Of tests and stalls

[thoumayest]

Dad: Dapat ang baunin niya yung maliit lang na cupcake (gestures hands as if holding a cupcake)

Mom: Hindi, masmaganda kung mamon na lang ang babaunin niya, yung sa Goldilocks.

Dad: Kung mamon, eh di mahihirapan siyang hawakan yun, kailangan yung portable lang.

Mom: Eh kung cupcake lang , eh di parang hindi na siya nagmerienda. Alam mo naman ang tiyan nun.

Yes, the glory of Nursing Board Exams. It makes parents discuss their sons' baon as if the world's future depended on it. I never thought the day would come when you two would discuss snacks like negotiators of England and France, I said. They didn't pay attention to me but Ate gave a laugh.

I find myself as apathetic as my brother (the one taking the test) when it comes to this whole professional license exam thing. Mom even suggested that we go to Baclaran or Quiapo to pray but I gave no heed. It seems like the whole thing doesn't involve me, but it does. If Kuya doesn't pass, he'd have to find a temporary job. We can't have a freeloader in the house. And Mom's hopes to take another burden off her weary shoulders will have to wait for another year. Kuya waved everything off and proclaimed, "Lagi namang may bakante sa McDo, eh..." So I guess I should be worried about this whole professional license exam thing. But I guess I have this gut feeling that everything will be all right in the end. It may be that my brother'll pass (His blank fillers are labeled "Reviewer ni: Topnotcher Husef Ras") or that he'll easily get a job if he doesn't.

My mom, Ate, I and a few relatives all went to Divi the day my brother took the test (It was a whole day test.) My family's been there several times. That's why we have this mental list of stalls to visit and stuff to buy, but my relatives haven't. Honestly, you could never feel so unfree and responsible at the same time. My Tita and cousin went from stall to stall as if they made it a point to look at every product in the three floors. It's not that I blame them but we really had such a hard time. We couldn't go to the stalls that we wanted since they wanted to go to another. If we stirred away from them, they'd be lost. You couldn't walk fast even if the crowd was rushing since they might disappear the next time you look behind. It's like babysitting in unterritorial waters, and your wards are not children.

I did manage to get myself a new wallet. Ate was extra nice and payed it for me.