I was minding my own business loading books onto my R2D2 Android thingy when my grandson Jayden comes flying up the hall in his speed walker, hands are waving little feet are pumping and noise is coming out of his mouth a mile a minute. I had no idea what was happening, but I remembered when on TV in the 50’s Lassie came running and barking at Timmy’s back door, wise people would pay attention.
So I got up and followed the little man to the living room and I saw my Son-in-law Chris’s Innova parked out front. Every door was open and people were exiting from each of them. I glance down to the Little Dude, and commented to him; “I think you’re going to be hugged a lot.” The look his face was telling me he was confused, I smiled and welcomed him into the Brotherhood of Man.
It’s a Thursday afternoon, why today are we being invaded by all these peoples? Through the door comes our daughter YoHanna May, my granddaughter Colleen, her cousin Bebe and of course some lady I have no idea who she is, but I know I should!
With Jayden and myself, are also Mayang, our daughter Ymir Thea Mayang’s twin Clara and Ate Nene (Susan, Mayang’s sister visiting from Holland. Everyone but my grandson and I seem to know what is going on, albeit Chris has a perplexed look on his face. It’s Marivel who is a batch mate from school with our girls (and Susan).
Who it seems, had spent many hours and days at our house in Beautiful Downtown Olongapo City, low those many years ago “Daddy, you remember Marivel don’t you?” I was asked by my daughter. I nod in the affirmative and smile. What else could I have done? Better yet, what would you “the reader” have done in my situation? I’ll blame my poor memory on the front patio and copious amounts of ice cold SMB’s.
Anyway, Marivel was home from Saudi Arabia where she owns a Beauty Parlor. So my odd brain kicks in and I asked if her specialty was eyes? I’m of course thinking about the Burka that is worn there, where only the eyes show. I’m thinking what would be the point of getting their hair and make-up done when only the eyes show. Now my son-in-law Chris understood the joke, and the “Little Dude” he laughs at anything I say (bless him) but the gang of ladies, not so much.
So Chris quickly moves toward the TV, the little dude “Jay-man” fires up his speed walker (The Scooter Pooper) and beats a hasty retreat down the hall again. All eyes turn to him and his antics and off of me and my lame joke. I wondered; “Did the boy do that to save his Lolo?” (Again, bless him)
I now remember Marivel from her school days, albeit I was still working on the ships and was gone a lot. But given time it all comes back to me, sometimes!
Now to that smell, please cook up those little dried dead fish in my kitchen, eat durian beside me, and spill fish sauce on my cheeseburger as nothing could smell as bad as hair products generously applied to long flowing hair and plastic bags on their heads to intensify the aromatic experience. Not one but five of the ladies had the full hair treatment. Only two ladies gave it a pass.
Grandson and son-in-law; I love you both, but in situations like this it’s every man for himself. (I’ll explain)
During a Coast Guard sponsored abandon ship drill, on one merchant ship I was on, I was heading up and forward on the starboard side to my life raft station. Being a crusty old retired Navy Senior Chief this is something I could do in my sleep, (BTW I have) when a young USCG Petty Officer stopped me and asked me if I knew where I was going. Fully understanding he was just performing his duty I said; “Yes shipmate, I do.” Not leaving well enough alone he further asked which life raft was mine and I told him number “42” and then he said; “Which one is that?” I smiled and looked to his Chief standing by and replied; “Son, it will be the first life raft that hits the water, as far as I’m concerned each and everyone is number “42”! The USCG Chief gave me a knowing smile and moved the young Petty Office out of the way. I gave the Chief a mental salute and completed my mission.
That’s when our house turned into a Beauty Parlor, I grabbed my android electronically charged large font book reader, and tip-toed to my hidey hole upstairs away from the fray! At 22:00 hours I crept downstairs and the house was relativity empty, the Innova had departed, Ate Nene and Clara went home. Jayden was asleep in his stroller and my wife and daughter (Ymir Thea) still had plastic bags on their heads. All is normal again, I’m going to sleep until the next invasion come along.
