Christmas Magic: Going, Going, Gone

Yay Christmas!


Yay Christmas!


Yay Christmas!


That's it?

Rikipedia would like to wish you a merry Christmas!

Is this RJ's first cycle?

You know what I think is hilarious? RJ still has that same smirk...

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

Exhibit D:

Exhibit E:

A Very Jeezy Christmas

I looked at my journal from 1996-1997, and surprisingly enough, I didn't document the Christmas of Tears. I had major family and boyfriend drama going on then, and I didn't write anything from mid-November 1996 until March 1997.

Though it's twelve years later, I still have a hard time talking about this. There's something about the way RJ can reduce me to tears that's a little...scarring.

It's Christmas 1996. All RJ wanted was Tommy Hilfiger. I wanted to give him something that was Tommy Hilfiger, but since I can't seem to buy something mainstream, I decided not to get him a t-shirt. I also like to give gifts that are useful, if at all possible. I ended up getting him a pair of Tommy Hilfiger gloves because he also needed gloves. Sounds like a win-win situation, yes?

I was so excited for RJ to open his gifts. Jon, RJ, and I were in the basement exchanging gifts. When he opened the gloves, he didn't react quite the way I thought he would. In fact, I could tell he didn't like them at all. I was disappointed that he wasn't into it, but I still thought he would want to keep them since he needed gloves and all. RJ being fourteen years-old apparently didn't have a filter for tact because he says with disgust "I really wanted a t-shirt."

I tried not to cry and was fighting to keep the tears back. Game over, man. The flood gates opened and I was bawling. Jon put his arm around me to console me* and told me that RJ was just being jeezy**. I told RJ that I could return it and get him something else. Jon stood up for me and gave RJ some spiel about why it was an awesome gift.

The combination of my tears and Jon's staunch defense pressured RJ into keeping the gloves. I kept asking RJ if he was sure he wanted to keep it, and he said yes. Later on, as in more than a couple of years had passed, RJ did tell me that he did appreciate the gift. He just couldn't see it back when he received it.

I wonder whatever happened to those gloves...

* This is why if I have to cry, I go to Jon because I know RJ can't handle tears.
** Though "jeezy" wasn't common vernacular back then, it's a very appropriate term to use to describe RJ's behavior.

RJeezy's Kryponite

Over the weekend, RJ and I were talking about sibling relationships. I know that I'm fortunate to have decent relationships with my siblings. I know there are people who don't have any real relationships with their siblings, that the only reason they even acknowledge each other's existence is because they're related.

From this conversation, I started defining my relationship with RJ. He immediately cut me off with "Stop right there. I don't want to hear anymore." Which I didn't get. Really? You're not going to let me tell you what I think/feel?

Throughout the weekend, when RJ would get too jeezy for me to handle, I would try to finish that initial thought that I wasn't allowed to verbalize. He would immediately stop being jeezy, due to his adverse reaction.

Every jeezy has their weakness.

Jeezy Musings (edited for relevancy)

me: why do i <3 nerds so much?

RJ: cuz all your brothers are

me: man, i hope that's not a freudian thing
Sent at 11:23 AM on Monday

RJ: if you start seeing someone with a type jeezy personality, it'll definately be interesting
we'll probably try to out jeezy each other

me: man, i don't think i can.

RJ: you'd go broke buying tissues

What to get RJeezy for Christmas?

I pride myself on my gift-giving spidey senses. There haven't many times where I totally missed the mark. In fact, I can recall only one time where the recipient blatantly told me that he wanted something else. That would be RJeezy and the story related to the tag line "Tommy Hilfiger." That story will be told, I'm going to look through my old journals and see if I can find the actual entry where I talked about it.

Until then, I'll entertain you with Threadless shirts that I thought about getting RJ.

1. This was pretty appropriate, minus the color. I don't know many dudes that would wear this color.




2. I also think this was appropriate too, but there was something about the concept that I didn't love.




3. This also had potential but again, it wasn't quite right.




4. This was the one that I really wanted to get, but I wasn't sure if RJ would wear it. It's kind of a reference to an inside joke.

