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June 09, 2004
Visiting the Family
I make an effort to see mi familia at least once a month: my mom, my dad, my three brothers, two sisters, and the family dog. I live downtown, they all live out in the suburbs. We were all close. We still are, but contact is not as frequent as it once was. After coming back from the West Coast, I was due for a visit.
This past weekend, I finally trekked it wayward east borderlining the city of Pickering. Here's a few observations:
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Last week, Anthony, my youngest brother surprised me with an invitation to a concert for Sunday evening. He was performing for a musical organized by our old local church. Wooh. He's singing? But Anthony can't sing? Church? When did he ever become a do-gooder? This is coming from the same 14-year old boy who only goes out with girls who "put out"? Hmmmm.
Either way, I had to be there for support. (As it turns out, the little musical was very well done.)
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I finally got the chance to spend much quality time with my two-year-old niece. I'm the only uncle she can not recognize in pictures. I must've played with her for at least two hours non-stop.
She's a fire-bundle of energy. We were playing catch and then 'follow the leader'. There was alot of running in the backyard. My older sister finally warns me that two-year-olds do not tire so I shouldn't bother with stamina tests. Man oh man, she tired me out.
For those two hours though, I was in her good books. I hope she will recognize me the next time she sees me again.
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My three-month old nephew has ballooned. What a heavy baby!
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On the other hand, my dad lost significant weight. I wonder if he's okay. I didn't get to talk to him much though. As for my mom... well, she's still the same church-goin', bible-preachin' woman... but that's another post altogether. Oh dear.
I love her though.
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I also did catch up on stories with my older sister. She has been on a down mood. I don't think she's depressed, just restless. She's bored with routine. But with the kids, she's always tired. She never has time for herself. She wants to lose the weight and fit into her size zero clothes again. She wants to start dieting but doesn't want to compromise the quality of her breast milk. What's a girl to do?
To top it off, after almost three years of marriage, her relationship with her husband has already showed signs of waning. He doesn't come home and yell 'Honey, I'm home' anymore. He simply goes straight to the basement to do more work without giving notice that he's already in the house.
But I don't blame him. No sex for him in the last five months.
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My older brother Mike is having problems with his wife's side of the family. What was his words again.... oh yeah... "White Trash". LOL.
I wish I can tell you more, but it's really just fucked up. Anyways, the worst of their problem is the financial aspect - which is quite a contrast from my older sister's who living quite the comfortable life as a housewife with two kids.
Also, the wife wants to start having kids. Mike wants to wait. Argh. Natural disaster.
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When I got back from my little vacation, I sent numerous tangible photos to every member of mi familia via snail mail - silly photos of myself that can be posted to the fridge.
I knew I would be asked a slideshow presentation like Aunt Selma and Aunt Patty did in the Simpsons. I don't want to have to do a slideshow because I was just not prepared to go through over 1200 pictures and decide which is appropriate for show and tell, and which would be too "risque". Hence, I avoided the topic.
When it does come up, I somehow successfully maneouver the conversation to two topics: the church musical featuring my brother Anthony, or Spud the family dog. With recent disturbing news, the dog has been on my mind quite frequently over the last few days. And yes, that's another post.
I can go on and on talking about my family but I'm afraid I'm only rambling on without direction.
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