Good ol' Sibling Rivalry

What is it about the holiday season that reminds you just how much your family can drive you to an extreme state of mental and emotional exhaustion? Yeah, sure, there's the Hallmark aspect, full of love, joy and merriment, but I'm going to call bull if you tell me it's like that all. the. time.

I grew up with an older brother. We were close in age, being only 14 months apart. Naturally, sibling rivalry developed, lines were drawn and there have been plenty of times I didn't hold back in throwing a punch. Finally, we parted ways and packed some miles between us when he moved to college. It was a blessing, seriously. Aside from not having to share a bathroom — Hallelujah! — the pressure to be "better"didn't seem so omnipresent. But now, when he comes home from his hot shot job in Chicago, my status as an unemployed college graduate, living at home is highlighted ever more in the eyes of my parents. God, help me now.

My brother has been home for less than 24 hours and I've already found the desire to stick a fork in my eye, jump off a bridge to a rocky death and hash it out on this blog. Oh, you think I'm kidding...I'm not, that's why I'm on here.

As this holiday season drags on, I can only imagine where my angst will take me. The Christmas party slated for tomorrow is already marked with a red flag as I brace myself for the question I've grown to hate, "What are you doing now," — or any other variation. The sassy side of me will answer, "Just dickin' around," or "Nothing. I'm freeloading," but whether or not that side will attend, is a fate yet unknown. It'll also be a hard fight to keep her from surfacing as I get sassier with increased frustration.

So, call me bitter, call me a Grinch, call me someone who is sick of the comparisons, because I'm over it. I may not have a job (yet) and I sure as heck don't have a retirement plan, but I can do some pretty damn amazing things and I think I'm a pretty kickass person, regardless of your opinions or bank statement.

Sincerely,

Cybill

Hitting Home

Looking back through my previous posts and reading my About page, I realized I never mentioned where I'm from, aside from the fact that I grew up and I currently live in Florida. While I do consider Florida home, it isn't where I was born, it isn't where my family is from and it isn't my motherland. That land, that small piece of Earth, the soil that nourished my history is located half way around the world and right now, it's all over the news.

My family was born in the Philippines. I was born in the Philippines. My roots are in the Philippines and now, they need help. 

As you already know, Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the central Philippines, leaving thousands in need. Aside from losing their homes, many lost family members and loved ones, and while losing those near and dear is enough of a burden, they have also found themselves without clean water and food. Together, we try to do what we can from where we are and with that I'm sharing some resources below. 

• Google has set up websites to help connect loved ones and request rescue. 
• The Washington Post has shared a number of organizations accepting donations to aid the Philippines in their recovery. You may find The Washington Post's list of organizations, links to their website and phone numbers here. 
• Donations to the UN World Food Programme to aid those in dire need of food and water can be made here. Donations can also be made via text.
• US: Text AID to 27722 to donate $10
• Canada: Text RELIEF to 45678 to donate $5
• UK: Text AID to 70303 to donate £3.

I am always impressed by the human spirit in difficult situations and now I'm even more grateful as this difficult situation hits home. For your continued generosity and prayers, salamat.

Sincerely, 

Cybill

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

As today marks Veteran's Day, I just wanted to give a small shout out to the brave men and women who do what they do and the brave souls who did what they did. In the busy day-to-day, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of life, often forgetting the opportunities we consider inherent to being a human. But that isn't the case everywhere and wasn't always the case here. So today, even if only for a minute, I'll pause in gratitude, that I am able to call home the land of the free, because of the brave. I invite to join me.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Sincerely,

Cybill