Uncle Kiki

The thing about the month of December is that you cannot run fast enough from the fat booty trying to attach itself to you. Yanno, the extra one you really didn’t ask for? Yeah, that one. It can sneak up on you in so many ways that somehow, though it happens every December, you selectively displace from your memory how it happened just last December. And it’s SUCH a surprise – this struggle, once more. Namely, this happens via your greedy pie hole that insists on stuffing itself (nice passive voice makes me feel better about it all – a bit helpless, you know?) full of holiday candies and cookies that (a) you have baked at home for yourself or family and friends, (b) your boss has sent to you as a holiday gift (note: when things are sent from your homeland, you are especially energetic about eating all of the things sent in one sitting to fully enjoy good home cookin’), (c) friends and family sent beautifully wrapped tins and bins of goodies that either (i) they want you to try as local foods you’ve never tried before (except that one time at the Christmas market in Belgium last year but don’t hurt their feelings), or (ii) family and friends who sent care packages (I like to call them “spare tire” packages) with treats, or finally (d) you bought yourself because you thought you might miss out – as if no one was going to give/send/bake you something this whole month.

The fact that so many people are out there who simply do not open and eat these heartfelt gifts is absolutely appalling. People, why do you guilt yourself out of enjoying this holiday cheer? For one moment, ignore the extra booty. I especially dislike the health nut freaks who claim they have strong enough will to get through the holiday season eating carrot sticks at parties… I promise to never have carrot sticks at my parties in December – the sacrilege! Do you see where my justification process begins already? I’m sick, SICK! It could be the two chocolate-covered macadamias I just ate for breakfast at work – the big boss in California sent a box. There’s no reason to be rude.

Sigh. January will be here before we know it. And that makes me pretty happy, though the Buddhist in me (somewhere amongst the chocolate-covered macadamias, truffles, and lolly pops) knows I need to slow down, enjoy the holiday season upon us, live in the moment (I really did enjoy those chocolate-covered macadamias – does that count?), and embrace what “is”. January brings such exciting new things in our lives: we get the keys to our new house 15 Jan, then work on it to perty her up for two weeks, then move in end of Jan. Pretty exciting stuff. I cannot believe I am getting a new kitchen – a brand new kitchen! I am living in my moment of bliss over the kitchen (yanno, that materialistic, tangible thing… Buddha is shaking his head). Remind me that I said I was excited about all the work to come, will you?

My sweet little nephew, de Kobus, is talking up a storm. He calls chocolate “colala” – which I have to agree, is a more appropriate name for chocolate – it is a French, sensual experience, to be sure (ohlala!)… I am “Tante Kiki!!” always with complete enthusiasm hence the exclamation point, and J is “Om Kiki” – the husband of Aunt Kiki. That always makes me giggle. Apparently, I have left quite the impression on little Kobus that even my husband is Uncle Kiki. Truly, I think Kiki is just fun to say for kids. But J’s name is fun to say too… our little friend, Luuk, Michiel and Vivanda’s son, calls J “Ap”, which means “Monkey”. Poor guy can’t get a break when it comes to kids saying his name. But does he have a way with kids! Oh, melts my heart to see him patiently explaining how something works. He is going to be such a good daddy someday (no, that is not insinuating anything!). Just marveling at my husband’s talent to make all babies love him. My own little Pied Piper. :)