It is very improper to ask a woman "How old are you?"
In my career, I am constantly surrounded by people who are young enough to be my own children. It sometimes irks me when they get that look on their face, about to pop that "How old are you" question.
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| The hilarious "wish I had my teenage body" back |
Out in the streets, I am always referred to as "Ate"(older sister) or "Nanay" (mother). It is what it is. I am an older sister to my siblings, and a mother to my three children.
I hate it when people make a joke out of me being classmates with Jose Rizal. Sure, I went to the same University that gave our National Hero his degree in Medicine. That was centuries ago. Do I look like being born in the 1800s? I don't think so. I think they're just jealous that my parents could afford sending me to The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas.
I love watching college sports. I pretty much get around by walking. (Sorry to disappoint my detractors, but I do not have arthritis). I still chill out with a cold bottle of beer and some nacho chips. I am flexible enough that I can give that lethal high kick to your ear if I so desire.
I do not like wearing house dresses, those loose-fitting shapeless dresses with obnoxious prints. I still go around in shorts and t-shirts. I do not have varicosities in my legs. Although I have gained weight, I am still pretty much in shape. I am not a DOLOR (dodo hanggang floor) or a SUSAN (suso hanggang tiyan). For my english speaking readers, those two capitalized words only mean one thing - sagging boobs.
I am proud of this age. I have been through 7 Philippine Presidents. I was a few months old when Ferdinand Marcos became President. I was pregnant with my first child during the EDSA Revolution. I have very vivid memories of the worst typhoons the country has ever seen - Rosing, Dading, Milenyo. I was in UST-Zoology during that Doña Paz tragedy, I was attending Medical School when that 7.7 earthquake hit Nueva Ecija and caused major damage in Luzon, killing hundreds of my countrymen. I had just finished taking my prelim exam in OB-Gyn when the earthquake struck. I have had the scare of my life when at 2:00 in the afternoon, it suddenly because pitch dark. Seven months into my pregnancy with my second child, Mt. Pinatubo erupted.
Enough said.
To set things straight... I AM NOT OLD. I AM EXPERIENCED. Old is a number, and I am not a statistic. I am a person. I am a mother sending kids through school. I am an investor. My business is investing in my children's future. My collateral is my life and my work. I am still working not for myself, not for gadgets but for the three children that God has entrusted me to raise and care for.
You understand? Now, let me ask you back... HOW OLD ARE YOU????
Very wonderfully written sister.....I love that "wish I had my college body back" photo! :) you have had the best teacher ever....experience that is and I say you totally rock! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Age is so much more than a number :) There is no way I'd want to be that young again though...although with two boys, sometimes I do feel twice my age ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL... great post! Age is just a number,... but my number is sure a lot higher than yours. I have Grandchildren who are old enough to have children.
ReplyDeleteLOL agreed, age is just a number however I do feel a lot older more days than others with 3 small kids.
ReplyDeleteI personally think age is irrelevant. I am a grandma to 3 small children, I have a grown daughter and a 15 year old son. I have an extensive education but I still love to rock wild hair. I dance around like I am 20 but am much wiser than my age. Life is all about lessons and finding out who you are.
ReplyDeleteAge is sooo much more than just a number. It really depends on the person and how they wear their age!
ReplyDeleteYou are only ever as old as you feel. My husband who's almost 50, looks nowhere near as old as his former classmates. Plus he doesn't smoke or do things that older people do. Think you and you'll stay young, is my philosophy. If something odd happens, just let it, but don't let others get you down because they think you're old. I've seen 20 year olds that look older than some 40 year olds! :)
ReplyDeleteI love it! I'm totally using that line" I'm not old i'm experienced!"
ReplyDeleteI'm very experienced....why don't my kids get that?? Gosh...but, I feel old! (maybe I should get out and exercise more!)
ReplyDeleteAge is just a number. I never even think about it!
ReplyDeleteI have the same wishes, if to wish for younger look and age is possible, i would make a bunch of wishes.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the less I like hearing that question! lol. I no longer think of How old I am, instead I just live my life to the fullest and appreciate every day I have...
ReplyDeleteYES! I am experienced too! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! You have amazing writing skills! As far as ages, my mum also gets freaked out a lot when people ask her..and they ask her a lot, because she looks way younger :)
ReplyDeleteLove this! We have a neighbor boy who is always asking me how old I am and I always tell him the number one rule when it comes to women is to never ask their age.
ReplyDeleteI better be good and not poss you off sistah because I am scared of that lethal high kick of yours lol.
ReplyDeleteNatawa naman ang sa DOLOR and SUSAN. Good thing my wife takes good care of her boobs or is it me handling it with care.. Ha, ha, ha.. I love your 'fighting spirit' for keeping watch of your figure. Nice read sis.
ReplyDeleteAge is just a number Sis :-) You look very young to me. I am 40 years old and proud of it. People think that I look younger than my age which is a compliment. We have to enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sis! Well said. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, the next time someone as you that question , fire back with a question as well like "Why do you ask?" hehehe
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