Which one can you see RJ wearing?

The holiday season is upon us.

I have much fodder for Christmas with RJeezy stories. After 26+ years, there are bound to be some worth mentioning here, right?

This is one that I forgot about, until RJ made me think of it when we were chatting the other day. This is part of the reason why if I don't talk to RJ, things like lolRJ contests happen. By the way, Jon won that one. Sorry, Elvis. For a while, it looked like Elvis was going to take the prize.

Anyway, on to the story. Many years ago, we decided as a family to do a Secret Santa exchange among the children. With seven siblings and the addition of their spouses to the family over the years, it was a realistic solution for gift-giving. As the years progressed, I started giving Jon and RJ gifts in addition to my Secret Santa draw. I think I started doing it in college. I didn't spend as much, but it was still a little something extra for them since they were still kids.

I do have a very specific story to share about an RJeezy moment, but I'll save that for another day. I'm just going to give you the teaser tag line regarding that: Tommy Hilfiger.

Today's story is about how I, as RJ put it, "lincoln burrows'd" him. Part of our Secret Santa exchange is we maintain an Amazon wish list. I got RJ one of the Lord of the Rings DVDs for Christmas that year, but I didn't get it through Amazon. Since RJ and I lived together at the time, I went to his computer to delete it from his Amazon wish list. In case you're not familiar with Amazon lists, if you purchase the item from Amazon, the list then registers the item as purchased. If you don't, it's obviously still listed, and therefore, theoretically available for someone else to get it for RJ.

To ensure that no one else would purchase the same item, I deleted it. I figured he wasn't going to notice it since most people don't check their wish list daily. But, just to make sure he didn't add it back on, I checked his wish list everyday. Which was a good thing because RJ did notice it wasn't on his list anymore, so he added it back on. Later on, when I would come home from work, I would go back to his computer and delete it from his list. Rinse and repeat.

This went on for at least two weeks. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, I had to confess because: 1) I'm horrible about surprising people, and 2) The situation was evolving to hysterical proportions. I finally told him that I've been the one deleting it off his list because I already got it for him. He thought it was Amazon's system screwing up. Really, it was just gremlins. ;)

Where's RJ?

This isn't a very long story, but it's cute and Thanksgiving-related.



This picture was taken on Thanksgiving one year. RJ must have been 2 years-old here. We were getting the table prepared and finishing up the food preparations. All of a sudden, someone asked, "Where's RJ?"

We called for him and there was no answer. We looked around to find him and didn't spot him right away. Where the heck was he?

Apparently, RJ couldn't wait to dig into the Thanksgiving feast, so he snuck into the dining room and fixed himself a plate to munch on. The best part was that he KNEW he wasn't supposed to eat before we formally sat down! Which is why he hid under the table to dine in secrecy.

I remember once we found him, we thought it was hilarious. He was so intent on eating that he didn't notice us looking at him under the table. Someone grabbed the camera and when they took the picture, they called out his name. He looked up, surprised that he was caught, but managed a smile when he saw there was a camera.

Good morning, RJeezy

RJ's new status message - do I have a girlfriend? technically no

me: what's up w/ your status?

RJ: john legend lyric
nosey

me: btw, i followed up with my co, she has a classic car she's trying to store
yeah, i'm nosey because you have it as your STATUS
see, she's not a drug mule

RJ: is the car hot?

me: haven't seen it yet

RJ: hot as in stolen

me: it's got to be old because it doesn't lock
oh, no
it's not
man, i don't speak hood like you

RJ: ok whatever skate spinners are called
hot is more general slang than hood

me: i only hear people use that in law and order
and now you

RJ: zOMG that show is so ghetto!

me: you're in fine form today

More lolRJ Submissions

Another lolRJ submission

An official submission from Anonymous

Anonymous let me know who he/she is, so y'all can't claim it's yours. ;)

Submission for the lolRJ contest

I wish I can claim credit for this, but it is the genius styling of my friend and work husband, Chris.

What to write about this week?

