Tita Carmen

I got some class today. C L A S S.

I had a chance to hang with Tita Carmen. She is over 70 and simply one of the classiest ladies I've met. Well-educated, great conversationalist, independent, well-read, stylish, epicurean, well-traveled...

I really like her. I felt instantly bonded with her when we first met. Coming through her doors I felt a kinship. Her space is definitely one of a collector and historian. She has plates from the Ming Dynasty, beautiful antique furniture pieces, art and a sense of her personality in everything she owns! Her skin is of course immaculate and the quality of convesation par none. She taught me so much about Iloilo within minutes and gifted me with a book about the Dutch settlement in the local town of Oton, well before the times of Spanish Colonization.

It's important to focus on what you are passionate about she told me. In the context of general education for example, she told me about her experience having to study or try to memorize something you have absolutely no interest in. No matter what you do it doesn't stick. In my experience and after talking with my brilliant brother, it seems in these situations you can take something like your interest in learning to drive you through a dry, monotonous class or in my brother's case just make an effort to prove to yourself you can take on a challenge and rock the shit outta it.

But going back to Tita Carmen, yes I agree with her, people simply have certain talents, skills, and abilities. Why not cultivate our strengths? I mean, yes, of course work on your weaknesses as well, but by gosh why not put the most effort into something you are already talented in and share it with the world.

You're beautiful, well-educated, from a good family she said, why would you settle for just any man. It's ladies choice 'hija'. You have to watch how a man treats you and you definitely do not want a lazy man or a mama's boy. You choose where you make your bed, she continued, so why would you lie where you are not wanted. You make your own bed. If you are not liking that bed, then MOVE ON!!!! Why? Why would you short change yourself? Why would you compromise your dignity?

In the words of He's just not that into you, save the pretty!!

Dating, she tells me, is paramount. Nowadays men will simply ask you to bed, but with me, you'd have to "court" me first, how would I know anything about you.

I'm three times your age "hija", learn from my experience.

She says to look for a man you loves you and works hard before looks. She said to watch how a man treats you.

We had some deliciou veggie soup and I finally found some amazing tropical honey with her help.