que pasa

Lately I've been doing some strange things.  I did the dishes at 845am this morning.  I played the piano (albeit rather choppily) yesterday. I've been cutting fruits for my friends' kids.  I've been making a pot of coffee every other morning.  I do laundry and hang the clothes out and bring them in when they are dry.  Went with my friend to buy vegetables.  That is not my normal behavior at home with my parents, not even when I live alone.  I think my mom would be pleased if she found out.

It's almost as if all the ideal behavioral traits that my mom has been trying to cultivate in me when I was a kid surface themselves when it's apparent to me that this place definitely could use the extra hands, legs, eyes and so on.  Right now, I'm staying at my friends' place in Beijing – they have 2 boys.  My friend (the mom) has her hands full with her younger son and she's been very tired lately.  She has part time help but the help only comes in the morning for half a day, every other day.  So this hidden part in me has actually spoken out and expressed its willingness to help wherever possible. 

I have also started to manifest the eldest child traits, which is even stranger because I'm the youngest child in my family.  (But then again, maybe that's just a function of age.) I'm glad though that they boys like me enough to listen to me when I have to ask them to do things.  I "watch" them when the parents are not in the immediate vicinity, not because they need babysitting but just in case.  I make sure the younger boy eats his food when the mom need to do other stuff.  I think the younger boy knows that he can't fool me because I know all the tricks in his book – I was a terrible kid, lol.  I can read some music so I know when he's not playing the piano right.  (Incidentally he's at Grade 3 in piano now, which is where I stopped, so I can kinda play his music pieces.)

I guess what I'm trying to do is to fill in the gaps and not be so much of a burden to my friends who have so kindly let me stay at their home and be part of their family for this time.  I guess it also has something to do with me feeling like I am representing my family when I stay with my friends (who also know my mom) and I want them to know that my parents did bring me up alright. 

But the best part is knowing that I can step up to the plate and help out in tangible ways in the house when required to.  I don't think my folks will ever see this side of me because when I'm at home, I seriously cannot find this part in me that would to lift a finger - I don't know why.  I'm a much better help in other people's homes or even my friends' place than in my own.  It's like an ability that I can only summon when the need is strong enough, sigh.