S-WORDS ON THE RISssssE


Since coming to California 7 weeks ago, I've become more (and increasingly) familiar with certain 'S' words. Words like...

Ssstore...

and Ssshopping...

and Ssswipe...

and Sssale...

I've been to shops every week and buying, buying, buying. But I've been doing that not for some paltry reason like, 'it's pretty,' or 'I needed it for something real bad and exactly what for, I'll know tomorrow,' or 'shopping is my way to relax.' I have very good and sensible reasons for visiting the stores.

I needed to shop the first week cause we've just moved and obviously, I needed to buy stuff for the apartment.

The second week, I was getting to know the neighborhood and had to get into those shops so the next time we needed something, I'll know where to get them.

The third week, it's the first time we visited the malls and I always needed to have something to remember 'first times' by.

The fourth week... I had to cause it's an Asian store. It's bad enough that it isn't exactly a Filipino store. I could deal with that. But does it have to be several miles away and through a jammed freeway which makes for a compelling reason to buy stuff to last for a couple of weeks at least? Gosh!

The fifth week, ... well, we need to build our credit line. That's how it's done here, I've been told and I mean to do everything I can to help our cause. You see, Papa and I... we're a team.

Yesterday, Mon offered to take us to the factory outlet in Cabazon. It was mid-afternoon and it was cool in the house, I was just up from a nap and I didn't really feel like going out. But there was a certain ring to the words 'factory outlet' that definitely caught my attention. So I shot out of the 'just-got-up' mode, was bathed and dressed in no time.

I wasn't looking out for this, was I? I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Cabazon factory outlet. But yeah... well, the chill is starting to come on and I needed warmer clothes. Seemed to me like a very good reason.

We got there a little after 5, which gave us just about 3 hours to shop before the stores closed at 8pm. I knew what I wanted and I was feeling so much in control. In less than 2 hours, I got what I needed... 2 sweaters and a jacket...

and 2 pairs of capri pants...

and a pair of shoes...

and my third set of beddings in 7 weeks.

I didn't even get a peek in the Fragrances shop. And there were those really nice boots on 9 West and the second pair even sold at 50% off! And just what am I supposed to do about the sales clerk in Ashworth who put me on the mailing list for their upcoming sales?

But yeah, on the way home, I knew I had to learn one other S-word, and learn it fast...

SsssssTOP!