Summer Series II
Dear Jellybean,
You know, I noticed that in general, Filipinos don't feel obligated to work unless they are either done with school or there is some pressing need for them to do so. For Pinoy kids summer used to mean lazy days, watching TV, hanging out with the neighborhood kids and playing in the street til someone is yelling at you to get inside the house right now or else. For your generation it might be quite different. I hope you don't get stuck indoors all day playing video games. (At least go outside and play videogames with your friends. Haha :P At least if you have to walk to their house you'll be vaguely aware of the existence of trees and grass and birds and bugs.) You can be a little lazy when it gets too hot to do anything outside, but I do want you to have adventures.
In Singapore, Korea, China and Japan children are compelled to pack in as much learning as they possibly can during their summer breaks so they can get ahead in school. There are some merits to this, but I don't want this to be the end all and be all of your life. What would you like to learn in summer? Will you be interested in sports, like your dad? I have a feeling you'll be good at them like he is. We could learn a language together, and make up our own "secret" code. Would you like to set up your own business with your buddies? Your grandpa would be delighted to show you how to manage that, I'm sure. I hope you'll ask him; you know how he likes to be included.
You know, your uncles and I used to sell "ice candy" and T-shirts door to door when we were younger. It was kinda scary but mostly fun. :) I'll probably have to make some extra popsicles for you so you don't pilfer your stock, but I think there's a good chance you'd do pretty well for yourself. The cute factor helps drive sales, and if you're anything like your dad you're gonna be irresistibly adorable. ;D Also, if you're anything like me you may also be infernally makulit, too. Powerful combo, that. Just remember, though: the gumption that it takes to make the approach is even more important. It's something you get from actual, face to face human interaction--not simply absorbing your lessons, but using them in the real world.
I was having a chat with some people earlier and we were talking about what our first salaries were like. Sakin na ata ang pinakamababa ;) Lol
My first "real job"--like, with an actual company--was as staff for a chocolate shop back in high school. Some family friends owned the place so they gave me a chance to help out at the Alabang branch. I handed out flyers, bussed tables, filled orders, that sort of thing. I had my own little apron and uniform and everything. I remember my first salary came in a little brown envelope with the coins jingling inside and the amount penciled on the front; I think it was like a few hundred lang and some change hahaha :P It wasn't always fun to get up early, hike on over to the mall and open up the store but when I got my little packet at the end of the week, oh... ^_^ Best summer vacation ever. I was awkward and insecure and thirteen--and for once, in that glorious moment, I felt responsible and independent and grown up. I was so proud of myself. I want you to know what that feels like, because it's awesome.
I don't remember what I spent that money on; I think I put it in my piggy bank and took it out the next day to buy ice cream. But I have never forgotten how it felt. I know McDonalds has a kiddie internship type program that is sort of like that; they pay in burgers though. I wish more businesses would do the same, anyway.
When you are old enough I want you to have summers like that. I want you to understand the value and dignity in an honest day's work, no matter how lowly or boring it may seem. I want you to see what it means to be early instead of just on time, to be nice to everyone even when they are not nice back, to never be afraid to roll up your sleeves and pick up someone else's trash, just because it makes your corner of the world a little better.
Mommy loves you. <3
You know, I noticed that in general, Filipinos don't feel obligated to work unless they are either done with school or there is some pressing need for them to do so. For Pinoy kids summer used to mean lazy days, watching TV, hanging out with the neighborhood kids and playing in the street til someone is yelling at you to get inside the house right now or else. For your generation it might be quite different. I hope you don't get stuck indoors all day playing video games. (At least go outside and play videogames with your friends. Haha :P At least if you have to walk to their house you'll be vaguely aware of the existence of trees and grass and birds and bugs.) You can be a little lazy when it gets too hot to do anything outside, but I do want you to have adventures.
In Singapore, Korea, China and Japan children are compelled to pack in as much learning as they possibly can during their summer breaks so they can get ahead in school. There are some merits to this, but I don't want this to be the end all and be all of your life. What would you like to learn in summer? Will you be interested in sports, like your dad? I have a feeling you'll be good at them like he is. We could learn a language together, and make up our own "secret" code. Would you like to set up your own business with your buddies? Your grandpa would be delighted to show you how to manage that, I'm sure. I hope you'll ask him; you know how he likes to be included.
You know, your uncles and I used to sell "ice candy" and T-shirts door to door when we were younger. It was kinda scary but mostly fun. :) I'll probably have to make some extra popsicles for you so you don't pilfer your stock, but I think there's a good chance you'd do pretty well for yourself. The cute factor helps drive sales, and if you're anything like your dad you're gonna be irresistibly adorable. ;D Also, if you're anything like me you may also be infernally makulit, too. Powerful combo, that. Just remember, though: the gumption that it takes to make the approach is even more important. It's something you get from actual, face to face human interaction--not simply absorbing your lessons, but using them in the real world.
I was having a chat with some people earlier and we were talking about what our first salaries were like. Sakin na ata ang pinakamababa ;) Lol
My first "real job"--like, with an actual company--was as staff for a chocolate shop back in high school. Some family friends owned the place so they gave me a chance to help out at the Alabang branch. I handed out flyers, bussed tables, filled orders, that sort of thing. I had my own little apron and uniform and everything. I remember my first salary came in a little brown envelope with the coins jingling inside and the amount penciled on the front; I think it was like a few hundred lang and some change hahaha :P It wasn't always fun to get up early, hike on over to the mall and open up the store but when I got my little packet at the end of the week, oh... ^_^ Best summer vacation ever. I was awkward and insecure and thirteen--and for once, in that glorious moment, I felt responsible and independent and grown up. I was so proud of myself. I want you to know what that feels like, because it's awesome.
I don't remember what I spent that money on; I think I put it in my piggy bank and took it out the next day to buy ice cream. But I have never forgotten how it felt. I know McDonalds has a kiddie internship type program that is sort of like that; they pay in burgers though. I wish more businesses would do the same, anyway.
When you are old enough I want you to have summers like that. I want you to understand the value and dignity in an honest day's work, no matter how lowly or boring it may seem. I want you to see what it means to be early instead of just on time, to be nice to everyone even when they are not nice back, to never be afraid to roll up your sleeves and pick up someone else's trash, just because it makes your corner of the world a little better.
Mommy loves you. <3