Thank God it’s a holiday today! Any extra day off from work - no matter the name, no matter the reason; whatever shape or form - I welcome with open arms, beaming with smile. The last 2 days have been fun and I was very much looking forward to capping off the long weekend with a lunchtime barbecue with my family. We love cooking because we love food. (We’d never have been this close if it wasn’t for our love for food)

Moments like these are never scarce in our household: we always spend Sunday lunch together; lately, we’ve been going to the movies a lot as a family; we never miss anyone’s birthday. Mind you, the youngest in the family’s 30 years old - we’re all very much grown-ups and yet we still hangout a lot as a family.

The fact that we’re grownups, that, I have not missed and has been more and more real to me lately. And every time I’m reminded of the years gone past, an odd, queasy feeling settles down my stomach. Honestly, I’ve been getting that a lot now.

It’s not that I wish to be forever tied to my parents and brothers and sister. It’s just that there’s a feeling of nostalgia whenever these get-togethers happen. One of these days, I know, one or some of us will miss a Sunday lunch or will be too busy for a movie or a birthday party. It’s all part of process of growing up, I know. But just for now - while we all still can - I’d like to make time to be with them. It sort of sounds corny and kind of uncool, but I actually love hanging out with my loud, crazy family.