wenk shares her secrets.

currently listening to: starfish/sister hazel.

editor's note: all friends mentioned in this post are broke.

my parents have been seeing me leave the house almost everyday this week, and fully aware of my "financial situation" (or lack of it), they asked why i kept leaving the house if i had no money. my answer would always be that i was going to my friend's house, where i wouldn't have to spend.

it was only today that i think my father realized how serious i was about having a cheap "night out" with friends. i left the house today armed with a bingo set, a bingo "tombiola", taboo, and boggle. i went to my friend's house, only to find that my other friend had brought along her monopoly (which we also played the other night), the friends game, and scrabble. the host (oh gracious host), was kind enough to supply us with softdrinks and cookies, and even offer to pay for the pizza.

so anyway, i just wanted to share a secret with you. it's a plan i devised early this evening. a plan that guarantees to touch your parents' hearts... and hopefully, it's a plan that will reach straight into their pockets and wallets. so here it is:

wenk's 6-step plan to gaining your parents' sympathy... and getting allowance, at least for the night.

#1. comment over lunch or dinner how poor you are. remember to wear tattered clothing! it might help! don't comb your hair either!

#2. casually mention sometime after the meal that you're going to a friend's house "so that you won't have to spend". remember to mention that your friends are also unemployed.

#3. leave the house carrying board games (like i did!), and make sure there are a LOT of games! have them stacked up high, then cradle them in your arms. make sure that at least one of the parents are around when you leave the house.

#4. as the front door is about to close, turn around and say, "oh no! i forgot something! please hold the door open!"... then go back into the house and disappear into the kitchen.

#5. come out of the kitchen, carrying not just the games, but crackers! (although unverified, i think "sky flakes" are the logical choice).

#6. as you really leave the house, put on your sweetest, most sincere "puppy dog eyes" as you look at your parents and say, "i'm bringing the crackers, it's potluck kasi".

** bonus tip: if you still can manage what you're carrying, bring your own thermos of water: it might earn extra "sympathy points"... and hopefully extra cash.

my goal with this plan is simple: to touch the lives of those just like me. i hope it works. please do send me feedback as to the success of my scheme. i'd love to hear from you.

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i have the most supportive friends in the world. i'm nothing but blessed. nothing but blessed, i tell you. thank you, guys :).