Ellen works hard, doesn’t mind housework on her rest days (from work at Araullo High School), and unless she is not feeling well, would readily take to the kitchen or the laundry even if Merlie is there for the chores.
She loves telenovelas and watches them religiously. She laps up action and suspense movies. Her favorite merienda is nilagang mais. After lunch on weekends and holidays, she watches TV with one ear on guard for the familiar "Maiiissss!" of the sweet corn vendor. She would be distraught whenever the guy does not show up. She loves going around the house barefoot. She wore her hair in a page boy for what seemed like forever -- until last year when our friend and long-time hairstylist Eddie finally convinced her to vary her hairstyle, but only slightly.
She is unlike most women when it comes to shopping. She breezes through the mall or the supermarket then goes home. Not like many women who go around leisurely even after having completied that day's shopping list. Many times, she would give her list to Jenny or me whenever she learns that we are going shopping. Her lists could include gifts for family and friends way before Christmas or any other occasion especially for trips abroad -- teeny-weeny umbrellas, picture frames, candle holders, fans, trinkets, etc.
Boy, can she move and walk fast! So fast that I heard the gate open again right after it had just closed after her one morning, followed by frantic knocks on the front door. At the corner about 10 meters away, she noticed that her shoes didn't match! We almost woke up the entire household with our laughter that morning. I could only shake my head and smile to myself as I watched her fly off again, this time with shoes that matched.
On her way home from school and Saturdays, she passes by the neighborhood bakery for hot pan de sal, ensaymada, Spanish bread, whatever. A trip to the tiangge behind the church is part of her Sunday regimen. Fresh fruits, vegetables, seafoods, comfy tops, puto, suman, okoy, pritong lumpia, and whatever she knows we like.
It is customary for her to bring two bags, one bursting to the seam. Wallet, coin purse, powder case, hairbrush, cellphone, washcloth, ballpen, keys, and eyeglasses, PLUS other stuff like test papers, notebooks, school records, etc. Thus this incident with the TV remore control is totally understandable.
One day, we could not find the remote control for the TV set in the family room. We looked hard and everywhere with no luck. Naturally we asked Ellen the moment she arrived home. All she remembers was using it the night before. We gave up, resigned to buying a new one on the next shopping trip.
After dinner, Ellen settled into her favorite chair and started to unload her papers and notebook from her bag, ready to do some paperwork, as was her custom. All of a sudden, FREEZE FRAME. SCREECH. SCREAM. Snugly sandwiched among the things in her bag was the missing TV remote. "Ay, nasama pala sa mga gamit ko. Nadala ko sa Araullo."
After that incident, we knew where to look first everytime the TV remote went missing.
Can you boast of as colorful and funny sister-in-law?
No comments:
Post a Comment