Beauty parlor in Saudi Arabia? Paul, believe it or not, there was once a Salon Lamaar based in Riyadh that specialized in “facial, waxing, manicure, pedicure, make up, hair styling and much more”, but is now “closed forever”, according to their website. Either they were a victim of the Saudi moral police, or they just didn’t make money. I’d have to say that Marivel is an extremely courageous foreigner for operating a business like that in Saudi, but, then again, I’d heard about the reforms that are being attempted, or already in place, for quite some time to liberalize the strict interpretation of Islam in business, government and society, a fact that is certainly not lost on the rich and forward-thinking younger generation of Saudis.
John;
I know that one Parlor is there for sure, or so I’ve been told. With all the time I spent there in the Persian Gulf I could think of a better business to run. But I did read that some of the largest selling products are sold to the ladies are from the Victoria Secret stores. I never would have thought of that. The only problem I can see is who will drive the ladies to the Beauty Parlor?
Paul, whatever goes on behind the bedroom doors of the royal kingdom, we will never know. But, I think women are women. Regardless of where they were born and no matter how strict their religious and cultural upbringing, they all have the same basic instinct. If they have been repressed for so long, they will rebel the first chance they get. And how! I liken them to the powerful burst of water in a pent up dam once the floodgates are released. So, if these Saudi ladies are flocking to Victoria’s Secret stores, it’s to make up for lost time! I think of those prim and proper colegialas behind the convent walls in Manila in the same way. Once they shed their sailor uniforms outside the convent, look out! LOL
John;
Girls gone wild is the premise behind spring break, locations may change but not human nature.
morning bob fro lapa lapa one word to describe my life unbelievable
Little Dude” he laughs at anything I say (bless him) — This statement made my day; you are a very fortunate dude.
Hey Loren;
He is a cool little guy! He’s training me well.
Hi Alan, never heard of Lapa Lapa before, is it possible you mean Lapu Lapu? Wherever you are, I’m glad you are enjoying it!
I love reading your articles Paul!! I too HATE the smell of those chemicals! Not to mention dried squid(pusit). 🙂 I’m sure I’ll retreat as often as the need should arise. Hopefully I will have my man cave setup to sequester myself for the duration of the ladies meetings. 🙂
You do have a refrigerator with SMB’s in it right?
Scott;
This time of year the man cave even with my beer ref in it, is hot. But my hidey hole upstairs is well and truly air conditioned, a good book and a power nap is all I need until the rainy season cools off the world next month. I have to wait until the sun goes down to hide in the man cave, when it’s cooler. Mmmm Beer!
And yes I have a dedicated beer ref, doesn’t everybody?
Paul,
You would be surprised how much that little boy understands at his age. Enjoy him now, he will be grown before you know it. It’s best to evacuate the area to upstairs with those chemicals being used for the hair. It would probably give me a headache if i stayed around very long lol. Have a nice day!
Hey Short-timer Randy;
I agree with you on what they understand. Yesterday he figured out that if he caught the edge of the big Nara Wood door with the edge of his Scooter Pooper and pushed that he could close it. I watch with fascination as he would hit the door, back up and take another run at it. My Daughter, looks at me and said; “Daddy, why didn’t you stop him?” I answered; “For the same reason I never stopped you.” I’m there to insure no harm comes to you, not stifle you, it the same with your son.
Hi Paul Judging by the title and seeing the little fellow I was expecting that Jayden made a depost in his diaper, haha. It’s all about timing, oh oh gramps turn. Why am I the only one who notices.
Happy Camper;
My way of seeing humor is never straight on, I’ll sneak the punch line in from a different direction. Baby’s and diapers is far too easy, and to tell the truth Jay-Man will be one year next month and (Knock on wood) I’ve never been involved with the “Dark Side” of baby rearing (YET).
Paul I did enjoyed your humorist story . My wife and I will be visiting our childens homes soon for a few months in Canada.At 4 and 2 year old it will be active, I hope I have some where to retreat to, if needed..
I meant 4 and 2 year old grand children.
Happy Camper;
Remember I was not hiding from the grandkids, I was running from the hair care smell. But somewhere there must be a bar or a man cave close by, after all it is Canada, and you folks do love your beer!
Enjoy your visit!