Home Blues

A possible change of job or position is indicated, perhaps one requiring relocation. An increase in income may result, as well as a boost to your self-confidence. Though you may have mixed feelings about the change, dear Pisces, in the long run it will benefit you and your family. Bear in mind that many of your doubts could be rooted in fear of the unknown - and human beings have been facing that for thousands of years. And we're still here!

Should this be an omen of things to come? Lately, thoughts of migrating to greener-- though not necessarily more acccommodating -- pastures graze my mind. This is because of a really bothersome incident last Saturday when Che carelessly "shouted" at mommy when she was asked to help prepare gelatin for a fruit salad. Now, I really don't side with Cheche especially as she's clearly at fault. One doesn't just shout at one's mother. And when she pleads some more for help, the most logical thing is to do whatever it is, even though it is hard. Instead, what she did was the total opposite, vehemently opposing mommy's cries for help just because she doesn't want. Ganun lang.

Mommy was very mad after that. She told us that she was crying and blaming herself for raising children like us. Ingrates. Thoughtless. Selfish. Lazy bums. Good for nothings. At least that was what stuck to my mind as she was carrying out our sentence: to charge us for house expenses. She was rattling off that all these years, despite us having jobs, they've always paid for electricity, water, groceries and marketing, maids, rice, lpg, and other sundry stuff needed in the house. She said that it's about time to pull our weight and share burden of the family's expenses so we can realize how important and how substantial our parents' role is in our lives.

She said it hurts her when she's been doing the work and she isn't the least appreciated. Like when she tries hard to cook for us and still, she hears a lot of complaints and insults. I try to be appreciative of her efforts but last Saturday, all she could think of and feel are all negative.

So when we computed the expenses (not counting maid's fees, and others --- discounted daw) it came to P2000 per person.

When she asked me if it was in good graces that I part with my money -- I frankly told her no. Something that was reached out of spite and negative feelings will not be welcome to me. If it were said in another time, I will willingly share because that was part of the plan anyway. It's only fair. But now that she's springing this on us as a punishment --- I can't believe that she would stoop so low.

I hate it. Bickering over money. Add daddy to mommy's pressure and it's really ugly. At least to me. In an otherwise convivial phone conversation, daddy did not let pass this incident and chose to sermon to me. Me!!! Ano ang ginawa kong masama?!!

First he said something about wishing he could just retire and rest instead of work. So I told him why not? He said that he might get weak if he stopped working and implied that he still had a lot of responsibilities. And then the litany started. He wanted to just kick back and relax and not think about housework. Why don't I tend to the kitchen? Why nga? I don't like kasi! That's why. And the maid's not doing anything so why should I stretch myself?

I agree that I should do something, but it's not as if I don't know anything, as daddy implies. So ang feeling talaga nila, useless kami at tamad.

Let them think that way. Sheesh.

Meanwhile, I'm posting my Canadian Immigration application.