Currency Exchange

As you may know, our household works on a slightly different currency... it's called kisses.

Like regular currency, kisses at home can increase in value (if they come from me, at least that's what I'd like to think) or may be considered to have slightly lesser value (if they come from someone else or maybe if they are given right after having garlic bread or anchovies).

This currency can be traded at a premium. This happens when hugs come with the kisses. Consequently, this currency can be traded at a discount. Those are called flying kisses.

I have friends who have commented that although this currency is relatively easy to produce, it is not generally accepted in their households therefore making it quite difficult to come by. I didn't realize it was such a rare commodity even within my own family until I asked for some from MacGyver's visiting niece last Sunday.

MacGyver's sister and her family are visiting from China. They will be here for a little over a week. I was not sure if I would see the children before they leave since their flight is this coming Saturday. As we were saying our good-byes yesterday, I asked MacGyver's 7-year old niece to give me a kiss before we left.

She looked at me strangely as if I had asked her to dance the jig in front of an audience of leprechauns, then she moved a couple of inches away as if I had the bubonic plague and said, "Huh?!"

Then she went back to playing her game on her pink DS.

I was taken by surprise. Apparently, that currency is not heavily traded in their household and there was ZERO interest in such a transaction.

What a shame!

Fortunately, I have many givers and takers here at home. And if my siblings were to come with their families, there would be many more market players and many more kisses would be exchanged.

(May I just mention that I am particularly impressed with my Irish brother-in-law who has mastered the currency movements at Cebu Avenue. When he and Mindy visited last summer, he never failed to ask for his share of kisses when he was seated at the dining table and kisses were being handed out.)

At this point, I recall one of my favorite kidbits.

Kissing Bandit -- 07 May 2007

The date : Yesterday, May 06
The time : About 1:30 pm
The place : Inside our car

The problem : As I closed the door of the car, I noticed a mosquito fly by. Since we were in for a long trip, I certainly didn't want the mosquito making a buffet out of us.

The reward : I declared, "The one who kills that mosquito gets ten kisses…."

The hitch : "… but you have to show me PROOF to claim the kisses. I need to see the carcass."

The victory : Not a minute passed and GI was able to kill the mosquito. He showed me the flattened insect and pointed at his cheek to claim his kisses.

The awarding ceremony : I gave GI his ten kisses without much ado.

The non-winner : RD, green with envy at the kisses his older brother received, asked if he too could have ten kisses. I told him that GI deserved to get the kisses because he had spared the rest of us from getting bitten by the mosquito. (But I whispered that we could talk about his kisses later.)

The generous winner aka 'The Kissing Bandit' : When GI heard that I had refused to give RD free kisses, he couldn't help but tease his brother all the more. He told MyGirl, "I'll give you the ten kisses Mom gave me, MyGirl. OK?" Naturally, MyGirl was more than willing to receive the kisses.

The multiplication of kisses : Upon receiving the kisses, MyGirl, in turn, offered to share her bounty with RD. "I'll give you five of my kisses, Kuya RD." Well, RD was not about to refuse such a generous offer. He was quite pleased to receive free kisses. GI, upon seeing an opportunity for more kisses started a trade bargain with MyGirl. "MyGirl, give me the other five kisses and then I'll give them back to you." (I gave GI a LOOK that said, "You are only allowed to use that kissing logic on your sister, mister!")