I haven't talked to RJ much this week, which is probably why I'm a little directionless as far as what to write about this week. So, how about we try to do something different today? Let's have a lolRJ contest. Winner gets...something. Don't know yet. I guess it depends on if we get any submissions.

Here's the pic I want y'all to lol up:

Deadline for submission is end of next week next Wednesday. Can't wait to see the submissions!

P.S. I've also uploaded this on Facebook in case you can't save the pic from flickr.

Rikipedia's First Halloween Costume

I know Halloween was 2 weeks ago, but since this blog didn't exist then, we'll revisit the holiday now by taking a look at RJ's first Halloween.


Mary Jo was a boy, Jon was Superman, I was a Barbie Bride (yeah, this is SO wrong on so many levels, but this blog isn't about me, so I won't get into it), and I believe RJ was supposed to be E.T. Yeah, as in the Extra-Terrestrial. Which is why he's wearing a hoodie. I'm sure you see the resemblance.

More Rikipedia-isms (edited for relevancy)

me: i think i'm just feeling this way because of pop, just re-evaluating life
Sent at 1:43 PM on Tuesday

RJ: I'm kinda there too
Sent at 1:44 PM on Tuesday

RJ: but I won't date anyone until after valentines day

me: whenever you talk about your standards being too high, i'm the first one to say "don't settle for less!"

RJ: hahahaha

me: and here i am thinking "hmm, maybe it would be okay to just have someone who loves me"
but yeah, in the end, it isn't enough
why not til v-day?

RJ: cuz I hate gift giving in the beginning of relationships

me: lol!
you're awesome
Sent at 1:46 PM on Tuesday

RJ: it's a major factor of what keeps me out of them
gift giving within the 1st year, meeting her dumbass friends and family
haha
forget that shit

Totally RJ

RJ: haha, anup likes nickelback!
I told him thats worse than watching gossip girl
Sent at 3:20 PM on Wednesday

RJ's new status message - JCVD!!! 3:58 PM

me: SHUT UP
and what does your new status message refer to?

RJ: take a guess

me: ?????????
jesus christ valentine's day

RJ: jessamine c******* venereal disease

me: it does not

Blast from the Past

This is a pic of RJ taking his first steps. Say it with me now: "awwww."

The origin of RJ's name.

Alternate working title: Our Filipino Amway Baby.

My hope for this blog is to post once a week. I can't promise that a post will be made while I'm on vacation, but since that's not going to happen for a while, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, shall we take a stroll down memory lane? Let me know if you get scared and need your hand held.

When I first came to the States, it was June. I had been separated from my mother for at least a year. At that point, I can't remember the last time I saw her. When I see her at the airport, I am surprised: my mother is pregnant! She didn't want to tell me on the phone because she said she wanted to "surprise" me.

I was a little...cynical. Granted at my tender age of six (going on seven in less than two months), I didn't know what that fetid taste in my mouth was called. I just got away from my younger brother Jon, and I finally had my mom all to myself! I traveled thousands of miles only to be "surprised" that I had more competition to come?! Great.

I had hoped and prayed for a baby sister. But alas, somehow my parents knew they were going to have a boy. As my mom's due date in September neared, we had a family meeting about what the baby's name will be. My parents wanted his name based on initials. It's the Filipino way, after all. My mom threw out JJ, which I promptly shot down because one of our neighbors down the street had the name JJ. Which shouldn't have mattered because that was back in the Philippines, but you, dear reader, also have to realize that I just emigrated and didn't realize these things didn't matter anymore. Plus, I was only six years-old!

Alternatively, my mom threw out RJ, which I also promptly shot down. RJ was JJ's brother, as in the neighbors down the street from where we lived in the Philippines. I remember that even though I was totally against it, my mom ignored me and we started thinking of names that could fit the initials R and J.

I don't really remember the ensuing discussion for possible names at this point. All I know is the final decision was Richard Jay. Seems arbitrary enough, doesn't it?

At the time, both our parents worked for Amway. We didn't think this fact had anything to do with RJ. That is, until it was revealed sometime later that RJ was named for the co-founders of Amway: Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel. This is a fun little fact that is brought up every now and then for a familial chuckle. And now, I share this endearing story for all to chuckle along with me.

