatoes. My Other Mom. Yesterday, my mother-in-law came over for our regular MIL-DIL bonding sessions, usually once every three weeks. MIL would usually arrive at 11:00 am (she lives an hour away), we would have lunch together, go to town and shop, have coffee, and stay over for a special meal with me and my hubby. I really enjoy being with my MIL, strange but true. Sometimes there is a bit of sadness and regret that I can't do this with my own mom, primarily because of the distance. I miss being with my mom. I miss bonding with her and my sisters. Over coffee, my MIL said that she has very fond memories of her time in the Philippines. I was surprised when she said (in broken English) "I promised your mother that I will take good care of you as long as I am living". I was speechless. MIL's English lessons is progressing well. I'm hopeless to learn Dutch. MIL is speaking to me in English. Sigh. On Spending. I still have to wrap my gifts for this Sunday's Sinterklaas celebration. You see in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) will arrive from Spain (confusing eh) to bring his gifts to the well-behaved children, with some help from his zwarte piets (black helpers). Lucky Dutch kids, they get their gifts ahead of time. Since I met hubby, I have been buying gifts for Sinterklaas and Christmas. December is definitely an expensive month! I'm almost broke (errr, i.e. my monthly personal allowance is slowly dwindling), but at least I had fun shopping. I wonder if I will also have a Christmas bonus??? Since I keep track of our finances perhaps there is room for some "improvement", with a little help from Microsoft Money....hehehehe.... Career Prospects. It's Friday once more and we're having guests staying with us until Saturday. I should seriously start thinking of putting up a bed and breakfast business since I am getting to be an expert in: cleaning, changing the linens, and making sure the fridge is well stocked. I only have a few hours to do these and I'm still blogging. At least I don't have to cook tonight! All Pain No Gain. I somehow agree with this article. Now things are made worse with the recent disasters in the Philippines. Suddenly hubby's colleagues and MIL's friends are asking about my family back home. How can the people bear another blow? Just wondering how President Arroyo could still manage to do her la Aunor smile while waiving to the victims when she was doing the rounds. Beats me. I can never be a politician.