When she was a little girl, Pistachette was our happy pill. She trotted all over our HDB flat, plushie in one hand and smile on face. Now, Pistachio is our happy pill. He trots all over the house, smelly sock in his mouth and a smile in his eyes.
Pistachette was clever. When I limited her to only 1 bottle of Yakult per day, she approached me and said, "Mommy, may I have another bottle to share with Daddy?" It was only later that Daddy told me, "Her idea of sharing is: she drank up 9/10 and gave me 1/10." Pistachio is clever too. When I erected a mesh net to keep him in his playpen, he managed to get past it.
Pistachette was sensitive to others' feelings. She would readily offer comfort if she thought I was sad. Pistachio does the same.
Pistachette was endearing. Everyone loved her. In a family of aloof people, she was like a glowing fire on a warm winter's day. People felt drawn to her. Before the age of 5, I had already received 3 proposals of marriage from mothers with sons. Her appeal cut across races too. At nursery school, 2 Malay boys came to blows over her. See HERE. Pistachio has the same appeal up and down our street with Malay, Indian and Chinese families.
Pistachette had the odd habit of scratching her pillow if her head was itchy. She also scratched her shoe if the soles of her feet were itchy. Pistachio also has the habit of suddenly standing up on his cushion to scratch furiously at it.
Pistachette used to collect things she liked and then claimed they belonged to her. She kept her hoard in a Milo tin which she carried everywhere with her. Later, when I ventured to open the tin, I discovered much that we had thought lost, including a fair bit of my costume jewelry. Pistachio sticks his nose into my students' pencil boxes and runs off with their stationery. He keeps his stash on a pee tray under a whiteboard. It is so funny how he grabs something he likes and races off under there to store his new acquisition.
Pistachette was picky with food. She also has a discerning palate. She sniffs at Sushi Express. Only Tanuki Raw will do. I buy tea dust at $4.50 for 500g to make teh si kosong. She buys first flush Darjeeling whole leaf tea direct from the tea plantation 1 to 2 weeks after the tea leaves have been picked, at $50 for 50g. See HERE. Now is the time of the year Pistachette shops for teas. Then, she needs them cold brewed. Pistachio is also picky with food. He often does not finish the food in his bowl, no matter if I have put in salmon or chicken or liver or pork. The food of my plate is what he wants.
Pistachette was affectionate. Pistachio is so affectionate that even The Husband is charmed. When he comes home, The Husband does not ask, "Where is Petunia?" He asks instead, "Where are Pistachette and Pistachio?"
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