YES, WHY WORRY?

by $aMsUnG

One more week to go and it will be summer vacation. Sob… sob. Much as I love my daughter, I don’t relish being with her almost 24/7. She’s good for about one to two hours a day, we talk about school, how well she did or how badly she fared for the day, her friends, boys, school projects, her daily gripes about her teachers and the school system, boys (have I mentioned that yet?), what they cooked in homeroom…the new dance steps she learned… anything that crosses her mind!!! Recently she has added a new word to her vocabulary and very often injects it into our conversations. SHOPPING. She seems to be in the buying spree mode, so sorry my dear, but Mama is in the belt-tightening mode. Frequently asked questions now are “Are we going to the mall?” (always directed to me) and “Are we eating out tonight?” (ask Dad). That’s usually reserved for weekends only, but can you imagine hearing that almost everyday for the whole summer? Her reasons for those questions? I’m a teen-ager now, I need more clothes… I’m a growing girl, I need to eat. Yeah, like you need to have your zero cavity wisdom tooth extracted without anesthesia too. Now you know the kind of stress I’ll be facing come this summer? Not that I don’t enjoy shopping with her. It’s actually gratifying to find out your daughter has developed a good fashion sense rather than none at all, but that kind of sense is somewhat draining to the wallet, especially when done on a daily basis.

She is too old to be tagging along with me all the time and too young to be out with friends everyday. Besides, you never really know what they’re up to. Friendster and texting aren’t exactly the solutions I’m looking for. I like activities that involve leaving the house (otherwise she’d be glued to the computer all day long), learning something new, something that would enhance the personality as well. It was easy when she was younger, there were swimming lessons to be had, arts and crafts summer classes… that one worked for many dog days. I have to be innovative. Look for activities that would spark her interest, lay down all the choices and try to summon some enthusiasm out from her. Last year it was gymnastics and jazz. We could probably do it again this year, though I seriously doubt her gymnastics teacher could do the cartwheel with a huge abdominal bulge. Belly dancing??? Coupled with jazz lessons, that might just solve my problem, even if only for a couple of hours three afternoons a week. Throw in some cooking or baking lessons, voice, guitar and drum lessons and I’ll be de-stressed. Mornings are for sleeping in, late nights for watching television or dvds, reading together, fighting as to who gets to use the computer and midnight snacking - so that’s no problemo.

If February is the time I start worrying about unproductive summers it is also the time I start planning our vacation. I usually like to go end of May, just before school opens. I know it’s a long way off yet, but that way I can make as many plans as I want, and if one doesn’t push through, then I have my fallbacks. Even if nothing materializes, working out the details won’t cost us any. For now, my vacation plans and our financial resources are not in sync. So I’m looking for the lowest possible rate, with a reasonably good hotel to Vietnam or Malaysia . If you know of any good deals, please drop me a comment, I’d really appreciate it. I also hear that from Iraq you can fly to almost anywhere for as low as $20, via Scud missile. Breakfast, lodging and return ticket not included. If you’ve taken a crack at this and was able to come back, please confirm.

Another option would be to visit Cagayan de Oro, the Camiguin Island and Davao City . Plus a side trip to Bukidnon. I believe the catchy phrase for it is WOW Philippines ! Cagayan de Oro is known as the “Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Philippines ”. Right! Like we’d really go rafting, we’ll probably end up in the mall again!!! Camiguin’s unique attractions are the sunken cemetary, old church ruins, hot springs, cold springs, you name it, the island has it. Davao is endowed with a variety of picturesque landscapes, fruit plantations and orchid farms, virgin forests that nurture rare wildlife, the very famous pearl farm, among others. The main thing that would draw us to Bukidnon aside from the beautiful scenic view is to visit some old family friends who have drifted off to that part of the country. From Metro Manila to Bukidnon, we now call them the hillbillies.

But at the end of the day, unless the Lord blesses our plans and grants the desires of our hearts, we plan in vain. So why worry? God gives us everything we need, if He feels we need a vacation, then we’ll get one. If not, nobody has ever kicked the bucket from staying home for the whole summer break yet. We put all these possibilities and probabilities in His hands to do as He wants, for He knows what’s best for us. And maybe… we might just end up going to Zimbabwe . Dream on, $aM. It’s three in the morning, perfect time for dreaming… I’m off to bed. ZZzzz…