With my dad it was a bit more challenging what he expected from you, and there were times when I thought he didn’t until I fucked up, and I would of course hear about it though in very economical- but weighty- words.

With my mother, there was no beating around the bush and no reading of minds. She told you exactly what she thought, for better or worse. I’m pretty sure that my siblings and I had years when we grappled with the effect of that. But now it all makes sense. The apparent antagonist is a sage, and one who only wanted one thing- the best for you, but…only if you worked hard for it ( and not because you were entitled to it).

Some of the truths she has gifted us:

1. Liars are most likely to be thieves as well
2. Don’t be a one-day-millionaire; save, save, save
3. Be ashamed of being in debt (a faster way to get out of it!)
4. If you’re a woman, why would you give money to a man??
5. Health is wealth
6. If you’re fair complexion, you’re already half-good looking (10 years later, whitening became all the rage!).
7. Facebook is CRAP
8. There’s a God out there and it wouldn't hurt to pray and have faith
9. Duck Adobo is life (apparently)
10. Avoid procrastinating