The Truf about Trufa.

The first weekend of October, I was home visiting for Jon's birfday. RJ had to go to the airport to drop off Joe and then pick up Margaret and Phil who were returning from their Mediterranean cruise. I decided to tag along to keep RJ company since he would be hanging out at the airport for a spell.

We were chatting in the cell phone lot when he got the call that they arrived. We drove to the terminal, picked up Margaret and Phil, and then off we were to take them back home.

On the way, Margaret gives me this key chain she got from London, which was pretty cool. Then she takes out 2 huge candy bars, one for me and one for RJ. I see the candy bar on top is truffle with almond bits. It didn't explicitly say it since it was written in a different language, but having experience with working in multiple languages and some linguistics, coupled with the illustrations, I gathered that "trufa" was truffle.

I immediately revert back to childhood and decide that I wanted that kind, not knowing what the other one was, and I knew it was going to be easy to convince RJ that he didn't want that kind. Plus, the other candy bar was broken in half. I didn't want a broken candy bar! I know, highly illogical considering it was going to be consumed anyway. I just remember that as a child, everything had to be perfect. I didn't want a lollipop with a jacked-up wrapper. I wanted one that was visually perfect.

So, since I had already reverted to childhood and decided to forgo the broken candy bar, I was almost set to take the trufa candy bar for the win. That is, until I saw that the broken candy bar was hazelnut. All bets were off now, hazelnut trumps truffle!

While we were in the Target parking lot, I tell RJ that I'll take the hazelnut. It's a win-win situation, right? Nope, not a chance. Are things ever that easy with RJ?

He puts up a huge stink. (Side note, I'm laughing to the point of tears as I type this out in my cube.) He starts going off about what the hell trufa is and how the pictures don't tell him jack. I was dying with laughter at this point. He's fighting for the hazelnut. I tell him no, I know he'll like the truffle better. "Truffle?! How do you know that's what it is?! I don't know what 'trufa' is, how do you know that's what it is?!" Those weren't his exact words, but that was the gist of his rants.

Through my laughter and tears, I show him the illustrations. The illustration of the almond was clear and obvious. The illustration of the truffle wasn't as obvious. If you illustrated the following photo, that was the graphic that appeared on the candy bar.



We arrive back home and he begrudgingly acquiesced to my preference, and we settle it by sampling them in his room. He reluctantly agreed with me, that he does indeed prefer the truffle. Plus, he had been going on about how almond was a superior nut earlier that day.

At this point, he had another rant about why I got the key chain versus him. Since I didn't do anything except went along for the ride, and he's the one who picked them up.

So at this point, you would think the story is done. I thought it was until he brought it back up three weeks later. Among the other siblings. Made it look like I was trying to dupe him into taking the crappy trufa candy bar. (Side note: It's European chocolate. Are Europeans even capable of making crappy chocolate? I don't think so.) It's just hilariously ironic, because I had been planning to dupe him into taking the broken candy bar in the first place. He kept bringing up the story about trufa and how was he supposed to know what it was, blah blah blah, receiving boisterous laughter as the reaction. This is going to be a recurring joke, I'm sure.

Why this blog was born.

My brother RJ and I have...a unique relationship. I may be his older sister, but over the years, our relationship has evolved to a situation where an outsider wouldn't be able to tell by our actions who's older. RJ is very protective of me, to the point of ridiculous, but I can appreciate caring too much versus not enough.

Anyway, back to the point. So, I may be RJ's older sister, but there are many a times where he has...overstepped his rank with verbal rantings. In general. Most of the times, they make me laugh. Sometimes they make me cry. I may not always be able to laugh about it at the time, but I have been able to later on.

Basically, this is a place where I will record these incidents. Because they are hilarious to me and worth documenting outside my normal blogging spaces. I can't think of any specific stories now to kick this blog off (and it doesn't help that I'm at work and therefore, should be working), but stay tuned. They will come and it will be plentiful.