Hannah's Shower

Hannah Olivares-Navato, who we have fondly called "Manang" for the last 10 years recently had her baby shower in AzuThai Restaurant last Thursday (Aug. 15, 2008). Manang is someone I met in 1997 while I was doing my Master's in the UK. I met her through my cousin,Yael, as they were both based in London for their studies. Her nickname came about because among the three of us she was the most motherly ironic considering she is the youngest in a brood of four. She would constantly check up on us (especially after a late night out) and always made us crack up with her stories and of course, stories about other people. At some point due to her rather cynical view on life I came to describe her as the dark cloud in everyone's silver lining. Doesn't sound very flattering but it was meant in good fun and my way of giving her some cariño brutal. Recently, Manang has decided to take up motherhood and I say take up because this woman certainly made a conscious choice to take on this role whereas before it was not something she obsessed about or talked about. Seeing her pregnant filled me with delight and I can't wait to see how her little girl is going to look like and how she is going to behave. She always said that 'children are your karma' and although she espoused this as a warning to herself (since she admits she wasn't the easiest and most wholesome of wards) as a friend, having blossomed under her version of watching out for me and for all the fun and laughter we've had throughout the many meals and travels we shared (read Spain, Turkey and Greece), I think she will have a very big hearted, warm spirited and beautiful daughter indeed.