Beauty Before Age

I love it when I am mistaken as being younger than I really am. Most of this message relays stories to that effect. But reality kicks in sooner or later. As you will see as the message comes to a close, it came sooner than I expected.

Baguio (2002 ?)

Z and I approached the Baguio Country Club counter and the lady asked, "Are you twins?"
(We are actually ten years apart.)

Cebu Avenue (2004)

Mother and Father invite friends over for breakfast. When I go downstairs to meet them, one of the visitors asked where i was studying.
(At that time I had been working for over 10 years!)

In a jeep on my way to work (2005)

Jeepney fare just increased to P7.50 with special rate of P6.00 for students. When I handed my P10 coin, the driver asked, "Estudyante?"
(Yes! )
Relax. I admitted I wasn't a student. Besides, he paid me a compliment, I paid him full fare. That about evens the score.

BPI (19 July 2006)

One of my officemates prepared merienda to celebrate her birthday. A group of us were eating together and telling stories. Jerome, who had just transferred in from BPI Family Bank, told a joke. I didn't get the punchline. Another officemate Louie, who was originally from Family Bank, assisted him with the punchline. Jerome then said that Louie didn't used to tell jokes when they were at Family Bank. When asked why, Louie said it was because there was nothing funny at Family Bank and it was only when he transferred to Treasury that he could be his real funny self. I said I'd ask my sister what sort of person Louie really was, that should settle the matter, I said, since she and Louie were batchmates in High School. I was going to leave it at that, when another officemate asked, "Older or younger?"

Poor Louie, he has undoubtedly become the division's Kuya.

Medical Exam (16 September 2006)

When I was applying for a new job, I went for my pre-employment medical and as the guy draws blood, he asks, "First job mo?"
(Do you think he was serious?)


The Shang, Makati -- February 2008

I accompanied MyGirl to a birthday party last. Since the party was to be held at an outdoor play area, I asked her to wear a T-shirt, jeans and rubber shoes. She wore a nice orange T-shirt which her godmother had given her. I opted to wear an orange T-shirt as well. With our matching colors, MyGirl and I were a good looking pair.

On our way out after the party, one of MyGirl's classmates asked, "Who's that, MyGirl? Your older sister?"
(YES! I can still pass as my seven-year old daughter's older sister.)

I relayed the story to MacGyver when he picked us up. Obviously I was amused and needless to say, very much flattered. He smiled and said nothing. (Smart guy!)

Back at Cebu Avenue, after the Party

When I bragged about it to my parents and relayed the story to them later that evening, both RD and MyGirl were listening. My parents shared my joy but RD was quick to object. "That's not possible Mom. You're too OLD."

I didn't get much support from MyGirl either. She agreed with RD and said, "That's right, Mom. You're a MOM."
(Good grief! Can't a girl have her cake and eat it, too?)

Conclusion -- 06 June 2008
Well, I suppose all good things have to come to an end.

When Z visited siblings in the U.S., she bought lots of books, including several piano books. As I was scanning through one of them, MyGirl asked in disbelief, "Mom knows how to play the piano?"

Anxious to defend her sister's honor, Z comes to the rescue and says, "She was taking piano lessons even before I was born."

(Ouch! That didn't sound too flattering.)

Anyway, don't we just wish we could be like this baby? When you're this young and this beautiful, it's hard to decide whether beauty comes before age or age comes before beauty!