I’m writing this on the eve of my 38th birthday, which is a good time, I suppose, to be thinking about becoming a grown-up. When I was little, growing up was – at least in my mind – an actual, geographical place. When I noticed my parents dressing up to go out, I’d ask where … Continue reading The tradition of becoming a grown-up

Christy Wampole, an assistant professor at Princeton, wrote this piece on the dangers of today’s ethos of irony, about which my mom and I just had a lively discussion over Sunday breakfast. Irony, we concluded, does have its uses as an artistic or literary device, but when wielded in daily life, it can only do damage. … Continue reading The tradition of sincerity, straightforwardness, and substance

Newly arrrived in Montreal, I went out one fine late-summer morning for breakfast with my sister. On our way back up St Catherine to the metro, we passed a second-hand bookstore. Of course, we had to go in and check it out. It was small but well-stocked, and in their bargain section (4 books for … Continue reading Let’s talk tradition

Last weekend I read a newspaper story about how one woman, growing dissatisfied with her book club for its lack of meaningful conversation, gave it up and formed, instead, a bookless club: quite simply, a round-table dinner discussion, with intelligent and interesting people, answering pre-formed questions designed to provoke thought, spark dialogue, encourage the sharing of ideas, … Continue reading The best thing about being my age

I buried my father a week ago. In the days since, I've been helping my mother and my siblings sort out his affairs and belongings, receive countless telephone calls and emails, and write dozens of thank you notes. At times, it's as if a bright, shining light has gone out of our lives. But there … Continue reading Stronger than death

Until the day she died, at the ripe old age of 93, my Lola Anita - God rest her soul - could remember all her family members' birthdays (day, month, year) and full names (if you are familiar with the Filipino tendency to have three or more given names, you will admit that this was … Continue reading Droppings ni Lolo — or, Shit my grandpa says

Valentine's Day is approaching, with all the attendant symbols...Cupids, hearts, and bouquets. Perhaps this is why lately I find myself thinking about roses. There are three roses that stand out in my memory: one was given to me to say thank you, one to say sorry, one to say Happy Birthday. All three were pink, … Continue reading Remembered roses

A few weeks ago I read that putting iodine and alcohol on cuts and scrapes is a home remedy that doesn't actually work. In fact, these substances can be quite caustic on raw, broken skin and nerves, and therefore shouldn't be used on wounds at all. This major scientific discovery has come a few years … Continue reading The Original “Fear Factor”

Saturday evening is the time I usually get to talk to my sister, who lives in a predominantly Caucasian neighbourhood in the American Midwest. In the middle of our conversation tonight, my nearly-six-year-old nephew comes on the phone to say goodnight, and I send a noisy kiss down the wire. When he’s gone to bed, … Continue reading The way to a person’s heart